NAD: Voodoo V-Plex. Going to be a platform amp to mod. Need ideas.

  • Thread starter Thread starter scottosan
  • Start date Start date
scottosan

scottosan

Well-known member
Picked up the Voodoo V-Plex 100 head and matching 2x12 on the cheap. It’s been a while since I’ve done a build. This came up locally and the deal was to good to pass up. Mercury Magnetics Iron alone is expensive, so here we are with the perfect donor amp.
Here’s what I’m thinking:
1. Suhr SE100 based build
2. Another Cameron/Atomica based build
3. Aldrich type build
4. Recently digging tones from the Brunetti Mercury or Naylor, but I don’t have schems or access to an amp to reverse.

Thoughts?


 
Nice snag. I saw that listed, would've grabbed it if I didn't already have a plexi.
Looking forward to hearing about what you do with it.
 
How does it sound the way it is? I remember it was a hotrodded plexi built by Trace?

JEL100 or Aldrich would be cool, you've done all the Jose, CCV variants so try something new....

Alrich with a footswitchable boost..........Congrats on the good deal.
 
What did you pick it up for? Those Mercury transformers look well built, if you got it for less than 1500 you can't source parts for a 100 watter for that.
 
Sweet!
Go with the SE100 build. It's a killer circuit and very tweak-able. Your chassis has the 4th 12ax7 socket, and you've done the Jose thing already.
My SE100 clone is my best sounding amp.
It's a killer combo of massive Wizard-style bottom end and tightness ( unique filtering and NFB design choices ) but still has a bit of grease from the 4 gain stages + CF.
Circuit has tons of gain on tap, but cleans up incredibly well when rolling down the guitar vol. (y)

Mine is pretty close to the real SE 100 design, but I used .0022uf for the first 2 couplers and it has a metro loop vs a tube loop.
Because I omitted the tube loop, my power supply string is a little different ( droppers, not the caps ) to get the right voltages to the pre section.
I also have a 3 way bright cap switch: B1-off-B2.
Very very cool circuit and props to J. Suhr for a killer sounding design. He's been running that circuit for 30 yrs in various forms ( 3+SE etc..) because it just sounds good.
If it doesn't float your boat, you're not very far away from a Marshall #34 / AFD100 circuit wise, even though the Suhr design sounds NOTHING like the AFD, so you will still have options. Amazing what a few component value swaps can do to an amp :LOL::LOL::LOL:

I liked this circuit so much a built a second 50watt version with channel switching ( 2 vols, 2 masters, shared eq, 3 DPDT relays ) that drops out the 3rd gain stage for lower gain tones, but when you go to the 3 gain stage mode, it has the #34 voicing. :rock:
 
Also wanted to add: From what info I can find, there are 2 " Aldrich" amps.
The Cameron Aldrich version is 4 gain stages, but only 3 12ax7's with a plate fed tone stack. It's unclear how much Doug ever actually used this amp, or how many he ever owned. Never heard one in person ( Cameron's are un-obtainium in Canada, just ask SQUAREHEAD ) but clips sound very good.
The Suhr Aldrich mod that John Suhr does to Doug's Marshalls is basically what the SE100 circuit is. A slightly tweaked 3+SE channel 3, coupled to a Marshal style power section with a tube based loop, and an NFB setup that's a little bit different from most other "Marshall" style amps. Doug's Suhr-Marshalls also have a foot-switchable second master vol. for a solo boost.
 
harddriver said:
How does it sound the way it is? I remember it was a hotrodded plexi built by Trace?

JEL100 or Aldrich would be cool, you've done all the Jose, CCV variants so try something new....

Alrich with a footswitchable boost..........Congrats on the good deal.
Click to expand...
I’m not a fan of the design, but I get it. The channel 1 and channel 2 used the same dual gang pot and the master is a PPIMV. What I don’t like is when jumping the channels I like to adjust the bass side for bottom end and then bring in the treble side to taste. Because it dual ganged, the mix you get get is what your are stuck with, so at higher settings it’s too flubby for me jumpered and to bright not jumpered. I can tell it’s going to sound fantastic modded though
 
fusedbrain said:
Also wanted to add: From what info I can find, there are 2 " Aldrich" amps.
The Cameron Aldrich version is 4 gain stages, but only 3 12ax7's with a plate fed tone stack. It's unclear how much Doug ever actually used this amp, or how many he ever owned. Never heard one in person ( Cameron's are un-obtainium in Canada, just ask SQUAREHEAD ) but clips sound very good.
The Suhr Aldrich mod that John Suhr does to Doug's Marshalls is basically what the SE100 circuit is. A slightly tweaked 3+SE channel 3, coupled to a Marshal style power section with a tube based loop, and an NFB setup that's a little bit different from most other "Marshall" style amps. Doug's Suhr-Marshalls also have a foot-switchable second master vol. for a solo boost.
Click to expand...
D. Aldrich has never officially endorsed any amp by Cameron and i have been told that Doug sent Mark a couple JMP's and never got them back or any compensation FWIW.
And i could tell a story about VooDoo as well but i won't.
* commence shitshow but i didn't bring it up.
 
