Comments on: Twin-Like Clean Tone: TwinStack Mod http://billmaudio.com/wp Small amps, big sound. Wed, 08 Sep 2010 00:19:31 -0400 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: bill http://billmaudio.com/wp/?page_id=58&cpage=1#comment-13173 bill Wed, 08 Sep 2010 00:19:31 +0000 http://billmaudio.com/wp/?page_id=58#comment-13173 Read the <a href="http://billmaudio.com/wp/?page_id=17" rel="nofollow">Removing the Circuit Board</a> page for an explanation of how the amp self-discharges. If you have no experience soldering on printed circuit boards, I recommend getting help from someone who does. Read the Removing the Circuit Board page for an explanation of how the amp self-discharges. If you have no experience soldering on printed circuit boards, I recommend getting help from someone who does.

]]> By: cgt http://billmaudio.com/wp/?page_id=58&cpage=1#comment-13157 cgt Tue, 07 Sep 2010 19:54:53 +0000 http://billmaudio.com/wp/?page_id=58#comment-13157 Bill, I just picked up a 2006 MIM Blues Jr, I'd love to give this mod a shot, but to be honest, I am worrying about electrocution. I used to have an Epi Valve Jr half stack and had a tech do the Bitmo Trio mod on it due to the cautions listed. I was told the amp could hold a charge for a while. I am a complete novice when it comes to electronics, is this something to consider when doing this mod? Thanks. Bill,
I just picked up a 2006 MIM Blues Jr, I’d love to give this mod a shot, but to be honest, I am worrying about electrocution. I used to have an Epi Valve Jr half stack and had a tech do the Bitmo Trio mod on it due to the cautions listed. I was told the amp could hold a charge for a while. I am a complete novice when it comes to electronics, is this something to consider when doing this mod?
Thanks.

]]> By: bill http://billmaudio.com/wp/?page_id=58&cpage=1#comment-12676 bill Wed, 01 Sep 2010 18:54:14 +0000 http://billmaudio.com/wp/?page_id=58#comment-12676 Blues Junior order of work, depending on the mods you ordered: 1. pull knobs 2. unscrew input jack, speaker/footswitch jacks 3. pull quick connect wires from power and output transformers 4. unscrew circuit board 5. move jack board out of the way 6. pull circuit board down/out 7. clip tone stack caps, presence control resistor, bias resistor 8. desolder cap stubs, resistor stubs, any pots and jacks that need to come out 9. desolder input jack 10. drill holes in board for bias trimpot 11. drill holes in board for power supply stiffening 12. insert and solder new board components, not line out jack or Clean Boost. 12a. remove old output transformer, install new OT (if ordered) 12b. install octal output tube sockets (if ordered) 13. reinstall circuit board 14. mark and drill jack and presence control holes (I find it's easier with the board installed rather than loose, but feel free to interchange these steps). 15. install presence control 16. install aux/line out jack(s) 16a. connect/install ohms switch if applicable 17. reinstall jack board 18. install input jack 19. install Clean Boost 20 reconnect quick-disconnects, anything else that's loose. Blues Junior order of work, depending on the mods you ordered:

1. pull knobs
2. unscrew input jack, speaker/footswitch jacks
3. pull quick connect wires from power and output transformers
4. unscrew circuit board
5. move jack board out of the way
6. pull circuit board down/out
7. clip tone stack caps, presence control resistor, bias resistor
8. desolder cap stubs, resistor stubs, any pots and jacks that need to come out
9. desolder input jack
10. drill holes in board for bias trimpot
11. drill holes in board for power supply stiffening
12. insert and solder new board components, not line out jack or Clean Boost.
12a. remove old output transformer, install new OT (if ordered)
12b. install octal output tube sockets (if ordered)
13. reinstall circuit board
14. mark and drill jack and presence control holes (I find it’s easier with the board installed rather than loose, but feel free to interchange these steps).
15. install presence control
16. install aux/line out jack(s)
16a. connect/install ohms switch if applicable
17. reinstall jack board
18. install input jack
19. install Clean Boost
20 reconnect quick-disconnects, anything else that’s loose.

