Colorful inspiration

[GloBug]

Thought I would share some pictures with you guys to get you inspired to build something this winter.

These amps were built by somebody who has been extremely helpful to me in my DIY misadventures.

They were built by a retired eBay seller named Lance Cochrane. His amps are very well regarded by those who have listened to them. His philosophy goes against the current for the most part, he built straight-up no B.S. amps. He learned to build from a practical standpoint rather then just mathematical, he let his ears decide what sounded good. His amps work good based on good sound electronic theory, rather then fancy exotic components.

If I had not stumbled upon him, I would not be in this hobby enjoying my DIY amp. I would have been dazed and confused by all the VooDoo that seems to surround HiFi and especially guitar amps. (Vintage caps anyone? WE silk wire? you know who you are.)

Anyhow his amps are no longer available, but if you want to read more about him click here: Master Builders: Lance Cochrane And Jim Nicholls Review By Dick Olsher

Time to break out the soldering irons boys and girls, get at it.

 

[GloBug]

Try this again..

 

[GloBug]

And some more..

 

[GloBug]

The amps in the first pictures are the Flaming amp, Miss Scarlet, Rock of Gibralter, Earthquake, Blue boy and Amber room.

Here is a few more named Purple, Tangerine and the Black blunderbuss.

 

[Wavebourn]

Nice!

The first one reminds me about Burning Amp festival in San Francisco. You should bring it the next year.
I use mirrors too, but put them between hot tubes and transformers. They reflect heat, and looks as if the amp has more tubes.

 

[GloBug]

I will mention that to him and pass on your compliments. He (Lance) lives in the Los Osos area, maybe he would go. I myself live a little to far away to make the trip, although you never know.

Here's a few more of a smaller caliber, Diagonal SE, Flying saucer and the Flying sorcerer.

 

[GloBug]

Professor Plum, Big amp, Autumn and Gold Thanksgiving.

 

[HollowState]

A friend of mine has an amp that's also built on a saucepan. The large dome at the rear is the cover cap from a big oxygen tank. A piece of it was cut out and welded back on inverted. (from inside) It fits over the power transformer with just enough snugness to hold itself in place. The OPTs are underneath.

 

[GloBug]

That's a pretty neat idea.

 

[Magz]

Apparently this guy is carrying on the Cochrane tradition. His amps look identical to the ones above.

Vacuum Tube Amplifiers by Steve White

 

[GloBug]

Lance taught him. He's got some real monster amps.

 

[GloBug]

He does a really nice job too I might add. (Steve White)

These are two of my favorites that he built.

Check out the iron on those Mono-Blocs

 

[adason]

my admiration GloBug!

 

[chrish]

Look nice, however, painting the transformers laminations and the tube sockets etc kind of looks naf. Kind of like painting your car red, and also painting all of the trim and tires red as well.

 

[HollowState]

Look nice, however, painting the transformers laminations and the tube sockets etc kind of looks naf.

I agree, whatever naf means. I like most of the layouts and looks, but I don't like the use of all the heavy paint jobs. Perhaps just the chassis and transformer end covers. Not the lams and not the bolts. Yes, it's extra work to seperate things when painting, but well worth it IMO.

 

[aardvarkash10]

hammerite over everything is not an aesthetically pleasing look imo...

 

[GloBug]

A very valid opinion. I also took mine apart before coating with polyurea.

He built hundreds of amps and likely figured it was not worth the extra time for something strictly cosmetic. Just his style.

Also keep in mind you can't take a lot transformers apart, not even the bolts if they are potted in there.

Here is: Oooh la la, Miss Scarlet(Version 6), Green imperial and "05"

 

[GloBug]

Perhaps this will describe Lance a little better.

Here is a little LaFayette dubbed "Ralph Gleason" and the accompanying review from AudiogoN. AudiogoN Forums: The Hub: ''Handcrafted Ralph Gleason'' ?

 

[GloBug]

Here's a thread at AudioKarma about the "Green Monster".

I'm banned from there, so I'm not sure if there is any pictures or not.

The Green Monster has returned... [Archive] - AudioKarma.org Home Audio Stereo Discussion Forums

 

[aardvarkash10]

A very valid opinion. I also took mine apart before coating with polyurea.

He built hundreds of amps and likely figured it was not worth the extra time for something strictly cosmetic. Just his style.

Or maybe he just likes that aesthetic - its a free world after all and I do not dig Picasso, others do.