Re: Designing an amp

In article <43cedbed@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>, ice9stf@xxxxxxxxxxxx
says...
> Hi everyone! I am currently designing a guitar amplifier and thought
> that it would be a good idea to get some input into what kinds of things
> guitarists want or expect from an instrument amplifier. There are 10
> points in particular that I'm wondering what people think, these are...
>
> 1. The big one... Valve or Solid State?

If you're a good designer, you can get good sounds for solid
state; Pearce did, and so dod Tom Scholz. But guitarsists are
still steeped in the tube mystique, so don't count on SS selling.

Tubes will be easier to design a good classic sound around; you
will have to be more innovative with SS. If you go tubes, do
NOT forget cooling and securing the tubes in their sockects.

> 2. Tone should sound like? eg. warm or crisp or "like a Mesa dual

I like a tight bottom end (no puns, please), not mushy like the
Mesa. More like the old Marshalls without the diodes. But with
a better clean sound, more like a Fender Twin.


> 3. What cool features should it have? Is an effects loop mandatory?

It is for me. Some people like a loop on each channel plus a
master loop, but I've never found that necessary; just the
master loop for me. Parallel or series? Well, I use a series
loop, because of the FX I use, but some people like the option
of a parallel loop.

> 4. Max power!? is 100W a good standard or is it too much? (or too little

SS, 150-200W. Tube, I need no more than 50, and a half-power switch
is nice. Think about the possibilities of a STEREO amp that is
strappable to mono. That's the way I run.

> 5. Reverb or not?

Reverb, but a GOOD one. Craig Anderton's spring reverb was a
good one. Avoid cheap digital reverbs, but a tc electronic or
Lexicon would be nice.

> 6. Is standard Bass/Middle/Treble tone controls sufficient? Or is some
> sort of more precise equalization better?

I would put a semi-parametric midrange in it; wide, smooth Q and
a sweep knob. Switchable frequencies for the treble, and/or a
bright switch/pot. This allows someone to totally personalize
their tone Keep the circuits clean, so they don't slew the attack
or mess with the sustain envelope of the original signal (other
than their tone modification functions).

> 7. Is rugged construction for on the road better or is pretty like
> furniture? Or maybe a fusion of both?

Pretty is okay. Rugged is absolute necessity. Design the head
so that it can be rack-mounted, and you will have all sorts of
options for mounting it.

> 8. Amp head or combo box? If amp head, stand alone box or 19" rackmount?

See above.

> 9. When it comes to amps, do you think that you usually "get what you
> pay for" ?

Sometimes. Sometimes you pay for hype.

> 10. Minimalist or millions of knobs and switches to twiddle?

Enough to do the job.
>
> The reason I am asking about all of this stuff is that while I have my
> own opinions about what should go into an amp, I think that it is good
> to have a feel for the things people outside my own little circle expect
> from this sort of equipment.
>
> Any suggestions would be great.. cheers!

Two channels, with the lead volume select on each channel, like
the Boogies do (a second switchable master volume on each channel,
so you can switch in a little more loud for lead).

Do NOT solder any switches, pots, or tube sockets directly to the
main PC board if you can help it! Switches and pots put strain
on the board mechanically, and may break solder joints or traces.
Tube sockets can create hot points (depending on their type of
mounting), and can create stress when being changed (again, it
depends on their socket type and orientation). Quiet cooling
fans, with well-designed convection.

Well, that's how *I* feel, anyway... 8^)

--
---Mikhael...
.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Critique this track plan.
    ... so the switches are therefore Atlas ... hard in 4 x 8 to elegantly combine a central yard, ... and a reversing loop to get it. ... 'homeward' reversing loop, shown dashed, must cross the yard ...
    (rec.models.railroad)
  • Re: hi i wanna build an altair 8800
    ... It is likely that the design changed between those and the production ... a couple serial ports and one parallel. ... connected to switches and lights to display the address, ...
    (comp.os.cpm)
  • Re: Three-way to Two-way Switches
    ... OP has a set of 3 way switches controlling two existing lights. ... and one side will be the load side... ... loop providing neutrals at both ends of the loop unless ... the electricians you apprenticed under ...
    (alt.home.repair)
  • Re: Wins ESR meter design
    ... Detailed circuit portions can be posted later. ... is the way I was thinking of the design. ... on the capacitor will all be lined up so that a gain that goes -1, 0, ... points where the current switches. ...
    (sci.electronics.design)
  • Re: Op-Amp noise figures: Generally >=10dB?
    ... long you might want to design in some more testability. ... the FET switches to save on layout time/parts count/etc., ... almost every single switch in the box since it would upset the neighboring ... which amplifier bank or filter section or whatever) ...
    (sci.electronics.design)