Starting new amp build; Matchless-inspired

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SpiderWars

SpiderWars

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I want a small clean combo so I'm building a Matchless Lightning inspired 1x12 combo. I contacted Nik at Ceriatone and he had a couple of full size chassis leftover, his current version is a lunchbox amp. Amppartsdirect has alleged Matchless 15W transformers...they are definitely Heyboer, that much I can tell. Already in discussions with Sourmash for a 1x12" open-back combo cab, around 10-1/2" front to back tho in order to fit the chassis.

Most of the parts are here. Some of the Matchless values are subbed with 'close' values because 22n NOS Mustards cost too much. So 18n or 27n will have to do.
IMG_1159.jpg


No Cut control? We'll see about that. There will be mucho hacking for these transformers.
IMG_1150.jpg


Just downloaded a free app for creating layouts. I'll be cutting/drilling/staking my own board for this using FR4. This is a v1 layout, its already been changed.
IMG_1151.jpg
 
JackBootedThug said:
Wish I knew how to do that shit. Badass bro. How did your hiwatt build turn out?
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I've rattled a few things off of shelves in the room with that thing and particles fall from the drop ceiling tiles...it's just too much for this little finished basement area. It's an unforgiving clean beast. I'll play it occasionally but the 69' Superlead clone still gets all the love.
 
griff10672 said:
very cool ....... I definitely need to learn how to make my own turret boards

definitely let us know how it plays out for you
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Bro, all you need is a hammer and a staking tool. It's that easy. Well...and a drill to drill the holes. A drill press is nice to get the holes more straight but...hecho a mano.
 
SpiderWars said:
Bro, all you need is a hammer and a staking tool. It's that easy. Well...and a drill to drill the holes. A drill press is nice to get the holes more straight but...hecho a mano.
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FR4 is the board material correct ??? I started looking into doing this right after I built my 2204 ..... start whacking out JCM800 clones like there's no tomorrow ....
 
griff10672 said:
FR4 is the board material correct ??? I started looking into doing this right after I built my 2204 ..... start whacking out JCM800 clones like there's no tomorrow ....
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Yes that's the material. I bought some a long time ago and have made a few boards with it. You can use lots of stuff, this was just suggested because it's stiff/strong. I think Dumble used wall paneling or something. Ken Fisher used some kind of perfboard.
 
SpiderWars said:
I want a small clean combo so I'm building a Matchless Lightning inspired 1x12 combo. I contacted Nik at Ceriatone and he had a couple of full size chassis leftover, his current version is a lunchbox amp. Amppartsdirect has alleged Matchless 15W transformers...they are definitely Heyboer, that much I can tell. Already in discussions with Sourmash for a 1x12" open-back combo cab, around 10-1/2" front to back tho in order to fit the chassis.

Most of the parts are here. Some of the Matchless values are subbed with 'close' values because 22n NOS Mustards cost too much. So 18n or 27n will have to do.
IMG_1159.jpg


No Cut control? We'll see about that. There will be mucho hacking for these transformers.
IMG_1150.jpg


Just downloaded a free app for creating layouts. I'll be cutting/drilling/staking my own board for this using FR4. This is a v1 layout, its already been changed.
IMG_1151.jpg
Click to expand...
That electrical diagram at the bottom is much much easier to follow imo than all the other diagrams I've seen . Too bad I've never seen one like it because I would have taken a chance on building something if I had.
 
Ive looked at a couple Matchless schematics that looked pretty busy.
But that diagram, you'll have that board populated in zero time at all!
Sourmash is fantastic!
They built me an open back blues breaker cab.
 
dcburn said:
Ive looked at a couple Matchless schematics that looked pretty busy.
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The amps I’ve seen were point-to-point with terminal strips which looks way more busy and complicated than a turret/eyelet board amp.

I’ve had Sourmash build me at least 3 head cabs plus a rear panel for a 70s Marshall. Good stuff. As seen above the control panel is black. I think I’m going to get Wine Taurus covering (Wine red leathery looking stuff) and Wheat grill. Cream chickenheads.

And I have a ‘73 Greenback sitting on a shelf but I’m not sure putting that in an open-back cab is a good move. I should just buy a Heritage/EVH Greeny and save the ‘73 for a spot in a 4x12.
 
SpiderWars said:
Bro, all you need is a hammer and a staking tool. It's that easy. Well...and a drill to drill the holes. A drill press is nice to get the holes more straight but...hecho a mano.
Click to expand...
Yep. Print your template actual size and tape it over the board, then drill, punch & stake the turrets and you're off to the races !

Or go old-school and draw it out on grid paper and use that as your template for locating turrets.

SUhXZBR.jpg


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PLX said:
Or go old-school and draw it out on grid paper and use that as your template for locating turrets.
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That's what I've done in the past. I still have the grid paper in the file for each amp I did it on. That board looks nice.
 
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Trannies are in. That Dremel was hot.

The OT looks to be in a weird location but when you see the inside…the connections are right there.
IMG-1181.jpg


Doesn’t look too hacked.
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Gotta have a Bright switch. I also drilled a hole in the chassis for a Cut control if I find it’s needed.
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thegame said:
Too bad the name Matchless was already taken when Billy Blades started making amps as they could start fires without assistance
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Start fires? The dude was making low yield nuclear weapons with his advanced grasp of nuclear physics and quantum mechanics!
 
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