Josh's 18W Tremolo TMB Builds

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Re: Josh's 18W Tremolo TMB Builds

Post by JMPGuitars »

geoff 1965 wrote:
Wed 10/28/20 2:20 pm
Easy on ZP lads! Sahara desert!!? we all know he’s the Buddha of guitar amps and sits floating on a cloud on top of a high mountain in Canada.
Don't worry, I mentioned this thread to ZP. He can come defend his hate for reverb when he has time. ;)
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Troubleshooting Basics:
Step 1: Remove and discard all JJ tubes.
Step 2: Highlighter test.
Step 3: Use a Voltage Chart from the downloads section to test your voltages.

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Re: Josh's 18W Tremolo TMB Builds

Post by JMPGuitars »

Oh man, this is funny. Apparently Both Geoff and Bjorn already had some of the answers a few years ago, when I posted this: viewtopic.php?p=241690#p241690
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'I installed a skylight in my apartment yesterday... The people who live above me are furious.' - Steven Wright

Modern Ground Schemes
Soldering Technique
B+ Voltage Reduction
Amplifier Tools & Parts Info


Troubleshooting Basics:
Step 1: Remove and discard all JJ tubes.
Step 2: Highlighter test.
Step 3: Use a Voltage Chart from the downloads section to test your voltages.

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Re: Josh's 18W Tremolo TMB Builds

Post by JMPGuitars »

I finally uploaded a demo: https://youtu.be/0u5fhXF8gtY

It took a while because I went through recording demos with a few different speakers until I found the perfect one. The WGS BlackHawk sounds amazing with this amp. It's truly a joy to play...which is probably why my mediocre demo is so darn long. ;)

Thanks,
Josh
2 x
'I installed a skylight in my apartment yesterday... The people who live above me are furious.' - Steven Wright

Modern Ground Schemes
Soldering Technique
B+ Voltage Reduction
Amplifier Tools & Parts Info


Troubleshooting Basics:
Step 1: Remove and discard all JJ tubes.
Step 2: Highlighter test.
Step 3: Use a Voltage Chart from the downloads section to test your voltages.

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Re: Josh's 18W Tremolo TMB Builds

Post by Bieworm »

JMPGuitars wrote:
Sun 11/01/20 5:51 pm
I finally uploaded a demo: https://youtu.be/0u5fhXF8gtY

It took a while because I went through recording demos with a few different speakers until I found the perfect one. The WGS BlackHawk sounds amazing with this amp. It's truly a joy to play...which is probably why my mediocre demo is so darn long. ;)

Thanks,
Josh
This is hands down the best 18W version ever!!! Everything is there!!! The awesome touch sensitivity from clean to serious crunch at the tip of the pick. Tremolo, TMB, reverb, fx loop,...
And the gorgeous look of that combo!!! Stuff of legends...
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Re: Josh's 18W Tremolo TMB Builds

Post by JMPGuitars »

Bieworm wrote:
Mon 11/02/20 5:42 am
This is hands down the best 18W version ever!!! Everything is there!!! The awesome touch sensitivity from clean to serious crunch at the tip of the pick. Tremolo, TMB, reverb, fx loop,...
And the gorgeous look of that combo!!! Stuff of legends...
Thank you! I'm curious now to see how the 6V6 version will sound. Should be interesting.
1 x
'I installed a skylight in my apartment yesterday... The people who live above me are furious.' - Steven Wright

Modern Ground Schemes
Soldering Technique
B+ Voltage Reduction
Amplifier Tools & Parts Info


Troubleshooting Basics:
Step 1: Remove and discard all JJ tubes.
Step 2: Highlighter test.
Step 3: Use a Voltage Chart from the downloads section to test your voltages.

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Re: Josh's 18W Tremolo TMB Builds

Post by Bieworm »

JMPGuitars wrote:
Mon 11/02/20 9:22 am
Bieworm wrote:
Mon 11/02/20 5:42 am
This is hands down the best 18W version ever!!! Everything is there!!! The awesome touch sensitivity from clean to serious crunch at the tip of the pick. Tremolo, TMB, reverb, fx loop,...
And the gorgeous look of that combo!!! Stuff of legends...
Thank you! I'm curious now to see how the 6V6 version will sound. Should be interesting.
Me too on the 6V6. In my imperial they sound really massive.
Josh, did you ever execute the snubber circuit on any build? I'd like to try that when the shop opens again. Right now it's closed due to the virus measures. This circuit must be more effective than just a 1000pf 3kV cap across the plates of the 6V6's.
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Re: Josh's 18W Tremolo TMB Builds

Post by JMPGuitars »

Bieworm wrote:
Tue 11/03/20 7:23 am
Me too on the 6V6. In my imperial they sound really massive.
Josh, did you ever execute the snubber circuit on any build? I'd like to try that when the shop opens again. Right now it's closed due to the virus measures. This circuit must be more effective than just a 1000pf 3kV cap across the plates of the 6V6's.
Yes. I didn't need it, I had a bad OT. But I did measure before and after: viewtopic.php?p=246140#p246140


You can see the snubber is effective at smoothing the signal.

