Need a little help

18watt-specific Tech Talk - Building, Fixing, Parts, Mods...

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BHoff
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Need a little help

Post by BHoff »

I just got a real nice GDS 18 watt TMB style amp head. I’ve got some questions about this amp and was hoping Graydon could provide some info and a possible assembly manual, schematics etc. with proof of possessing this amp.
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BHoff
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Re: Need a little help

Post by BHoff »

If any one has an original 2013 era TMB schematic and layout diagram I know I’ll be able to get rid of the mods that have been done to my 18 watter.
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BHoff
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Re: Need a little help

Post by BHoff »

I spent a couple hours today with my ‘72 ES 345 plugged directly into my GDS 18 watter mounted in a 2 x 12 bluesbreaker styled cab. WOW!!! The best sounding amp I’ve ever played through. Total power, punch and articulation.
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Daviedawg
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Re: Need a little help

Post by Daviedawg »

Hi. Have you looked in the Downloads section for the information you are looking for? The mods you refer to, are they later ones made after completion by GDS?

Dd
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BHoff
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Re: Need a little help

Post by BHoff »

I’m not sure, the guy I got it from was clueless about the amps history. I haven’t been able to find the correct schematics yet, still searching.
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JMPGuitars
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Re: Need a little help

Post by JMPGuitars »

Generally speaking, GDS uses the schematics from this site. As Dd mentioned, you can find them here: viewtopic.php?f=25&t=24433

2013 wasn't a specific schematic, and most likely the GDS kits would have referenced something older. Schematic year isn't that important, these amps are classics. If it's a newer schematic, the difference might be mods, or a modern ground scheme. Otherwise, the year doesn't tell you much.

Also, it's possible the person who built the kit didn't follow a standard schematic. Even if he did, some mods can easily throw you off trying to track it down. If you post some photos that might help us determine what schematic was used.

Thanks,
Josh
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BHoff
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Re: Need a little help

Post by BHoff »

Thanks JMPGuitars, I think I can figure it out from the stuff on that link.
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BHoff
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Re: Need a little help

Post by BHoff »

Here's what I've got.
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Re: Need a little help

Post by JMPGuitars »

Can you post a better photo of the signature and the cabinet?

That's GDS transformers, but it doesn't look like a GDS kit. I could be wrong, but he usually supplies eyelet boards, and I've never heard of him supplying SoZo caps in the kits. That is all good quality components though - I use a lot of the same stuff myself...including the GDS transformers.

Thanks,
Josh
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BHoff
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Re: Need a little help

Post by BHoff »

Here’s a pic you can blow up for the signature. I’ll shoot some pics of the cab this afternoon.
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Re: Need a little help

Post by JMPGuitars »

Compare the build against this layout: storage/18_Watt_TMB.pdf

The layout reference's Richie's schematic.
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Re: Need a little help

Post by BHoff »

Thanks that’s the one I printed out this morning. Seems to be the closest. Here’s the cab shots.
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Re: Need a little help

Post by JMPGuitars »

The lack of the tag board and small differences in the PT wiring is inconsequential. Use a highlighter and reference the rest of the build and it looks pretty darn close.

Thanks,
Josh
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BHoff
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Re: Need a little help

Post by BHoff »

Thanks again Josh. I’m diggin just playing it. Don’t really care who made it, it rocks.
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