Finished my BE100 based clone

[scottosan]

This thing took entirely to long to build. And while it's not nearly as tidy as FourT6and2's works of art, I put alot of effort into this thing and making sure I understand everthing I was doing. Just waiting on some panels to make it look proper

Classic Tone 100W Project Transformer
Classic Tone 100W Plexi OT
Classic Tone 3H Choke
12v regulated heaters and switching
WIMA Caps
Carbon Film resistors JJ anad IC filter caps
Valvestorm project chassis and offset headshell
Added Mid control for clean channel as well as used .047uf's in the tone stack
Changed switching to have LED lit for dirty and off for clean (Blue LED's sound better)
3 way excursion (M-L-T)

I tried to record it but the combination of my hack playing and crappy cell phone can't capture it proper

 

[shredhead7]

That sounds great, both the clean and the dirt, it's right up my alley as far as tones that I dig.

 

[fusedbrain]

Wow, that sounds great
I gotta say though, it sounds way more JCM800-ish, aggressive, brighter than my 2015 BE100. And that's not necessarily a bad thing. The older BE100's get a lot of heat for being darker and too polished.
Did you change much from the BE100 schematic, or is it just the Wima caps??

In any event, that's some great work right there

 

[CrazyNutz]

Nice sounds good. Are you using 1n4007, or UF4007's in the rectifier?

 

[SpiderWars]

That sounds really good and I think it looks fine. The PI snubber/fizz cap looks enormous. Is it bigger than the typical 47pF-100pF?

 

[scottosan]

That sounds really good and I think it looks fine. The PI snubber/fizz cap looks enormous. Is it bigger than the typical 47pF-100pF?

Yeah, the WIMAs are small, so for the 100pf, I had the go with a 1000v to get me the right width

 

[scottosan]

Nice sounds good. Are you using 1n4007, or UF4007's in the rectifier?

I used the UF4007s

 

[scottosan]

Wow, that sounds great
I gotta say though, it sounds way more JCM800-ish, aggressive, brighter than my 2015 BE100. And that's not necessarily a bad thing. The older BE100's get a lot of heat for being darker and too polished.
Did you change much from the BE100 schematic, or is it just the Wima caps??

In any event, that's some great work right there

I'm using a tad more filtering. I am using a pair of 47ufs in place of the 33's. Most of the variations are on the clean and options in the NFB loop. The BE channel is pretty close to spec. It really depends on the camera placement. . the first video sounds brighter than the second one. To me, the Runt I owned was bright to me ears (coming from a long time Bogner owner) and I tended to run the presense a little lower. The camera is right in front of the cab so thats why its sound even brighter in the first clip

 

[CrazyNutz]

On the NFB you're coming off the 8ohm tap?

Also the fixed depth, you have made variable with the (M L T) switch, right?

 

[scottosan]

On the NFB you're coming off the 8ohm tap?

Also the fixed depth, you have made variable with the (M L T) switch, right?

yes. 8 ohm and switchable. Sometimes I like less.

 

[Rick Lee]

So, how much do you have into this? I have no more room in the house for more amps, but I am always thinking of the next project, after I sell a few heads.

 

[scottosan]

So, how much do you have into this? I have no more room in the house for more amps, but I am always thinking of the next project, after I sell a few heads.

It's hard to say and i'm almost afraid to add it up, but here are the big things. I would estimate a grand without the tubes. I am using old tubes. I still have to pay for faceplates. That being said, I really enjoyed cutting my teeth on the switching and DC regulated heaters.

Iron $261
Headshell $289
Chassis $100
board switches components +$300

 

[Rick Lee]

I've done three Marshall clone builds and started an Excel spreadsheet for each one, but then stopped updating it. I still have, relatively speaking, next to nothing into them, and they're all totally awesome. But I would think Marshall clone parts (face plates, head shells, etc) grow on trees compared to Friedman or Soldano clone parts.

 

[FourT6and2]

Came out great!

 

[idnotbe]

wow... better than my be100. envy you~!!

 

[DragonCrestPC]

Sounds awesome, you should be proud scottosan.

 

[LP Freak]

Nice job

 

[CrazyNutz]

So, how much do you have into this? I have no more room in the house for more amps, but I am always thinking of the next project, after I sell a few heads.

It's hard to say and i'm almost afraid to add it up, but here are the big things. I would estimate a grand without the tubes. I am using old tubes. I still have to pay for faceplates. That being said, I really enjoyed cutting my teeth on the switching and DC regulated heaters.

Iron $261
Headshell $289
Chassis $100
board switches components +$300

Yeah man, It really is a labor of love. I enjoy doing a build or two about once a year. By the time you factor in the cost of parts, and what your time is worth you start to realize why good amps cost $3000+

You did a great job, and frankly I'm surprised how good it sounds with the WIMA caps, maybe I need to give them a second (or third) chance.

 

[Kapo_Polenton]

I think it sounds great too.. to be honest this thread sort of surprised me. I would have thought the Friedman sharks would be all up in a fit about " just buy a real friedman and support local builders" or " sounds nowhere close to my 200x REAL BE100"... even if it doesn't, sounds great on its own. That mid switch brings the goods. I would ride that all night long like a stripper does a pole. I think clones are great!

 

[scottosan]

I think it sounds great too.. to be honest this thread sort of surprised me. I would have thought the Friedman sharks would be all up in a fit about " just buy a real friedman and support local builders" or " sounds nowhere close to my 200x REAL BE100"... even if it doesn't, sounds great on its own. That mid switch brings the goods. I would ride that all night long like a stripper does a pole. I think clones are great!

Dave has always been very cool about sharing information, even on some of the clone forums. I don't see why anyone would have issue unless someone was trying to sell them. I make too much money with my day job to deal with that stuff.

The problem with WIMAs is that they are all radial lead, too many physical size options, etc. Bogner , Dieze, and Henning uses them