Starting new amp build; Matchless-inspired

  • Thread starter Thread starter SpiderWars
  • Start date Start date
SpiderWars said:
I think I did. It was 2021 I’m pretty sure. I built a ‘68 Superbass about a year or so before that and probably did a thread on that too. The ‘68 didn’t sound as good as the ‘69 so I modded to a JEL then into a Jose.
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Cool, I'll have to check it out. Are the JEL specs/schematics publicly available somewhere?

EDIT: Think I found it
 
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7704A said:
Cool, I'll have to check it out. Are the JEL specs/schematics publicly available somewhere?

EDIT: Think I found it
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It’s a cool circuit and very simple but I prefer a good Jose. The Jose circuit is pretty easy to get a decent/good sound with but it’s a deep rabbit hole. And it doesn’t have to sound like a Friedman even tho they have a cool sound. Guys like Redplated have taken it next level. And it’s way more than just clipping diodes. I usually don’t even use the clippers.
 
SpiderWars said:
It’s a cool circuit and very simple but I prefer a good Jose. The Jose circuit is pretty easy to get a decent/good sound with but it’s a deep rabbit hole. And it doesn’t have to sound like a Friedman even tho they have a cool sound. Guys like Redplated have taken it next level. And it’s way more than just clipping diodes. I usually don’t even use the clippers.
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Hmm, ok. I'll have to find some good Jose clips to listen to. So far the only Marshall sounds I've gotten along with are a Friedman Smallbox (incredible) and the JEL as dialed in by Pete Thorn. That Mick Mars amp wasn't half-bad either, which I think was a Jose. Anyhow, thanks for the info, and sorry for taking the thread off topic. I'll go dig through the previous projects you've posted when I have a chance.
 
Input jack to V1. V1 is doubled up.
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The back panel connections are done.
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The kluge area. Sometimes I think protection diodes are overkill and then going to trouble of mounting them off the socket (so you can use different rectifiers) is more trouble than it’s worth.
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So close but I’m done for today. One plate wire to the PI is too short and I want to take my time. It should be done before toe meets leather tomorrow.

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I think it’s done. Haven’t tested it yet. Taking a break then to the moment of truth.

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Success! It works perfectly, noise floor is super low and it sounds great! The screen voltages are low with this weird setup but it sounds loud and powerful. Super pleased so far. I’ll probably play it just like this while I watch football all day.

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Dude, That's awesome! Nice work and congrats on completion.
Are you going to put this in a headshell or combo amp?
 
Nerdy stuff

Decided to scope it and compare to my Rocket which I had converted to mostly Matchless DC30 specs years ago. The Lightning circuit is very similar to the DC30 in many ways. My Lightning has way more gain than my Rocket but it does have the very hot input stage (typ Matchless). In any case, the Lighning OD got pretty ugly on the scope and was buzzy (still fun to play!) so I added a couple of mods, both involving zener diodes, to clamp voltages from getting too far astray. These diodes don't provide any audible clipping or anything, they just prevent things from going haywire when really pushed so the amp doesn't create the buzzy artifacts in the first place.

My V/div knob is wonky so the scale is not consistent.

The Rocket: It gets very dirty when fully cranked but not near the gain of the Lightning and it stays balanced and together. Lots of headroom before the dirt. Settings are o'clock.


The Lightning, pre mod: The volume and dirt come on quick but I turn the knob really slowly. And even tho its very dirty it has a lot of clean headroom. At very high volume settings it's a wild amp ready to take off. Settings are front panel and it goes to 12.


The Lightning, post mod: Much more controlled mayhem.
 
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Finally got the cab. Sounds really great, sounds big because it is big for a 18W 1x12. Weighs about 40 pounds. I think a G12M Heritage might sound better (update: the G12H30-75Hz Heritage sounds perfect). And I’ll still probably add a Cut control.

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EDIT: And iron for the sister build just dropped off in the mail. This will be a 18W Trainwreck Liverpool inspired head.

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I’m a bit late to the party but found this while looking for Lightning mods - fantastic work indeed!

I picked up one of the Ceriatone pre-built chassis recently and love the circuit, though I wouldn’t mind adding a reverb to it. The gain levels in mine are great and very touch-sensitive - even more so than any other amp I’ve played or owned really. I’ve got to build a head cab for mine but it’s a keeper regardless and a whole lot of fun :)
 
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