]]> By: Randy http://billmaudio.com/wp/?page_id=58&cpage=1#comment-12629 Randy Wed, 01 Sep 2010 01:10:52 +0000 http://billmaudio.com/wp/?page_id=58#comment-12629 I want to do most of the mods except for a couple I don't really need, Is there a particular order I should do them or any that conflict? I have a Jr.thats about 3-4 months old I bought used for $250. I want to do most of the mods except for a couple I don’t really need, Is there a particular order I should do them or any that conflict? I have a Jr.thats about 3-4 months old I bought used for $250.

]]> By: bill http://billmaudio.com/wp/?page_id=58&cpage=1#comment-12394 bill Sat, 28 Aug 2010 14:18:53 +0000 http://billmaudio.com/wp/?page_id=58#comment-12394 The TwinStack sounds good on the Blues Deville. You could probably work up a version of the cathode follower mod, too. The other mods don't apply. The TwinStack sounds good on the Blues Deville. You could probably work up a version of the cathode follower mod, too. The other mods don’t apply.

]]> By: rick frost http://billmaudio.com/wp/?page_id=58&cpage=1#comment-12035 rick frost Mon, 23 Aug 2010 00:11:15 +0000 http://billmaudio.com/wp/?page_id=58#comment-12035 Hi, will these mods work on an original blues deville? I hate the lead channel going into middle too loud mode. Great site you have. Rick Hi, will these mods work on an original blues deville? I hate the lead channel going into middle too loud mode.
Great site you have.
Rick

]]> By: Scott http://billmaudio.com/wp/?page_id=58&cpage=1#comment-7736 Scott Sun, 20 Jun 2010 15:11:12 +0000 http://billmaudio.com/wp/?page_id=58#comment-7736 I tried this mod a couple of weeks ago, and now I can finally stop adjusting the controls constantly and just enjoy playing! This really gave me control over the lower mids which were mushing up the bass sound. This small mod has made me love this amp so much more. TIP: don't let the wire be too long. It only needs to go into the eyelet a little bit before it creates a short. I sound checked it before I soldered to make sure it's right and I'm glad I did because the first attempt left me with no sound. I tried this mod a couple of weeks ago, and now I can finally stop adjusting the controls constantly and just enjoy playing! This really gave me control over the lower mids which were mushing up the bass sound. This small mod has made me love this amp so much more.

TIP: don’t let the wire be too long. It only needs to go into the eyelet a little bit before it creates a short. I sound checked it before I soldered to make sure it’s right and I’m glad I did because the first attempt left me with no sound.

]]> By: bill http://billmaudio.com/wp/?page_id=58&cpage=1#comment-7358 bill Mon, 14 Jun 2010 17:02:45 +0000 http://billmaudio.com/wp/?page_id=58#comment-7358 I don't hear a difference. The Orange Drop model I use is film-and-foil construction, like most other premium caps. They're designed for PCB mounting. I don’t hear a difference. The Orange Drop model I use is film-and-foil construction, like most other premium caps. They’re designed for PCB mounting.

]]> By: david jones http://billmaudio.com/wp/?page_id=58&cpage=1#comment-7027 david jones Thu, 10 Jun 2010 20:32:45 +0000 http://billmaudio.com/wp/?page_id=58#comment-7027 Hey Bill. it seems you nearly always use orange caps . what do you think of other types such as SOZO mustard caps ... ? Hey Bill. it seems you nearly always use orange caps .
what do you think of other types such as SOZO mustard caps … ?

]]> By: bill http://billmaudio.com/wp/?page_id=58&cpage=1#comment-5909 bill Tue, 11 May 2010 12:53:33 +0000 http://billmaudio.com/wp/?page_id=58#comment-5909 When you install the TwinStack jumper, you're reducing mids, so you are in fact pulling out some of the signal. The amp is a little quieter, but you can add the mids back in again with the mids control. Or you can compensate with more volume or more bass and treble if you want scooped tone. With the jumper in place, you've separated the interaction between the mids and bass pots, so you may need to turn the bass down a bit, especially on a green board, so it doesn't sound too prominent. When you install the TwinStack jumper, you’re reducing mids, so you are in fact pulling out some of the signal. The amp is a little quieter, but you can add the mids back in again with the mids control. Or you can compensate with more volume or more bass and treble if you want scooped tone. With the jumper in place, you’ve separated the interaction between the mids and bass pots, so you may need to turn the bass down a bit, especially on a green board, so it doesn’t sound too prominent.

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