Here is my version of the Valve-e-Tizer. A tricked out Boobtube.
Had a magnitude of problems (all my own fault) that Thomas at TH Customs bent over backwards to help with. Enormous thanks for his assistance. Thanks also to Juansolo for his help with my valve questions.
I settled on a EHX AT7 that Thomas sold me as the JJ's I bought from ebay just didn't produce any gain. The AT7 sounds great and I added a couple of extra caps at Thomas' suggestion to add a bit more dirt.
I've always liked the design of Orange amps so based the finish on those.
(http://i.imgur.com/K7WMzPc.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/sL3tcNk.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/C8MEd9t.jpg)
Really happy with how it turned out and thanks to the PCB mounted pots the insides are by far the neatest I've manged yet.
(http://i.imgur.com/0kBZbSQ.jpg)
It makes a nice pair with my ROG Mayqueen too.
(http://i.imgur.com/fbc6spD.jpg)
Hope you like it.
Cheers
Fantastic! Sounds like it was quite a process but you pulled it off successfully.
That is SO freaking rad. Looks like a little Orange Amp thingy.
Jacob
Nailed it!
Cody
Wow, that is one of the nicest builds I've seen.
That is so cool! Really dig the orange style and the Tolex. Really clean looking. I'm inspired man.
Right on. You nailed it on the Orange graphics!
Ok. That is RIDICULOUS. Awesome job on that one. How did you manage the recessed top? Let me guess.. Did you glue a little wooden frame around the top of the enclosure, apply the tolex to the enclosure/frame and then add the recessed top panel?? Anyway it looks great.
Invisible Tape mojo! 8)
Very cool :)
I don't know if my fingers could handle that tiny tolex tailoring! Great job. Does the Scotch tape on the LED add mystery mojo?
This looks crazy good. Really great work!
Wowser! That's fantastic.
Yep, that's brilliant! 8)
Love it! Been thinking about trying my first valve build, perhaps this is the one to try? Great finish tho man!
Wow. That looks amazing! Awesome work with the finish.
As I just ordered all the parts from various sources, I hope to get mine done next. I had a great idea myself for the finish and I hope the etch turns out as I wanted (first try etching). One question: is it necessary to screw the voltage regulator to the enclosure? is it getting that hot? or is it just so it is not dangling around?
Cheers
Now this just has it all. Perfection all around. And don't even get me started on how much I love the way Orange amps look...
Quote from: pickdropper on May 02, 2014, 08:45:47 PM
Wow, that is one of the nicest builds I've seen.
I would like to add in on this comment! About as perfect as anything gets.
Cheers
Blimey, thanks guys. The kind words are appreciated!
Quote from: m-Kresol on May 03, 2014, 09:42:06 AM
One question: is it necessary to screw the voltage regulator to the enclosure? is it getting that hot? or is it just so it is not dangling around?
Cheers
I was advised that it's sensible to use the enclosure as a heat sync for the regulator. When the circuit was hooked up to my test rig I accidentally touched the regulator and it was incredibly hot. Not sure how long it would last before burning out and it would almost certainly burn another component or wire if it came into contact with it.
And the scotch tape definitely adds a little clarity to the LED. Much more so than regular heat shrink ;)
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That's sweeeeeet! Love the theme you have going with the vox and this
Magnifique!!! 8)
If you have the chance to grab a RCA 12AT7 ClearTop you will not regret it, i've tried multitude of other tubes in my boobtubes and nothing come close to the performance offered by the ClearTop.
Most excellent built!
Gorgeous build!
Silly question but...I've seen that metal tube protector on more than one build and would like to use it as well (I've three Valve-e-Tizer boards waiting)...what is it? Where do I go looking for it in (supposedly) the hardware store?
Absolutely. Awesome.
Quote from: Rockhorst on May 03, 2014, 10:20:51 PM
Gorgeous build!
Silly question but...I've seen that metal tube protector on more than one build and would like to use it as well (I've three Valve-e-Tizer boards waiting)...what is it? Where do I go looking for it in (supposedly) the hardware store?
They are called a U Bolt here in the US.
Quote from: Rockhorst on May 03, 2014, 10:20:51 PM
Gorgeous build!
Silly question but...I've seen that metal tube protector on more than one build and would like to use it as well (I've three Valve-e-Tizer boards waiting)...what is it? Where do I go looking for it in (supposedly) the hardware store?
Just ask for a standard u-bolt. Take your tube to the hardware store to measure which size bolt to get. And buy a couple extra nuts for inside the enclosure.
Cheers dudes!
Quote from: GrindCustoms on May 03, 2014, 07:32:11 PM
If you have the chance to grab a RCA 12AT7 ClearTop you will not regret it, i've tried multitude of other tubes in my boobtubes and nothing come close to the performance offered by the ClearTop.
I know pretty much nothing about balves. Are the tubes you mentioned rare beasts or will I able to find one on eBay?
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Quote from: Guybrush on May 03, 2014, 06:08:55 PM
Blimey, thanks guys. The kind words are appreciated!
Quote from: m-Kresol on May 03, 2014, 09:42:06 AM
One question: is it necessary to screw the voltage regulator to the enclosure? is it getting that hot? or is it just so it is not dangling around?
Cheers
I was advised that it's sensible to use the enclosure as a heat sync for the regulator. When the circuit was hooked up to my test rig I accidentally touched the regulator and it was incredibly hot. Not sure how long it would last before burning out and it would almost certainly burn another component or wire if it came into contact with it.
Thanks. I'll certainly do that as well then.
One other thing: I was following your tech help thread, so I'm curious. What was the mistake in the end that led to the non functional build?
