A bit of a change from a stock TC-15 on this one. I added a few mods and changed a few component types/values.
I went with Orange Drop 6PS caps as I have used them a lot in recent builds and quite like them, the similar Trainwreck Rocket also used these caps. 1W carbon film for everything else basically except plate loads which are 1/2W CC.
I did add a few mods to the build. I have played a few TC-15 before this build so I knew what the amp had to offer, wasn't modifying blindly. I should note all the mods I have done are either switchable or tune-able for a 100% stock circuit. So really my mods are "adds ons" to an already great amp.
Mods:- Choke/Resistor switch. This three way switch functions as a switch that selects either a choke or resistor for the PSU with the middle position being the standby function for the amp.
- Reverb! Add one tube reverb circuit to channel two (non-EF86 channel, TB channel). Single mix control to control reverb level/strength. Medium decay reverb tank mounted in the head cabinet. Reverb is foot-switchable.
- Cascaded/Parallel switch. On Channel 2 the first tube parallels the two triodes. I am using a 3PDT switch to either select the two paralleled triodes or cascade the two triodes for a bunch for gain and sustain. When the triodes are cascaded there is a 70% increase in gain. In cascade the sound should be pretty smooth and rich sounding.
- Phase Inverter limiter mod. This is a trim pot in series with the “tail resistor”. This trim pot controls how clean or dirty the signal is after exiting the phase inverter and is passed on to the output tubes. Ken Fischer of Trainwreck Circuits often did a similar mod to this.
- Mid trimpot to adjuct the mid range on Channel 2. This will probably be replaced at a fixed resistor in time.
- Decrease the bright cap on Channel 1 and increase caps on rotary switch. Fuller tone with less highs. I only play single coils so this was something I needed to do.
Pics...
If you wanna see more pics I have a shi t load in my photobucket. Most are progress pics.
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v610/ ... s/?start=0And my mini review...
The tones are great. Lots of versatility with the Parallel/Cascade switch. Parallel is much cleaner than cascade and a bit fuller and thicker. The Cascade mode it basically an overdrive mode, so sweet with lots of bite and gain.
The Choke/Resistor switch. The resistor mode has a bit more girth and underlying grind to it. Choke mode the sound is a bit tighter and focused, a bit cleaner. The choke runs all the voltages higher.
Reverb sounds amazing, I was stunned at how well the single tube reverb worked out. I did have to change a PSU dropping resistor to get the voltage up (290V) on the driver/tube but that was the only tweak from my original plan. The reverb is nice and full not spanky and in your face like BF reverb. When the reverb control is dimed you have a nice full sounding reverb which I like. I am not a fan of the BF Fender dimed reverb, it's much to intense for my tastes.
Still haven't fiddled much with the PI or Mid trimpots so I can't comment much there.
The Crunch/Munch switch which selects different primary windings on the OT provides two unique tones. In my prior experiences with the TC-15 I thought one mode was just brighter than the other. Not the case. Both the highs, clarity and gain differ between the two modes. I have no favorite as of now, they are both really unique and fun to play on.
Great harmonics, sustain and feel to both channels. Have already cranked the amp up and let it go into harmonic feedback while holding a note, sounds great.
More to come as I play more and the amp/speakers burn in...
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