Hey All: I found an old V-M Corporation "Tape-O-Matic" model 711 Reel to Reel machine in the trash recently. I could tell it was something cool from the leather wrapped cabinet, and figured there were some cool components inside to harvest. After pulling it apart I was pleased to find 3x Amperex "Bugle Boy" Made in Holland 12AX7 Tubes along with a V-M branded Made in USA 6V6gt power tube and 5Y3 rectifier. This tube combination (6V6, 5Y3, 12AX7) reminded me of the old Fender 5f1 champ amps and I'm starting to wonder about using the parts to build a guitar amp (using new electrolytic of course). The power transformer specs seem good to my novice eye and the output transformer is spec'd (according to the documents online) around 8 watts. I could reuse the tube sockets, cloth wire, some resistors and non-electrolytic caps, etc. Looking at this schematic, can anyone tell me the viability of this project...I'd admit that I have strong soldering and wiring skills having restored a vintage Vibrolux Reverb (with a lot of online forum help), but a beginner's understanding of reading schematics and amp "designing". Attached is the schematic. I'd love to eventually work up a diagram to rewire this into a more tweed champ like chassis / head.
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I don’t know a whole lot about guitar amps, but that they need more stages than a hifi amp. You could lose everything but the last 2 stages for a hifi amp, gives you 3 more triode stages for the bits a guitar amp requires.
dave
dave