Tube preamp

[Hypnotize]

Hi there ,

Few months ago i made a post about same topic , but this time i have few different questions
I'm still looking for tube preamp to build with warm sound, that only has clean channel with 3 eq band (bass , middle , treble) .

So the questions are :

It there such circuit ?
Can i use it with guitar cab , if i use this as poweramp :  http://goo.gl/bAChby ?
Which tube is best for this project ?

And some questions about transformers .

What is difference between audio and normal transformer ?


Thanks a lot

[teemuk]

There was this clone of Fender preamp, made by these guys who ran hired sound for Grateful dead. They built it as a prototype for Jerry Garcia who only used the preamp of his Fender Twin and plugged to McIntosh power amps. For some odd reason he thought there could be a simpler rig to drag around to get that Fender preamp tone... In the end that simple design, consisting of a single 12AX7 dual triode tube, two gain stages and a Fender-style tone control proved to be a pretty iconic and popular preamp product.

Now what was it... can't recall... Blembic... Clembic ...or something...  

[GibsonGM]

You mean Alembic?   Good stuff, not too complex....

Any of this is going to be intimidating if you're new, so start reading!!  And asking questions    http://www.valvewizard.co.uk/

I would try some easier things first, like making a Valvecaster at low voltage.   (search on here).     You NEED to become safe and knowledgeable about high voltage before you make *big* tube projects!! 

An audio transformer is NOTHING like a power transformer, altho they both have windings....ok, they're both transformers, too, lol.  But their applications are very different.  Altho there are circumstances where you CAN use an PT as an audio trafo, they are not common, nor do they usually sound very good.   That audio trafo is built so that the frequencies is 'likes' are within the range of guitars, and its job is to present the proper impedances for the amplifier output and the speaker.

You MAY be able to use that power amp with a preamp (I would say yes, but I am partial to building my own so I can tailor the frequency response).  I mean, you CAN use it, just not sure if that is "the right thing" for you.   

[Hypnotize]

Thanks a lot for all your replay
Ok , so i will start with building something simple first  ( tube cricket or valve caster) .
Can i use pt for poweramp or should i use audio transformer ?
Thanks once more

[GibsonGM]

Do you have a regular guitar amp?  While you are learning some stuff, you can simply use your guitar amp as a power amp!     

Just make the valvecaster/cricket, and run it into your amp like a pedal.  Run it into your clean channel, and the preamp you made will provide your overdrive/distortion and tone controls.    If you find a schematic for one on here, it is ready to go as drawn.

Not sure if that is what you meant.....if you make a tube preamp, you will find a schematic for one that you like (based on hearing sound clips, doing research, asking others).   There will be a parts list that will tell you what you need for a power transformer, AND an audio transformer IF you make the whole amp.


A preamp doesn't need an output transformer - could that be something that is a little confusing?  An audio (output) transformer drives the speaker, after the power amp.    Before you buy a power amp, I think you need to learn more.  Read as much as you can, especially the site I linked to above.  Merlin has great information about how this works.   The site you linked to is a stereo power amp, so it has TWO boards.    You only need one for guitar (unless you intend to make a stereo rig).   You can buy an inexpensive board like that, or build your own, or even make a tube power amp, too!   It is nice to learn enough first, then make some choices after you know exactly what you want to do.

[Hypnotize]

Thanks for reply , I will do some research first

[GibsonGM]

   There is much to learn, but it's very fun! 

[WorkBench]

I use an SMS Classic pre amp with the Jerry Garcia mods.  It is amazing!  I built a twin reverb from the ground up, but had major back surgery and can't lift it anymore.  Thus the light pre, and a twenty pound Mcintosh MC50. 

Anyways, check out the Hoffman amps forum.  Those guys will help you in your build process.

[GibsonGM]

+1       

Also AX84.com,   and 18Watt.com    <  good places to read and learn...

[Hypnotize]

Thanks a lot guys for all your replies 

[Mario44]

You can go through google translate and try to read here
http://www.mif.pg.gda.pl/homepages/tom/przedwzm.htm