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Messages - joecool85

#1
Amplifier Discussion / Re: Rickenbacker TR35b project
October 30, 2024, 06:40:36 PM
I would normally recommend UT Source, but in this case for the money I would try them out.

https://www.utsource.net/itm/p/1839737.html?srsltid=AfmBOorgbD-WK-__is7r9wtoO5nTRJq0o7_X9B2neeyT3ZtJHz5dYUhk
#2
Amplifier Discussion / Re: DIY solid state amp kits?
September 27, 2024, 07:39:49 PM
How much of, if any, are you saving of the electronics on the old amp?  If using it's power supply, we will need to know what it puts out for voltage(s) as well as the capacity of the supply (maximum amps).
#3
This summer Laney released the Lionheart Foundry series.  A trio of 60w amps.  The LF60-112, LFSUPER60-112, and LFSUPER60-212.  All three sound great in the video clips I have listened to, and while I tend to shy away from the term "tube sound", I do agree that these sound pretty fantastic.

From Guitar World: "The LF60-112 ($429/£279) is the most affordable of the trio, offering the core spec for minimum outlay. Next up is the LFSUPER60-112 ($539/£349), which adds tremolo and chorus effects, with controls for Rate and Depth. Most intriguing, however, is the LFSUPER60-212 ($699/£429) – a vertical 2x12 combo."

https://www.guitarworld.com/news/laney-lionheart-foundry
#4
Quote from: phatt on September 11, 2024, 11:08:52 PMThanks Joe,
Yeah, If I didn't already have a sound/tone pedal board that I'm quite happy with then I would certainly check this out.

Using Analog circuitry for cab sims and amp parts is likely part of the reason it sounds good. Full bore dirt is a bit weak in the low freq but hard to judge when it's recorded on a phone.
Reverb sounds ok.

Certainly far more usable than a lot of other pedals. (what happened to the thumbs up emoji??) :( 

The one sound a lot of these fancy pedals can't seem to crack is that magic sweet Santana lead tone, which delivers a huge cut through without the brittle irritating top end fizz. I'm yet to hear that done.
Phil.

I totally agree.  Also I fixed the emojis  :tu:  :dbtu:
#5
Blackstar's Debut lineup has been quite impressive, and their new little amplifier is no exception.  The Debut 30E sports a 10 inch speaker and 30 watts of power.  Small enough to practice at home, large enough to practice with the band.  The official demo shows plenty of beautiful cleans, old school overdrive, punk rock distortion, and even some fairly thrashy tones.


MSRP is $209 USD

https://www.musicradar.com/news/blackstar-launches-the-tape-echo-equipped-debut-30e-practice-amp
#6
Last month Quilter released the DirectAmp.  This is a new take on their existing SuperBlock amps, this time incorporating Fender, Vox, and Marshall sounds into one box - but not including a power amp, this is a preamp only.  The video linked in this review does show some decent tones, but I'm not sold yet and really want to get my hands on it myself.  Take a look yourself, what do you think?

MSRP is $399 USD and has stereo XLR output, headphone output, effects channel, and bluetooth input.

https://www.guitarworld.com/news/quilter-direct-amp
#7
Ironic timing, but I'm actually playing with an attenuator for my K-20X.  I could have altered the circuit (more) but decided to just try an attenuator.  In my case I am using a 25ohm resistor in series with the positive lead and an 11ohm resistor in parallel with the speaker.  Since I have a 4ohm speaker, this will have the amp seeing 8ohms.  Overall output will be dropped to about 0.6w rather than the full 20w.  Switching will be done by an on/on spdt switch.  I have the parts, once I get around to actually doing it, I'll be sure to update my K-20X thread.

