New Suhr PT100

[petethorn]

So cool to have first hand knowledge and posts from Pete!

I'm here! I'm always on rig-Talk, HRI, and TGP (and a few other forums periodically). I'm a hard core gear geek just like all of you, I should play more and read/post less haha

 

[aeroic]

OK, so-

Addressing the availability/run of 50 situation-

the redesigned PT100 will live on and become a regular part of the Suhr product lineup. This custom run of 50 is all about the special "Signature Edition"- a matching cab, the look, custom carbon fiber tolex, etc. This is something special we did for this 2014 NAMM.

After this run of 50 amps and cabs, the look will change a bit, and you'll be able to order the head separately, through the Suhr dealer of your choice. Functionality and features will be identical to the signature model,, just the cosmetics will be a bit different- we are still making decisions on the details of the look. Pricing TBD.

Everyone that wants one of these amps will be able to have one. Thanks for your interest, the positive feedback has been overwhelming and it's very exciting and an honor for me!

Hey Pete. For us PT100 owners already. Do you know if any of the mods can be done on an existing PT100? I know things like Power / Output transformers can be changed, and such. For me, the Ch3 with the boost was always a bit flubby on the low end, so I really used the Koko to drive Channel 2 as my "channel 3" and I use mainly Ch3 as a lead tone. But, a lot of what you changed in the new one I was hoping to be able to have my existing PT100 modded to do. I'm really not all that interested in Midi, and speaker cabs. I am mostly interested in tweaking what I have now. Given that he used your touring one as a platform, it should be doable. I just was curious if John will be willing to offer that, and if you knew if he would or not.

 

[Bato]

Everyone that wants one of these amps will be able to have one. Thanks for your interest, the positive feedback has been overwhelming and it's very exciting and an honor for me!

It rather should be an honor for every guitar/amp builder to work with such an amazing guitar player like you!!!
Someone like you delivers the magic input how it has to sound.

 

[AndyK]

Hey Pete. For us PT100 owners already. Do you know if any of the mods can be done on an existing PT100? I know things like Power / Output transformers can be changed, and such. For me, the Ch3 with the boost was always a bit flubby on the low end, so I really used the Koko to drive Channel 2 as my "channel 3" and I use mainly Ch3 as a lead tone. But, a lot of what you changed in the new one I was hoping to be able to have my existing PT100 modded to do. I'm really not all that interested in Midi, and speaker cabs. I am mostly interested in tweaking what I have now. Given that he used your touring one as a platform, it should be doable. I just was curious if John will be willing to offer that, and if you knew if he would or not.

I'm betting John Suhr's head is about to explode!

 

[petethorn]

I think the official word is there's too many differences for them to mod existing CAA amps to this spec. Boost, output transformer, all the tweaks, a depth instead of whomp circuit, filtering, midi... it's a lot of changes, keep in mind what was done to my amp was over years.

 

[AndyK]

I think the official word is there's too many differences for them to mod existing CAA amps to this spec. Boost, output transformer, all the tweaks, a depth instead of whomp circuit, filtering, midi... it's a lot of changes, keep in mind what was done to my amp was over years.

Hey Pete - what was your favorite mod - the one (or two) that improved things the most?

 

[petethorn]

I think the official word is there's too many differences for them to mod existing CAA amps to this spec. Boost, output transformer, all the tweaks, a depth instead of whomp circuit, filtering, midi... it's a lot of changes, keep in mind what was done to my amp was over years.

Hey Pete - what was your favorite mod - the one (or two) that improved things the most?

geez I dunno. Probably tuning the preamp a bit, just fine tuning bass in the front end and stuff. But i don't really know what John does, he just says "here, lemme try something" and then gets in there and changes stuff and then i play... it's like at the eye doctor when they flip those lenses in front of you... "ok what's better.. 1, or 2, or no difference.... 2? Ok,... now what's better.. 3 or 4?" Ha! Little tricks to add gain here, take it away there, filter top end a bit or add some back, etc etc.... I have no idea what he's up to though really, when he's doing it, i just tell him if i like it!

Dialing in the filtering was cool too, as we made it feel real nice like a plexi more, I think.

 

[AndyK]

Ah-ha! John's like the wizard of tone - changing stuff behind the curtain, to achieve the perfect amp!

So out of every possible change, filtering makes the difference when going from 800 to Plexi feel/tone!?

 

[nevusofota]

I think the official word is there's too many differences for them to mod existing CAA amps to this spec. Boost, output transformer, all the tweaks, a depth instead of whomp circuit, filtering, midi... it's a lot of changes, keep in mind what was done to my amp was over years.

Hey Pete - what was your favorite mod - the one (or two) that improved things the most?

geez I dunno. Probably tuning the preamp a bit, just fine tuning bass in the front end and stuff. But i don't really know what John does, he just says "here, lemme try something" and then gets in there and changes stuff and then i play... it's like at the eye doctor when they flip those lenses in front of you... "ok what's better.. 1, or 2, or no difference.... 2? Ok,... now what's better.. 3 or 4?" Ha! Little tricks to add gain here, take it away there, filter top end a bit or add some back, etc etc.... I have no idea what he's up to though really, when he's doing it, i just tell him if i like it!

Dialing in the filtering was cool too, as we made it feel real nice like a plexi more, I think.

