Hard Rock Setup

gcalca · Post by **gcalca** » Sat Dec 23, 2006 1:11 pm

Hello everybody,

I've already gathered most of the parts for building a 50W, including OT, choke, tubes, etc... I have modified a schematic I've got at Marstran and I'd like you to give opnions about the way I left it. I'm after hard rock sounds, as well as some classic sound too. I'm gonna plug the amp trough a 2 x Celestion Vintage 30 cabinet, closed back (The dimensions are the same of the 1936 model from Marshall). Guitar used is a hand-made in Brazil stratocaster copy, with pau-marfim neck (similar to maple, but darker), a wood similar to alder was used in the body, and a Duncan Hot Rails in the bridge, with a push-pull control for using it as a single coil. Do you think this setup is suitable for the style I'm after? Please, give me some suggestions about the schematic (attached) and setup.

Thanks in advance,
Gustavo.

novosibir · Post by **novosibir** » Sat Dec 23, 2006 1:53 pm

Is there something "special" on this schematic, except the slightly reduced values of the filter caps?

Larry

gcalca · Post by **gcalca** » Sat Dec 23, 2006 4:33 pm

No, nothing special at all! I've just raised the NFB to 100k (stock value seems to be something around 56k or 47k) and also I've got 2 ECC83 for v1 and v2 from Groove Tubes, with measured gain around 170 each triode for extra gain from the circuit and also a matched PI 12AX7. My question is: will I be able to get Scorpions tone out of this circuit, or should I move to the 2204 circuit. I would like to be able to play some blues in it too. Please, give me some ideas. Another question: If I want more gain, but still be "flexible", should I go with the 2204 or keep the 1987 and throw a clean boost in front of it?! Put your 2 cents here, please!

Gustavo

awangotango · Post by **awangotango** » Sun Dec 24, 2006 1:13 am

the 2204 spec will be harder to pull off some convincing blues tones i would think, but the 1987 would be able to cop both the scorps and blues. the 2204 would cop the scorps a bit better, especially the leads. You can easily try both once you get it built since it's only one change on the board to cascade the first tube. I have it on a push pull knob so i can have both. shoot me an email and i can send you the diagram.

yngwie308 · Post by **yngwie308** » Sun Jan 21, 2007 11:07 pm

gcalca,the 1971 MK II circuit that George cloned for Yngwie2 recently is the bomb,a lot of people are choosing the metalpanel or metalfront as some Englishman call it or ally panel,ect!
That seems to cover Micheal Schenker,Scorps,Ritchie Blackmore via Yngwie,ect.I am liking the slightly more gain and how changed is the filtering from,say a early JTM 50 to a metalpanel MKII 1971 say,anyone?
yngwie308

joepete · Post by **joepete** » Mon Jan 22, 2007 2:41 am

if you are after that 80s metal tone I would say to switch to the 2204 model as they are able to better suit your requirements due to the master volume and more gain on tap. You will probably have money left over to spend on other gear after you make the swap as 1987 models go for more then the 2204. I saw a nice all original late 70s jmp 2204 go for 500 bucks today on ebay! I would recomend getting one from no later then around 1985 as the quality of the tone suffered on later models and they are often too bright and sterile sounding, They have the non vertical input jacks on the later models.

yngwie308 · Post by **yngwie308** » Mon Jan 22, 2007 9:10 pm

joepete,if you are talking to me,2203 is too much gain for me,and I despise MV's.To me a '71 50 or 100 has slightly more gain than a much earlier plexi,even though the rough configuration is the same.
I'd rather slam the front end eith a boost,ect.,thanks
yngwie308

Bunnest · Post by **Bunnest** » Thu Jan 25, 2007 7:39 pm

I am with Yngwie308, the 2204 is way too bright and brittle, I get the 1987 or 1959 to sound just like Scorpions Lovedrive with a Shredmaster in front, maxed out drive, straight up on eq, or try a Hot british Tonebone, but not a 2204, I just sold my 2204 becuase I never used it!!!

yngwie308 · Post by **yngwie308** » Wed Feb 07, 2007 2:17 pm

I have heard from the technically challenged yngwie.org/forum guys that,yes they think Metro is a great product,but they want London power scaling built in as well!
I don't know what to say,to reproduce a Malmsteen tone,the amp must be opened up,in the conventional way,so let them buy their 18watt power scaled amps and be happy...

yngwie308