Working on the next Henning amp design... Thoughts?

[Anonymous]

So I'm thinking:

Smaller footprint 30-50 Watt version with just the one channel - either ROD or PLEX at the user's choosing. PCB mounted power tubes this time to reduce labor cost - same 1/8" thickness board. Just one board for the pre and power amp this time. Single board design layout so either the current ROD or PLEX channel can be implemented. Footswitchable solo master. Line out and the same series/parallel efx loop being used now. Overall Master (PPIMV). EFX loop could go above the main board to make the head much smaller in size. Fit all this this in a headshell 20.5" wide. Same quality as the Cherry Bomb flagship. Priced around $1850-2000...

So what do you guys think? 30 or 50 Watt? Would you buy a single channel design like this or do you have to have two channels? Any features you'd add/remove? Any other thoughts?

Thanks!

Steve

 

[rupe]

How about something with a double power amp design that would allow the player to get a cranked power amp tone at a reasonable volume. Say, have the first power section designed around a single ended EL84 or 6V6 with an onboard load that would allow you to take the cranked amp signal and feed it into a second power section (designed for optimum transparency) that would then serve to drive speaker cabs.

I always wanted to try and design something like that but at my advanced age, taking up tube amp design/building is one of those bucket list items that's likely to remain unchecked.

 

[Anonymous]

How about something with a double power amp design that would allow the player to get a cranked power amp tone at a reasonable volume. Say, have the first power section designed around a single ended EL84 or 6V6 with an onboard load that would allow you to take the cranked amp signal and feed it into a second power section (designed for optimum transparency) that would then serve to drive speaker cabs.

I always wanted to try and design something like that but at my advanced age, taking up tube amp design/building is one of those bucket list items that's likely to remain unchecked.

Cool idea, but definitely beyond the scope of this particular project.

My goal is to provide a smaller, more affordable amp with all of the quality you get with the flagship Cherry Bomb. Probably should have said that up front. Not looking to do a whole new design yet. The power amp changes to do a 30 or 50 watt head are minor…

Thanks for the thought though!

Steve

 

[OUTLAW1969]

Back in the 90's I tried out my friends Mesa 20/20 power amp for a month or two, with my rack.

I had been used to using a Marshall 100 watt power amp, and/or, a Mesa 50/50. I never could get my ears used to the power section of the 20/20. For some reason it just did not have the "oomph" that I was used to hearing. Even with the 20/20 cranked and the 50/50 turned lower, to volume match.......just did not have that "kick in the chest" sort of feel.

That was just my experience, and maybe something has changed with getting MORE from EL84's......or I was subconsciously not wanting to make the switch to the 20/20 over my EL34 / 6L6 based amps.

Can't go wrong with at least 50 watts in my opinion, especially if you are building a single channel amp that will be a cost effective "step down" from the flagship Cherry Bomb.

 

[Heritage Softail]

It seems the Helios and Small Block are popular.

I wonder what the actual sales will be.

Simple but good.

 

[thegame]

Its time to get serious about creating the latest, greatest, most Brutalific metal amplifier of all time, to be endorsed by legendary internet forum legend Bob Savage. The "BeelzeBOB" or something equally scary and or silly would be ideal. Hell, if you can't buy an amp like that anymore you may as well build it yourself !

 

[reverymike]

How about a small combo that packs a big ROCK punch. Closed back, high gain, loop, etc. Could be a 1x12. . .maybe even a 2x10? Something that could be used for grab and go gigs, but you still want great tone.

 

[Anonymous]

How about a small combo that packs a big ROCK punch. Closed back, high gain, loop, etc. Could be a 1x12. . .maybe even a 2x10? Something that could be used for grab and go gigs, but you still want great tone.

I'm thinking of making this head also available as a combo as you suggest…

Steve

 

[Kapo_Polenton]

Simple mod to include with either design.. tone stack lift switch. It's in the Helios and has a unique feel and tone. Gives the plexi on 10 feel in my experience and would give your user an extra option to choose from. You wouldn't be copying a thing either, that mod is as old as dirt. (well almost)

 

[Wayniac3]

Single channel would do it for me.. as long as it responds to vol control at the guitar ...

 

[dstroud]

Single channel, 50 watts would be cool. I also like the option to take the tone stack out of the circuit. And the option for a 1 x 12 closed back combo is nice. I put one of my Blankenship heads into a 1 x 12 closed back combo (got the cab from JD Newall) and it works awesome - my #1 gigging amp. Even at outdoor shows it kills. And easy to lug around!

 

[chunktone]

Have you considered using 6v6's? Some of the best lower wattage amps I've heard used these.

 

[joepete77]

Cool. How about 50 watt single channel , but with two footswitchable masters and have each master have different voicing/clipping options so that even though its single channel you could set it up almost as a two channel amp. Have it voiced like your cherry bomb / hotrodded Marshall type . Half power switch and fx loop. Put it in a basic plexi type headshell.

 

[rlord1974]

How about 30 watts, two 6L6s, two channels: Clean with full 3 band EQ, and Dirty with full 3 band EQ. Dirty has dual foot switchable Gains and Masters (for a lead gain and level boost). Tube buffered FX loop. Small and portable headshell. Nothing more, nothing less?

 

[midnightlaundry]

It must be 2xEL34's. EL34's is the sound of rock. You'll get waranty shit from rattling EL84's. You could lower the plate voltage to say like 400V like a Trainwreck to lower the wattage and get more power clip into the sound.

2 channels.

A clean channel that has enough gain to get crunch tones, but can be setup as a clean channel. Maybe something that rolls back and cleans up.

Then nuke mode on channel 2.

Effects loop too, because people are douchy, and need to swamp the tone no matter how awesome it is.

 

[joepete77]

It must be 2xEL34's. EL34's is the sound of rock. You'll get waranty shit from rattling EL84's. You could lower the plate voltage to say like 400V like a Trainwreck to lower the wattage and get more power clip into the sound.

2 channels.

A clean channel that has enough gain to get crunch tones, but can be setup as a clean channel. Maybe something that rolls back and cleans up.

Then nuke mode on channel 2.

Effects loop too, because people are douchy, and need to swamp the tone no matter how awesome it is.

I agree on the el34. I think that single channel but with dual footswitchable masters and gains (with clipping options on each) would be like having a two channel amp and maybe keep cost down a touch.

 

[Qweklain]

How about a MIDI preamp that is (or close) to the Henning?

 

[MIchbiking]

i like the combo idea, but i also like the nuke mode on channel 2 idea too

 

[Shawn Lutz]

50 watts with 1/2 and 1/4 power selection. 6L6 or El34 options. Prefer two channels but if single channel with two voices...rod and hot rod and foot switchable You could shared EQ if you make it a 2 channel.

I'm personally not a fan of smaller head cases as I think looks stupid as shit sitting on top of a 4x12 LOL

 

[nevusofota]

I think the target market should be the guitarist looking for a more portable (smaller) amp that sounds like a 100 watter. I would keep the extra cost and labor of power scaling out of it because the guitarist is going to have larger amps to choose from when needed. I would do single channel 30w with an fx loop. If you don't do the loop then a foot switchable volume boost is needed.