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I have 2 old Zenith phonograph chassis's that were given to me by a friend. After getting some awesome help (as always) from the 18 Watt forum and the alt.guitar.amps group, I decided that I might be able to create an 18Watt Lite IIa head from these old chassis's. I'm happy to announce that I have successfully built an 18Watter from one of the old Zeniths...
Many thanks to the 18Watt community and alt.guitar.amps folks!. Without a place to browse, read, and ask questions I'd still be wondering if such a conversion were even possible!
I don't have another 18watter to compare this amp to, but I'm very happy with the tone -- its *way* louder than the old Zenith guts that previously occupied the chassis. Here are a few observations about this particular amp:
- Original Zenith PT and OT, which I'm sure alter the tonal characteristics from the 18watt sound. However, it sounds quite good -- has a mean growl when cranked!
- Original Zenith capcan (40/40/20), but I don't think the values are significantly different enough to cause a noticeable tonal difference.
- Original Zenith 5Y3-GT rectifier. Again, I'm sure this affects the tone compared to a real clone.
- Original Zenith OT, which is a complete mystery to me. I have *no clue* if its configurable for different output impedance values. I simply used the OT lead that was previously wired for speaker out. It works, but there are 2 other (unused) small leads from the OT. I suspect these were originally for negative feedback?
- Tone: I'm running through a 1x12 closed-back cabinet with an Eminence GB12 speaker.
* 9 o'clock: there's a hint of break-up and warmth.
* 1 o'clock: its pretty loud and beginning to break up nicely.
* 3 o'clock: pretty much as loud as it'll get. Past here, it just gets creamier!
* Dimed: really thick and rich
Many thanks to the 18Watt community and alt.guitar.amps folks!. Without a place to browse, read, and ask questions I'd still be wondering if such a conversion were even possible!
I don't have another 18watter to compare this amp to, but I'm very happy with the tone -- its *way* louder than the old Zenith guts that previously occupied the chassis. Here are a few observations about this particular amp:
- Original Zenith PT and OT, which I'm sure alter the tonal characteristics from the 18watt sound. However, it sounds quite good -- has a mean growl when cranked!
- Original Zenith capcan (40/40/20), but I don't think the values are significantly different enough to cause a noticeable tonal difference.
- Original Zenith 5Y3-GT rectifier. Again, I'm sure this affects the tone compared to a real clone.
- Original Zenith OT, which is a complete mystery to me. I have *no clue* if its configurable for different output impedance values. I simply used the OT lead that was previously wired for speaker out. It works, but there are 2 other (unused) small leads from the OT. I suspect these were originally for negative feedback?
- Tone: I'm running through a 1x12 closed-back cabinet with an Eminence GB12 speaker.
* 9 o'clock: there's a hint of break-up and warmth.
* 1 o'clock: its pretty loud and beginning to break up nicely.
* 3 o'clock: pretty much as loud as it'll get. Past here, it just gets creamier!
* Dimed: really thick and rich