Starting a new amp project, Curtomica amp build

  • Thread starter Thread starter Digital Jams
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Well you'd have to decide whether or not the MV you are talking about is the traditional pre phase or post phase. I would think you'd be cascading the preamp alla 2204 if you are adding gain with a MV. IF it is post phase you'd be getting the power tubes to break up more while lowering the overall volume so you'd get more perceived gain there too. Bottom line, you are gonna gain up this bitch if you start cascading, adding bypass caps, Jose goodies (whatever those can be at this point if not diodes). I guess I'm just confused as are most people, on how you intend to build an amp based on a hole in the back of a chassis? I'm not discouraging you, just really interested in the facts as gathered to date. Let some of the builders help you out. I'm sure they are interested as well!
 
I played a Jose that sounds like the mod he played.

Did you also look inside this amp? That's what you really need! ;) If not, we might as well ask C.C to sit on the panel..
 
Kapo_Polenton":21jxfzuh said:
Well you'd have to decide whether or not the MV you are talking about is the traditional pre phase or post phase. I would think you'd be cascading the preamp alla 2204 if you are adding gain with a MV. IF it is post phase you'd be getting the power tubes to break up more while lowering the overall volume so you'd get more perceived gain there too. Bottom line, you are gonna gain up this bitch if you start cascading, adding bypass caps, Jose goodies (whatever those can be at this point if not diodes). I guess I'm just confused as are most people, on how you intend to build an amp based on a hole in the back of a chassis? I'm not discouraging you, just really interested in the facts as gathered to date. Let some of the builders help you out. I'm sure they are interested as well!

I am not a builder, I do know electronics due to having a 2 year degree but do not have the time to dive in and learn everything. I have a builder willing to try it. I figured I started all the Atomica crap and have a 77 JMP sitting around so I will try to get that tone. The amp I played sounded exactly like how Curt describes the Atomica.

No I did not see inside that amp but know others that have.
 
gotcha.. should be good when you get it done then! Don't be afraid to add an extra gain stage for shits and giggles though. More options.
 
OMG an amp based on typed tone?! :D

On a more serious note very interested to see the outcome, sounds like a sweet amp.
 
First of all, no ones pumping anyone. And regarding the above mentioned pumping in the 80's, you can trust me on this.... until my doctors physical after my 40th b-day, I was untampered with. :D

Secondly, Scott...... you are insane. The EXPERT on the Atomica is Mark Cameron. I just played the amp back in the day and listened to Mark play the amp. Mark knows the exact details of the original Atomica circuit. Call him! I bet it is very, very similar to the real Jose mod you played at Joe's studio. It was just an old Super Lead sound, but had that extra 10% that we are all still looking for. I just put the story of the Atomica into words and may have done that better than Mark Cameron did as my account seems to have become an internet legend. If you go to the Metro EVH forum and type in Atomica, I think there is like an 11 page thread about Jose mods where I told this same story and Mark cameron chimed in with some VALID information.

And don't forget since that time, you have had several VH freaks from Metro just nailing this tone with Marrshall circuits and an accuracy that makes you want to hold Eddie's face down in front of their cabinets and rub his nose in it and scold him, "Bad Eddie! Bad Eddie". Someone please give Eddie a tone like Ralle500 or Rockstah or Strat78 please!

Personally, if I was going to re-create this amp or was really trying to snag that tone, the first thing I would do is speak to Mark Cameron personally. He may tell you exactly what was in that first Atomica amp and he may also let you know how much of that original Atomica is in his new Atomica amp. If the original Atomica is in the new Atomica and it is coupled with a Hi gain Jose at the flick of a switch, that sounds like Win - Win to me. You seem too concerned that the new amp may be a fire-breather, but it might also have the other tone too.

Also, I would talk to Joe d. some more. If you truly dug that amp he had, have him duplicate it for you. It's probably the same circuit.

Also, talk to Steve Henning. Steve had old Jose's back in the day and Steve has turned into a circuitry lunatic over the last few years, studying Jose mods in detail. When i played the prototype Henning Sah100, it definitely had that same vibe and then also had the ability to go into stun mode.

