The 18Watt EF86 Xtra
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The 18Watt EF86 Xtra
Here's the design and docs for the new EF86 Xtra circuit. It's based on the EF86 Lite, with an added parallel gain stage, an FX loop, and a bright/thick switch. Hence the name, EF86 Xtra.
I've already designed another version called the EF86 Xtra TMB, but that's a topic for another thread after I build and test that version.
If anybody is interested in building this, please share your results here so we can discuss this further if there's need for any additions or changes to the docs.
My test build was entirely based on spare parts in my parts drawers (which I keep pretty well stocked), and a chassis I had laying around. The result is a killer sounding medium/high gain 18 watter. The tone can go from clean, to different shapes and levels of drive. I'll post a demo soon.
Here's my build:
Here's the docs:
Layout: files/JMPGuitars_18_Watt_EF86_Xtra_Layout.pdf
Schematic: files/JMPGuitars_18_Watt_EF86_Xtra_Schematic.pdf
Voltages: files/JMPGuitars_18_Watt_EF86_Xtra_Volt ... _Chart.pdf
Thanks,
Josh
I've already designed another version called the EF86 Xtra TMB, but that's a topic for another thread after I build and test that version.
If anybody is interested in building this, please share your results here so we can discuss this further if there's need for any additions or changes to the docs.
My test build was entirely based on spare parts in my parts drawers (which I keep pretty well stocked), and a chassis I had laying around. The result is a killer sounding medium/high gain 18 watter. The tone can go from clean, to different shapes and levels of drive. I'll post a demo soon.
Here's my build:
Here's the docs:
Layout: files/JMPGuitars_18_Watt_EF86_Xtra_Layout.pdf
Schematic: files/JMPGuitars_18_Watt_EF86_Xtra_Schematic.pdf
Voltages: files/JMPGuitars_18_Watt_EF86_Xtra_Volt ... _Chart.pdf
Thanks,
Josh
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Re: The 18Watt EF86 Xtra
My mediocre demo is done!
When I go from clean to dirty without changing any amp settings, the only thing changing is my playing. I never touch the volume on the guitar in the demo.
https://youtu.be/yZasESAeIfU
Thanks,
Josh
When I go from clean to dirty without changing any amp settings, the only thing changing is my playing. I never touch the volume on the guitar in the demo.
https://youtu.be/yZasESAeIfU
Thanks,
Josh
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Re: The 18Watt EF86 Xtra
Sounds great! Well done. You can hear the glassiness of the EF86. I like the smooth transition to the Marshally dirt at higher Tone and Gain settings.
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Re: The 18Watt EF86 Xtra
Thanks!
The speaker is a single 16 ohm Eminence Red Fang in a 2x12 cab.
The speaker is a single 16 ohm Eminence Red Fang in a 2x12 cab.
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Re: The 18Watt EF86 Xtra
Very SWEET!!
Looking forward to the TMB version...
I just may have found another winter project!!!
Looking forward to the TMB version...
I just may have found another winter project!!!
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Re: The 18Watt EF86 Xtra
Josh,
Any comments on how you like this stacked amp versus either an EF86 or 12AX7 Parallel front end by themselves?
Any comments on how you like this stacked amp versus either an EF86 or 12AX7 Parallel front end by themselves?
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Re: The 18Watt EF86 Xtra
I like all 3 of those options, but I feel with this amp circuit I basically get the best of all of them together. With the EF86 gain down, and the volume cranked, it feels a lot like a Lite 2b. With the EF86 gain up at a certain point, it feels similar to the EF86 Lite. But then you can tweak or crank all three of the knobs and it goes well beyond either of the other two's abilities on their own. If you see the way I'm playing around with the attack and touch sensitivity, it really is deliciously versatile. I'm definitely a fan. In hindsight though, I don't think I played with the Tone knob enough. It also obviously has a big impact, and I neglected it a bit in that demo.
I don't know whether or not this will be a great build for beginners, as noise could be an issue with the extra gain stage. However, as can be seen from the demo, if care is taken with build quality, it can be very quiet.
Thanks,
Josh
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Re: The 18Watt EF86 Xtra
I could definitely make out the touch sensitivity as well as the character contributed by which tube was working depending on the knob settings. Sounded very good. Do you find the cleans to be very clear and bright or darkish?JMPGuitars wrote: ↑Thu 08/08/19 7:48 pmI like all 3 of those options, but I feel with this amp circuit I basically get the best of all of them together. With the EF86 gain down, and the volume cranked, it feels a lot like a Lite 2b. With the EF86 gain up at a certain point, it feels similar to the EF86 Lite. But then you can tweak or crank all three of the knobs and it goes well beyond either of the other two's abilities on their own. If you see the way I'm playing around with the attack and touch sensitivity, it really is deliciously versatile. I'm definitely a fan. In hindsight though, I don't think I played with the Tone knob enough. It also obviously has a big impact, and I neglected it a bit in that demo.
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Re: The 18Watt EF86 Xtra
I find the cleans to be very dependent on the position of the tone knob (dark or bright depending on what you want). That's why I mentioned my neglecting of it. I don't totally remember, but there's a point I think near the beginning of the video where I did use the tone knob a little. You can briefly see how much that affects the tone.
I didn't include the bright/thick switch on my build. It may be more useful for somebody playing single coils, but I dunno. If you're concerned about the tone being too bright or too dark, that switch is probably a good idea. The cool thing about it is how easy it is to pop it in if you decide you need it.
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Re: The 18Watt EF86 Xtra
As far as darkness goes, I meant do you notice any overall darkening of the tone cascading the EF86 in the 18W front end, or is it just as balanced as the regular 18W? I run my Tone at about 2 o'clock with Les Pauls and it's well balanced with the volume opened up a bit.JMPGuitars wrote: ↑Fri 08/09/19 7:53 pmI find the cleans to be very dependent on the position of the tone knob (dark or bright depending on what you want). That's why I mentioned my neglecting of it. I don't totally remember, but there's a point I think near the beginning of the video where I did use the tone knob a little. You can briefly see how much that affects the tone.
I didn't include the bright/thick switch on my build. It may be more useful for somebody playing single coils, but I dunno. If you're concerned about the tone being too bright or too dark, that switch is probably a good idea. The cool thing about it is how easy it is to pop it in if you decide you need it.
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Re: The 18Watt EF86 Xtra
I find the amp still has the glassiness of the ef86, and I wouldn't say the amp is dark. But you can affect that with the tone knob if you want it to sound darker. I used a larger cap on this tone stack, and that gives you more play towards the bass end, so this tone knob won't be exactly the same as the normal Lite tone stack. Though I think around 2 o'clock would still probably be fine with humbuckers. I mean, look at where I have the tone in most of the video. IIRC It's between 12 and 3 for the most part, and it's crispy and crunchy, the way you want your cereal to be. Also though, I do like the tone knob in different positions depending on how the G/V knobs are set. All 3 knobs do impact the overall sound. I don't consider the tone knob a set it and forget it thing...but I'm extremely picky on that stuff. However you set it, I find the cleans to be surprisingly clear.colossal wrote: ↑Fri 08/09/19 8:56 pmAs far as darkness goes, I meant do you notice any overall darkening of the tone cascading the EF86 in the 18W front end, or is it just as balanced as the regular 18W? I run my Tone at about 2 o'clock with Les Pauls and it's well balanced with the volume opened up a bit.
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