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Post by Charlie Hall on May 10, 2018 17:39:31 GMT
Hi Tim, Thank you. I have added you to the list. Regards, Charlie
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Post by milko on May 13, 2018 22:21:28 GMT
Hi Charlie, Please could you include me on ‘the list’? Many thanks Milko
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Post by Charlie Hall on May 14, 2018 10:01:58 GMT
Hi Milko, Thank you, I have done that. Regards, Charlie
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Post by Cruachan on May 16, 2018 17:55:58 GMT
Hi Charlie,
Time for another project progress update, perhaps? I’m sure all those who have registered their serious intention to purchase would appreciate regular updates in this thread without the need to keep badgering you for information. Also, it would help to keep this intriguingly unique project alive in our minds and go a long way towards generating fresh interest....and, yes, the likelihood of rising sales forecasts.
Best regards, Mike
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Post by Charlie Hall on May 16, 2018 22:08:02 GMT
Hi Mike, There has been no progress just lately as Stephen is waiting for news of the code for the newer type H & C display. Our plan was to deal with that and the hum issue on the new "EF86" board at the same time since it is nearly a 300 mile round trip for me every time I go to the factory, and I also have to wait until Stephen is free to see me anyway. Sorry I can't report more positive progress right now. I'm sure you will understand why I wouldn't post any non news just for the fun of it! Regards, Charlie
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Post by Cruachan on May 17, 2018 2:25:54 GMT
Hi Mike, There has been no progress just lately as Stephen is waiting for news of the code for the newer type H & C display. Our plan was to deal with that and the hum issue on the new "EF86" board at the same time since it is nearly a 300 mile round trip for me every time I go to the factory, and I also have to wait until Stephen is free to see me anyway. Sorry I can't report more positive progress right now. I'm sure you will understand why I wouldn't post any non news just for the fun of it! Regards, Charlie Hi Charlie, Thanks for that and, right now, I sense you might be feeling a little frustrated about the current lack of progress. Actually any report, negative or otherwise, would be helpful as then we can better appreciate the reasons for any delays. I’m sure we are all eager to see the ‘EF86 Project’ released to market particularly as it does appear that the core development is pretty much completed bar a few minor issues such as the aforementioned hum. Hopefully the wheels of progress will start turning again very soon and we can all anticipate some exciting news! Regards, Mike
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Post by Charlie Hall on May 17, 2018 8:16:35 GMT
Hi Mike, A band mate tried the "EF86" pedal (without a metal casing, it is just a circuit board at present) the other day and loved the overdriven sound. He described it as clean and dirty at the same time. This is because of the power amp emulation that creates crossover distortion and sag. I wouldn't say it could replace a distortion effect but both together could be very good sounding. I showed him the hum level and while it isn't too bad, I want it much lower than the background hiss level. Regards, Charlie
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Post by Cruachan on May 17, 2018 9:26:38 GMT
This is because of the power amp emulation that creates crossover distortion and sag. I wouldn't say it could replace a distortion effect but both together could be very good sounding. Hi Charlie, I’m afraid you’ve lost me there - techie knowledge not up to scratch and all that... lol! Any chance you could elaborate a little for me and those others who may be reading this and are feeling similarly challenged? Edit: Perhaps a few audio files would whet our appetites and help us appreciate the capabilities of this new pedal. Would that be possible or, indeed, sensible at this stage? Regards, Mike
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Post by jondonwar on May 17, 2018 13:36:47 GMT
May I suggest you back off hassling charlie and let him get on with it in his own time , it will be ready when its ready, give the guy a break.
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Post by Charlie Hall on May 17, 2018 21:04:17 GMT
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Post by Cruachan on May 18, 2018 20:55:09 GMT
Hi Charlie,
What a fascinating article! This is all new to me, but now that I’ve taken some time to study the detaiI I feel I’m becoming familiar with concepts such as ‘Fourier Analysis’ and ‘Fast Fourier Transforms’ which reveal the harmonic frequency domain of the output waveform. Also, how small changes of the negative grid bias voltage of the EF86 (and hence current) can produce varying amounts of crossover distortion.
I suspect this has given me some small insight into the complexities of what has been involved in the research and development of the ‘EF86 Project’ and points to the technical wizardry and inspiration necessary to emulate and implement all this goodness in solid state.
Thanks for that link, Charlie. It’s an eye opener and certainly underlines the fact that we are all in for a treat when the pedal is eventually released to market. Can’t wait!
