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

[JacksonAmpworks]

I probably won't buy a $3000 amp any time soon, but here are my opinions anyway!

Your opinions are certainly appreciated. I've been running this business for several years and having only my personal opinions and the advice of a few close musician friends, and to have a lot of gigging players offer council is outstanding. Having this kind of feedback makes my steps more secure knowing that this is a product that people will actually want!

- Hooray for 300W, it's my gigging minimum

You got it.

- Consider making just the power section, at 400W, lots of us already have preamps we love

You can certainly use this head as a stand alone power amp (GREAT IDEA!). Just plug your preamp into the return on the Tube Buffered FX Loop.

- For amps that do include a pre, put in a MASTER BYPASS EVERYTHING switch

I didn't fully understand what you meant regarding this. Could you please explain?

- My ART Tube Channel pre has 2 fx loops at different points in the chain, I appreciate being able to try an effect in different spots (including before and after the pre that's 4 options!) so I can pick the best.

This is again the type of functionality that a PCB amp offers. With a Hand Wired amplifier, I'll have to pick the best sounding point and commit to that.

- Pre/Post Swithchable DI out on the front panel

I LIKE IT!! Tell me, why do you need the output on the front? Seems to me that you would want the DI out on the back so it will be out of the way. I would think that having an XLR plug coming out of the front of the amp would kill the appearance of the amp as well as require that you work around the cable when you are EQ'ing the amp etc. But hey, what do I know, I'm guitarted.

- Your cases really are beautiful, but is there absolutely no way to build one of them around an amp that will also fit a 19" rack? At 300W your market is gigging bassists, and many of us have already committed to a nice rack compressor and maybe some rack effects so we'd want it all in one case to simplify transport and to keep everything wired together.

I'm still working on this idea. Who knows, it MIGHT be doable. If it is, I guarantee that I'll find a way.

 

[Biker4Him]

This is a totally off the wall question, but for the sake of planning and ordering parts, how many of you guys think you might be interested in this 300W All Tube Bass Amp?

Saying you would like to buy one is not a commitment, it just helps me know how to plan better.

Thanks!

Well, add one more to your first batch. I'm probably good for it.!

 

[tombowlus]

Tell me, why do you need the output on the front? Seems to me that you would want the DI out on the back so it will be out of the way. I would think that having an XLR plug coming out of the front of the amp would kill the appearance of the amp as well as require that you work around the cable when you are EQ'ing the amp etc. But hey, what do I know, I'm guitarted.

I personally prefer the rear mounted DI out, but I like the pre/post option, ground lift, and a level control, if possible.

 

[Biker4Him]

I LIKE IT!! Tell me, why do you need the output on the front? Seems to me that you would want the DI out on the back so it will be out of the way. I would think that having an XLR plug coming out of the front of the amp would kill the appearance of the amp as well as require that you work around the cable when you are EQ'ing the amp etc. But hey, what do I know, I'm guitarted.

It's easier to find in the dark!!! (however... that's why there are flashlights...).. I prefer the asthetics of the Di in the back.. but either way is fine. The pre/post switch on the DI is a great idea, that I can't believe I forgot to add.

 

[JacksonAmpworks]

I know no one saw this comming from me ( ), but will there be a black model (possibly ebony)? I think a black model with that maple "V" and those top handles would be....indescribably badass for the lack of a better phrase

There will for sure be a BLACK TOLEX one. I've thought about making an ALL EBONY head cabinet, so if you want one, we can build it.

I've got a whole stealth motif going with my rig and basses that's why i ask. Though if i had to break the unity for one piece of gear, i wouldn't lose any sleep over it for this amp.

You order it, we'll build it. Fair enough?

 

[JacksonAmpworks]

What time frame are you looking at brad? Cause i KNOW i will within the next two years, but i'm sure when.

It'll probably be after the first of the new year. I would like to have it at the Dallas Guitar Show in April.

 

[Fretless5verfan]

There will for sure be a BLACK TOLEX one. I've thought about making an ALL EBONY head cabinet, so if you want one, we can build it.


You order it, we'll build it. Fair enough?

Fair enough indeed!

Put me on the list man. You can count on me grabbing one before this time next year.

That all ebony cabinet sounds REAL tempting...

 

[jondog]

[QUOTE


You can certainly use this head as a stand alone power amp (GREAT IDEA!). Just plug your preamp into the return on the Tube Buffered FX Loop.

