Rybow
Well-known member
Hello everyone. I am going to start building Dave hunters two stroke amp in the next couple of weeks, but I have a few questions about the build. I want to make sure that the amp is high gain friendly. I don't want to turn the amp into a high gain monster or anything like that, but I just want to make sure that when I dial in some molten gain, the amp will respond in a satisfactory way. I must admit that my experience is limited, and this will be my first major project. On to the questions.
Rectifier- The design calls for a tube rectifier. I have never played an amp with a tube rectifier, but I know that most metal guys don't like the sag that occurs when a strong signal hits the rectifier. How difficult would it be for me to wire in a solid state rectifier to a switch so that I can switch between solid state and tube rectification? Are there rectifier tubes that have better response than others? Are rectifier tube types swappable?
Transformers- The design calls for hammond transformers that are an open design for that vintage sound. If I wanted to change the transformers to a more modern sound, what type should I be looking at?
Cathode bias- I have read some varying information on this one. The amp design does incorporate a cathode bias. As I understand it, a cathode bias will automatically adjust the bias as long as the tube falls within the range of the bias resistor. Is this about right? How is a cathode bias adjusted if the tube is outside the range?
Thanks in advance for all of your help everyone.
Rectifier- The design calls for a tube rectifier. I have never played an amp with a tube rectifier, but I know that most metal guys don't like the sag that occurs when a strong signal hits the rectifier. How difficult would it be for me to wire in a solid state rectifier to a switch so that I can switch between solid state and tube rectification? Are there rectifier tubes that have better response than others? Are rectifier tube types swappable?
Transformers- The design calls for hammond transformers that are an open design for that vintage sound. If I wanted to change the transformers to a more modern sound, what type should I be looking at?
Cathode bias- I have read some varying information on this one. The amp design does incorporate a cathode bias. As I understand it, a cathode bias will automatically adjust the bias as long as the tube falls within the range of the bias resistor. Is this about right? How is a cathode bias adjusted if the tube is outside the range?
Thanks in advance for all of your help everyone.