Re: RI Bassman "limited" PTP vc PCB

["Joel Fritz" <jfritz666@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

It's yetanother one of those design questions where the answer is "it
depends."  PC boards are used in all kinds of applications where
inconsistent behavior is unacceptable and the likelihood of failure needs to
be extremely low.  PTP wiring can be poorly done and/or laid out.   I don't
think that either approach is inherently superior.  What you get depends on
the specs and the expected quality level in the manufacturing process.

If you'd ever seen my soldering, you'd have an idea of what I'm talking
about.  <g>


- ----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Ray Beltran" <raybeltran@xxxxxxxxxxx>
To: "harp-l-digest" <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Thursday, February 26, 2004 1:38 PM
Subject: Re: RI Bassman "limited" PTP vc PCB


>
> On 2/26/04 10:31 AM, "harp-l-digest" <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>
> > ----------------------------------------------------------------------
> >
> > Date: Thu, 26 Feb 2004 09:50:46 -0500
> > From: "Hambone Hamilton" <harpmanx@xxxxxxxxxxx>
> > Subject: Re: RI Bassman "limited" PTP vc PCB
> >
> > Jim said:  >I think the BM RI "standard"  is a fine harp amp.  I
compared a
> > stock one to
> >> the same amp with a Hoffman hand wired board with the same tube
compliment
> >> and bias setting.  I could hear no difference.
> >
> >
> > This doesn't surprise me.  All else being equal (and that's very
important),
> > I don't beleive that there is any tonal difference in printed circuit
board
> > as opposed to point to point.  Of course, PTP setups are much easier to
work
> > on and tweak, and probably more durable in the long run, but that's a
> > separate issue.  Personally, I'm not that big on Bassman's...they're too
> > heavy and too damn loud for my tastes, although they do sound great of
> > course.  I gig with a 1957 Carvin Tweed Deluxe class w/2 6V6's and a
single
> > 12".  I have to mic it, but it sounds big and full to me.
> >
> > Hambone
> >
> > _________________________________________________________________
>
> I talked at length with my tech Ron Holmes (holmeseng.com) before I went
for
> the change from PCB to PTP. The PCB is mass-produced, and Ron told me
about
> stampings that don't set all the way, etchings on the board that are only
> adequate, cheap, noisy pots, and electrical emissions crossing points on
the
> board. Can you hear these things, especially at a gig? I don't think so.
But
> I did notice an "opening up" of the amp's sound when I had the Uiltratone
> (ultratoneamps.com) board installed. It's also the quitest amp I've ever
> owned. Peace of mind knowing that nothing weird will happen at a gig
> sometime because of the board. Knowing that the point-to-point board is
> totally serviceable.
>
> For me, it's kinda like the whole custom harmonica thing. If you feel good
> about your gear, if it makes you feel like you sound better, if it erases
> any "what if" in the back of your mind, well then I believe you WILL play
> and sound better.
>
> Solid state is not a bad thing, according to Ron. Back in it's heyday,
there
> was an art to solid state engineering. But when manufacturers found that
> they could marry solid state engineering to the production line, then the
> bean counters stepped in and found that they could do things on the cheap.
>
> Big amp or small, I favor the sound of 6L6's. Owned a couple of Ampeg
Jets.
> They were great amps, I liked their sound, but I like the bigger, bolder
> sound of 6L6's much more.
>
> Ray.
>
>
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