Matchless Lightening
  HOME | "The Standard" | The FYD Amp | OPS | Lightening | Other Projects | Parker Fly Page | Mods | Tube Amp Repair | Blackheart Amp Conversion  

Built a Matchless Lightening from scratch

I used the current schematics available on the web and flipped the entire layout to be a head style amp.
Amp and Guitar

 
Here is the finished board before installation

The layout behind is the layout I put together to build this board.  It is flipped from the original.  The filtering is spread out across the board instead of all on one side.

Click on the image to see the original schematic that inspired this build. Thanks Trinity Amps!!   http://www.trinityamps.com
Modified Installed Board

Installed and modified. I was looking for a cleaner sound. .The original board shown above was changed to this.
No Cab Yet

This is the first build.  I changed the output transformer later.
Preamp side

Notice the changes from right to left...

  • Grey cathode cap - .68uf
  • Orange coupling cap - .022 uf
  • Second gain stage - no cathode cap
  • 250pf and the standard Fender tone control. See the 8.2k (grey/red/red) that is the midrange set for the tone control.
  • 100k to ground on PI is omited.
  • .01uf on PI is moved from ground.

 
Power Amp

Not too many changes here...

  • Changed the decoupling on the screen supply. Removed the 20uf cap and changed the resistor to 10k.
  • Screen resistors are now 1k
  • That little black cap is part of the DC lifted heaters. The voltage divider resistors are hidden ubder the big 20uf cap.
  • What you can't see in this are the bias test points and resistors on the back panel.  I use these to match up the power tubes.
Chassis done

Chassis with new OT, tubes and faceplate.


5262