6G3 Brown Deluxe build

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SpiderWars

SpiderWars

Well-known member
I got the bug to build one of these and just completed it. Lots of parts and chassis from Mojotone, some NOS parts, cabinet from Mather (really great cabinet). NOS Mazda 6V6GT and a Zenith-labeled Mullard GZ34. Mid 70's G12M 25W Creamback. Early ZZ Top in a box and a really cool tremolo to boot.

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5W metal films for screen grid resistors instead of wirewound? Any noticeable difference in noise?

Also what’s the difference tonally from royal blues and yellow sozos? I’ve thought about investing in royal blues to try in my Marshall to see what they have to offer tonally.
 
glpg80 said:
5W metal films for screen grid resistors instead of wirewound? Any noticeable difference in noise?

Also what’s the difference tonally from royal blues and yellow sozos? I’ve thought about investing in royal blues to try in my Marshall to see what they have to offer tonally.
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The screen grids are 3W metal oxide. They're only 100R, the original didn't have any nor any grid stoppers but I decided to add something.

Upon first fire up, the amp had some tremolo noise and pulsing/ticking but I quickly got it sorted out. I learned a little, tremolo is trickier than I gave it credit for. Layout/grounding is critical or the whole amp throbs with this bias wiggle tremolo. But it sounds really good.

The amp is spooky quiet now. It is so fun to play, it just sounds perfect. Watch Pete Thorn's demo of the Suhr Hombre, that's it. I only used the Royal Blues because the original 6G3 had those blue tubular caps like those old ones I used for V1. And I wanted to use something nice. I'd expect the yellow Synergy Royal Mustards to sound pretty much the same.
 
SpiderWars said:
I got the bug to build one of these and just completed it. Lots of parts and chassis from Mojotone, some NOS parts, cabinet from Mather (really great cabinet). NOS Mazda 6V6GT and a Zenith-labeled Mullard GZ34. Mid 70's G12M 25W Creamback. Early ZZ Top in a box and a really cool tremolo to boot.

20210814_100818.jpg


20210814_100857.jpg


20210814_092752.jpg


20210814_125158.jpg


20210814_125222.jpg
Click to expand...
That's gorgeous, man. When do I get to hear it?
 
SpiderWars said:
The screen grids are 3W metal oxide. They're only 100R, the original didn't have any nor any grid stoppers but I decided to add something.

Upon first fire up, the amp had some tremolo noise and pulsing/ticking but I quickly got it sorted out. I learned a little, tremolo is trickier than I gave it credit for. Layout/grounding is critical or the whole amp throbs with this bias wiggle tremolo. But it sounds really good.

The amp is spooky quiet now. It is so fun to play, it just sounds perfect. Watch Pete Thorn's demo of the Suhr Hombre, that's it. I only used the Royal Blues because the original 6G3 had those blue tubular caps like those old ones I used for V1. And I wanted to use something nice. I'd expect the yellow Synergy Royal Mustards to sound pretty much the same.
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I remember reading about or coming across ticking noises from other forums of tremolo circuits - I think it’s phase modulated tremolo circuits that cause ticking when something is wrong right?
 
glpg80 said:
I remember reading about or coming across ticking noises from other forums of tremolo circuits - I think it’s phase modulated tremolo circuits that cause ticking when something is wrong right?
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I don't know, this is the first amp with tremolo I've built. This was either a pulsed noise or an added tick to the tremolo at high Intensity settings. It also seemed to oscillate or something when the Speed was maxed. But just moving those wires that go from board to Trem pots was most of it. It's actually not right in those pics. If you notice that Brown-Blue-Red twisted wire bunch coming out of the board near the PI? That had to get laid down just off the side of the board toward the pots, AWAY from those PI components. You could hear the noise come and go as I moved that bunch of wires.
 
Smashedguitarist said:
That's gorgeous, man. When do I get to hear it?
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Thanks! I'm bad about making clips due to my shitty playing but I'll try to make something today. I need to just play for a while anyway, too many projects. It got a full burn in yesterday, it was on all day. It gets pretty hot but all those upside down Fenders do.
 
SpiderWars said:
Thanks! I'm bad about making clips due to my shitty playing but I'll try to make something today. I need to just play for a while anyway, too many projects. It got a full burn in yesterday, it was on all day. It gets pretty hot but all those upside down Fenders do.
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I get it. When I get an amp, sometimes I am too busy playing to make a clip right away. I think of it this way. If my playing is improving, then at least my shitty clips are getting better each time, lol.
 
What did the parts cost when it was all said and done?
 
LP Freak said:
What did the parts cost when it was all said and done?
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I didn't keep track. If you want the project/challenge then it's not too expensive even if you use Mercury iron, a Mather cab, Royal Blue caps, etc. But considering what a Suhr Hombre costs (I think it's $1600 street) then if you just want the amp that seems like a good price for a Suhr. And you'll prob have to wait a while on the cabinet but I will repeat that this Mather cab is REALLY well done. Mojo makes a kit but I wanted to source a lot of my own parts.

There is also the Cutthroat Audio Down Brownie. The dude actually reached out to me on TGP thru PM and helped me with the tremolo noise. Super cool of him to do that.
 
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Forgot to post the dogs in the doghouse. Some used but good Spragues I've been saving. The 6G3 got 16uF-16uF-16uF-8uF but this got 40uF-20uF-20uF-20uF and they all measured high (47-27-30-23). This was early in the build (wire colors changed).

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I see you didn’t splurge for ceramic bases for the preamp tubes, I thought about it with my Marshall restoration but decided to go with the brown bases as well. No regrets - they have amazing tension. I was just scared of razor sharp chipping
 
I’d like to know if a SS rectifier would help clean up the bottom end on these?
 
LP Freak said:
I’d like to know if a SS rectifier would help clean up the bottom end on these?
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The Cutthroat has a switch for that. It would probably help.

There is a used Suhr Hombre at GC online for $1300.

glpg80 said:
I see you didn’t splurge for ceramic bases for the preamp tubes, I thought about it with my Marshall restoration but decided to go with the brown bases as well. No regrets - they have amazing tension. I was just scared of razor sharp chipping
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These Micalex are nicer imo. Ceramic are often the cheapest going by just price. Valvestorm has the Cliff and Amphenol sockets but the Amphenol are $75 for 4. They're all the same design just materials and maybe thicknesses of sheet.
 
I’ve been want to do a vibrolux reverb ever since hearing a real 65 vibrolux last month. Their kits look reasonable. I see you spent on some upgrades iron.
 
These clips don't do it justice. Only clean for now, these things take forever and a day to upload.

Sometimes tan pants fit.


Lol at me playing country.


And because the Lester is still tuned this way:
 
I definitely need to build one
 
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