Regards, Mike
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Post by Charlie Hall on May 18, 2018 21:03:10 GMT
Hi Mike, Actually the EF86 doesn't produce crossover distortion because it is a single preamp valve. In the AC15 (and AC30) the pair (or quartet) of EL84 output valves produce crossover distortion (when driven hard enough). It doesn't have to be just EL84s either, it can be any type of output valve. Regards, Charlie
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Post by Cruachan on May 18, 2018 21:54:47 GMT
Hi Mike, Actually the EF86 doesn't produce crossover distortion because it is a single preamp valve. In the AC15 (and AC30) the pair (or quartet) of EL84 output valves produce crossover distortion (when driven hard enough). It doesn't have to be just EL84s either, it can be any type of output valve. Regards, Charlie Hi Charlie, That did occur to me and I wondered whether you were emulating a couple of EF86’s in an output stage configuration. However, my understanding is that the pedal is mimicking the preamp in the AC15/30 making the output levels compatible with the input stages of a physical amp. Or, are you saying the pedal also incorporates an output stage emulation with levels compatible with the input stage of an owner’s amp? Does this make any sense or am I way off base? Regards, Mike
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Post by Charlie Hall on May 18, 2018 22:10:09 GMT
Or, are you saying the pedal also incorporates an output stage emulation with levels compatible with the input stage of an owner’s amp? Hi Mike, Yes, that. Regards, Charlie
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Post by istvan on May 24, 2018 4:56:51 GMT
Hi Charlie! I was very happy to test the new unit!Must say-the sound is great,and amazing! Hope for the vintage colour ! Regards istvan
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Post by Charlie Hall on May 24, 2018 17:31:06 GMT
Hi Istvan, Thank you, glad you like it! Regards, Charlie
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Post by scanners on Jun 26, 2018 0:46:44 GMT
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Post by rogera on Jun 26, 2018 11:08:19 GMT
Hello Matthew - the Vox AC30 amplifier that you have given a link to does not have a top boost channel. The amp is the 'treble' version of the AC30 which sometimes causes confusion. The owner Daniel Steinhardt added one of my EF86 channels to his amp which gives it an additional channel identical to the older Vox AC30/4 amplifier.
Roger Allcock
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Post by Charlie Hall on Jun 26, 2018 22:04:40 GMT
Hi Matthew and Roger, I just watched the video. Good player. He says he read that Westrex built AC30s were only done in 1961, this can't be true because I once owned a 1964 AC30T (treble) with black diamond grill cloth with the later grey control panel and it was built by Westrex. I remember it had Woden transformers too. Dick Denney also said he thought the Westrex built ones were the best. I thought you might be interested to know. Regards, Charlie
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Post by scanners on Jun 27, 2018 4:45:03 GMT
Hi Roger and Charlie I didn't not know that about that amp, I knew early Ac15/30s were normal and vibrato channel. I have the first Chinese AC30 it has a normal channel with a brilliance switch, but with EL84s, I think the current handwired fawn ones may have an EF86 in them? My amp tech Simon Tregear is pretty well known in Melbourne said mine is one of the better ones hes heard, he said the best AC30 he heard was one of Crowded Houses ones he worked on. Yeah I watch Dan and Mick Taylor (not the Rolling stones one) on that pedal show, I think Dan got a bit offended with me as he plays a tele and Mick plays a strat, I said strats are more versatile than teles haha, teles I think country and classic rock, where as strats can do everything, although I've never owned a tele, I believe Bruce Welch played one for a while Matthew
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Post by Charlie Hall on Jun 27, 2018 14:29:17 GMT
Hi Matthew, The latest handwired AC15/30 amps do not have an EF86 channel. The previous models did have one. Regards, Charlie
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Post by mickhunt on Jul 12, 2018 14:08:58 GMT
Hi charlie hows the project going Mick
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Post by Charlie Hall on Jul 12, 2018 16:25:44 GMT
Hi Mick, Thanks, I'm sorry to say there has been no further progress. The hot weather has not helped as it always make me feel ill. Regards, Charlie
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Post by mickhunt on Jul 12, 2018 18:53:56 GMT
Thanks for the reply charlie, you’re health come first Mick
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Post by Charlie Hall on Aug 30, 2018 15:04:01 GMT
Hi all, I went to the factory yesterday. I'm pleased to say we have solved the hum problem with the EF86 preamp. I thought it would also be a good idea to test running it and an H & C echo unit from a single power supply. I'm glad we did test it, because it produced a bad hum that we couldn't get rid of. So the only solution is to run the H & C echo and the EF86 preamp from their own separate 12 volt AC power supplies. Regards, Charlie
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Post by leslie on Aug 30, 2018 17:40:59 GMT
Hi Charlie could you put me on the list please.
regards Les Robinson
Bedford
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Post by Charlie Hall on Aug 30, 2018 19:21:06 GMT
Hi Les, Thank you, I have done that. Regards, Charlie
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Post by alanfgb on Sept 1, 2018 2:20:29 GMT
That's great news, Charlie. Just curious how much it will cost, tho' I'll buy probably two units no matter what.
Regards, Alan
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Post by bor64 on Sept 1, 2018 6:35:15 GMT
Charlie,
Good to read that the EF86 project is on its last stage of development.
Any idea when it's available?
Cheers Rob
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Post by Charlie Hall on Sept 1, 2018 11:23:24 GMT
Hi Alan and Rob, The casing and artwork still has to be designed. We have rough ideas of the finished look. Much depends on clearing 2 filter capacitors that are a little higher than would be ideal. Another solution might be to look for similar capacitors with a lower profile. As the power supply now has to be included in the final price it will be a bit more than I originally hoped. The exact costing has yet to be done. I am hoping it will be out this year. I am going to work on some demo recordings soon, now that the hum problem is gone. Regards, Charlie
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