Hi Y'all!
I got my Vjr in a trade couple months ago, what made me want to get that amp was the simplicity of modding it. It's now done..........well.........., there's still some stuff that i want to get done, but that's just to let the fun last. 8)
My evening picstory:
First of all, i needed to drill the chassis face plate to accomodate the added switch and knob.
(http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/389069_365678690172374_1583585285_n.jpg)
I changed the response capacitors for NOS Russian PETP and the 100nf cap for a fish tank.....
Also change the 2 electros for some ELNA audio grade.
(http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/483291_365678700172373_1315302151_n.jpg)
Once all the mods are installed.
From left to right you have:
Master Volume (Mod)
Gain Switch (Mod)
Bright Switch (Mod)
Negative Feedback Switch (Mod), that need to be wired to the 8ohms speaker outlet (the one i use the most)
Volume (Stock), now act as the preamp volume 8)
And input jack (Stock)
While i was at it i changed some 1M resistors with the Allen Bradley that Capt'N generously PIFed me :) Thanks Man!
I will later change the input jack and volume to they are directly wired to the pcb instead of using those quick connects
(http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/561171_365678770172366_966504831_n.jpg)
The components i removed!
(http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/561309_365678800172363_652275120_n.jpg)
Completely assembled and ready to rock!
(http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/575836_365678816839028_321194859_n.jpg)
Now! The extreme make over! ;D
(http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/481960_365678836839026_1414837466_n.jpg)
(http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/382506_365678860172357_92337985_n.jpg)
Now aint that cute ;)
Nice job, looks like a fun project and the Vjrs are awesome
Nice work mate!
I love the vernier dial style knobs.
So then... How's it sound?
Mod'ing amps is super fun isn't it.
Thanks guys :)
It really sounds better than it was, the bright switch is a necessity on that amp... the capacitors also did their job, i can now feel the sound....wich i could'nt before.
The other performed mods are cool and have their use aswell, having the master volume is great, i can now have a nice clean sound.
Just for info, i'm using a Sovtek EL84 and TungSol 12AX7, i'm waiting after some RCA 12AU7 clear top, i may put one in there to get it even cleaner......the other going into a BoobTube....wich will be used with this setup.
Anyone have an advice on wich power tube could help me to clean my signal even more?
Thanks
Rej
Nice job! I didn't have to play around with the tubes but when I change the output transformer to a Hammond 125ese it went from a amp that sounded ok to amazing :) it also seemed to increase headroom. My friend was over when I did the mod and instantly made me a rediculous offer for it, so I no longer have it :(
Quote from: jimmybjj on July 15, 2012, 06:42:52 PM
Nice job! I didn't have to play around with the tubes but when I change the output transformer to a Hammond 125ese it went from a amp that sounded ok to amazing :) it also seemed to increase headroom. My friend was over when I did the mod and instantly made me a rediculous offer for it, so I no longer have it :(
Changing the OT is on the list but i can't seem to find some under 66$, it's always in my mouser cart...but everytime i checkout i take it off hoping i'll find a better deal before the next order.... ::)
I may do the hard-wired effect loop mod tomorrow, i realised that it was pretty easy to perform, but i think i'll have to install a buffer somewhere in there....
My dream have finally come true! I have an FXLoop on my Vjr! ;D
I tried it with and without a Buffer, does'nt seems to change anything, i will know better tomorrow at high volumes.
One thing that i have to mod is the switch, it need a 3PDT with the send with a ground link and a pulldown resistor, it got some serious pop when switching.... and since i will have a ground on the switch.........it will probably end with a LED party somewhere in there...
The pics!
While i was in that area, i changed the remaining 22uf 50v cap with a ELNA....so it looks like the others
(http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/487841_366402103433366_784578713_n.jpg)
(http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/311559_366402130100030_743626571_n.jpg)
(http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/552525_366402143433362_1895957353_n.jpg)
(http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/181379_366402170100026_557944298_n.jpg)
Very tidily done! Any reason you didn't use a switching jack?
Very nice, do you find it very useful?
Quote from: alanp on July 17, 2012, 01:38:40 PM
Very tidily done! Any reason you didn't use a switching jack?
Thanks sir, yeah............i did'nt have any......, i got some coming in.... ::)
I will replace the switch with the switching jack and use the switch hole for the pentode/triode mod.
It does a nice POP when bypassed, wich i don't like too much...
Quote from: jimmybjj on July 17, 2012, 02:07:34 PM
Very nice, do you find it very useful?
Yeah, love it alot, this is my pedal testing amp, so being to test the reverb/delay/modulations in the loop is a big plus.
Quote from: GrindCustoms on July 16, 2012, 04:05:15 AM
Quote from: jimmybjj on July 15, 2012, 06:42:52 PM
Nice job! I didn't have to play around with the tubes but when I change the output transformer to a Hammond 125ese it went from a amp that sounded ok to amazing :) it also seemed to increase headroom. My friend was over when I did the mod and instantly made me a rediculous offer for it, so I no longer have it :(
Changing the OT is on the list but i can't seem to find some under 66$, it's always in my mouser cart...but everytime i checkout i take it off hoping i'll find a better deal before the next order.... ::)
I may do the hard-wired effect loop mod tomorrow, i realised that it was pretty easy to perform, but i think i'll have to install a buffer somewhere in there....
When the original OT in my '61 Supro started to die I got this Magnetic Components one for about $30USD from Triode Electronics and have never missed the original OT since:
http://www.classictone.net/40-18031.html
Nice to have multi taps in an amp that used to be 3.2 ohm secondary only!
Thanks for the link Timbo! :)
I just checked it, price is awesome but they 30$ to ship it to canada when it fits in a 5$ flat rate box....... :-\
And by the way, my FXLoop did'nt work, i was overloading the crap out of my pedal input when running the amp at normal volumes....
Yeah that's pretty steep... I'd shoot triode electronics an email and see if that is really the price, they have a disclaimer about shipping rates being high using their calculator. Seems like it should be around $15-$20. FWIW I paid $11.95 for priority mail to California, that tansformer is pretty beefy so it seemed ok.
I swapped some of the electro's, RIFA and BC Phillips............for the mojo of it........
(http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/486930_371327712940805_975385663_n.jpg)
(http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/625659_371327749607468_1230871347_n.jpg)
Looks awesome! Did it change the bass response any?
Yeah, definetly got a better bass response, sounds tighter less farthy..., i also noticed that it seems to sound wider.
I'm waiting after some good quality 47uf caps, i'll probably swap 2 of the Rifa for them.
Only major thing missing part now is the OT and i will regulate the power to the heaters.
By the way i got the pcb's, thanks alot!
Rej