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NAB: New Amp Build - Luckhurst 59 Bassman/JTM45 1 x 12 combo

2K views 11 replies 5 participants last post by  madhermit 
#1 · (Edited)
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
 
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#5 ·
Got the amp home. Holy cow does it ever have attack. Brian thinks it is because the transformer is so oversized. He suggests me putting in 6V6 tubes and seeing if it gets even attackier. The transformer has enough juice to handle KT88's, so maybe I will try that someday too. Brian said the amp measured out on his scope very well and he was a little surprised by how well.

The speaker WAS too big at 6.56". The center sits directly on the power tubes. Dang! It was pretty much exactly wrong. So I may source a new Alnico speaker or something. Currently has a G12T in it. Speaker cannot be more than 6.25", prefferably less than 6".

Suggestions welcome. It has a ton of high end, so I think I can afford to lose some, and I would like a speaker with a tight bottom end as this circuit can be a bit flubby.


 
#7 ·
I did over do it a tad. When I added up the final tally, I threw up in my mouth a bit. I think the spree is over, but I am very aware I have said this in the past.

I may actually sell the tweed looking brown deluxe amp as I feel my latest acquisition gets me more of what I like.

I have done some more playing on the new amp. It is a beauty. Good amount of clean headroom, which I was hoping for as I haven’t played a Bassman before. I had a JTM45 and was hoping the Bassman setup would be a bit cleaner, which it is. The amp is really quiet too. I think between it and my Princeton clone, I have most vintage tones covered.
 
#9 ·
Hey there, sorry to bother you. Do you know how much the luckhurst amps run, Im trying to get him to build a 65 princeton for me and he said he could take me on in late June but am still waiting for more details and don’t want to waste his time if I cant really afford it haha Im new here so cant send messages so feel free to message me
 
#10 ·
I would have no idea what he charges now, sorry. At the time, I was very pleased with what I paid. To me, it was a much better choice than buying a brand-name reissue.
What I can say is that Brian happily fixed an issue with the first amp he built me that only reared its head when I plugged in a footswitch for the trem/reverb on the Princeton clone he made. He stands behind his builds. Super good guy!

I still love both of his builds and have no intention of ever selling them.
 
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