maggie 185 to stereo guitar amp?

Capt Dunzell · 1st January 2013, 11:57 PM

So I have this Magnavox 185 in great condition, recapped it, sounds great, but i have a 9302 that I already use for a music amp.

I would like to convert the 185 into guitar use, and use the original tone and volume controls from the console it came out of. I am thinking about building a cabinet similar to the Gibson GA79-RVT. Classic Amps: The 1961 Gibson GA-79RVT

Although it sounds great as a stereo amp, it lacks some punch and volume for a guitar amp, even if I run through the 7025 as the phono preamp.

Is it possible to add a 12AX7 stereo preamp in place of the 7025....since I have plenty of 12ax7s, and beef it up a big to perform better as a guitar amp? If so, is there a decent schematic of the preamp circuit? I am not a designer, but can easily read and build from a schematic.

Am I off my rocker for thinking about doing this?

brucetassin · 2nd January 2013, 05:45 PM

The 7025 is a 12AX7 with a special spiral filament for Hi-Fi use.

flatheadmurre · 2nd January 2013, 07:09 PM

For a guitar amp you´re looking for less hi-fi and more gain and tone.

If it´s in great shape sell it to fund some parts for a scratch build.

Look at the cost for transformers and a chassi if someone is willing to pay what you need for new parts do the swap.

Capt Dunzell · 4th January 2013, 12:08 AM

I need it to be clean, it would be for a processed signal.

I guess I could rewire the chassis, have each channel be a fender tweed clone but I was rather hoping I could just modifiy the preamp somehow.

1st January 2013, 11:57 PM	#1
Capt Dunzell diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2012	maggie 185 to stereo guitar amp? So I have this Magnavox 185 in great condition, recapped it, sounds great, but i have a 9302 that I already use for a music amp. I would like to convert the 185 into guitar use, and use the original tone and volume controls from the console it came out of. I am thinking about building a cabinet similar to the Gibson GA79-RVT. Classic Amps: The 1961 Gibson GA-79RVT Although it sounds great as a stereo amp, it lacks some punch and volume for a guitar amp, even if I run through the 7025 as the phono preamp. Is it possible to add a 12AX7 stereo preamp in place of the 7025....since I have plenty of 12ax7s, and beef it up a big to perform better as a guitar amp? If so, is there a decent schematic of the preamp circuit? I am not a designer, but can easily read and build from a schematic. Am I off my rocker for thinking about doing this?

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2nd January 2013, 05:45 PM	#2
brucetassin diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Loganville, GA	The 7025 is a 12AX7 with a special spiral filament for Hi-Fi use.

2nd January 2013, 07:09 PM	#3
flatheadmurre diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Jarna	For a guitar amp you´re looking for less hi-fi and more gain and tone. If it´s in great shape sell it to fund some parts for a scratch build. Look at the cost for transformers and a chassi if someone is willing to pay what you need for new parts do the swap.

4th January 2013, 12:08 AM	#4
Capt Dunzell diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2012	I need it to be clean, it would be for a processed signal. I guess I could rewire the chassis, have each channel be a fender tweed clone but I was rather hoping I could just modifiy the preamp somehow.