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Post by jeromemason on Feb 25, 2014 14:42:16 GMT -6
Hey guys, I want to build a tweed champ and I was trying to find a really good clean boost so I can break up without having to get too loud. Just seeing if you guys knew of any that was really clean and transparent.
Thanks.
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Post by svart on Feb 25, 2014 15:03:17 GMT -6
I built one like this circuit: www.muzique.com/schem/mosfet.htmOnly I found it to be fairly susceptible to ESD during plugging in and blew out a couple MOSFETs, so I added a di-directional TVS diode to the front end. It's really clean and I think I set mine at 20db of boost, I don't use it with a volume pot.
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Post by jeromemason on Feb 25, 2014 15:49:20 GMT -6
Did you use their board?
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Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Feb 25, 2014 16:23:23 GMT -6
You need the Emerson EM-Drive. It's a first stage overdrive that is very sweet sounding.
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Post by jeromemason on Feb 25, 2014 16:51:18 GMT -6
I'm kind of wrestling with what to do here. I want to build a kit from Mojotone, they've got a deluxe and a champ version. The champ version is about 300 bux cheaper, but I've never had a champ so I don't know what they are capable of really. It's only going to be used in the studio and a few buddies have told me a champ with a boost on the front end can sound really nice recorded.
Any thoughts on this? Any suggestions?
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Post by jeromemason on Feb 25, 2014 19:54:43 GMT -6
After hearing a lot of stuff on youtube I think I'm going to hold out for a Tweed Deluxe. The tone shaping possibilities and the sound of the overdrive are amazing for that amp. It's what I'm looking for. Might as well save up 200 extra bux and get what I want instead of trying to make the champ "work".
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Post by Randge on Feb 25, 2014 22:59:39 GMT -6
Benadoeffects.com has a comp that will do a clean boost. I have his full board here and use it a great deal. Not sure if he has that comp in a single pedal though.
R
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Post by jeromemason on Feb 25, 2014 23:07:31 GMT -6
Benadoeffects.com has a comp that will do a clean boost. I have his full board here and use it a great deal. Not sure if he has that comp in a single pedal though. R I'll have to check it out. I think I'm just going to wait it out until I can just go with the tweed deluxe though...... I've got a '65 Jensen C12 waiting on the kit too.
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Post by mulmany on Feb 25, 2014 23:36:16 GMT -6
Try the MOD DIY Pile Driver. Its cheap and sounds real good in front of a Champ. I have built a few, and the guitarist like them. I would suggest a Amp Head instead of a combo if its primary function is for studio use. Make a cab for the C12 then you have options for heads to connect to it. Most of the full kits, you end up paying through the nose for (cabs take most of the cost)... small tube amps are not that expensive to build. Check out the AX84 site. It looks like they have a limited supply of kits now, but i built the SEL. Its a great amp, and very versatile. More food for thought. Hope it helps. Patrick
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Post by jcoutu1 on Feb 26, 2014 6:03:09 GMT -6
I'm kind of wrestling with what to do here. I want to build a kit from Mojotone, they've got a deluxe and a champ version. The champ version is about 300 bux cheaper, but I've never had a champ so I don't know what they are capable of really. It's only going to be used in the studio and a few buddies have told me a champ with a boost on the front end can sound really nice recorded. Any thoughts on this? Any suggestions? Studio partner that I work with just ordered the Mojo Champ. Should be here and built fairly soon. I'll give you some impressions once it's here. We also have a 65 Fender Bassman, 64 Fender Super, and 3 other clones to compare with.
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Post by svart on Feb 26, 2014 9:00:48 GMT -6
How about a simple tube screamer? turn the gain all the way down and the level all the way up. Works as a boost with the slightest hint of overdrive. It tends to smoothen out the granular nature of fender amp breakup.
Besides, a champ sounds pretty good when you record it. You'd be surprised how many times they get used in studios to record rather than the big amps..
I've recorded a couple bassmans, a few deluxes, a champ, twin reverb, bandmasters, etc. The champ holds it's own for sure, mainly because of the lack of super low bass, they fit very well with bass guitars without needing a bunch of EQ on the low end. Also, the smaller speaker, it's more articulate than a heavy coned 12" like the V30.
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Post by jeromemason on Feb 26, 2014 9:06:51 GMT -6
Those Wampler Tweed pedals are supposed to be amazing. I'm not sure about putting tweed sound with tweed sound, but wampler makes some awesome pedals too.
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Post by jazznoise on Feb 26, 2014 18:41:16 GMT -6
It's not quite transparent, it's a booster that has a variable Z/gain setup where you lose top as you push the front end harder.