-----------------

Yes, I was saying (maybe as an option?) you leave the pre out and use the extra space for more power tubes, or the same power section with a bit less weight.

I'm still working on this idea. Who knows, it MIGHT be doable. If it is, I guarantee that I'll find a way.

 

[jokerjkny]

(...)

- For amps that do include a pre, put in a MASTER BYPASS EVERYTHING switch
(...)

it seems a little redundant considering plugging a preamp into the effects return would accomplish the same thing.

but i REALLY like the idea of a bypass switch that pulls the signal out entirely from the tone stack. kinda like the lead bypass switch on a Two Rock amp.

my basses, especially my sadowsky's, have an incredible sounding onboard pre, voiced just the way i like it. to be able to translate that sound, but bigger w/ a fat tubey girth ala the Jackson amp would be marvelous.

 

[tombowlus]

but i REALLY like the idea of a bypass switch that pulls the signal out entirely from the tone stack.

+1

 

[Biker4Him]

but i REALLY like the idea of a bypass switch that pulls the signal out entirely from the tone stack. kinda like the lead bypass switch on a Two Rock amp.

me too!

 

[JacksonAmpworks]

but i REALLY like the idea of a bypass switch that pulls the signal out entirely from the tone stack. kinda like the lead bypass switch on a Two Rock amp.

Then that's what we'll do!

 

[jokerjkny]

holy crap,

this just gets better and better.

can you really make a green camo tolex version? if not that, then cow's hide would be a fine substitution.

Link Removed

 

[Fretless5verfan]

holy crap,

this just gets better and better.

can you really make a green camo tolex version? if not that, then cowskin would be a fine substitution.

Link Removed

Please tell me that's not yours...

Then that's what we'll do!

Man this just keeps getting better and better!

 

[JacksonAmpworks]

holy crap,

this just gets better and better.

can you really make a green camo tolex version? if not that, then cow's hide would be a fine substitution.

I don't think green camo is available. However I can make a green head and send along a can of spray paint.

Regarding the bass..... all I can say is.....wow.

 

[JacksonAmpworks]

Okay, here's the recap just to make sure that I didn't forget anything.

01.) 6SL7 front end
02.) 6550/KT88 power tubes (300W)
03.) 3 Band EQ (Treble - Mid - Bass) with MID Shift
04.) Resonance and Presence controls
05.) Direct Out - Selectable PREAMP (post FX Loop) or SPEAKER Tap
06.) Tone Stack Bypass
07.) Tube Buffered FX Loop
08.) Fixed Biased with Bias Meter
09.) 2-4-8 Ohm Selector Switch
10.) Speakon Connectors (1/4" and Speakon)​

Again these items are all preliminary, and are a starting point for development.

 

[Fretless5verfan]

Oh that's lookin mighty fine.


How are you thinking of controlling overdrive tones (Just a gain or drive or...)? And did you give up on the ultra hi/lo switches?

 

[tombowlus]

Two questions. Like F5Fan, I am wondering about an overdrive section (Gain 2, maybe? Using 12AX7 and/or EL84?). Also, in this fixed bias design, how do you adjust the amp for different tubes (6550's/KT-88's from a different brand, not a different tube type)?

Tom.

 

[JacksonAmpworks]

Oh that's lookin mighty fine.

How are you thinking of controlling overdrive tones (Just a gain or drive or...)? And did you give up on the ultra hi/lo switches?

Do you guys think that an extra gain stage would be cool? I can certainly do that since we're starting from scratch on this build.

Regarding the Ultra-Hi and the Ultra-Lo, I'm still not sure if I will use them since I've included the Presence and the Resonance controls. Including both seemed a bit redundant. Again this will be an issue for testing. Like they always say, "The proof of the pudding is usually written on the label."

 

[jondog]

Okay, here's the recap just to make sure that I didn't forget anything.

01.) 6SL7 front end
02.) 6550/KT88 power tubes (300W)
03.) 3 Band EQ (Treble - Mid - Bass) with MID Shift
04.) Resonance and Presence controls
05.) Direct Out - Selectable PREAMP (post FX Loop) or SPEAKER Tap
06.) Tone Stack Bypass
07.) Tube Buffered FX Loop
08.) Fixed Biased with Bias Meter
09.) 2-4-8 Ohm Selector Switch
10.) Speakon Connectors (1/4" and Speakon)​

Again these items are all preliminary, and are a starting point for development.

Looks good to me! Can you do footswitch features like boost or loop bypass?