AAAAHHHH! Thanks for putting it into my terms since that's what I do for a living
Now, are you one of those that after you're given 4 or 5 you ask to see 1 and 2 again?

 

[petethorn]

Ah-ha! John's like the wizard of tone - changing stuff behind the curtain, to achieve the perfect amp!

So out of every possible change, filtering makes the difference when going from 800 to Plexi feel/tone!?

Well I think it's a big factor. The higher filtering, the amp is tighter but stiffer too. It's a balance for sure. I'm pretty sure the whole Mod 5 thing is just a 800 type circuit but with plexi filtering( and a ppimv). So there ya go. Lower feels more "tactile". If that makes sense. But you can get ghost notes and weirdness if you go too low.

There's guys here that really know their stuff- I don't really know what I'm talking about, technically. I just know what I like, feel and sound-wise. Maybe someone can chime in that can explain what I'm attempting to talk about haha

 

[AndyK]

Well I think it's a big factor. The higher filtering, the amp is tighter but stiffer too. It's a balance for sure. I'm pretty sure the whole Mod 5 thing is just a 800 type circuit but with plexi filtering( and a ppimv). So there ya go. Lower feels more "tactile". If that makes sense. But you can get ghost notes and weirdness if you go too low.

I think you're right about the Mod 5 (which I just sold), the 12,000 series filtering really brightens the amp and makes it ring more like a Plexi than an 800.

I also have no idea what I'M talking about, and really don't know how to change anything but a coffee filter!

 

[yngzaklynch]

Nice amp Pete

 

[philb]

Nice amp Pete

Awesome tone. That's going to be a killer amp.

 

[philnz]

Now THATS how you demo an amp.
I'm sure the upcoming rundown of it with different guitars will be stellar as well.

Well done Pete/John, homerun

 

[petethorn]

Thanks guys, thanks for posting that vid of me gabbin, that does give a good idea of how ballsy it sounds in the room playing starts at about 4:50, for those that don't want to hear me blab, ha

 

[mightymike]

MOSFET?? Like a built in boost pedal (YJM style)?

I have a PT100 Marshall - wonder if some of the newer improvements can be retro-fitted!?

Was wondering the same, or if the Mosfet was used to boostrap one of the gain stages which would be really cool.

 

[mightymike]

Ah-ha! John's like the wizard of tone - changing stuff behind the curtain, to achieve the perfect amp!

So out of every possible change, filtering makes the difference when going from 800 to Plexi feel/tone!?

Well I think it's a big factor. The higher filtering, the amp is tighter but stiffer too. It's a balance for sure. I'm pretty sure the whole Mod 5 thing is just a 800 type circuit but with plexi filtering( and a ppimv). So there ya go. Lower feels more "tactile". If that makes sense. But you can get ghost notes and weirdness if you go too low.

There's guys here that really know their stuff- I don't really know what I'm talking about, technically. I just know what I like, feel and sound-wise. Maybe someone can chime in that can explain what I'm attempting to talk about haha

You described the filtering and its characteristics correctly Pete. Great tone and playing.
After hearing you describe the way the Mosfet is hooked to the high voltage, and the way it has headroom, that really sounds like a bootstrap coming off the plate. It can increase
the gain factor of a typical 12ax7 gain stage from 60% to 97%, and does so without the need for cathode bypass cap. This reduces paracitic occilation. It's a really efficient pure way to increase gain. I've been wanting to try this in a Plexi circuit since Joey from the Slo Clone forum enlightened me about it. The way you sat down, played, then John tweaked a value, and repeat was the best. Custom Tailored is as good as it gets.

Very Very cool stuff..

 

[se7en]

Good job with the new revision. Sounds improved to me. I just love that hot-rodded Plexi sound. I'd imagine the feel is really nice now, too.

 

[aeroic]

I think the official word is there's too many differences for them to mod existing CAA amps to this spec. Boost, output transformer, all the tweaks, a depth instead of whomp circuit, filtering, midi... it's a lot of changes, keep in mind what was done to my amp was over years.

It's kinda sad they won't offer at least some of the mods. Personally, I don't care about MIDI, changing the Whomp, and such. I'd love to see a mod that offers the power section filtering, some of the tweaks on Ch2 / Ch3, potentially the Output Trannie swap, and such. Take the existing platform, and make it similar or closer to the PT. I find it frustrating they wouldn't look at offering that, but ah well. The older one is still a damn fine amp, I just wish Suhr would be willing to have "something" for us existing users vs. shelling out ton of coin on a brand new amp.

 

[mightymike]

If your amp has 69 spec filtering with 2 dual jumpered 50uf caps on the screens, and 1 dual jumpered 50uf PI Cap, you could cut your filtering in half by just cutting 3 jumper wires. This would put your amp just a little more filtered than a plexi, and not cost you a dime. This actually a really cool in between value. More open and dynamic than high filtering, but still tight for muted plam work, and less chance for ghosting than going all the way down to single 32s all around.

The ot is very easy to change as well. If you can change a pickup, you can do this. 4 bolts, and 6 or 7 wires. If Mr Suhr is willing to sell you the new ot, you could DIY.

You just need to drain the voltage from the amp so as not to get shocked and kill your self. With amp off, tubes pulled, clip a wire from v1 pin1 to the chassis. If your amp is drained you won't get any sparks by testing your other caps by touching a wire from the chassis to their postive terminals. Then you're good to go. 30 to 45 minute job.