To say it's the best distortion maker ever is an understatement. It IS overdrive. Build it for 50 quid.
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Post by popmann on Feb 27, 2014 21:39:46 GMT -6
I would like to back up for a moment...unless you're compensating with a master volume (and with a tweed....likely not)...a clean boost won't really "break up without getting loud"....it literally is for pushing the front end FURTHER once it's breaking up. ie...you engage it when it's quiet and clean it JSUT get louder and clean.
I mean--it alters the gain staging some...I'm not saying it's exactly the same as turning it up....but, to get breakup quietly, you need a dirt pedal. I use mine for a little Fender'y combo I have....when it's just on the edge of breaking--I get a nice lead "sting" out of it by boosting into it than turning it up a little more. By this point, it doesn't actually GET louder, so...it just alters the WAY it breaks up.
I own a Keeley Katana...FWIW...it's about as clean as I've ever used. I often leave it on with no boost as a line buffer if I"m going through the pedal board. But, guy in town makes a nice one...depending on the amp you're driving, honestly clean boosts may not be what's called for. Treble boosters, like Keeley's Java (?) are more useful on a lot of amps, because as the tubes break it get more muddy--what would be an absurd treble boost into clean becomes definition into a crunching tube. Just saying--this is the OPPOSITE of audio gear...clean may not be king.
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Post by jeromemason on Feb 27, 2014 22:24:10 GMT -6
Well if I was going to go the route of a champ, I wouldn't want to do anything that alters the tone of the amp. It was my understanding that by using a clean boost to hit the input hotter it would cause the amp to break up at a lower master volume, thus giving me more headroom of overdriven tone. That's just what I was told anyway, you are probably right. The champ being only one stage is not going to have an array of tones, it was my thought that if I wanted to cheap out and just build the champ, that using a simple line boost would give me some more possibilities. But, I'm holding out and waiting until I can build the Deluxe, it's $200 bux more, makes no since in buying pedals and what not that I'll probably spend more on trying to achieve what the deluxe does.
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Post by jeromemason on Feb 28, 2014 2:07:56 GMT -6
Just ordered my Tweed Deluxe! Stoked about this one. Mojotone makes some amazing recreations. I can't wait to get that baby. Now I just need a good american telly and I'll be set.
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Post by jcoutu1 on Feb 28, 2014 8:52:09 GMT -6
Well if I was going to go the route of a champ, I wouldn't want to do anything that alters the tone of the amp. It was my understanding that by using a clean boost to hit the input hotter it would cause the amp to break up at a lower master volume, thus giving me more headroom of overdriven tone. That's just what I was told anyway, you are probably right. The champ being only one stage is not going to have an array of tones, it was my thought that if I wanted to cheap out and just build the champ, that using a simple line boost would give me some more possibilities. But, I'm holding out and waiting until I can build the Deluxe, it's $200 bux more, makes no since in buying pedals and what not that I'll probably spend more on trying to achieve what the deluxe does. Guy that I mentioned in a previous post has one of these Tweed Deluxes. Sounds really good and has a bit of shaping. If you're holding off for a few, once he gets the champ built, we could pop a quick comparison vid together.
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Post by jcoutu1 on Feb 28, 2014 8:52:46 GMT -6
Just ordered my Tweed Deluxe! Stoked about this one. Mojotone makes some amazing recreations. I can't wait to get that baby. Now I just need a good american telly and I'll be set. I guess I'm late to the draw. I'm sure you'll dig it.
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Post by jeromemason on Feb 28, 2014 16:37:46 GMT -6
Just ordered my Tweed Deluxe! Stoked about this one. Mojotone makes some amazing recreations. I can't wait to get that baby. Now I just need a good american telly and I'll be set. I guess I'm late to the draw. I'm sure you'll dig it. Haha yeah..... they actually told me they had a cab from a cancelled order they may be able to let me have, so I could have my whole kit shipped out Tuesday. I also ordered a custom shop Tele kit that I'm going to build too. It's crazy, you go into a music store and to buy just a simple American Tele you're looking at somewhere around 1k. I was able to order the best of the best for an out the door price of $450..... and my buddy is a master builder so he's going to put it all together for me. I'm stoked about that as well.
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Post by popmann on Feb 28, 2014 20:50:53 GMT -6
You need a master volume amp for any boost not to make it louder (before breaking up).
Traditional amps the volume brings the pre and power section up in balance...boosting will just bring the level of the whole thing up until one gives...and while the might be the preamp tubes...you're still crazy loud--just the amp is on 2 and sound like 8...
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