School me on Silkyn amps.
- Thread starter Lineboat
- Start date
Great amps, with a flawed power transformer. The short of it seems to be that the makers tried to cost cut power transformers, and the ones that are in there will have fairly short lives. Some shorter than others. They will show no signs of failing until that fateful day the main fuse quietly fizzles.
"Toss in a new transformer" sounds easy enough, but it's a really uniquely spec'd unit. Not something "off the shelf". The guy that did the design work for the original transformers, that were improperly wound by a Chinese manufacturer, is currently doing a small batch of replacements. We're waiting on the first batch now.
You can get the whole story on this thread, the depression begins on page 47...
http://www.mylespaul.com/forums/showthread.php?t=351961&page=47
"Toss in a new transformer" sounds easy enough, but it's a really uniquely spec'd unit. Not something "off the shelf". The guy that did the design work for the original transformers, that were improperly wound by a Chinese manufacturer, is currently doing a small batch of replacements. We're waiting on the first batch now.
You can get the whole story on this thread, the depression begins on page 47...
http://www.mylespaul.com/forums/showthread.php?t=351961&page=47
Sp8ctre
Ambassador of Steel
Great amps, I bought two and both are still going strong. We have a thread on another site where the Silkyn came to light. We also have a transformer being built by a reputable company. He is building extras in case some people missed the initial buy. They are supposed to be ready in February.
The amp was designed by Mike Saldano and has both Fender and Marshall type circuits. The clean channel being fender then the dirt being Marshall. There are a few mods that need to be made for optimum performance, but they are not difficult.
If you want the big long draw out story and an explanation of all the mods and the chance to get a transformer go to MLP and search Silkyn.
The amp was designed by Mike Saldano and has both Fender and Marshall type circuits. The clean channel being fender then the dirt being Marshall. There are a few mods that need to be made for optimum performance, but they are not difficult.
If you want the big long draw out story and an explanation of all the mods and the chance to get a transformer go to MLP and search Silkyn.
lynurdfireburd
Active Member
I was really jonesing over these during those MLP discussions. I realized they were too much amp for my needs.
Just asked another forum member what he thought. He reiterated how good the cleans were.
Can they still be had for that price?
Just asked another forum member what he thought. He reiterated how good the cleans were.
Can they still be had for that price?
Sp8ctre
Ambassador of Steel
The original seller sold out...there is one right now on ebay for $200
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Price-Drop-...884179?hash=item1a218aa593:g:ETQAAOSwImRYSvRr
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Price-Drop-...884179?hash=item1a218aa593:g:ETQAAOSwImRYSvRr
Sp8ctre
Ambassador of Steel
That's how I convinced myself to buy two of them...it won't be there long if someone is looking...
jtcnj
Ambassador of the Crossroad
Yes.
But, you may need to tinker with it a little like fastening the speaker better, moving the reverb tank around, etc.
And most likely you will need a power transformer at some point.
The Mods thread on MLP is pretty definitive. My reverb works pretty well now with 1 resistor swap and a 12AT7 for the reverb driver. I havent done most of the mods yet. I dont know how far I will go with the dirty channel. I cant crank it anyway.
It is too much amp for home, but I couldnt pass it up.
If you are a diy type, no doubt.
But, you may need to tinker with it a little like fastening the speaker better, moving the reverb tank around, etc.
And most likely you will need a power transformer at some point.
The Mods thread on MLP is pretty definitive. My reverb works pretty well now with 1 resistor swap and a 12AT7 for the reverb driver. I havent done most of the mods yet. I dont know how far I will go with the dirty channel. I cant crank it anyway.
It is too much amp for home, but I couldnt pass it up.
If you are a diy type, no doubt.
Definitely factor the price of a power transformer in. I am one that is waiting for one. My amp has been down since early September I think.
It just shut down one night.
I am willing to pay the price to repair it though. It is/was that good.
It just shut down one night.
I am willing to pay the price to repair it though. It is/was that good.
Ultra80096
Member
+1 to what the above fellow Silkynites have said. Also, with most experiences, it will require a matched set of output tubes with a bias check/adjustment as all 4 of mine have been very mismatched. I consider that maintainance anyway. I have done mods to two & the other two are stock.
Once all that is done..you are golden.
They are my favorite amp. One of them goes with me always to Jam Nite, gig whatever. I also have a Delta Blues 1X15, but the Silkyn outperforms anything else I have played through in my somewhat limited experience.
I will probably end up selling at least one of them after I receive the PT, but I will always keep at least one. If I do sell, it will include the new PT, new output tubes, & either modded or stock per the buyers wishes. Gotta get the PT's in first though.
Once all that is done..you are golden.
They are my favorite amp. One of them goes with me always to Jam Nite, gig whatever. I also have a Delta Blues 1X15, but the Silkyn outperforms anything else I have played through in my somewhat limited experience.
I will probably end up selling at least one of them after I receive the PT, but I will always keep at least one. If I do sell, it will include the new PT, new output tubes, & either modded or stock per the buyers wishes. Gotta get the PT's in first though.
jtcnj
Ambassador of the Crossroad
I played mine an hour or so last night. First time in a couple months. Cant seem to NOT play the 5F1/5F2A Champ.
I can only get the volumes (Louder knobs) up around 2 1/2 on either channel at home.
I played both straight into the amp on both channels, and with the cheapy NUX amp sim. on the clean channel with the Agile AL-2k / stock pickups with A2 magnet swap.
I forgot how good it sounded, and how good the reverb is now with the resistor mod and 12AT7 at V3. It doesnt saturate or give much more after about 1:00 on the knob, but it is plenty splashy.
The speaker is not broken in yet so I'm expecting it will get even better.
I can only get the volumes (Louder knobs) up around 2 1/2 on either channel at home.
I played both straight into the amp on both channels, and with the cheapy NUX amp sim. on the clean channel with the Agile AL-2k / stock pickups with A2 magnet swap.
I forgot how good it sounded, and how good the reverb is now with the resistor mod and 12AT7 at V3. It doesnt saturate or give much more after about 1:00 on the knob, but it is plenty splashy.
The speaker is not broken in yet so I'm expecting it will get even better.