Finishing touches and Mods to my BE100 based build

[scottosan]

Now I can officially say that I am done. 2 and 1/2 months into it and I couldn't be happier. I ended up making alot of tweaks, but while heavily based on the BE100, I have made a fair amount of changes.

Global:

1. 3-way switcheable NFB Loop kind of like the XTC excursion swithc -
middle - Stock 220k/4700pf
left - 220k in parallel with 220k/4700pf = 110k/4700pf
right - 100k in parallel with 220k/4700pf = 68k/4700pf

2. modified switching so that left switch for channel is lit for dirty and off for clean

3. Just a tad more filtering on the preamp


Clean:

1. Added Mid control
2. Used .047/.047/220pf . 100k slope


Dirty:

Here is where I got a little creative. I didn't like the HBE being too hot when gain all of the way dimed and structure in the highest gain position. If you are a wanker like me and sit too close to the amp, you get some unwanted feedback with high output pickups in HBE mode with gain and structure dimed. I noticed this on mine as well as the production models and was informed that was normal.

1. Using the spare side of the BE/HBE relay, I wired the hot side of the 10k on v2b that otherwise would be hooked to the structure switch to the relay common. I then wired the structure the relay so that it's only in play for the BE channel. When you switch to the HBE, it switches out the structure and adds 10k/.33uf in parallel with the 10k, so that the HBE see's 5k/.33. To me this not only makes the HBE much more useable with the gain and structure maxed out, but it much more open and retains similar gain levels without going over the edge into feedback. I also like this because if the switch the structure to a lower gain setting on the BE side, when you switch to the HBE side you are still at the same gain level because the structure is only engaged on the BE channel.








image album upload

[The Dude]

Nice work and thanks for sharing. Where did you get/How did you create your faceplates?

[scottosan]

I got the offset headshell and project chassis for Valvestorm. They also worked with me on the measurements for the control spacing on the chassis and ultimately got them done at BNP laser

[mikepukmel]

Beautiful build, man, nice work. Can't wait to hear some sound clips!! Q for you, when you say ' got them done at BNP laser' do you mean cut the control holes in the chassis with a laser? Do you mind if I ask how much it cost?

[scottosan]

The is the project chassis at valavestorm . Project Chassis | ValveStorm

I got the headshell and the chassis from the same place. The faceplates i worked with valvestorm for the measurements since it's there chassis, so they helped me with the order. Which was like $100 for the set faceplates. They spent alot of time transposing his CAD files from the chassis to the file he sent to BNP, so for me that was a steal. The end result was some faceplates that were a perfect fit for the chassis. From what I understand, I am the first person to do a complete BE clone from their chassis, so it really was a custom deal. Robert was really responsive to my numerous questions.

[mikepukmel]

The is the project chassis at valavestorm . Project Chassis | ValveStorm

I got the headshell and the chassis from the same place. The faceplates i worked with valvestorm for the measurements since it's there chassis, so they helped me with the order. Which was like $100 for the set faceplates. They spent alot of time transposing his CAD files from the chassis to the file he sent to BNP, so for me that was a steal. The end result was some faceplates that were a perfect fit for the chassis. From what I understand, I am the first person to do a complete BE clone from their chassis, so it really was a custom deal. Robert was really responsive to my numerous questions.

Thanks, nice looking parts