Rack power amps (moding advice wanted!!!)

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GuitarGuyLP

GuitarGuyLP

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So I had a deal lined up on a Marshall 9005 power amp, but that fell through. I am now searching for a power amp again. I want something that is 50 watts x2. So far here is what I am looking at

Carvin TS100 for $390 used,
Randall RT2/50 $600 used, or a
Mesa 2:90 (complete overkill) $600 used.

I will be using it with a Mako Mak4. I am running a 212 cab that is why 180 watts is overkill since my speakers would melt a long way before the full output.

Any advice would be great
 
I should be getting my Mak4 within the next couple of weeks. I will be using it with my Peavey Classic 60 tube mono power amp(6L6) and/or my Splawn head(KT88) until I decide/can afford a new power amp. I'm kind of waiting to see the Mako power amps that he is working on. Not sure if I'll be able to afford one but still curious and don't want to buy anything else until those are revealed. You could look into a Peavey tube power amp and probably find one for less than $250. They make a 50/50 EL84 based, 60/60 6L6, and 60 and 120 mono versions. I wish I still had my Marshall 9005 right about now.
 
GuitarGuyLP":7oc5opac said:
So I had a deal lined up on a Marshall 9005 power amp, but that fell through. I am now searching for a power amp again. I want something that is 50 watts x2. So far here is what I am looking at

Carvin TS100 for $390 used,
Randall RT2/50 $600 used, or a
Mesa 2:90 (complete overkill) $600 used.

I will be using it with a Mako Mak4. I am running a 212 cab that is why 180 watts is overkill since my speakers would melt a long way before the full output.

Any advice would be great
Click to expand...

Art SLA2 - $300 has 200 watts per channel but you can trim it back on the front panel and when you get it dialed where you want it, it has a block-out plate so no one can change the output once set. Brad recommended it, I bought, am glad I listened.
:thumbsup:
 
I am mostly looking for tube. I have a SS power amp right now, but I am not planing on using it with the Mako

I have been looking for a deal on a Peavey, but the only ones I have found will not ship to Canada.
 
I like the Fryette(mine's VHT) 2/50/2 alot. I'll be honest, I didn't really shop and research power amps much. I'm an el34 guy, and this is the most often recommended. It sounds great and I don't have any complaints. :rock:
 
vchizzle":26og0ud8 said:
I like the Fryette(mine's VHT) 2/50/2 alot. I'll be honest, I didn't really shop and research power amps much. I'm an el34 guy, and this is the most often recommended. It sounds great and I don't have any complaints. :rock:
Click to expand...

This :thumbsup:
 
From the list you have the RT2/50 is a very cool amp that you can experiment with tube wise.

in that wattage class I would go with a VHT 2502 though.
 
Marshall 9100 is a great poweramp and it's 2x50 just like you need. They can usually be had for around $500 or so.
 
The VHTs are cool, but I think that they might be a bit too tight with the Mako, and I want to stay to a low budget so that I will be able to save up for the Mako power amp when it comes out. I have even been thinking about building a power amp from one of the projects on AX84 to tinker with until the Mako power amp comes out. But I am thinking that if the RT2/50, or TS100 will do what I need I might not feel the need to upgrade.
 
I am a Mesa fanboy, but that said, my next power amp will be a VHT/Fryette. If you can find a 2/50/2 for $600ish, do that.
 
I'm a long time user of a VHT2502 - and the longer I play it, the more I dislike it. The input driver adds some "edgy" character to whatever I put in front of it, which turns me off.

My next poweramp will be either the Randall (because it has a built in depth) or an older Marshall (I would prefer the 9005, has the better transformers) and install the depth myself.
 
I was excited about the 9005 because I would have been able to get it for $300 :rock:

I have been thinking about getting the Carvin used for $400, and adding a depth control. I already found the schematic for it. It can use EL34s, or 6L6s, can run stereo, or mono, and since it is a lower price power amp I am not too worried about resale from moding it. I just have to read up on how to best put in a depth control.