Thanks,
Josh
1 x
'I installed a skylight in my apartment yesterday... The people who live above me are furious.' - Steven Wright

Modern Ground Schemes
Soldering Technique
B+ Voltage Reduction
Amplifier Tools & Parts Info


Troubleshooting Basics:
Step 1: Remove and discard all JJ tubes.
Step 2: Highlighter test.
Step 3: Use a Voltage Chart from the downloads section to test your voltages.

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Re: Josh's 18W Tremolo TMB Builds

Post by Bieworm »

JMPGuitars wrote:
Sun 11/01/20 5:51 pm
I finally uploaded a demo: https://youtu.be/0u5fhXF8gtY

It took a while because I went through recording demos with a few different speakers until I found the perfect one. The WGS BlackHawk sounds amazing with this amp. It's truly a joy to play...which is probably why my mediocre demo is so darn long. ;)

Thanks,
Josh
You definitely heard/played lots of 18W versions. Is the tremolo TMB compareable to any particular other or does it have its own throat? Me thinks it's the latter...

Btw, man I could have enjoyed this demo back in the adolescent days when raving on music through a headphone while smoking pot 😃
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Re: Josh's 18W Tremolo TMB Builds

Post by JMPGuitars »

Bieworm wrote:
Tue 11/03/20 8:50 am
You definitely heard/played lots of 18W versions. Is the tremolo TMB compareable to any particular other or does it have its own throat? Me thinks it's the latter...
The Trem TMB definitely has it's own (fantastic) identity, but they all share characteristics unless you go way off. That said, the closest to it is probably my Xtra TMB (which I didn't share). Rather than the tremolo V1, the Xtra TMB has a parallel / cascade switchable preamp before the tone stack driver V2. A couple other things too, but that's the general idea. I made a 36W reverb version that is my personal amp.
1 x
'I installed a skylight in my apartment yesterday... The people who live above me are furious.' - Steven Wright

Modern Ground Schemes
Soldering Technique
B+ Voltage Reduction
Amplifier Tools & Parts Info


Troubleshooting Basics:
Step 1: Remove and discard all JJ tubes.
Step 2: Highlighter test.
Step 3: Use a Voltage Chart from the downloads section to test your voltages.

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Re: Josh's 18W Tremolo TMB Builds

Post by Bieworm »

JMPGuitars wrote:
Tue 11/03/20 9:00 am
Bieworm wrote:
Tue 11/03/20 8:50 am
You definitely heard/played lots of 18W versions. Is the tremolo TMB compareable to any particular other or does it have its own throat? Me thinks it's the latter...
The Trem TMB definitely has it's own (fantastic) identity, but they all share characteristics unless you go way off. That said, the closest to it is probably my Xtra TMB (which I didn't share). Rather than the tremolo V1, the Xtra TMB has a parallel / cascade switchable preamp before the tone stack driver V2. A couple other things too, but that's the general idea. I made a 36W reverb version that is my personal amp.
Christ!!! I WILL make one with reverb too. But I'm gonna give it a lot of thought about the way of approach. I'll definitely keep my actual one 100% untouched. Party for reference but mainly because of its sacred status. I think I'm going to remove the chassis of my modern classic and rob it from its transformers. The rest of the parts will be newly ordered including a blank chassis. Keep me posted on those faceplates because I might order one.. no rush 😉
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Re: Josh's 18W Tremolo TMB Builds

Post by JMPGuitars »

Bieworm wrote:
Tue 11/03/20 9:24 am
Christ!!! I WILL make one with reverb too. But I'm gonna give it a lot of thought about the way of approach. I'll definitely keep my actual one 100% untouched. Party for reference but mainly because of its sacred status. I think I'm going to remove the chassis of my modern classic and rob it from its transformers. The rest of the parts will be newly ordered including a blank chassis. Keep me posted on those faceplates because I might order one.. no rush 😉
Your Trem TMB is sacred, it's the first one ever built. ;)

I would sell the modern classic if you're not gonna keep it. It's a nice enough amp, and it could pay to build a new one.
1 x
'I installed a skylight in my apartment yesterday... The people who live above me are furious.' - Steven Wright

Modern Ground Schemes
Soldering Technique
B+ Voltage Reduction
Amplifier Tools & Parts Info


Troubleshooting Basics:
Step 1: Remove and discard all JJ tubes.
Step 2: Highlighter test.
Step 3: Use a Voltage Chart from the downloads section to test your voltages.

