Mr Casual (Blackheart - tweaking)

Decided to take a new approach on the drive circuit of this amp. So changed the path a bit, and lowered the grid stopper resisance, discarded the bleeding cap, but introduced a 10k grid leak variable resistor for the second drive stage.
In my oppinion, the circuit tone has improved, with adjustable grid control for diferent stages. Including the previous mod for the phase inverter stage.
Now It can get a "matchless-like" vibe going with an alnico speaker... Nice!

Mr Casual (blackheart) more mods

I became used to favour power amp saturation over pre amp distortion... Power amp saturation is where the best tone is. This amp had a drive pot that was giving too much pre amp drive, and by the time the power tube overdrive started, there was way too much pre amp distortion over it. Maybe suited for some styles... but not for me...
I decided to improve the tone a bit, so the amp had more power amp saturation and less pre-amp distortion.
Removed the drive pot altogether and replaced it for a fixed filter that did not overload the second stage too much, keeping it clean and punchy. Also changed the resistance from the second stage to the phase inverter, alowing 3 switchable positions(including stock value), allowing me to drive the phase inverter harder, and pushing the power tubes into sweet organic and punchy tone... Great blues tone!
Also upgraded the ceramic tone caps with silver mica, for sweeter highs.
Another easy to do improovement was to use NOS pre and power tubes... its really a big change in tone... I am more and more convinced that new production tubes, even JJ's (wich are the best tone IMO), cannot get  close to any NOS tube... I mean those things where meant to be reliable, and new production tubes lack both in the durability, strenght, and tone department... The amp became alive afther I swapped the power tubes from JJ to german made NOS... Great tone with an alnico speaker or greenbacks.

212 Cabinet for "Mr Casual" (Modded Blackheart)

Ideal for small gigs, this little amp sounds great with this 212 cab, wich I loaded with a pair of celestion g12m greenback speakers, series wired for 16ohm. I really like the greenback response with this amp, it is particularly warm and round, and with this setup has a good articulation and frequency response. Since the greenback has 98 db sensitivity, also makes it a good choice for pushing the tubes amp without being too loud.

"Modded" Blackheart handsome devil

A very nice sounding little amp, afther a few teaks. Besides changing stock for better tubes, This mod helped this amp to sound more natural. it features a GZ34 rectifier that operates in full or half wave. Half wave gives it a very natural sag.
The amp sounds good and deserves a NOS tube in V1 I like to use a Brimar 12ax7, for a round bluesy tone. Also a good phase inverter is nice. The amp "needs" a good speaker to play with, sounds great with alnicos or greenbacks compression. the tone stack can be improved, but for now, I kept it as is...