Project Carvin V-16: Morphing from PCB to Point To Point Turret Board

It's almost finished. Just a couple more minor details I need to address.

Decided to go Anal, and trim the grill cloth away from where the speaker makes contact to the baffle board:
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Amp is upside down so I could apply the copper shielding tape to seal the open end of the chassis:
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The reverb pan is an Accutronics unit specially built for the Carvin vintage series amps. And this is where I decided to locate and secure it:
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Isn't it spiffy?
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Damn, great job Sysco, most excellent. Cutting back the grill cloth was a good idea & I dig the faceplate & rear panel lettering. Good job on the shielding too. All up it's very professional looking, well done. Cheers
 
As a reminder to those who might still be interested in this thread, the circuit of this amp is copied from a Carvin Vintage 16 that in itself, I have modded with more info based on the documented Hasse Carvin Vintage 16 Mods.

But about a week ago, I have changed a few components to the circuit of the amp based on what I'm hearing and like. I have now decided to go back to Carvin's original spec at the V1 tube and its circuit: 220K plate resistors instead of the Hasse-mod 100Ks. Also replaced the 5751 tube that I stuffed in V1 years ago, back to a 12AX7. I had an old RFT 12AX7 just waiting for some action, and its definitely adding to some nice chemistry. And I also replaced the 1.2 uF cap with a 1.5 uF cap at the cathode resistor of V1b.

Now I want to experiment with two more mods that are inspired by Rob Robinette's wonderful website. I'm going to attempt to implement a Vox-style Cut control and a 3-way switch that will add a light to heavy negative feedback loop to the circuit. Right now the amp is operating on no NFB, which is part of the H-mods.

I plan to create a video clip of this amp's performance for ya'll to check out. So please bare with me while I muster up the courage to do this... :hmmm::fingersx:
 
Oh yes I am STILL interested. It sounds like you are really giving yourself an education, and that is half the fun AND reward.
The lighter negative feedback will improve the amps touch sensitivity for sure, but no feedback could be an issue at louder volumes I believe.
Keep us informed of your progress for sure.
 
ChasFred said:
... but no feedback could be an issue at louder volumes I believe.
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I think you're correct on this. I can't remember from where, but I read that an amp has to be driven pretty hard to analyze if any amount of feedback is necessary. The Vox AC series of amps have no feedback... :unsure:
 
Well, I think I'm finally done with this amp project that I started about four months ago. But I do want to pursue a more permanent and classier look to the chassis's front face lettering, like a custom shaped, very thin plaque, that will fit and name all the controls and morph to the area where there will be a new model name for the amp. For now, my label maker will have to do.

Anyways, in the last three days, I've added:

A Vox-styled Cut control... Inspired from Rob Robinettes website on amp mods!

Tested three different types of Master Volume circuits.

Refined the voicing of the second stage, the tonestack, and the phase inverter.

And a little bit of wire and component cleanup.

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Pots left to right: Cut, Master Volume, Reverb, and (part of) Treble:
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The circuit from the input jack to the first preamp tube is very unique to this series of Carvin design. There's no dedicated grid resistor to pin 7 of V1b. I don't understand how it works, but it works!
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Looks a little busy in there!
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Artificial Center Tap, DC Rectifier, Filtering, Choking and Voltage Dropping Resistors:
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I like the clear heat shrink tubing:
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The output transformer is the ONLY original Carvin part that made it to this amp project...
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A little closeup of the reverb jacks, speaker jack (8 ohms), and heater wiring:
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Now it's time to meld everything back together, and maybe create a video clip of the results... :fingersx:
 
ChasFred said:
@syscokid , this is an absolute gem. This is a HUGE accomplishment , and it looks Very Professional.

Job Well Done Sir...
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Thanks... and that's a helluva compliment. Wish you could play with this little monster amp and see if it will make you smile like I am right now!

Can't believe how much more sound is projecting out of this amp. There seems to be more of everything, including the range of frequencies that remain very musical. I'm sure the new cabinet has a major part in the new sound. The amp's performance capabilities makes for some very inspiring noodling sessions... :guitar:
 
Not sure how I've managed to miss this thread?

syscokid said:
I want to gut the chassis and all its components of my Carvin Vintage 16, and rebuild it from a PCB design into a Point 2 Point/turret board design.
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That first sentence made me feel like an 11 year old dullard taking their first trigonometry lesson!

Nonetheless, I'll be making a cup of tea, setting plenty of time aside and working through this thread - looks like an amazing voyage, and I have faith in Captain Sysco.
 
Mr Grumpy said:
Not sure how I've managed to miss this thread?



That first sentence made me feel like an 11 year old dullard taking their first trigonometry lesson!

Nonetheless, I'll be making a cup of tea, setting plenty of time aside and working through this thread - looks like an amazing voyage, and I have faith in Captain Sysco.
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Ha ha, thanks!

The original plan changed a bit, but there's a happy ending. Well, actually these things never really do end... :rolleyes2:
 
syscokid said:
Thanks... and that's a helluva compliment. Wish you could play with this little monster amp and see if it will make you smile like I am right now!

Can't believe how much more sound is projecting out of this amp. There seems to be more of everything, including the range of frequencies that remain very musical. I'm sure the new cabinet has a major part in the new sound. The amp's performance capabilities makes for some very inspiring noodling sessions... :guitar:
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You never know, one of these days I may make a trip to the Left Coast to see the TTR brothers over there.
AZ really is not that far away. I would love to play that lil beast for sure. :dood:
 
ChasFred said:
You never know, one of these days I may make a trip to the Left Coast to see the TTR brothers over there.
AZ really is not that far away. I would love to play that lil beast for sure. :dood:
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Vice versa...: My youngest daughter recently moved from Glendale, Arizona to your city of Gilbert, AZ. If I ever decide to drive out there, I'll bring some of my toys to share... :party:
 
Mr Grumpy said:
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The link to this video would not allow me to view it, but I easily found one that works.

Interesting artist and video with beautiful lyrics and some creepiness in the background. Never heard of the artist, Black. Nor do I remember this song that apparently came out in the mid 80s. Tragic end to Mr. Colin Vearncombe... R.I.P.
 
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