Lastly, calling this amp a Curtomica, while a nice tribute to a stunningly handsome and extremely well liked forum member is a bit misguided and may just border on creepy. :hys:
 
extra 10% is easily achieved with a good overdrive too though let's not forget ;) 60$ vs. 2500-3000. Just saying..
 
King Guitar":skuk4gzc said:
Good Luck with that.

Do not need any luck, public free information with the aid of some amps that have surfaced and an outstanding person to do the build :thumbsup:
 
Kapo_Polenton":25mmiirm said:
extra 10% is easily achieved with a good overdrive too though let's not forget ;) 60$ vs. 2500-3000. Just saying..

Exactly, mine will cost under $1000 including the vintage iron and premium SED winged Cs :thumbsup:
 
Digital Jams":3egzqgai said:
Kapo_Polenton":3egzqgai said:
extra 10% is easily achieved with a good overdrive too though let's not forget ;) 60$ vs. 2500-3000. Just saying..

Exactly, mine will cost under $1000 including the vintage iron and premium SED winged Cs :thumbsup:
Explain that to me. A good used JMP is $800. So someone is gonna mod it for you, with different transformers and new tubes for under $200? Sign me up!

Steve
 
Kapo_Polenton":3p0nrps6 said:
extra 10% is easily achieved with a good overdrive too though let's not forget ;) 60$ vs. 2500-3000. Just saying..
If the "extra 10%" is easily achieved with a $60 overdrive than why is there any "Atomica legend" out there? Also, Digi can save, like $140 on modding his JMP by just grabbing said overdrive...

Steve
 
Chubtone":1re83exn said:
First of all, no ones pumping anyone. And regarding the above mentioned pumping in the 80's, you can trust me on this.... until my doctors physical after my 40th b-day, I was untampered with. :D

Secondly, Scott...... you are insane. The EXPERT on the Atomica is Mark Cameron. I just played the amp back in the day and listened to Mark play the amp. Mark knows the exact details of the original Atomica circuit. Call him! I bet it is very, very similar to the real Jose mod you played at Joe's studio. It was just an old Super Lead sound, but had that extra 10% that we are all still looking for. I just put the story of the Atomica into words and may have done that better than Mark Cameron did as my account seems to have become an internet legend. If you go to the Metro EVH forum and type in Atomica, I think there is like an 11 page thread about Jose mods where I told this same story and Mark cameron chimed in with some VALID information.

And don't forget since that time, you have had several VH freaks from Metro just nailing this tone with Marrshall circuits and an accuracy that makes you want to hold Eddie's face down in front of their cabinets and rub his nose in it and scold him, "Bad Eddie! Bad Eddie". Someone please give Eddie a tone like Ralle500 or Rockstah or Strat78 please!

Personally, if I was going to re-create this amp or was really trying to snag that tone, the first thing I would do is speak to Mark Cameron personally. He may tell you exactly what was in that first Atomica amp and he may also let you know how much of that original Atomica is in his new Atomica amp. If the original Atomica is in the new Atomica and it is coupled with a Hi gain Jose at the flick of a switch, that sounds like Win - Win to me. You seem too concerned that the new amp may be a fire-breather, but it might also have the other tone too.

Also, I would talk to Joe d. some more. If you truly dug that amp he had, have him duplicate it for you. It's probably the same circuit.

Also, talk to Steve Henning. Steve had old Jose's back in the day and Steve has turned into a circuitry lunatic over the last few years, studying Jose mods in detail. When i played the prototype Henning Sah100, it definitely had that same vibe and then also had the ability to go into stun mode.

Lastly, calling this amp a Curtomica, while a nice tribute to a stunningly handsome and extremely well liked forum member is a bit misguided and may just border on creepy. :hys:

I do not know as much as Steve, Ralle, Rockstah, or Mark but I have guys that do know as much or more and multiple amps that have never made the forum rounds. These guys are WAY smarter than myself as they stay away from forums :lol: :LOL: All I know is your story for the past 10 years and that it takes very little funds to get the tone from stock Marshalls, not some complete ground up build with forum tags such as "Hand picked", vintage, or other spooky terms only forum reading nuts would use.

