Crate V5 Tube Amp Mod

I recently picked up a Crate V5 tube amp combo for $40. I bought it because I am willing to tinker, and I figured I could tear out everything but the tubes and then create my own basic circuit.
There are several posts available telling how to modify these amps. I tried one which says to open R27 and short out R15. That killed the volume control and created a steady low-level distortion backed with hum. Not recommended.
Before tearing the whole thing up, I opened R18. In fact I removed it (see photo).
This has made the amp just what I was looking for.
When I got it, the only distortion available was at full volume, and it was harsh.
Now, the distortion starts about 1/3 up, and gets more saturated as the volume increases.

It's worth a try. If you're careful you can desolder one end of R18 without having to remove the circuit board.

I'm guessing that I have cheated the op-amp of some of its power, forcing it to overload early.
So, this may not be pure tube tone, but it is what I was looking for.

Sunset

The sun is setting on my blogging career. It has been bloggy. Blogular. Blogullient.

Castaways

Pictured are three classic cast-frame 15" musical instrument speakers. On the left is an Electrovoice with a massive magnet enclosed in a case plus a chrome frame. Totally choi. On the right is an ancient James B. Lansing design with what appears to be military surplus paint on it. It has a screen over the vent and a logo on a metal plate. Both of these woofers spent a year in an Isla Vista garage with teenagers and came home completely out of service.
At bottom is an Altec, with one of the most massive frames you will find. This came non-functional from ebay. However, its twin works just fine and I am now able to blow out my windows anytime I need to. I had to scramble to find a speaker while the glue was still not set on my 2x15 cabinet project. I came up with a 4-ohmer out of an Ampeg cabinet. I created a 12-ohm speaker with a classic Tru-Sonic crossover across the Ampeg speaker only, feeding a tweeter horn. With even a moderate amount of power the tone is deep and clear. Sometimes you get lucky.

Call It Heavy Metal

It seemed like a good idea at the time. Create a bass guitar using only the best components including a metal neck with an ebanol fretboard (think bowling ball plastic) and pickups manufactured by EMG corporation.



However, the bass proved to be heavy, unwieldy, and downright hazardous in sub-zero weather. EMG has improved their pickups considerably since this instrument was created.

Structures

Here is what you might call a "split-level" house, quite affordable!


I was surprised to see this lettering on a building at De La Vina and Canon Perdido Streets.

J'ever Notice How Some People Photograph Cats?

I hope I never find myself taking pictures of a lazy fuzzball.

This Is What a Surfboard Looks Like

There appears to be some confusion on this subject.