Some care is needed when using the enclosure as a heatsink for the regulator -- the tab might not be ground, it could be in or out. Check the datasheet, and use an insulating layer if needed.
That's really really nice.
How did you recess the top? is it simply a box around the enclosure?
Nailed the graphics and feel of an orange amp.
I am so happy for you that it finally turned out so great!
-Thomas
Quote from: alanp on May 04, 2014, 10:13:06 AM
Some care is needed when using the enclosure as a heatsink for the regulator -- the tab might not be ground, it could be in or out. Check the datasheet, and use an insulating layer if needed.
In general this is absolutely right! But since V1.4 of the Valv-e-tizer the enclosure can be used as heatsink with the 7806 regulator without problems.
It really depends on the tube used but usually the regulator will live without heatsink - but this is
not recommended.
Quote from: m-Kresol on May 04, 2014, 08:54:54 AM
One other thing: I was following your tech help thread, so I'm curious. What was the mistake in the end that led to the non functional build?
There had been a few small issues but in the end the JJ-tube used had not enough gain to really distort with single coil input. Not sure if this applies to all JJ AT7 but this one definitely did not work.
Quote from: Thomas_H on May 04, 2014, 05:01:53 PM
I am so happy for you that it finally turned out so great!
-Thomas
Thanks for all your help Thomas.
Quote from: angrykoko on May 04, 2014, 10:32:17 AM
That's really really nice.
How did you recess the top? is it simply a box around the enclosure?
Nailed the graphics and feel of an orange amp.
I glued wood strips to the top of the enclosure. Here's a picture of my older Vox in a Box build.
(http://i.imgur.com/wD3JvTW.jpg)
There was a lot of trail and error with different types of adhesive to get all the different materials to stick together but I got there in the end.
Cheers guys.
now thats slick! great build man, I remember your vox build this is taking it to a new level of awesome
Quote from: Guybrush on May 04, 2014, 06:57:23 AM
Cheers dudes!
Quote from: GrindCustoms on May 03, 2014, 07:32:11 PM
If you have the chance to grab a RCA 12AT7 ClearTop you will not regret it, i've tried multitude of other tubes in my boobtubes and nothing come close to the performance offered by the ClearTop.
I know pretty much nothing about balves. Are the tubes you mentioned rare beasts or will I able to find one on eBay?
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They can easily be found on Ebay, if lucky you'll get it for 20$shipped max when buying them in single. I buy them in lots and then test them.
If you have any luck finding a tested one at a reasonable price, contact me by PM i'll hook you up!
Rej
Just looked on Ebay, there's plenty of them! :D Might worth it to buy a «duet» comes out cheaper with shipping. Those tube also sound rad in amplifiers where you'd want to have a less gainy input.... just sound terrific in anything you put them in!
There's also a lot of 40!!!! Watching it! ;D
Cheers man. Though I'm not sure I could ever build enough pedals to warrant buying 40! Ha
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Bollocks, things just get better on this site!
Mark
Amazing build man! This one is off the hook!
Yay, most of my parts are here. One question though. What are the supposed values you have to set the trimpots to? or is it just tuning by sound?
By sound. Thomas recommend not turning either of the pots to their extremities though as you may damage the valve.
Set your trimmers to their mid-points. Hook your circuit up to your test rig. Wait a few seconds for the tube to warm up and engage the circuit. Turn the gain knob up to max and turn the volume to a point that isn't going to deafen you. Play your guitar through the circuit and make small turns on the trimmers until you achieve maximum volume and gain.
Good luck!
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Hey Guybrush,
Both pedals look awesome!
Don't know how I missed this earlier, but WOW, that thing is cool in every way possible!
Not sure where you scored the orange tolex, but I am looking for some tan tolex, if you know a good source...
Quote from: Guybrush on May 08, 2014, 02:13:25 PM
By sound. Thomas recommend not turning either of the pots to their extremities though as you may damage the valve.
Set your trimmers to their mid-points. Hook your circuit up to your test rig. Wait a few seconds for the tube to warm up and engage the circuit. Turn the gain knob up to max and turn the volume to a point that isn't going to deafen you. Play your guitar through the circuit and make small turns on the trimmers until you achieve maximum volume and gain.
Good luck!
Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk
Thanks!
Quote from: hylandren on May 08, 2014, 02:48:08 PM
Don't know how I missed this earlier, but WOW, that thing is cool in every way possible!
Not sure where you scored the orange tolex, but I am looking for some tan tolex, if you know a good source...
Thanks! I was happy how it turned out.
I got the tolex from good old ebay. Not sure if you'll be able to find tan though.
You MUST give us a tutorial on tolex wrapping before Thomas gets restocked on these boards.
Quote from: Guybrush on May 05, 2014, 07:20:57 PM
Cheers man. Though I'm not sure I could ever build enough pedals to warrant buying 40! Ha
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I don't use them in pedals only, they make great power tube for single ended 1watt amp or push pull small beasts too.
Quote from: GrindCustoms on May 08, 2014, 09:34:57 PM
Quote from: Guybrush on May 05, 2014, 07:20:57 PM
Cheers man. Though I'm not sure I could ever build enough pedals to warrant buying 40! Ha
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I don't use them in pedals only, they make great power tube for single ended 1watt amp or push pull small beasts too.
I wish I understood what either of those things were! Ha. I've got a hell of a lot to learn!
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Guybrush, you said....
I settled on a EHX AT7 that Thomas sold me as the JJ's I bought from ebay just didn't produce any gain. The AT7 sounds great and I added a couple of extra caps at Thomas' suggestion to add a bit more dirt.
....could you give me an idea what's caps, values and where they ended up?mid love to get more "dirt" as well! Thanks.