Tremolo TMB SE build!!!

[Bieworm]

Here’s a clip with the BF reverb. This is soooo nice… less drive on this tele though.. but you get the idea

https://youtu.be/GTJ8-E9c5I4

I dunno what it is, but that tele has a poorly defined low end. How are the pickup heights?

I know you never liked that tele… I really like the woody lo-fi of it. I’ll do a demo with the humbuckers … just for you!
But in the end it’s turning out to be a really nice amp. I changed some parts since the demo. Filter caps 50uf-choke-50uf (node A=plate) -1k + 47uf (node B=screen) - 2k7 + 22uf (node C=preamp)
On the reverb recovery there’s now 1k5/4.7uf kathode and the re-amp after the recovery is only 1k5 unbypassed.. works best for me on BF verbs

[JMPGuitars]

Here’s a clip with the BF reverb. This is soooo nice… less drive on this tele though.. but you get the idea

https://youtu.be/GTJ8-E9c5I4

I dunno what it is, but that tele has a poorly defined low end. How are the pickup heights?

I know you never liked that tele… I really like the woody lo-fi of it. I’ll do a demo with the humbuckers … just for you!
But in the end it’s turning out to be a really nice amp. I changed some parts since the demo. Filter caps 50uf-choke-50uf (node A=plate) -1k + 47uf (node B=screen) - 2k7 + 22uf (node C=preamp)
On the reverb recovery there’s now 1k5/4.7uf kathode and the re-amp after the recovery is only 1k5 unbypassed.. works best for me on BF verbs

Post an accurate schematic when you're done.

[Bieworm]

I dunno what it is, but that tele has a poorly defined low end. How are the pickup heights?

I know you never liked that tele… I really like the woody lo-fi of it. I’ll do a demo with the humbuckers … just for you!
But in the end it’s turning out to be a really nice amp. I changed some parts since the demo. Filter caps 50uf-choke-50uf (node A=plate) -1k + 47uf (node B=screen) - 2k7 + 22uf (node C=preamp)
On the reverb recovery there’s now 1k5/4.7uf kathode and the re-amp after the recovery is only 1k5 unbypassed.. works best for me on BF verbs

Post an accurate schematic when you're done.

Yeah... here's what I've got until now. I forgot to add a grid leak resistor on the EL34.. will add that later this evening.

schematic execution with BF reverb 20230307.png

[Bieworm]

Did some more fine tuning. Didn’t Split the D nodes but put them in series.
A to B= choke, with A unused
B to C= 1k, B is plate connection
C to D1= 4k7, C is G2 connection and reverb driver plates
D1 to D2= 1k5, D1 is preamp V1 and 2, D2 is reverb recovery and re-amplifier wet/dry

Did a comparison between 6L6GC Tungsol and EL34 Telefunken. The EL34 is definitely a winner! And the reverb sounds amazing! There is only slight hum which is negligible for a SE amp. The reverb only hums when in surf territory. Definitely a keeper, this one!
In case I would build another I will rearrange the layout a bit more ideal, but all in all it’s pretty ok.

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[Bieworm]

Slowly finishing that amp.gave it a pretty kinky 80’s look.

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[chaliapin]

Looking nice, you leaving the back completely open? Which model speaker is it?

[Bieworm]

Looking nice, you leaving the back completely open? Which model speaker is it?

Hahaha… no, the backplates are cut, but I have to tolex them
Speaker is a celestion G12H30 55Hz heritage

[Bieworm]

Naaaaa… the more I looked at it, the less I liked it with that 80’s look. Changed the grill and it’s much better imho…

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[chaliapin]

Where did you end up with the b+ and dissipation?

[Bieworm]

Where did you end up with the b+ and dissipation?

Here’s my final chart: 82% with the EL34. I can safely sub it for the 6L6 and get 69%

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[Bieworm]

It’s a friggin’ great amp. Took it to practice last week… nice!! It’s got that woody/boxy tone that is sorta like a little tweed champ, but with tighter overdrive. Not really fat, but honky… me like!!!

[chaliapin]

Sounds like my sort of thing...

Did you try bias up to 100% as it's single ended/ class A?

[Bieworm]

Sounds like my sort of thing...

Did you try bias up to 100% as it's single ended/ class A?

No.. it’s an old 70’s telefunken EL34. Don’t wanna risk it… and it sounds fine as is

[TriodeLuvr]

That's a beautiful amplifier! Wish I had your skill with cabinetry. I'm not surprised you prefer the EL34 - it has much higher transconductance (gain) than the 6L6, so it should be somewhat louder. I have all the parts to build several SE 6BQ5/6V6 amps, and this schematic might be my go-to for those. They'll be somewhat simpler than that last push-pull amp I built.

Jack

[Bieworm]

That's a beautiful amplifier! Wish I had your skill with cabinetry. I'm not surprised you prefer the EL34 - it has much higher transconductance (gain) than the 6L6, so it should be somewhat louder. I have all the parts to build several SE 6BQ5/6V6 amps, and this schematic might be my go-to for those. They'll be somewhat simpler than that last push-pull amp I built.

Jack

That would make it a Tremolo TMB champ
The irony of it all is that the underpowered honky tone makes it a super cool little amp, while back when we were kids we all had an amp like that and didn’t like it. We wanted that big sounding amp we couldn’t afford

[Bieworm]

Hear this MTF*KR!!!

https://youtu.be/r6fPLGMKiTA

[garakin]

Very nice work and sounds awesome! I've found that if I'm going to do an SE amp, I always seem to gravitate to 6V6's or EL-34s. Something about those two tubes that just have a super pleasing distortion.