that's seriously impressive how fast you did that. Did components actually have value indications?!

TylerDeadPine wrote: Sun Mar 23, 2025 9:51 pm that's seriously impressive how fast you did that. Did components actually have value indications?!

Pretty much everything was marked in some way, except for the output transformer. I've drawn hundreds of schematics in my career, but this was my first time using KiCad and it was surprisingly intuitive. Found some good user-created vacuum tube libraries out there.





Working on tracing out my Hiwatt Custom 20 right now. It's quite a bit simpler (one channel, no trem). Same number of tubes though.

Nate Dort wrote: Mon Mar 24, 2025 7:06 am Working on tracing out my Hiwatt Custom 20 right now. It's quite a bit simpler (one channel, no trem). Same number of tubes though.

Do you have reason to believe its different from this one that's floating around online?

Dr Tony Balls wrote: Mon Mar 24, 2025 8:41 am

Nate Dort wrote: Mon Mar 24, 2025 7:06 am Working on tracing out my Hiwatt Custom 20 right now. It's quite a bit simpler (one channel, no trem). Same number of tubes though.

Do you have reason to believe its different from this one that's floating around online?

The "Custom 20 Tube" (US made?) is a different beast than the more recent UK-made Hiwatt Custom 20 (also called the SA210 or SA20).

Here's the Custom 20 (SA20 / SA210) schematic I just finished drawing: Hiwatt SA20 SA210 Custom 20 Schematic.pdf

A few interesting things off the bat:
1) Not the typical fixed-bias LTP PI that you would see in the bigger DR-series Hiwatts. Looks more like a Fender-esque LTP.
2) DC-biased heaters.
3) Despite the relatively low plate voltage on the EL84s (~290V), I'm calculating about 43 mA of plate dissipation, or 12W per output tube. That's the maximum that an EL84 is technically rated for.

Mine has a Mercury Magnetics replacement PT that the previous owner swapped in (incorrectly, which is why I got it so cheap). I believe the voltages are comparable to what the original transformer would have produced though, based on some other info I've seen.

Nate Dort wrote: Mon Mar 24, 2025 7:06 am

TylerDeadPine wrote: Sun Mar 23, 2025 9:51 pm that's seriously impressive how fast you did that. Did components actually have value indications?!

Pretty much everything was marked in some way, except for the output transformer. I've drawn hundreds of schematics in my career, but this was my first time using KiCad and it was surprisingly intuitive. Found some good user-created vacuum tube libraries out there.

That's beautifully lucky - I seem to have the opposite luck where every vintage item I open up has no marked indicators or very strange old capacitor markings that I can't decypher.

I love KiCad for that reason - I used it at home enough that I use it at work now too (Was just plain faster than in NI and my stuff is very simple). It's mostly everything I like about LT Spice and it looks nice. I still don't have simulation set up well though. Libraries are extensive.
The board layout CAD is terrible though, that part is tough but I just make sure to do everything in a real CAD system and import the layers I need.

I mostly have fun when I use it and that's the hallmark of great software

I have the 6 knob and it’s a jcm800 with pull boosts. I use it for loud and clean and it’s perfect. I can’t make a clone for as much as you can get these used I think I paid 350

I picked up a mk2 DL4 recently because I wanted a looper for a dark ambient/noise project my friend and I are working on. The delays are so good I've barely used the looper function. Line 6's DSP game is among the best, especially considering the price. Kudos to the FMs that work there!

Recent gets (over the past, like, 6 months):

$2400 CAD of deep-depression Chase Bliss spending (Mood Mk II, Onward, Blooper, EXP Roller): Confusing and nice. Generally prefer my pedals to be a bit more immediately intuitive (I like to look down and know what noise they'll make when I step on them, basically) but these sound good enough that the learning curve has been a fun & worthwhile challenge instead of just frustrating. I rarely play with pedals beyond a few ODs, a compressor and a delay lately; these have inspired me to get back into it a bit. The EXP Roller is, notably, solid as can be - currently have it controlling the mix for the Mood and the:

Old Blood Noise Endeavors Dark Star: Finally a reverb that is as dark and warbly as I want a reverb to be. Great reverb (and I typically do not like reverbs). A lifer. So is my:

1975 Guild Starfire IV (this one, specifically): Priced like a used Newark St. reissue, crossed my fingers and sent a bunch of money to a pawn shop based on two pictures on Reverb, mercifully great results. HB1s are my favourite humbuckers. Tiny neck (esp. nut width), but pretty effortless to play, all things considered (ie., I have small hands but am extremely clumsy). Reminded me of how much I love big guitars (big boy), but didn't quire scratch my 330 itch, so had to get an:

Epiphone Casino: Recent-ish, made in China, pau ferro (I think?) fretboard, a lovely orange. No complaints, does the thinline-hollowbody-with-P90s thing, super not practical for a person who mostly plays loud rock guitar, glad I didn't drop like $5k on a Gibson. While I was looking for this, found a:

Tech 21 Bass Driver DI (v2): Should not have put off getting one of these for so long. Sounds great. Works surprisingly well as a preamp into my Quilter Microblock for a tiny bass or guitar rig, or especially as a home amp for:

Squier Paranormal Baritone Cabronita: I have a nicer baritone (a Jerry Jones that, if my math is right, used to belong to FM mdc) but between prices and scarcity increasing and these instruments not being the most durable things in the world, I've been a bit reluctant to schlep it around lately. The Squier is very good! I think the Paranormal series is a winner overall, especially at the price point. Stock P90s are really clear. Setup was an absolute mess and I'm still having a bit of trouble dialing it in, but it'll get there. A great value while these are still cheap.

OK!

frighteners wrote: Thu Apr 03, 2025 11:34 am 1975 Guild Starfire IV (this one, specifically): Priced like a used Newark St. reissue, crossed my fingers and sent a bunch of money to a pawn shop based on two pictures on Reverb, mercifully great results. HB1s are my favourite humbuckers. Tiny neck (esp. nut width), but pretty effortless to play, all things considered (ie., I have small hands but am extremely clumsy).

goddam that Starfire is a beaut!

i have a DeArmond Starfire that i love a lot. it was the main rutabega guitar for many years. currently has flatwounds and in DADGAD tuning. a good friend, through thick & thin.