I wish Steve still had his old Jose amps, that would be very cool!

If it comes out right it will be shipped to you, you can either laugh your ass off and yes I was nuts or you can say that I got it. Not much money at all is going into this project. Been reading about this Atomica for 10 years and it aint IMO (per TGP cannot be sued if I state IMO LOL) what you have been speaking about and no way is it $2500 IMO.

Boating season is over and the boat pulled, I have free time for crazy shit now :lol: :LOL:
 
sah5150":3skwgo1a said:
Digital Jams":3skwgo1a said:
Kapo_Polenton":3skwgo1a said:
extra 10% is easily achieved with a good overdrive too though let's not forget ;) 60$ vs. 2500-3000. Just saying..

Exactly, mine will cost under $1000 including the vintage iron and premium SED winged Cs :thumbsup:
Explain that to me. A good used JMP is $800. So someone is gonna mod it for you, with different transformers and new tubes for under $200? Sign me up!

Steve

Bought my 77 4 hole JMP 50 watter with turret board added for $600 :thumbsup: Kid at New Hampshire State needed beer money. There is a thread I posted about it years ago with me posting in the parking lot like a dope deal going down :lol: :LOL:
 
Digital Jams":33h1wf4r said:
yeah so enough is enough with with the sales labels and capitalizing on forum legend, I am taking my 77 JMP 4 holer and having a CURTOMIA built. I am going to pump Curt for everything he remembers and using new Jose mod finds to make a real Atomica.

No Diodes.
Jose inspirered, no credit for anyone else or branded as such.
More on the lines of the Jose EVH mod and the Golden amp.

Should be fun!
Digi - ya know I love ya pal, but I don't get the attitude here...

"enough is enough with with the sales labels and capitalizing on forum legend"?

"no credit for anyone else or branded as such"?

Did you wake up on the wrong side of the bed this morning? It seems that the amp that the Cameron company is gonna put out is gonna be a combo high gain/low gain Jose mod. The low gain may well be what Mark saw in Atomica. Why shouldn't they call it that? I'm just wondering why you seem to have a problem with it? If they are gonna make the amp that a combo of the Atomica lower gain mode and Mark's hi gain Jose mod, isn't that great for everybody?

I think it's cool you're gonna mod your amp and everything, but I'm confused on the animosity...

Also, I don't understand the "No Diodes" thing - like putting a clipping circuit in an amp is some evil thing... Same thing is happening on HCAF right now on that subject. I don't get it. Maybe Atomica wasn't like the Jose you played. Maybe Atomica HAD a diode clipping circuit. The only one who knows for sure is Mark...

Don't take this the wrong way, I'm just trying to understand...

Steve
 
Digital Jams":33v64rtr said:
sah5150":33v64rtr said:
Digital Jams":33v64rtr said:
Kapo_Polenton":33v64rtr said:
extra 10% is easily achieved with a good overdrive too though let's not forget ;) 60$ vs. 2500-3000. Just saying..

Exactly, mine will cost under $1000 including the vintage iron and premium SED winged Cs :thumbsup:
Explain that to me. A good used JMP is $800. So someone is gonna mod it for you, with different transformers and new tubes for under $200? Sign me up!

Steve

Bought my 77 4 hole JMP 50 watter with turret board added for $600 :thumbsup: Kid at New Hampshire State needed beer money. There is a thread I posted about it years ago with me posting in the parking lot like a dope deal going down :lol: :LOL:
So new transformers and a mod for under $400?

Steve
 
Digital Jams":306yfzlb said:
not some complete ground up build with forum tags such as "Hand picked", vintage, or other spooky terms only forum reading nuts would use.

Digital Jams":306yfzlb said:
and no way is it $2500 IMO.
Once again, I don't get the jabs. A high gain/low gain switchable jose modded Marshall built by hand from scratch with quality components sounds worth $2500 to me...

Steve
 
Chubtone":2q9lkdz4 said:
First of all, no ones pumping anyone. And regarding the above mentioned pumping in the 80's, you can trust me on this.... until my doctors physical after my 40th b-day, I was untampered with. :D

I had my 39th tonight...still "exit only"... :D
 
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