Josh's 18W Tremolo TMB Builds

[Bieworm]

It's a good thing I can build this amp right now. Kids are having college exams and I need to be quiet... so it's hard to find a good moment to play. Is it always going to be like that... amp after amp? I built 4 amps this year.. before that guitar after guitar. My problem is I'm susceptible for addictions.. wish i could get really good and do this for daytime job. Maybe some day ..first practice a lot

[JMPGuitars]

It's a good thing I can build this amp right now. Kids are having college exams and I need to be quiet... so it's hard to find a good moment to play. Is it always going to be like that... amp after amp? I built 4 amps this year.. before that guitar after guitar. My problem is I'm susceptible for addictions.. wish i could get really good and do this for daytime job. Maybe some day ..first practice a lot

Being creative is a good addiction. It's certainly better than substance abuse.

[JMPGuitars]

Well, as much as I wanted to do a 6V6 build for the second Trem TMB I make, I've decided to do a 36 Watt EL34 version instead. That's much more my style. I will eventually build a 6V6 amp tho.

I'm also finally going to try out a set of Mercury Magnetics, because I haven't been able to get a 36 watt Heyboer set for a while now.

Aaaand It's likely I'm going to use the PCB I designed for this build also. Should be interesting.

This is the version of the PCB I sent out for production:

Tremolo-TMB-v1.36.jpg

If it works out well, I will consider setting up a kit with it.

Thanks,
Josh

[crgfrench]

is GDS out of 36 iron?

[Bieworm]

Very nice!!! The ultimate bluesbreaker killer

[JMPGuitars]

is GDS out of 36 iron?

He was the last couple times I asked.

[JMPGuitars]

is GDS out of 36 iron?

I've also tried contacting Heyboer directly a few times, and I've never received a response from them. That annoys me.

On the bright side, the MM P18RS has solder lugs, and they claim it can be used for 18 or 36 watt builds.

[geoff 1965]

i contacted heyboer Josh asking if they had UK suppliers and they replied saying no but would do a "one off" shipment if i needed which i thought was pretty cool!
the P18RS does'nt spec the HT current rating but the filament 6.3V is a massive 8 amp! massive price as well $250!

[crgfrench]

Huh... maybe I got the last GDS 36W set?
It sounds fantastic and I would buy it again.
Ceriatone has 36W sets available for $175 (includes both PT & OT).
Check under "Add-on/Parts" at http://www.ceriatone.com/british-style-36w/
These are made in Malaysia by Promitheus. I've never used the 36W iron from them but I'm building a 20 Watter now with a Promithius 20W set; seems high quality but I guess I'll find out one way or the other.
Promitheus uses Z11 Nippon steel, which is equivalent to M6 AISI.

[JMPGuitars]

i contacted heyboer Josh asking if they had UK suppliers and they replied saying no but would do a "one off" shipment if i needed which i thought was pretty cool!
the P18RS does'nt spec the HT current rating but the filament 6.3V is a massive 8 amp! massive price as well $250!

I tried calling and emailing, and never got a response from Heyboer.

I messaged my rep for MM asking about the HT current, I know he'll get back to me. I'm sure it's plenty.

Huh... maybe I got the last GDS 36W set?
It sounds fantastic and I would buy it again.
Ceriatone has 36W sets available for $175 (includes both PT & OT).
Check under "Add-on/Parts" at http://www.ceriatone.com/british-style-36w/
These are made in Malaysia by Promitheus. I've never used the 36W iron from them but I'm building a 20 Watter now with a Promithius 20W set; seems high quality but I guess I'll find out one way or the other.
Promitheus uses Z11 Nippon steel, which is equivalent to M6 AISI.

You might have got his last set, I don't know. They do sound great, I've built at least a couple amps with them. That's also what's in my personal amp head.

I'm not looking for any other brand transformers right now. If I was, I would probably look at having Edcor do something custom, but I dunno how their 18W stuff is.


Side note: for anybody looking for WIMA .01µF caps with good enough leads on them, I found them. .01µF WIMA MKP4 Polypropylene MKP4J021002B00KA00 - they're 630V and in a small package (10x3x8.5mm) with good leads (7.5mm spacing, about 16mm in length).

Thanks,
Josh

[JMPGuitars]

the P18RS does'nt spec the HT current rating

He said it's 200mA for the MM.

The other ratings I've seen were:
140mA for the Hammond,
120mA for the ClassicTone, and
120mA for the Mojo Heyboer version.

I haven't seen ratings for any other versions.

Thanks,
Josh

[geoff 1965]

200mA should be okay,my Mullard data book shows plate current at 94mA per tube for 2 el34’s in push/pull at 36W as a rough guide.are you going to bias them the same as your superlite?

[JMPGuitars]

200mA should be okay,my Mullard data book shows plate current at 94mA per tube for 2 el34’s in push/pull at 36W as a rough guide.are you going to bias them the same as your superlite?

Yeah, I'm going to build the power section about the same to start with (this will be the 3rd variation of that power section). My calculated plate current was about 118mA total for the power tubes on my main amp (36W Xtra TMB), and 128mA on that 36W Superlite TMB. 200mA is plenty.

For comparison, the ClassicTone Marshall 45W to 50W PTs are rated at 150mA.

[JMPGuitars]

I'll highlighter verify them (probably) tomorrow, but I've now built the 36W doc versions, including a layout for turret boards, and a layout for my PCB.

[Bieworm]

Question about the tremolo TMB...
The soft OD happens in the preamp I assume... so it's technically possible to run that through the power section of the imperial? Meaning, I can use the transformers and 6V6 + LTP PI from the deluxe reverb, make one channel the DR clean channel and another channel with the tremolo TMB. Add the power tube bias vary trem and the JMPGUITARS signature reverb. I intend to switch channels with relays with the trem section and reverb section switching along with the channels like the imperial?

[JMPGuitars]

Question about the tremolo TMB...
The soft OD happens in the preamp I assume... so it's technically possible to run that through the power section of the imperial? Meaning, I can use the transformers and 6V6 + LTP PI from the deluxe reverb, make one channel the DR clean channel and another channel with the tremolo TMB. Add the power tube bias vary trem and the JMPGUITARS signature reverb. I intend to switch channels with relays with the trem section and reverb section switching along with the channels like the imperial?

If you mix and match preamps, you need to adjust if there are any issues that arise, but I don't think there should be too much trouble...if you know what yer doin.

[JMPGuitars]

I'm still waiting on my PCBs to be manufactured, but I got my transformers in, and all the small parts ready.

tremtrbr36parts.jpg

It's really interesting seeing the different measurements depending on how you orient the caps:

SDS2504X Plus_PNG_40.png

SDS2504X Plus_PNG_41.png

SDS2504X Plus_PNG_44.png

SDS2504X Plus_PNG_45.png

Sometimes there's also a big frequency change, especially in the more sensitive caps.

[ViperDoc]

It's quite noticeable just by hearing it, but it's *obvious* looking at your scope. The only caps I've noticed to be reliable with the stock outer cover/indicator line are Sozo blue caps (never used the yellow). All the others are hit and miss.

[JMPGuitars]

It's quite noticeable just by hearing it, but it's *obvious* looking at your scope. The only caps I've noticed to be reliable with the stock outer cover/indicator line are Sozo blue caps (never used the yellow). All the others are hit and miss.

I haven't tested any yet, but I do have some yellow SoZo on hand I can check out and see if they're telling the truth. I've never seen another brand actually mark the foil side. There are lines on them, but it's usually just graphic BS, and has nothing to do with the shield.

[ViperDoc]

That’s been my experience as well. It’s worth checking to make sure.