Cyg amp makeover

[straycat]

Oh chit back to the drawing board.

[VitaminG]

Someone needs help with marketing

Mid acts like a funky tone pot = innovative new midsweep function
Bass and treb have no effect = subtle, for the discerning ear of the true tone connoisseur. If you can't tell the difference, maybe you should stick to your run-of-the-mill *pfft* Marshalls & Mesas

[Cygnus X1]

VG...you're hired!



Troubleshooting an amp that was once working is sort of easy.
Troubleshooting a fresh build is frustrating!
I check every single component before hookup.

But nothing can save me from getting pot values for the treble and mid 100% bassackwards!

:arg:

That's what I sussed out after finding 50 extra volts on the tone stack.
Back to it after work today.

[straycat]

I'm sure you will figure it out.
Its the same when you build a guitar, parts that should fit don't etc.
I have faith in you Cyg.

[Cygnus X1]

Tone stack now works!

Power is a bit low, though.
Normal stuff, just have to check out the B+ supplies and double check grounds.

[Cygnus X1]

Side step into amp tech-head territory, just a little.
Grounding, we know is everything.
Ground loops, on the other hand, will make one want to play russian roullette
with a shotgun!
I knew my answer with the prior post, and that was the fact I didn't have the primaries grounded
in quite a logical fashion.
Getting that straightened out gave a solid 20V to my B+ and of course much less stress (current draw)
on that side.
So bottom line is, if you choose a point on the star, then just stick to that point,
and don't run jumpers here and there.

I'll leave other details out but just remember...grounding is everything!

So we have good volume, good gain, but it is now really RF sensitive...to the guitar pickup.
Looks like a bit of shielding is in order.
Or just a grid stopper on the phase inverter.
All I have is a .022 cap in line there, might not be enough to complete the circuit.

[straycat]

Work your magic on it Cyg.

[Cygnus X1]

straycat: Man of Few Words.

I think you're telling me to shuddup and get it done!

[Cygnus X1]

Worked on it from 3:40AM to 5AM.
Added shielded wire in a couple of places.
Sounding better, but I think my
Jackson has a shielding issue.
I'll try some other guits through it after work.

[straycat]

Trial and error thats life my friend.
Sit back and think on it I'm sure the answer is looking right at you.
The last thing I would do would be rush a master at his craft.

[Cygnus X1]

The last thing I would do would be rush a master at his craft.

Har!
Neither would I!
Where is this master you speak of???

[Cygnus X1]

Hey I have a question.
Who is making soundclips and vids of this amp?

'Cuz it's about done!

[straycat]

I have no way to do it justice but I can try one on sound cloud.The little Cyg/Crosley didn't sound too bad on the last clip I put on there.
My cam sounds like ass but I can try.
Cant wait to try it thru my Marshall diagonal 2X12 cab w/75's. Its going to look pretty cool on top of that cab. (same outer dimensions).

[Cygnus X1]

Hey!
It's technically finished.
The Jackson does indeed have a shielding issue.
I played several other guitars through it and it is quiet.
The gain structure is not really high, it just has a sweet drive and sustain that I don't
hear in other amps.
I always sound understated when I describe the clean tone.
Blackface Fender, this one like a Pro Amp.
That means sweet and chimey, with just a touch of dirt on tap.

Also ran it with a Bad Monkey and an old DSP128 rack to see how it reacts to effects up front.
Sweet!
My take on Fender amps is I love the way they take effects.
Touch sensitive, and when in highest gain the notes just go on, and on.

So Rich, this amp will be ready to go out on Monday.
I need to grab final voltage readings and take detailed photos for reference.
It is the 30 watt "Hawkings" build, my 3rd one like this.
I did not get that face plate to work out due to flipping the entire layout.
The controls will be hand lettered and will look great.

This will also leave me once again without a Cygnus amp except my own combo!
I hate to send these out and not just keep one for myself sometimes.
The bane of all amp builders...getting rid of their work leaves them high and dry.

[Cygnus X1]

Gain will get old Judas Priest/Scorpions.
Stick an EQ up front it will get UBER pretty quickly.



You just reminded me (I really had not forgotten), about another speaker for the
Cygnus Champ.