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Bell amp
- Thread starter EVBoy
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Sams index lists two:
3715: folder 22-8 (1947)
3715B and PA3715B: 249-4 (1954)
3715 schematic is online: http://www.theused.com/manuals/bell/bell_sound_3715.pdf
I MIGHT have the latter one...
3715: folder 22-8 (1947)
3715B and PA3715B: 249-4 (1954)
3715 schematic is online: http://www.theused.com/manuals/bell/bell_sound_3715.pdf
I MIGHT have the latter one...
on those old amps, three channels meant 3 input channels that could be mixed in simultaneously. its a mono amp with a built in mixer that has 3 inputs. its meant for PA use. some of those can sound good, some just make good guitar amps. still worth making it work again.
Does it say its made in Columbus Ohio (USA)? If so, it is the same BELL that made this: http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=196951
It looks like yours has a more conventional cathode bias setup (vs the Cathode Coupled Ultralinear of the 2200)
I have always avoided BUILDING 6V6 powered guitar amps because of the lack of a good currently-produced tube. (Though I do have about 6 amps I BOUGHT that take 6V6, I have them all shod with NOS RCAs. My impression was that it was very difficult to find them at a good price). (I suspect 'good price' means different things. For me, since 6V6 isn't an audiophile tube, I remember when they were just a few bucks at the local discount store.)
Looking at the schematic, that WOULD make a nice guitar amp conversion.
It looks like yours has a more conventional cathode bias setup (vs the Cathode Coupled Ultralinear of the 2200)
I have always avoided BUILDING 6V6 powered guitar amps because of the lack of a good currently-produced tube. (Though I do have about 6 amps I BOUGHT that take 6V6, I have them all shod with NOS RCAs. My impression was that it was very difficult to find them at a good price). (I suspect 'good price' means different things. For me, since 6V6 isn't an audiophile tube, I remember when they were just a few bucks at the local discount store.)
Looking at the schematic, that WOULD make a nice guitar amp conversion.
One note- the mic preamps use a 7B7 remote-cutoff pentode. That type of pentode is made to have variable gain, and would have likely performed a sort of compression or automatic volume control function- useful for PA, but not so much for hi-fi.
If you like, you could directly substitute 7AH7 or 7C7 tube in there, in place of the 7B7 tubes... that'd give you more linear dynamics...
Regards,
Gordon.
If you like, you could directly substitute 7AH7 or 7C7 tube in there, in place of the 7B7 tubes... that'd give you more linear dynamics...
Regards,
Gordon.
jonnferrell
New Member
I've got the Bell 3715B--Guitar amp?
I've got the newer version, although it's not much different. Mine works, used to run the bell chimes at my old church, but they were long gone so they gave the amp to me. It's the coolest, mine being a bluish color and the lights and all. I thought it would be fun to convert it to a guitar amp, although I know just enough to kill myself. Looks like it could be made into a 5E3. Anyone have any ideas?
I've got the newer version, although it's not much different. Mine works, used to run the bell chimes at my old church, but they were long gone so they gave the amp to me. It's the coolest, mine being a bluish color and the lights and all. I thought it would be fun to convert it to a guitar amp, although I know just enough to kill myself. Looks like it could be made into a 5E3. Anyone have any ideas?
Thatch_Ear
Addicted Member
I can't really tell by just looking at that but it looks like there is an input transformer, and a choke as well as the OPT and power tranny. Nice looking rectifier, if that tests out strong it might be good to roll in a SE hifi amp. Those 6V6 cans are trash even if they test good, but they can be a great thing to use while it is rebuilt. That is a fun looking piece of gear. I don't know if I have ever seen an amp with 3 of those old round mike inputs.
Thatch
Thatch
soundmotor
super modified
I think you can pull them out from the inside too. Makes sense in that you could tailor the amp to the application, low-Z, high-Z, or line input, etc.
i dont know about new 6v6 as i havent bought a new tube in ages. i stick with old american stuff. my experience at amateur radio conventions has been that 6v6's are very common. even NOS ones are common. maybe its something unique to my geographic location?!?!?
used ones are real easy to find. i often pass them up in the $1 a tube bins. maybe i should start hoarding those too! :scratch2:
jonnferrell
New Member
Yeah, the amp works so it's a shame to gut it and all, but I really don't have much use for it as is. I love the lighted front and dials--all from a time that thought they knew what the future was going to be like, but it didn't quite turn out that way. If I knew enough, I would just make enough changes to make it more guitar like and less pa like as far as distortion goes. It spent it's years in a locker with wires running to an electrovoice horn on the roof that spouted out bell chimes to the neighborhood who were trying to sleep in on Sunday mornings. It's kinda cool that it was made here in Columbus, Ohio. I suppose one day I probably will get a 5E3 kit and put it in there.
Thespeakerdude8
Super Member
JJ makes a good 6v6 with a 7591 sized plate. I like NOS, particularly the old ST style envelopes. I think the sovtek factory just reissued Tung-Sol 6v6's, so they probably sound good. A 5e3 would be great, in fact I am putting that circuit in two PA amps right now that I am converting to guitar amps.
It looks like you have a step up transformer in there... was this one designed to run off of 6vdc too? Probably has a vibrator chopper in there as well.
If you can't find a use for it <<
It looks like you have a step up transformer in there... was this one designed to run off of 6vdc too? Probably has a vibrator chopper in there as well.
If you can't find a use for it <<
