Reiner Amplification Megathread

[kringle77]

Jon, you were right, the 12ax7 makes the amp more mid full. I guess overall, I prefer the 12au7 but, the 12ax7 does give it a different and great sound. By the way, I've run my vintage svt pream section into the board and other power amps many times and it gets about the same amount of breakup as your 12au7 when turned up all the way. Most of the overdrive comes from the power section. Great clips, thanks!

 

[JGR]

Got the front panel finalized.

 

[JGR]

Maybe I missed this, but what's the DI situation? Switchable pre/post eq?

Jensen DI with pre/post and ground/lift. Post is pre-master volume so no issues with level changes.

 

[monkeyfinger]

Very sharp looking!! I love the art deco influence.

 

[Jeff Scott]

My, what big knobs! Sorry, had to say it.

I like the Supro-ish lines going across the panel.

 

[silky smoove]

LED/lamp colors for the power and on lights?

 

[smeet]

Love the look, love the knobs.

 

[monsterthompson]

I need to unsubscribe from this thread before I request a build.

 

[Fuzzbass]

I need to unsubscribe from this thread before I request a build.

...get involved in the upcoming kicking/screaming/biting match over the first batch of five. :***:

 

[speyer]

I like the front panel "draft" you posted up better! The hand drawn version... The one that oozes hand made, artistic quality You should scan that one...and use it for a screen printing template! Lol

It looks great either way... Nice work!

 

[Jeff Scott]

The earlier iteration reminded me of Swart amps designs.

 

[Fuzzbass]

My Mk1 pre:

The Mk1 (12ax) can get really dirty so it's staying with my hard rock band. I'll definitely go 12au in the Studio 1200 because I don't need extra OD with the other bands I gig with. Of course the Mk1 can stay clean, but only the rock band (loud) requires a rack rig. I've been using a TH500 with my other bands. It's a nice little amp, but JGR's micro will be the shiz!

 

[JGR]

IMO, Swart, Carr, and Tone King set the absolute benchmark for style - love their aesthetics!

Regarding the lights, they are the same style I've been using on my other preamps. Power light is amber, clip light will be red as you'd expect. What's cool (to me anyway) is that they two are totally different types of lamp but have the same packing which is nice from an aesthetic standpoint.

I was just happy to get everything to fit (even before I decided to add the fifth band of EQ!). The knobs are pretty easy to turn because their shape leaves plenty of space between the center section that you actually manipulate, which is good for chubby digits. The pots are big, and there is an internal frame the front panel mounts to that the jacks and switches have to clear, so there is no space left over. It's been a challenge doing a compact hand-wired amp from a packaging perspective, but it turned out very well from a DFMA (design for manufacturing and assembly) perspective which is good since I'm the one that has to put them together!

 

[smogg]

@ JGR,
What is the correct pronunciation of your name/your company name?
Ray-ner?
Ray-near?
Rye-ner?
Rye-near?
just curious

 

[dukeorock]

@ JGR,
What is the correct pronunciation of your name/your company name?
Ray-ner?
Ray-near?
Rye-ner?
Rye-near?
just curious

Rye-ner...pretty sure

 

[JGR]

Rye-ner...pretty sure

Yessir, like Rob and Carl.

 

[smogg]

Thanks guys

 

[Jeff Scott]

IMO, Swart, Carr, and Tone King set the absolute benchmark for style - love their aesthetics!!

Those three also happen to make some killer amps!

When I was recently searching for a small tube guitar amp for primarily home use, those were the three brands under consideration. I ended up with the above pictured model, although the Carr Mercury, Raleigh and Skylark, and the Tone King Falcon were right up there, making for a pretty tough decision, really.

 

[eyeballkid]

My Mk1 pre:

The Mk1 (12ax) can get really dirty so it's staying with my hard rock band. I'll definitely go 12au in the Studio 1200 because I don't need extra OD with the other bands I gig with. Of course the Mk1 can stay clean, but only the rock band (loud) requires a rack rig. I've been using a TH500 with my other bands. It's a nice little amp, but JGR's micro will be the shiz!

I cant believe you're getting dirty with such low gain and master settings on the mk1 in the pic. Are you slamming the hell out of it with that VT bass?

 

[Fuzzbass]

I cant believe you're getting dirty with such low gain and master settings on the mk1 in the pic. Are you slamming the hell out of it with that VT bass?

Nah, for dirt the Gain is usually at noon! Sadowskys are fairly hot, and I boost a little bass.

Details: actually I'm not even plugged into the MK1 in that pic. I'm pretty sure I took it just after I got the VT, and I was auditioning the VT by itself. Normally I run the Mk1 into the rear input of a SansAmp (RBI, RPM, or VT), and switch the SansAmp in and out for extra dirt.