anyone be interested in cloning a ps systems power tool from the mid 80's ?

[pinkjimiphoton]

i have a ps systems power tool, it's a great device....basically it's a reactive load that'll handle a hunnert watt tube amp and a rack preamp(s) or system . it has a 4 band active +/- 4 band active eq after the input,  a serial fx loop, and hi/lo z outs...as well as 50 watt mosfet power amp to drive a speaker with, cab sims (switchable)...


was uber high tech in it's time, and i love the thing...i use it for recording and gigging when it's the right rig, and it hasn't let me down.

i know it's a hen's tooth...try and find one!!

http://www.amptone.com/pssystemspowertool.htm

more info on this page:

http://www.eb100s.com/

i know it's a rack, not a stompbox, but would anyone like to help me try and clone it for the masses?

is it worth it?

maybe clone just the preamp section? beats me...let me know what you guys think, i'm willing to take it apart and document whatever's possible.

thanks,
jimi

here's the owner's manual

http://www.pacair.com/mmamps/EB100S/EB100S_Documents/PS_Power_Tool_Manual.pdf

a couple pics:

[deadastronaut]

i'd like to see the 'cab simulation' bit.... might be useful for recording etc.....

[Mark Hammer]

i remember those.  They were very favourably reviewed when they came out.

You sure do like the complicated oddball stuff, eh? 

[pinkjimiphoton]

i don't know any better, mark!

rob, the cam sim is pretty good...i jumped on this at daddys' junky years ago, with a mesa studio pre for 75 bux for the pair.

really useful tool, imho, for recording in particular, but also live.

[Galego]

I can help with tracing and making the schematic. But my willingness to volunteer my time depends on the availability of the components inside. If it has some very obscure and out of production IC's, I'll pass.

[pinkjimiphoton]

cool, thanks mate...i'll try and get it open and get some pics happening as soon as i can. 

[iccaros]

I thought this was just an inductive load attenuation? Is that not done with a coneless speaker? or a large induction like the Marshall Power break.

something like this
http://archive.ampage.org/threads/1/gagd/043877/Power_attenuator_not_simple_dummy_load-3.html

[pinkjimiphoton]

it's a reactive load...and a whole lot more, bro. it's similar to the palmer thing, from what i understand. beats me...haven't cracked it open yet, cuz i can't get the dang knobs off.

i figure it's in need of caps etc due to age, so it's something i gotta do anyways...but i figured it may be a fun circuit for folks to use, and handy, if it's not too obsolete.

[teemuk]

Wasn't that the one licensed from Groove Tubes...? If yes, then the Groove Tubes patent document will cover it.

Anyway, if you're willing to sketch out some circuit diagrams I bet everyone's happy and interested to take a look.

[pinkjimiphoton]

nekro bump time....
again 

its taken years, but i finally got the damn knobs off this sumbitch today after two days of fumbling with 30 years of frozen allen keys...
will try and get some pics while its open and when i take it apart.
it's developed a bit of a hum over the years, so i'm gonna recap it and probably replace any diodes, etc in the power supply.

the allen keys in the knobs are smaller than 1/16th of an inch... which meant i stripped a couple of the keys, and the damn things twist.
i had to get one off by splitting the knob, then squirting penetrating oil in there and heating it with a bic lighter til it got too damn hot to hold. lol
but i got it off finally on about the 8th attempt of heat and torque.

so.... nekro bump from hell... stay tune-ed

[Kevin Mitchell]

Wooooo nice!
If you supply component, wiring & trace pics I'd mock up a schematic for ya.
Well more for me and everyone else since you already have a unit

[pinkjimiphoton]

i will do my best to get some pics etc. i'm a little nervous as always completely disassembling a vintage unit, but damn the torpedoes!
i gotta take it apart anyways to get the caps in and out, so.... a lot of pics will be incoming soon. this may take a while, kev!!

[blackieNYC]

For those set screws next time, try a torx T5. They are conical so you can get them in there, and their edges bite in to worn-out or misshapen hex set screws. 

[mozz]

Allen wrench is probably .050. If they are hard to remove, apply a pointed soldering iron, there is probably locktite on the set screws.

[pinkjimiphoton]

yah, .050.

i sprayed some penetrating oil on, and then heated it with a lighter. that did the trick.
i split the knob in half first, and re-assembled it  when i got it off. knob still looks pretty good, i really wanted to try and keep it intact.
i gotta assload of pics to start of the preamp board, i'll upload them when i can.
i wanna rebuild the preamp part first, reinstall, make sure it works 
then i'll do the power amp.
this thing has a HUGE power resistor in it with a couple chokes and stuff. kinda neat.
i ordered parts today for it. you'd be surprised how hard it is to find radial 22000uf caps @ 35 volts these days...

[pinkjimiphoton]

pics. outside, preamp board, both sides etc. i gotta write all the values when i get a chance. then i gotta reinstall it, and do the power amp. waiting on bipolar 10uf's

[pinkjimiphoton]

[pinkjimiphoton]

i gotta pic with the patent number on it so it can be looked up, i gotta find it. may be a day or two 'fore i get back to this.