Firefly 1.5W Tube Amp Build

**luvmyshiner** · July 2nd, 2008, 07:55 AM

Originally Posted by Kazz

Very nice Shiner......what are you going to use to label the control panel?

I'll either be using those "rub on" letters or a fire extinguisher.

:

**Steve206** · July 2nd, 2008, 04:48 PM

Is that what y'all call decals, down in Waco?

Steve

**luvmyshiner** · July 5th, 2008, 01:48 PM

Finished wiring up the Firefly last night.

In the process I realized I made a mistake. The screw terminals for connecting the wires to the pcb were supposed to be soldered on the bottom of the pcb so they could be accessed after it was installed in the chassis. I soldered them on the top. No big deal, it just meant I had to connect all the wires before installing the pcb in the chassis.

So last night, about 9:00 pm, I plugged her in, and flipped the switch. No bang, no smoke, no explosion . . . no hum, no sound, no screaming solos, no nothin'.

:

So I wisely decided to call it a night and take a look at her today with a fresh set of eyes. Turns out the problem wasn't with the amp, I had wired the input jack to the speaker wrong. Ok, good, simple fix. Wired everything correctly, flipped her on, and WOW!

The first thing I have to say is this little sucker is LOUD! I only had it turned up about a quarter of the way and windows were rattling. CB came running in the room because she thought a plane had just crashed in our house. I haven't played around with it enough yet to see what she can really do, but Shiner is one happy man.

So if you'll excuse me, I'm going to crack a beer, borrow CB's Strat, and go crank out a few screaming solos on my new toy!

**Katastrophe** · July 5th, 2008, 01:55 PM

Sweet, Shiner! You're gonna have to nickname the Firefly something like "The Red Beast," or something similar.

**Steve206** · July 5th, 2008, 02:14 PM

Have to say that I consider it a treat when I get another installment on this project. One of those everyman things done by one of our own. Causes me to think that I could do something close???

Now that you have finished the build and have a speaker cabinet waiting, it seems like a good time to hear what is going on down there??

Steve

**luvmyshiner** · July 5th, 2008, 03:20 PM

Originally Posted by Katastrophe

Sweet, Shiner! You're gonna have to nickname the Firefly something like "The Red Beast," or something similar.

"Shiner's Red Beast" . . . I kinda like that Kat.

Sorry Steve, still can't post clips yet, but give me a little time.

And I'm still saying, if this thing is only 1.5 watts, I'll quit drinking.

CB's already getting very nervous about the neighbors calling the cops. I'm going to try one of the acoustics through it in a little bit and see what I get.

**tot_Ou_tard** · July 5th, 2008, 03:48 PM

Call it

The Shining

All acoustic & no amph makes Jack a dull boy.

**ibanezjunkie** · May 17th, 2009, 08:22 AM

wouldnt 2 x 12AX7s and a 12AU7 give out a higher wattage than 1.5 watts? this has more valves in it than my 5 watt.

tunghaichuan*** · May 17th, 2009, 08:34 AM

Originally Posted by ibanezjunkie

wouldnt 2 x 12AX7s and a 12AU7 give out a higher wattage than 1.5 watts? this has more valves in it than my 5 watt.

Not necessarily. The power tube in the Firefly is a 12AU7, which is really more of a preamp tube. It is a dual triode like the 12AX7. The 12AU7 just happens to have some characteristics to allow it to be used as a power tube in this application. It only puts out 1.5 wattts in the circuit due to its characteristics.

tung

**ibanezjunkie** · May 17th, 2009, 08:42 AM

Originally Posted by tunghaichuan

Not necessarily. The power tube in the Firefly is a 12AU7, which is really more of a preamp tube. It is a dual triode like the 12AX7. The 12AU7 just happens to have some characteristics to allow it to be used as a power tube in this application. It only puts out 1.5 wattts in the circuit due to its characteristics.

tung

well using a preamp tube as a power tube wouldnt have come to me...but i guess its an idea that works

:

**heatherd66** · May 4th, 2012, 11:30 AM

Mesa Boogie Express 112 5:25 Tone demo Mic: http://play.kendincos.com/174562/Wrv...-demo-mic.html

**stingx** · May 4th, 2012, 01:44 PM

**Katastrophe** · May 5th, 2012, 03:27 AM

Wow, there are quite a few members on this thread that don't post much anymore... since it was started four years ago. Stingx, wanna take bets that "heatherd66" is never heard from again?

duhvoodooman*** · January 13th, 2014, 09:57 AM

Resurrecting this ANCIENT thread, since I finally got a proper cabinet to install this nifty little amp head into! Since I am totally lacking in woodworking skills, the "nekkid" chassis had been sitting in my man-cave for the past SIX YEARS getting minimal use, 'cuz you have to be VERY careful handling exposed high-voltage electronics! Somewhat serendipitously, I discovered that one of my fellow moderators at the BYOC forums makes a mean head cab! And when I asked him about getting one made, he said he had one he'd just finished for a Champ build that had the exact same chassis dimensions! And he was nice enough to sell it to me, instead! Check out the head mounted in this beautifully made little cabinet in the pics below. I still need to paint & decal the front & back panels, but at least the amp is fully usable now:

marnold*** · January 13th, 2014, 02:23 PM

Looks sharp, DVM!

**Monkus** · January 19th, 2014, 10:55 PM

love it !

Robert**** · January 20th, 2014, 10:48 AM

Cool, looks like an old Traynor or Garnet!

**Monkus** · January 20th, 2014, 07:59 PM

that looks supremely vintage... good things come to those who wait?.

Jipes*** · January 22nd, 2014, 04:26 AM

Great little amp for recording !

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