Uncle GAS Needs You: Help Design an All Tube Amp!!!

[JacksonAmpworks]

I'll wait for joker to fully make his point, but IMO the OD/compression (and i'm not talking billy sheehan grind, just that litle something that adds that sustaining singing quality) abilities of a tube amp are what make it worth it to me. If the 359/Valve Series doesn't give that little bit of OD or more when i ask for it, IMO it's not worth it.

So count me in the "it's a necessity" group...of 1

Noted.

On a side note, i think we've got an awesome selection of people suggesting things for this amp. I think we have a combined taste range that will end up making Brad's amp quite attractive to a wide range of bassists

I agree. This level of information and help is incredible!

 

[JacksonAmpworks]

I agree. We are a pretty diverse bunch..... and this amp appears it might be able to appeal to enough of our wants and needs to justify spending the jack.

I would have to say, the OD (2nd gain stage) isn't a deal breaker in and of itself. But having it available would certainly make me more likely to want to buy it. I'm not a big overdriven guy... but there is that 10 to 15% of the time I wish I had it available.. and I've never found a pedal that really did it for me.

I'm sensing that this feature is not required but would be greatly appreciated. Do I infer correctly?

 

[JacksonAmpworks]

The cool thing is that as long as the od channel does not compromise the fidelity in any way when it is not engaged, it would definitely widen the amp's appeal.

A little added hair would be a nice option (as opposed to full blown Sheehan buzz--perhaps a 12AT7 tube instead of 12AX7?) if it could be switched in and out unobtrusively. The EL84 idea that was brought up earlier could be intriguing.

Yeah, I'm not thinking high gain, just controllable OD.

 

[JacksonAmpworks]

That's the key right there. I'm not a huge OD addict, but when i really NEED it that 20-30% of the time, i can never get it right with a pedal and it kills the experience for me.

I'm sensing a trend here.

 

[JacksonAmpworks]

How bout naming it something simple like the "TB-300" a tribute to those who inspired its design. Chances are there's something out there already called that though. Plus its probably not an artsy fartsy enough name like "Sunset Tone" or some of the others suggested.

We could call it, "Princess Sofia".

 

[JacksonAmpworks]

That said, I think it's cool that Mr. Jackson has asked for and received so much support and direction from the members of this forum.

I think it's cool too and GREATLY appreciated. I'm very grateful to have stumbled onto these players who are actually wanting something that I'm building. It's a very rewarding experience.

 

[JacksonAmpworks]

I propose the name " Shiznit "

I kinda like "FerShizzle". Kinda has a nice ring to it!

 

[JacksonAmpworks]

Brad:

With the ORBA, if you include settings for two banks of three tubes, would it be possible, then, to run, say, three 6L6's and three KT-88's?

Tom.

Of course! I'm going to try to make the amp work with the following tubes:

KT88
6550
EL34
KT66
6L6GC

Needless to say, you can mix any match any of these pairs as long as the tubes are all the same on the same side.

 

[JacksonAmpworks]

I suppose so you're right. Even so, I'm just saying that attempting to incorporate everybody's suggestions and "wants" for any product can often lead to a product that doesn't live up to all those expectations.

I see what you're saying, and that's exactly why we are in the process of setting the design goal now. The amp can go any direction that we want it to go. Originally I wanted the amp to be 30W Class A with a selectable 100W Class AB, and look where we are now. I was totally off base with my original idea, and thanks to the guys here, we are going to be creating something that people will find incredibly useful.

 

[JacksonAmpworks]

Different tonal possibilities.

He's right. Take the best tones from each tubes and create your own signature tone! Just think, people will hear your tone and say that it sounds a bit like 6550's, but has the smoothness of a KT66.

All the while having no idea how you got this new unheardof tone!

 

[Fretless5verfan]

He's right. Take the best tones from each tubes and create your own signature tone!

uh oh...i think this amp might turn me into a tweaker!

That's a seriously cool idea! There's tons of combos you could go for and just imagine the convos you could have with other owners...

"yea i have 6550s on the left and KT88s on the right."

"Oh really? How's that sound? I have...."

It'd be the start of a little community in and of itself

 

[JacksonAmpworks]

Funny you should be talking about this because right now I'm supposed to be writing a feasibility report on a mobile phone aimed at the medical community for college Im actually studying product design.