I have attached a gut shot, and the Schematic. If anyone can give me an idea as to how hard the mod would be that would be great. I am an electronics engineering technologist, so soldering, and understanding schematics is no problem, I just have no tube amp experience.
 

Attachments

nothing is overkill IMO.

underkill with a power amp is like the execution of Mary Queen of Scots.

It's painful, and it never quite gets the job done.

Get the 2:90, or wait for a Rivera/marshall/VHT/etc.
 
Right now I am rocking a 20 watt Peters, and that can get loud enough for me, it just starts to lack some low end when the volume gets up there. The 2:90 would be able to rip my speakers to shreds. Plus I would like to have a depth control instead of a deep switch so that I can fine tune the low end.

Also you wouldn't know this from my rig, and some of the amps that I have owned in the last year, but I am cheap when it comes to gear. I want a great rockin tone, but I don't want to spend too much getting it.
 
guitarslinger":1sd5fh3c said:
nothing is overkill IMO.

underkill with a power amp is like the execution of Mary Queen of Scots.

It's painful, and it never quite gets the job done.

Get the 2:90, or wait for a Rivera/marshall/VHT/etc.
Click to expand...
+1 that - I loved mine, expecially the deep switch, nothing short of brutal...
 
GuitarGuyLP":2xvl3xjt said:
I was excited about the 9005 because I would have been able to get it for $300 :rock:

I have been thinking about getting the Carvin used for $400, and adding a depth control. I already found the schematic for it. It can use EL34s, or 6L6s, can run stereo, or mono, and since it is a lower price power amp I am not too worried about resale from moding it. I just have to read up on how to best put in a depth control.

I have attached a gut shot, and the Schematic. If anyone can give me an idea as to how hard the mod would be that would be great. I am an electronics engineering technologist, so soldering, and understanding schematics is no problem, I just have no tube amp experience.
Click to expand...
You need to locate R26 and R91 (and unsolder - if possible - the par. caps), add for each a log pot (250k-1M) and a 2n2-4n7 cap (you need to try which is enough - 1M/4n7 is A LOT DEPTH) and wire the 10k end which goes to the 8 Ohm tap to the middle of the pot and the right lug of the pot to the 8 Ohm tap. The cap is in parallel to that (so soldered to middle and right).

If you want a fixed depth, just change the 180pF to 1nF-2n2.
 
duesentrieb":2gq54kla said:
GuitarGuyLP":2gq54kla said:
I was excited about the 9005 because I would have been able to get it for $300 :rock:

I have been thinking about getting the Carvin used for $400, and adding a depth control. I already found the schematic for it. It can use EL34s, or 6L6s, can run stereo, or mono, and since it is a lower price power amp I am not too worried about resale from moding it. I just have to read up on how to best put in a depth control.

I have attached a gut shot, and the Schematic. If anyone can give me an idea as to how hard the mod would be that would be great. I am an electronics engineering technologist, so soldering, and understanding schematics is no problem, I just have no tube amp experience.
Click to expand...
You need to locate R26 and R91 (and unsolder - if possible - the par. caps), add for each a log pot (250k-1M) and a 2n2-4n7 cap (you need to try which is enough - 1M/4n7 is A LOT DEPTH) and wire the 10k end which goes to the 8 Ohm tap to the middle of the pot and the right lug of the pot to the 8 Ohm tap. The cap is in parallel to that (so soldered to middle and right).

If you want a fixed depth, just change the 180pF to 1nF-2n2.
Click to expand...

:rock: That is Awesome!!!! :rock:

I think that I will give it a try!!!! I will just have to order some concentric pots to replace the presence, so that I don't have to drill any extra holes!!!!
 
I have a RT2/50 and a Art SLA2. I use the SLA2 for wet//wet so I dont color my amp tone. The RT is a very flexible amp and easy to bias. I have had KT77,KT88,E34L,EL34,6L6 and yellow jackets EL84 and all sounded great. I havent used it in a while but it stays close by in a spare rack. Definitely a powerhouse keeper. :thumbsup:
 
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