Every now and then an amp build squeals. Craig’s SL-18 was one such amp and after checking his photos it was clear why: what amp builders call ‘lead dress.’ In several areas, the wires were unnecessarily long, and allowed the preamp to pick up the signal from a later part of the power amp circuit. …
“I received my SL-18 kit way back in the first week of November last year, and due to several delays, I only finally completed it yesterday evening!! I have to point out though, that this also including building a pine head and cab, tolexing them, and fitting a speaker etc! “Anyway, the timescale is irrelevant …
Here’s a much-modified SL-18. “The amp is familiarly referred to as the ‘Norah Batty’ for obvious reasons.” (For viewers from outside the UK, Nora Batty was a TV character who was renowned for her wrinkled tights – a reference to the slightly wrinkly tolex on Garry’s amp!!!) “The white knobs are to help me find …
Auckland-based Allan is yet another skilled cabinet maker. His cabs let the wood speak for itself, and the dovetail details are superb. He’s opted for replacement knobs, using two different sizes to distinguish the tone controls. Looks great. “The cabinet is loaded with 2 x 75 watt 10in Eminence Ramrod speakers. 10s to my mind …
Another Kiwi build here: “Gidday Barry, I thought I’d like to let you know how happy I am with my finished SL-18. I purchased the PP-18 with an additional SL-18 TMB conversion kit and I’m very happy with the results. This was my first build and I learned a lot in the process. I built …
“It sounds incredible. Absolutely gorgeous. I’ve always thought my bridge pickup sounded a bit two dimensional (JB Humbucker), until I put it through this. I just want to play through now. The amp just sings. It truly is more than I expected from an amp, and very loud. I put in a VVR, which is …
Rob’s SL-18 started off as standard, but has been through a few revisions now, including a 2W/9W/18W switch and PPIMV conversion. Rob’s also made a great slideshow/video at YouTube, with soundtrack provided by his build (above).
“Hope all is well. Am uploading pix of the facelift: new grille cloth and an accompanying bass cab. (Anyone who thought the Laney K50B solid state was a classic amp look away now!) “I just cut the top off it after it caught fire! And recovered it in the new livery. I’ve finally come to …
“I finished this build must be nigh on 18-24 mths ago and it has been through a few revisons since. Started life as a stock PP-18, migrated into a SL-18 type build with a TMB stack, had a VVR in it for a while reducing the B+ voltages through the amp and toning it down …
“Just wanted to send a picture of the SL-18 with 12-inch Heritage Celestion Speaker cab, both from Chris Uff, so you can use it in your picture gallery. “The amp has your VVR and a fat switch (47uF), and sounds admirably. It’s little brother, the SE-5a, has gotten a 0.68uF in V1a and a VVR …
“The switch where the neon would normally be is a dummy switch. I installed it because the LEDs are doing the lamp’s job anyway. I like the looks more and who knows what switchable mods I’m going to install in the future” 🙂
“Just thought I’d send a picture of my finished amp. Well pleased I bought it. The 2×12 is for just ease of transport and to not look to big to the Mrs in my lounge. I used two greenbacks with two jack sockets so I can have 1×12 8-ohms or the 2×12 at 16-ohms.”
When Andy built his PP-36 amp, he called it the Maztone Chief, so it seems quite right that his SL-18 amp is called the Maztone Brave. This amp is housed in one of Chris’ 1×12 combo cabinets, and Andy’s opted for cream chickenhead knobs (soon to be available at Amp Maker). “My next project build …
The SL-18 ships with chickenhead knobs as standard – cost effective and easy to read at a distance – but Knut’s one of a number of customers who prefer Marshall-style knobs for that classic ‘plexi look’. “I finished the build on Wednesday evening, and what a great sound. It was my first build and it …
Here’s a very distinctive “Blood and Custard” finish. 😀 “Speaker is an Eminence 300watt that came in second hand for £25, trying to find a 15” 25watt speaker proved fruitless. It sounds huge – very different from a 12 or 10 but suits my slide and lap steel down to the ground. No cone break-up …
George very kindly uploaded a great video clip of his SL-18 build to YouTube. It’s especially useful as I haven’t had a chance to record any SL-18 clips myself yet! 🙂 Update: “My band, Los Reyez, were recently asked to do a track for the record company Time to be Proud’s annual Cramps tribute CD. …
Andy was one of the first builders of the PP-36 and took the plunge even before I had finalised the construction documents. Together, we ironed out a few bugs and made the PP-36 kit ready for prime time. Thanks, man! 🙂
Rob’s PP-36 starts with the regular PP-36 parts and turret boards, but he has added quite a few of his own touches (as the internal photo shows). “I finally finished the amp, after much experimenting with the preamp. There is one more ECC83 for more gain and a cathode follower before the tone stack. And …
“I made one of your PP-36 kits at Christmas last year and I absolutely love it! I’ve attached a couple of pictures. I housed it in a 19-inch steel rackmount box that I had lying around and put a steel wire mesh screen on the front.”
“Here’s a photo of my happy 36 watter and its 15in Weber blue dog speaker. I used 12AU7s in preamp and phase inverter to clean it up a bit. Works nice with my magnetic pickup acoustic too and plenty loud. 12 months and still on original tubes.”
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