There are loads of methods for making a product design specification. Including a matrix analysis where by you write down a matrix containing different manufacturers and models of similar products on one side and along the top you write down a bunch of features. Then simply tick what models have what features for easy comparison of competitors.

Another is demands and wishes list in which you write down a bunch of features such (in this case) weight, power, effects loops, etc. everything from the ridiculous to the mandatory and mark them as a demand or a wish. Like 300 watt would be a demand but weighing less than 10lbs would be a wish. Something that might seem to be a wish could on further investigation become a demand.(which I think is what this thread is loosely simulating)

Anyways there are other tools as well but they are all very useful methods for getting a good outline of what the product should contain on paper. Anyways enough boring you with my college babble back to writing this god damn report

He's right. Everything is a balance. The key is finding the right balance of perforance, features and tone all the while adhering to the design goal of the amplifier.

 

[JacksonAmpworks]

Why not a Single Space

That might be doable. I'll look into it after I see the response to the 300W head.

 

[JacksonAmpworks]

The trick seems to be in introducing an additional gain stage that can be switched out completely, but one that does not have its own set of controls (just an additional gain and master knob). Adding an additional preamp channel seems like it might complicate matters, but just adding an additional gain stage might meet the overdrive needs but keep the design as pure as possible. I am fortunate to play extensively with a guitar player who uses a two rock and it is quite an impressive amp.

This would actually be really easy to do. Provided that you guys just want to add a bit of gain, and not separate EQ controls etc.

Not to ruffle any feathers (I apologize beforehand if I do), but this design needs to steer clear of anything Mesa Boogie (which does have multiple channel options). The Mesa 400+ does what it does very well, but it does not do what it seems the idea behind this amp sets out to do at all.

Agreed. 100%

 

[JacksonAmpworks]

I don't need that... my time is perfect, the intonation on fretless is spot on, and I've never overplayed/underplayed anything.

Me too. I'm a legend in my own mind.

 

[JacksonAmpworks]

Brad, I appreciate that and will follow up.

Glad you're getting good response in this thread. Aside from fullfilling it's intended function, it generates a variety of useful information that doesn't normally come up.

Seems like to me, for whatever reason, there's a resurgent interest in tube amps lately. Or maybe I'm just noticing it now that I'm interested.

Thanks

I think tubes amps will always be a constant for players who want the warmest and most fat tone possible. I know I'll never use a SS amp again. I guess you could say I have been to the mountain.

 

[JacksonAmpworks]

ugh...listen, just tell me everything you're gonna make for bass and the prices so i can get it out of the way .

I have a long list of projects that I will get to as my market becomes more stable. I'm certainly not short on ideas, I just have to get the business positioned correctly so that it is self supporting before I branch out.

If you can make a seriously high quality OD pedal that doesn't mess with the core of a tone significantly (and make it in black ) the OD on the amp becomes a far more minor issue. But that is a monstrous task.

It can easily be done.

2nd Edit: and let me answer the question you actually asked Gain and master on one channel is cool i'd think.

So you want to keep it simple?

 

[JacksonAmpworks]

uh oh...i think this amp might turn me into a tweaker!

That's a seriously cool idea! There's tons of combos you could go for and just imagine the convos you could have with other owners...

"yea i have 6550s on the left and KT88s on the right."

"Oh really? How's that sound? I have...."

It'd be the start of a little community in and of itself

Well I'm working hard to deliver new tones into the hands of musicians. A lot of amps today have been done to death, so I'm trying to offer some new tones and features that have not been done, and construct them in a way that is unmatched in the industry. That pretty much sums up Jackson Ampworks right there.

 

[jokerjkny]

I certainly have plans for a tube OD pedal. It just simply must be done.

nice,

IMHO, i'd rather keep the amp simple and clean. one EQ section w/ a gain knob, and master volume knob.

want overdrive? then get the Jacksonampworks OD pedal. brillant!

rather than a ginzu/swiss army knife, i just want a great chef's knife that'll do the job. if i want accessories, i'll add it into the loop.

 

[Fretless5verfan]

I have a long list of projects that I will get to as my market becomes more stable. I'm certainly not short on ideas, I just have to get the business positioned correctly so that it is self supporting before I branch out.



It can easily be done.



So you want to keep it simple?

Awesome. Awesome. and Yes.