GUITAR BOARD

> I managed to avoid much spendiness over Xmas but I spotted a Peavey Windsor
> head in the Sound Control sale at Ł180. Its a 100w 4xEL34 head which I
> originally tried at the Ł200 (down from Ł350) but didnt buy because its
> such a big beast and Im trying not to buy bulky items if possible. When I
> got to Sound Control I couldnt see the amp in its usual place and had a
> quick scout about but didnt spot it, so assumed with slight relief it ha
> been sold, so the temptation was assuaged.
>
> I checked about some other gear which didnt work out but asked about the
> Peavey just in case any other branches still had them *but* it was still in
> the shop. I decided to try it out with a reverb pedal in the fx loop and
> found it was still as much fun as before. Its the only amp Ive managed to
> get that filthy crunch/breakup Jeff Baxter got on Boston Rag. Its a bit
> bass-light but I should have fun modding it if necessary. I like the
> ClassA-A/B knob which is fun to use while playing. Going from A-ish to full
> A/B (with the pre-amp gain adjusted too AFAIK) is cracking Grommet. FJA do
> some interesting mods inc. a Cornford style case, which I may copy.

> BTW Music Ground(/Rockers) in Leeds have their Rockers branded PRS-ish
> style at Ł129 for a set-neck mahogany construction and very PRS-ish trem
> unit. Definitely a cut above most budget guitars and, while they last, my
> recommendation for that style/price-range.

> Its years since I had an EL34-based amp (one of those Orange Graphic
> 120-watt heads and a matching 4x12 which I couldnt lift into or out of
> the car) and Im thinking of having one custom-made by an ex-Jennings man
> of my acquaintance. Only 50 watts, though.

> icarusi wrote:
> > I managed to avoid much spendiness over Xmas but I spotted a Peavey Wind=
sor
> > head in the Sound Control sale at Ł180. Its a 100w 4xEL34 head which =
I
> > originally tried at the Ł200 (down from Ł350) but didnt buy because=
its
> > such a big beast and Im trying not to buy bulky items if possible. When=
I
> > got to Sound Control I couldnt see the amp in its usual place and had =
a
> > quick scout about but didnt spot it, so assumed with slight relief it h=
a
> > been sold, so the temptation was assuaged.
>
> > I checked about some other gear which didnt work out but asked about th=
e
> > Peavey just in case any other branches still had them *but* it was still=
in
> > the shop. I decided to try it out with a reverb pedal in the fx loop and=

> > found it was still as much fun as before. Its the only amp Ive managed=
to
> > get that filthy crunch/breakup Jeff Baxter got on Boston Rag. Its a bit=

> > bass-light but I should have fun modding it if necessary. I like the
> > ClassA-A/B knob which is fun to use while playing. Going from A-ish to f=
ull
> > A/B (with the pre-amp gain adjusted too AFAIK) is cracking Grommet. FJA=
do
> > some interesting mods inc. a Cornford style case, which I may copy.
>
> Im feeling jealous.
>
> Its years since I had an EL34-based amp (one of those Orange
> Graphic 120-watt heads and a matching 4x12 which I couldnt lift
> into or out of the car) and Im thinking of having one custom-made by
> an ex-Jennings man of my acquaintance. Only 50 watts, though.
>

>
>Which is one of the reasons that I picked up an old Carlsbro 50 Top
>via eBay... A quick fettling by Sir Trev of Ridneyshire, and it now
>barks like a Rottweiler thats been poked with a very sharp stick. /
>me is a happy bunny indeed :-)
>

> Its the only amp Ive managed to get that filthy crunch/breakup Jeff
> Baxter got on Boston Rag. Its a bit bass-light but I should have fun
> modding it if necessary. I like the ClassA-A/B knob which is fun to use
> while playing. Going from A-ish to full A/B (with the pre-amp gain
> adjusted too AFAIK) is cracking Grommet. FJA do some interesting mods
> inc. a Cornford style case, which I may copy.

> icarusi wrote in message
> news:13ol82o1p6cvpba@corp.supernews.com...
>
> > Its the only amp Ive managed to get that filthy crunch/breakup Jeff
> > Baxter got on Boston Rag. Its a bit bass-light but I should have fun
> > modding it if necessary. I like the ClassA-A/B knob which is fun to use
> > while playing. Going from A-ish to full A/B (with the pre-amp gain
> > adjusted too AFAIK) is cracking Grommet. FJA do some interesting mods
> > inc. a Cornford style case, which I may copy.
>
> Some pics of the Peavey Windsor chassis here:-
>
> http://www.flickr.com/photos/20652442@N05/sets/72157603742385408/
>
> It does have ceramic valve bases. The supplied valves are 4x Ruby EL34BSTR
> and 3x JJ ECC83S. The quality of electronics assemby and components look
> reasonably good (not that Ive checked anything similar to this recently)
> for something in this budget. There doesnt seem to be any diodes in the
> distortion circuit, although without checking the circuit, the 4 closer to
> the preamp valves may not be forming a rectifier for power supply,
although
> it does seem DC quiet for a high gain amp. The 2 preamp valves are set
> deep in the chassis and not easy to grip, changing the first one inside
the
> casing wouldnt be easy. The various boards and larger components use
> connectors of various types, good for disassembly (and initial assembly)
but
> can be a future source of problems in a hot vibrating location. Swing and
> roundabouts.
>
> The only slight criticism I would have, is how the rear grill locates and
> fixes. Its pressed as a channel which mounts over two blocks at either
> end of the casing, and then secures by 4 screws and cup washers through
the
> grill holes into those mounts. The grill needs to be pushed upwards for
the
> screw holes to align and its too easy when trying to insert the screw and
> washer, to lose grip on the grill and let it slip from the mounts to bash
> against the valves just behind. Also the black grill, screws and washers
are
> difficult enough to see in good light but would be a real problem in poor
> light. Ill probably glue the cup washers to the grill and consider some
> additonal protective posts either side of the power valves. There are 4
> screws which secure the rear chassis flange to the case, but unscrewing
then
> brought some of the particle board with the threads such that 2 now dont
> tighten fully. Nothing that a matchstick and glue wont fix but the
original
> fixing could probably have been better with different screw types. The
mains
> transformer is 210-220v only, no 110v tap, although the circuit board does
> specify the right fuses for 220v or 110v operation which some multivoltage
> kit fails to point out (110v kit operates at twice the current of 220v kit
> for the same wattage). On the plus side all the knobs go up to 12, which
is
> 2 louder!
>
> icarusi
> --

> In the shop where I work, the Windsor has been the fave last week.
> Some guy ordered it, and forgot it. OK, lets connect it somewhere..
>
> Cynics that we are, we connected it to a Marshall 1960 cab and expected a
> laugh,
> but it really does sound quite good. Pricewise youd be hard pressed to do
> better in EL34 amps.