I wouldn’t do any SE type build. They sound good, but feel like shit in the hands. Same with the PT100.

I suggest an Aldrich style with adjustable depth to go from Marshall-like to massive bottom end Uberschall-like.
 
I’ve built the suhr,the atomic and the Aldrich (Cameron version).
ive owned the suhr and the Cameron Aldrich.
build the suhr !
 
tpruitt said:
I’ve built the suhr,the atomic and the Aldrich (Cameron version).
ive owned the suhr and the Cameron Aldrich.
build the suhr !
Click to expand...
which schem did you use for the Aldrich? The hand drawn one from “cap232” or the old bitch one?
 
psychodave said:
I wouldn’t do any SE type build. They sound good, but feel like shit in the hands. Same with the PT100.

I suggest an Aldrich style with adjustable depth to go from Marshall-like to massive bottom end Uberschall-like.
Click to expand...
I've owned a PT100 and an OD100+, which are similar circuits, and Psycodave's assessment of those amps is valid. I'm not crazy about the SL68 either.
Sound great / feel like poo.
However, ya build that SE100 circuit on a turret board with a Metro C1999 OPT and it kills.
But for god's sake, don't use Mallory 150's or any silver mica caps in this build, and you'll be fine :D.
 
Samhain said:
D. Aldrich has never officially endorsed any amp by Cameron and i have been told that Doug sent Mark a couple JMP's and never got them back or any compensation FWIW.
And i could tell a story about VooDoo as well but i won't.
* commence shitshow but i didn't bring it up.
Click to expand...
It's pretty obvious by now that you are the resident Cameron Troll. So, a couple things...there are some pics out there of Doug's rack which contained 1 or two Cameron amps in it, whether he used them a little or not at all is not certain. Nobody gives a shit really. Except you for some reason. He did use a Cameron while he was in Dio, it's stated in the credits of an album. John Norum used the 'Aldrich' to record Another Destination. This mod was originally designed for Norum, so that's what it really should be called instead of the 'Aldrich'.
Either way, they are killer sounding amps and people still buy these modded Marshalls and CCVs for large cash whenever they come up for sale, and they usually don't last long.
 
Very cool, I haven't tried most of those amps so can't suggest. But I do build my amps using dull green garolite and eyelets just like that. I can't tell how thick that garolite is but I assume it's the thick stuff. If you need a small piece of it and/or a few eyelets I'd be glad to send it to you for postage. Eyelets are sold by x1000 IIRC, I still have a lot.
 
Racerxrated said:
It's pretty obvious by now that you are the resident Cameron Troll. So, a couple things...there are some pics out there of Doug's rack which contained 1 or two Cameron amps in it, whether he used them a little or not at all is not certain. Nobody gives a shit really. Except you for some reason. He did use a Cameron while he was in Dio, it's stated in the credits of an album. John Norum used the 'Aldrich' to record Another Destination. This mod was originally designed for Norum, so that's what it really should be called instead of the 'Aldrich'.
Either way, they are killer sounding amps and people still buy these modded Marshalls and CCVs for large cash whenever they come up for sale, and they usually don't last long.
Click to expand...
Yeah i know all that.
Its like Antonio Stradivarius making the best violins but he liked to murder 7 yr old girls.
Not even saying a cameron amp is in the same league.
Dio years weren't the pinnacle of guitar tone to me.
D. Aldrich's best tone IMO is with John Suhr.
And Norums best was with Jose's IMO.
Can't get passed the MC ethics man.
IDK why so many give him a pass and its wrong/
I am not responsible in any way for MC's reputation.
And can't believe the pushback for stating that, amps or no amps.
Something is very askew here.
Anyway carry on with the MC nutt-swinging / :bash:
Racerxrated said:
It's pretty obvious by now that you are the resident Cameron Troll. So, a couple things...there are some pics out there of Doug's rack which contained 1 or two Cameron amps in it, whether he used them a little or not at all is not certain. Nobody gives a shit really. Except you for some reason. He did use a Cameron while he was in Dio, it's stated in the credits of an album. John Norum used the 'Aldrich' to record Another Destination. This mod was originally designed for Norum, so that's what it really should be called instead of the 'Aldrich'.
Either way, they are killer sounding amps and people still buy these modded Marshalls and CCVs for large cash whenever they come up for sale, and they usually don't last long.
Click to expand...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top