The K-20X is bothersome in that I need to use it on volume 2-3 at most and it's very particular about where I set it.  This should allow me to use around 5 on the volume at home and be more finite with adjustment.  Again, I could have done this on the preamp side, but this was easier for me and lets me have a feature currently seen on the "big boy" new amps :-)
#8
Blackstar has decided to bring the volume up and release 100w versions of the Debut 50R.  That's right, not one but two versions.  The Debut 100R comes in 1x12 and 2x12 configurations.  Honestly, the 100R 1x12 is basically identical to the 50R except it has double the wattage.  This isn't really that helpful though as to get twice as loud requires 10x the wattage.  Bringing the power up to 100w really only adds about 3db of volume overall.  If you want this amp in a 1x12, just buy the 50R and save $100.

The big story here is the 2x12.  If you have been itching for that huge 2x12 sound, you can finally have it!  The bigger story, it's only an additional $20 over the 1x12 variant!

Sweetwater is currently selling the 1x12 100R for $379 USD and the 2x12 100R for $399 USD.  For reference, the 50R 1x12 is currently selling for $279 USD.

https://www.gearnews.com/blackstar-debut-100r-perfect-balance-for-pedals/
#9
Laney is claiming that the new Lionheart and Ironheart Loudpedals provide 60 watts of power in a solid state pedalboard amp platform.  This certainly isn't a new concept as similar ideas have been done multiple times by many companies.  That said, this one sounds legit and I love the layout of the controls.  I also really appreciate that they include a reverb built in as this is super handy and cleans up the pedalboard nicely by not requiring an additional unit.

I do wonder how similar the circuitry is to the Laney LF60 combo amp that sells for $449 and has a 12" speaker.  The controls are almost identical and the sound seems pretty similar to me.

Pricing is listed as 399 GBP.  Sweetwater is currently selling them in the US for $499 USD.

https://www.musicradar.com/news/laney-martin-miller-tom-quayle-ironheart-lionheart-loudpedal-guitar-amplifiers
#10
Honey Amp / Re: Gain Boost Question Pin 1-8
August 14, 2024, 02:22:40 PM
Pin 7 is unused on the Honey Amp.  Most times it is completely unnecessary unless you have a really dirty power supply.  I haven't had any issues with any of my prototype of production honey amps not using pin 7.
#11
Honey Amp / Re: Finished My Honey Amp
August 14, 2024, 02:17:32 PM
Nice job, it looks great!

I've currently run out of kits and I'm up in the air on ordering more or not.
#12
Honey Amp / Re: Just got the kit this weekend
June 25, 2024, 03:14:41 PM
Quote from: RookieRecurve on June 25, 2024, 12:54:31 AMHopefully this isn't a zombie post.  You said you burnt up components using a laptop charger.  Was it too much voltage, or was it an issue with current?

Regarding the excess gain from the 1-8 jumper, what cap did you use?  I might dabble with this option once I get my kit, and put it together.

Most laptop chargers are 19v or 20v, either is way too much for this kit.  Max voltage is 16v.  Recommended voltages depend on what the speaker load is.

4 ohm : 6-9v DC
8 ohm : 6-12v DC
16 ohm : 6-16v DC


This yields this power output:

4 ohms = Max 0.35w (clean 0.25w) @ 6v supply, Min 0.35w @ 6v
8 ohms = Max 0.85w (clean 0.5w) @ 12v supply, Min 0.3w @ 6v
16 ohms = Max 1.6w (clean 1.2w) @ 16v supply, Min 0.2w @ 6v
#13
Guitar News / Boss Katana - Gen 3 Released
June 25, 2024, 03:08:07 PM
Last month Boss released the new Gen 3 version of the ever-popular Katana amp series.  Consisting of general model updates, this seems like a decent amp still but nothing to toss your old Gen 2 model out for.

https://www.gearnews.com/boss-katana-gen-3-amp-series-enhanced-tube-logic-tone/
#14
Quote from: Miyagi_83 on June 12, 2024, 04:57:39 AMI added another gain stage and tweaked it again. Here's how it sounds now

https://m.soundcloud.com/user-996907905/joe_davisson_preamp_modded_bc3

EDIT: Again, I'd like to apologize for the sloppy playing.

Sounds great!  Thanks for sharing!
#15
Without hearing it, I'm going to say that it is most likely normal for this to happen.  Channel switching can certainly cause noises on certain amps.