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FS/FT: Handwired Friedman/JCM800 style head... Now with video demo.
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Here's my take on a JCM800/Friedman head. Designed for straightforward rock it's a simple single input that's based on the high-gain input of an 800. I've made a couple of tweaks to the preamp to tame down the harsh treble, resulting in a much smoother and fuller drive but still able to cut through if you need it to. Probably closer in tone to a Friedman Dirty Shirley now, at a guess.
I've also kept the EL34 power section but decided to cathode bias, again I think this makes the drive a little less harsh and more pleasant, albeit at the expense of a few watts. 30ish seems plenty loud enough anyway, plus you can just pop whichever EL34 pair you like in there and not worry about bias.
Master volume is now PPIMV so you can turn down but still get phase-inverter distortion in there. Works very well for playing at bedroom levels (obviously comes into it's own when cranked though!).
Since the photos I've added three toggle switches for mods - Friedman C45, Fat and three-position gain switch for even more preamp saturation. Amp is off having a video demo filmed so I'll take photos of the switches when I have it back.
Lot of fun to play - just plug in and turn up, control the gain with your guitar and you're off. Old school rock goodness.
I'd like £700 for this, which is somewhat of a bargain for a handwired amp of this nature.
Comments
and whats the clean headroom like ...;) ive thought about getting a suhr badger 18 el84's to add to my carr rambler , in the faint hope of ever playing live again ( very doubtfull) ... cheers west ,,
It's not too bad on the clean headroom, despite it being geared for gain. Run the master wide open and adjust the preamp gain and there are some lovely clean tones to be had. 6L6 will give it even more headroom though.
Any updated photos following the toggle-switch installation, and any chance of sharing the demo video with us.
I think you could be onto something here ...