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Topic: Fender Twin components sugestions |
Ivan Funk
From:
Hamburg Pennsylvania, USA
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Posted 21 Oct 2012 10:04 am |
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I'm overhauling my 79 Fender Twin (135 watt/ultralinear)
(I chopped it down to a head a few years ago)
Recently I replaced the scratchy master volume pot and got rid of the pull/boost (and got rid of the cap across the wiper).
I also experimented with putting a 56k-100k variable resistor (pot) in place of the slope resistor in channel 2 .
Is this a bad idea? -works/sounds good as a mid/shift - wires all shielded and quiet etc...
I did the reverb on both channels mod just for the heck of it.
The amp sounds great. I think it's time to replace the old Mallory caps though.
I've used the "search" function and have read many great threads on this topic with input from some knowledgeable people.
Although possibly redundant - I think it would be good to get some suggestions on basic component selection and consolidate the info in a new simple thread.
I appreciate all I have learned by reading posts from Ken Fox, Donny Hinson, Brad Sorno, Tim Marcus, and others.
Maybe some of them will offer input.
So in short:
What are you're favorite filter caps? (manufacturer and type)
How about for the other caps and resistors?
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Tim Marcus
From:
San Francisco, CA
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Posted 21 Oct 2012 12:14 pm
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I use Jupiter caps in every amp I build. Nothing like them. I use the yellows in the tone stack of my Pedal Steel amp, and the reds for all large coupling values. He makes a .003uF reverb return cap now as well (after years of me pleading for them) but I am not sure if its listed on the website yet.
For resistors, I only use vintage old stock Allen Bradley. They sound the best, and last the longest (based on experience) However, the new production carbon comps are decent. I am just not sure how they will withstand the test of time - we know the AB resistors last 50-60 years 
For small value caps, I always use vintage mica caps. They sound better than their modern counterpart, and much smoother than ceramic.
For filter caps I use Sprague Atoms. The giant blue ones. However, I am really liking the German F+T caps these days. I may make the switch, because they are really great sounding caps! However, we know the Atoms last a really long time - not sure about the F+Ts yet.
Hope that helps you out!
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Milkmansound.com |
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Ivan Funk
From:
Hamburg Pennsylvania, USA
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Posted 21 Oct 2012 1:57 pm
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Hi Tim,
Great stuff!
Thanks for the info.
-exactly the type of input I was looking for.
I was reading about the German F+T caps.
I'm not too concerned about the longevity if the sound is good.
Maybe I'll try them...
Nice looking amps by the way. |
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Tim Marcus
From:
San Francisco, CA
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Posted 21 Oct 2012 2:01 pm
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thanks!
if you really want the twin to take off - get rid of the first channel
there is a reason my steel amp is single channel 
_________________
Milkmansound.com |
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Ivan Funk
From:
Hamburg Pennsylvania, USA
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Posted 21 Oct 2012 6:59 pm
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Hi Tim,
I just take out the V1 tube sometimes.
Does this effectively take channel one out of the circuit? |
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Tim Marcus
From:
San Francisco, CA
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Posted 21 Oct 2012 9:06 pm
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yes and no
there are still the components in line that mix the two channels together. A single channel amp has to be designed differently to make up for all of that extra gain. However, I truly believe that it does sound better with less circuitry. Also, it looks a lot cleaner and is much neater to wire up.
I saved so much space on my Pedal Steel Amp (which lives in a Twin sized cabinet) by eliminating channel 1 and the tremolo circuit that I was able to flip the entire power supply up to the top. No need for a dog house underneath. This makes the amp much easier to service, and much neater to wire up.
I know it does not make any sense electronically - but a nice simple clean layout seems to sound the best. For me that means single channel, with as few things in circuit as possible. That is the secret to a tone monster. Add in some real tube reverb and there you have it - no need for more clutter, like digital effects pedals or a POD
_________________
Milkmansound.com |
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Ivan Funk
From:
Hamburg Pennsylvania, USA
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Posted 23 Oct 2012 2:07 am
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Makes sense to me.
Less is more.
If I decide to remove channel one I'll get in touch about what do in the mixing circuitry.
In the mean time:
Does anyone know are TAD caps the same as (made by) F+T ?
I read somewhere that they are. But the source was suspect. |
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Ivan Funk
From:
Hamburg Pennsylvania, USA
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Posted 25 Oct 2012 12:50 pm
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I decided on the F+T for the filter caps.
Should be in this weekend.
Thanks again for your input Tim! |
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Gary Lee Gimble
From:
Fredericksburg, VA.
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Posted 25 Oct 2012 11:31 pm
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Ivan,
A few years back, I was seeking a Fender tube tech on the Fender forum and found an abundance of chatter regarding Pete Cage. Lucky me, he lives in my area, Damuascus, MD. Here's his contact info, maybe he can help you:
http://www.audiocage.com/services.shtml
email addy: pete@audiocage.com
My amp, pic'd below, has been trouble free for years now. Oh, my split cab configuration was built by Rick Johnson, a Forumite
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Assorted gear and a set of hands...
https://www.facebook.com/garythelee
https://www.youtube.com/user/ZumEmm |
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Ivan Funk
From:
Hamburg Pennsylvania, USA
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Posted 26 Oct 2012 12:08 pm
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Thanks Gary,
Good to have this info.
Nice looking rig. |
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