Opinions on aamp design most welcome...!

[Chuck H]

It's commonly known that Mississippi Queen is a LP Jr. with P-90's. I can't say if it's commonly correct.

[Austin]

Edcor makes output transformers and power transformers and though I have never ordered from them I read that there are good and also less expensive than Hammond.

I think el84/6bq5 are good place to start because the drive voltage needed for full power is small compared to most tubes so the preamp gain you need is less and could make for a simpler amp because of less gain stages needed. Simple can be good sounding too with less variables to tweak with, and good for learning those variables. As Albert Einstein said; “As Simple As Possible, But Not Simpler,”

Because of the reflected impedance you could build your amp for a four ohm load and drive two 8 ohm speaker cabs or if you wanted less power you could pull one output tube because they are in parallel and only run one speaker cabinet with the same sound, so I think parallel is a cool idea. You may be surprised how loud one single el84 can get with the right speaker and it would be good in my opinion to have an option of reduced volume and still retain the sweet tone of a cranked up amp.

[tonequester]

tonequester here.

Hey Austin ! I'm kind of slow to reply sometimes, but I surely wanted to thank you for the "two stroke" leads. The parallel/single ended thing is where I'm 99% sure that I'm heading for. I really appreciate your replies. I have the feeling that there is good tone to be found "down by the river". It's "funny", we joined the forum at about the same time, but
you've given me a lot, and all I can do dor you is to say "thanks, from the bottom of my heart". tonequester out.

[tonequester]

Commonly known to all but me !

It's commonly known that Mississippi Queen is a LP Jr. with P-90's. I can't say if it's commonly correct.

tonequester here.


Hey Chuck. I know that you are NOT yankin' me this time. After checking my sources, I must submit to the majority(too bad it don't work that way with
the government). If I were having this conversation with one of our elected, I could probably buy a change in historical fact ! Everything I said EXCEPT the type of pick-up was correct as near as I can tell from the interviews of West in print and on "video". Me being Me, guarantees at least one major slip(crash). I try to learn from my mistakes
because that is the greatest volume of work that I possess. I now believe that he used the Alnico 5 models. I'll probably find tomorrow that they were in fact Alnico 2.
I'd get me a "Junior" in a heartbeat, but I don't think that I could get my hand around it. Perhaps my biggest curse, as to playing, is small hands. Have you ever noticed the hands that guys like West, Stevie Ray Vaughn, and Chuck Berry have/had ? Some have big hands, and some have big..................Feet ? Have good rockin' tonight !
tonequester.

Another "down on the farm" Quote : "You got to have smelt a lot of mule manure before you can sing like a hillbilly". Hank Williams sr.

[tonequester]

tonequester here.



Hey Austin. Thanks for the reply. I haven't even gotten around to figuring out what i wanted to do with the speaker situation yet, but I like your idea on the 4 Ohm load build, into 2x8 Ohm cabs. I'm also "stoked' about your feelings on the possible perceived loudness of one EL-84 output tube. I plan to include the option to turn down, for sure.
I've heard of Edcor transformers, but haven't any experience with them. Unfortunately, the kit I'm considering comes with a Hammond, but the price is the lowest I've found yet.
Thanks for your reply. I always am pleased to hear from you, as you aren't afraid to think "out of the conventional box'. Have a great one ! tonequester.

[olddawg]

I played old DC LP Juniors, Specials, Melodymakers for years. I have smallish hands. The early 60s neck profiles were slim. That's why a lot of chicks play MMs. Anyway, after reading your description of the sound you are trying to achieve in a low wattage amp, I would recommend building a Marshall 18 watt or a Vox 18 watt variant. Hit one with an OD pedal and you will be there through a 4x10 or 4x12 cab. I have an 18 watt clone built into a generic Marshall head box and run it through a 1965A cab. It sounds great dimed at club levels and looks like the real deal on stage without blowing out eardrums.

[Amp Kat]

Call Paul at Mercury Magnetics and get one of the FTPO series SE trannys. He will prolly cut you a deal and they are very nice sounding and really not that more expensive. Paul will help you with the specs and he's a pretty cool dude.