Cyg amp makeover

[straycat]

Boxed up my 83 Marshal 5110 SS amp chassis and its on its way to Cyg for a tube amp build.20 or 40 watt not sure just yet which way he will go with it.
Should I keep it Marshall looking or go with a Cyg logo on the cab? Face plate with Cygnus logo maybe?
My way of thinking is Cyg is building it so his name should be on it.
Your opinions please.

[Cygnus X1]

I have an opinion!
But will wait and see.

[straycat]

I know how I feel but kind of curious what others thought.

[Rich#6]

If it isn't going to be a marshall on the inside any more it shouldn't be one on the outside.

[straycat]

I agree Rich.

[warlok]

I agree too.

[straycat]

Cyg all the way as it should be.
Its going to be kick ass that much I know.
I'm honored to have Cyg build one for me. I have been wanting one of his 20 thru 60 wattage amps for a long long time.

[pickford1625]

marshall dosent care if we live or die. diy!!!!

[straycat]

marshall dosent care if we live or die. diy!!!!

Good way to put it really.

[Cygnus X1]

Well the concept is given, and stray asked if I would post pics of the build.
I kind of move fast at certain stages, and don't bother taking pictures
as I go but will give it a try.
First thing is the question of what speaker, what real estate, and what circuit do we want?
Cygnus circuit is a given at this point, now what wattage?
What is the best iron I have to work with, and will fit in the chassis.

I have, right here next to me on the bench, a great sounding version of the Cygnus
called the "Hawkings".
The evolution of names comes from both the legends and the scientific research in the
piece of real estate where the constellation Cygnus resides.
I can get into it if anyone wants to know, but the tales are long.

So...next was selecting the transformers.
I should have taken pictures of the setup.
But it ain't pretty.
Just using a variac, and then a signal generator, and a couple of meters to
measure ins and outs of the transformers.
Dull stuff.
Came up with what would be a perfect match for dual EL34's with a 4, and 8 ohm tap.
Power transformer is no problem.
I am possession of massive iron that will live a long and healthy life.
Sorry if it's heavy, it is what it be...



So on to the pix.
The original chassis is not bad!
.060" thick steel, anodized.
My power tools will hate it!
But certainly sturdy enough for mounting everything.



So I see a swiss cheese front, and the back is virtually clear.
I wonder if I can flip it and use the back as a clean slate, and accommodate
one of the Cygnus amp plates I already happen to have laying around.

Let's measure it!



.005" difference, at least by eye and the caliper...close enough.
So, more good news.
BUT.
That chassis is lacking in the depth I am used to.
So I at least know what transformers I am going to use, so time to
cut some metal.
The tools acted OK but sure enough the 7/16" decided to hang up once.
And the jigsaw is never accurate no matter what.
No worries, that's what files are made for.



That's where the transformers will go, we are now committed.
Now...where can the face plate go?
If I center it there will be an ugly 1/2 hole from the old IEC power inlet.
Shifting over just a bit covers it.
I think we can live with it.




Now I start laying out tubes, turrets, etc. according to the space I have to work with.
I have to think about speaker interference and vibration issues as well.
Primary consideration is always the wire runs.
High gain, hand wired amps are very sensitive.
I need to make the runs as short as possible.

[j2379]

VERY cool, BTW i have the same marshall im assuming it was a 30 watt.

[Cygnus X1]

Yes, this one was a 30 watt.
Well made for a solid state.
I did not power it up to check it out though.
I know that sound a little too well!

[straycat]

Really sounded pretty good and plenty dirty but lacked a bottom end.
Highs would cut your head off so they stayed around 3,mids 4-5,Bass 10.
Thanks for doing a pic record of the build Cyg very cool of you to take the time to do it.

[Cygnus X1]

Really sounded pretty good and plenty dirty but lacked a bottom end. Highs would cut your head off so they stayed around 3,mids 4-5,Bass 10. Thanks for doing a pic record of the build Kevin very cool of you to take the time to do it.

Hey, don't say my name out in public Rich. "They" might find me.
I'm tired of wearing this tin foil suit!

If you want more bottom end from the circuit I could still go with a 6L6GC instead of an EL34.
The EL34 is more of a stage amp, it "cuts through", while the 6L6GC's sound deeper to my ear.
Same iron, different bias. Let me know.
Edit, actually let me make the decision for you.
I have many GREAT 6L6GC tubes to use, but only a couple of pairs of EL34's.
You'll get good spares to work with as well.

Still will be 4 and 8 ohm outputs.

[straycat]

It would be good to have some bottom end growl.
I'm sure the circuit will have enough highs to get some sparkle when I need it.
Run with it Cyg do your thing.