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Re: Josh's 18W Tremolo TMB Builds

Post by Bieworm »

JMPGuitars wrote:
Tue 11/03/20 11:11 am
Bieworm wrote:
Tue 11/03/20 9:24 am
Christ!!! I WILL make one with reverb too. But I'm gonna give it a lot of thought about the way of approach. I'll definitely keep my actual one 100% untouched. Party for reference but mainly because of its sacred status. I think I'm going to remove the chassis of my modern classic and rob it from its transformers. The rest of the parts will be newly ordered including a blank chassis. Keep me posted on those faceplates because I might order one.. no rush 😉
Your Trem TMB is sacred, it's the first one ever built. ;)

I would sell the modern classic if you're not gonna keep it. It's a nice enough amp, and it could pay to build a new one.
You're right. Good plan!
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Re: Josh's 18W Tremolo TMB Builds

Post by Bieworm »

Good news!!!
I just ordered all stuff needed for the tremolo TMB reverb. Next build is secured definitely!!!
Also new transformers and blank chassis.
Josh, might you provide the front panel layout plan so I can keep the option open when you decide to sell me the front panel I need? Just so my drilling the chassis matches the panel?

Not selling anything yet... I might some day, but nothing concrete for now.
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Re: Josh's 18W Tremolo TMB Builds

Post by Bieworm »

Hooraayy the parts have arrived 🤗🤗
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Re: Josh's 18W Tremolo TMB Builds

Post by Bieworm »

Turretboard ready.
16056436475945041552935024714942.jpg
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Re: Josh's 18W Tremolo TMB Builds

Post by JMPGuitars »

I still have to drill the board for my 6V6 version. I'll get to it eventually.
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'I installed a skylight in my apartment yesterday... The people who live above me are furious.' - Steven Wright

Modern Ground Schemes
Soldering Technique
B+ Voltage Reduction
Amplifier Tools & Parts Info


Troubleshooting Basics:
Step 1: Remove and discard all JJ tubes.
Step 2: Highlighter test.
Step 3: Use a Voltage Chart from the downloads section to test your voltages.

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Re: Josh's 18W Tremolo TMB Builds

Post by Bieworm »

JMPGuitars wrote:
Tue 11/17/20 3:32 pm
I still have to drill the board for my 6V6 version. I'll get to it eventually.
What do you expect to be different with 6V6's? Different OD pattern? I have been doubting about that too.. but what if it will be less satisfying. I decided I want the exact amp as my current tremolo TMB, but with reverb. It will almost certainly be my number 1 amp. So I figured not to risk that by applying 6V6's. Maybe some other build? Anyway, the Imperial 'variety' I recently built sports those already.

Btw... tested those gold plated turrets. They are great to solder. What a relief!!! I was worried they would be the same crap as the former ones I used.. so tested them first before putting them on the board.
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Re: Josh's 18W Tremolo TMB Builds

Post by JMPGuitars »

Bieworm wrote:
Tue 11/17/20 3:43 pm
What do you expect to be different with 6V6's? Different OD pattern? I have been doubting about that too.. but what if it will be less satisfying.
I'm building it out of curiosity. I don't have any expectations, only the desire to hear what it sounds like.
2 x
'I installed a skylight in my apartment yesterday... The people who live above me are furious.' - Steven Wright

Modern Ground Schemes
Soldering Technique
B+ Voltage Reduction
Amplifier Tools & Parts Info


Troubleshooting Basics:
Step 1: Remove and discard all JJ tubes.
Step 2: Highlighter test.
Step 3: Use a Voltage Chart from the downloads section to test your voltages.

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Re: Josh's 18W Tremolo TMB Builds

Post by Bieworm »

Keep us posted
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Re: Josh's 18W Tremolo TMB Builds

Post by JMPGuitars »

Bieworm wrote:
Wed 11/18/20 3:11 pm
Keep us posted
I will. I'm a little busy with stuff, so this project is going slowly...but I did just spend a ton of money at Mouser, so it will probably be sooner than later.
1 x
'I installed a skylight in my apartment yesterday... The people who live above me are furious.' - Steven Wright

Modern Ground Schemes
Soldering Technique
B+ Voltage Reduction
Amplifier Tools & Parts Info


Troubleshooting Basics:
Step 1: Remove and discard all JJ tubes.
Step 2: Highlighter test.
Step 3: Use a Voltage Chart from the downloads section to test your voltages.

Web Design: flashydragon.com
Guitars / Amps / Effects: JMPGuitars.com
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