Since I liked the amp Brian Luckhurst built for me SO much last year, I decided to commission another. This time I wanted to get a compact 59 Bassman 1 x 12 combo. I also asked for a 3-way Negative Feedback loop switch and an external bias point. Derrick Bell is the cab builder and I asked him to get as close to the new Marshall SV20 combo as he could. It is only slightly bigger at 20.375” wide x 18.1” tall x 9.6” deep. It is made of solid pine to keep the weight down.
The amp is done and I am hoping to pick it up this weekend.
One thing I didn’t think through very well was the depth of the cabinet. I wanted to use an Eminence Reignmaker speaker that has the built-in attenuator, but it is 1.25” deeper than a Vintage 30, so it may not fit. I just didn’t think of it. I wish I asked Derrick to build it 1” deeper, but I was going for compact size. Worst case is I may put in a Neo Creamback for extra lightweight. Or an Alnico speaker for vintage tones. My lesson here is to check the depths of speakers I might like to use BEFORE the cab is built.
The 3-way switch will help get the circuit more like a JTM if I want. The 3 positions are Bassman style feedback, no feedback, and JTM style feedback. That and switching out V1 from a 12AY7 to a 12AX7 gets it very JTM45ish. The no feedback apparently sounds like a 5E3 type breakup.
Brian’s Princeton build is my favourite amp, so I hope this one ends up right up there with it too. Pics to follow. Here is my current stable. I am a lucky man! My goal this year has been to assemble a buffet of amps and guitars. I think I did pretty well
1. Mesa TransAtlantic TA-15
2. Luckhurst Princeton 1 x 12 clone 22 Watts w/Eminence Maverick
Rack: TC G-Major 2: Boss TAE: DeLisle 7x7+ Amp Switcher
3. Derrick Bell 1 x 12 cab - Vintage 30
4. Rivera R-55 in converted Derrick Bell head
5. Dr. Z EMS head
6. Mesa Roadster head
7. Mesa F-100 head
8. Steve Moratto 65 Brown Deluxe 6G3 in tweed combo w/Celestion Rivera G12T-85
9. Mesa 1 x 12 Lonestar cab w/Mesa Black Shadow 90
The amp is done and I am hoping to pick it up this weekend.
One thing I didn’t think through very well was the depth of the cabinet. I wanted to use an Eminence Reignmaker speaker that has the built-in attenuator, but it is 1.25” deeper than a Vintage 30, so it may not fit. I just didn’t think of it. I wish I asked Derrick to build it 1” deeper, but I was going for compact size. Worst case is I may put in a Neo Creamback for extra lightweight. Or an Alnico speaker for vintage tones. My lesson here is to check the depths of speakers I might like to use BEFORE the cab is built.
The 3-way switch will help get the circuit more like a JTM if I want. The 3 positions are Bassman style feedback, no feedback, and JTM style feedback. That and switching out V1 from a 12AY7 to a 12AX7 gets it very JTM45ish. The no feedback apparently sounds like a 5E3 type breakup.
Brian’s Princeton build is my favourite amp, so I hope this one ends up right up there with it too. Pics to follow. Here is my current stable. I am a lucky man! My goal this year has been to assemble a buffet of amps and guitars. I think I did pretty well
1. Mesa TransAtlantic TA-15
2. Luckhurst Princeton 1 x 12 clone 22 Watts w/Eminence Maverick
Rack: TC G-Major 2: Boss TAE: DeLisle 7x7+ Amp Switcher
3. Derrick Bell 1 x 12 cab - Vintage 30
4. Rivera R-55 in converted Derrick Bell head
5. Dr. Z EMS head
6. Mesa Roadster head
7. Mesa F-100 head
8. Steve Moratto 65 Brown Deluxe 6G3 in tweed combo w/Celestion Rivera G12T-85
9. Mesa 1 x 12 Lonestar cab w/Mesa Black Shadow 90