A new British all valve amplifier has been created ...
IntroducingThe Icon 18
Designed in house. Built by hand, in Dorset, UK.
The plan was to build an all valve amplifier with a clean, low distortion, wide audio spectrum response. (Want distortion? ... Use a pedal!).
The first thing to do was to decide on the output valves to use, design an output transformer that has a flat response between 20HZ and 20kHZ with a power rating of at least 18Watts.
No problem, I designed a suitable multi-wound transformer with excellent properties to match the 6V6GT valve pair and got to work designing the chassis. Made out of 3mm soft Aluminium sheet and folded where required, to form an open box. Next to punch the holes required to fit the components, valve holders and transformers. Manufacture the turret board, populate the board and fit it all together ...
A case ... I use a new Tweed case that houses a 1 x 12 Celestion Copperback loudspeaker, ensuring ample head room and an excellent 1960s sound of clear and penetrating thunder, when required.
Finally the front panel was designed then printed with black script on a gold background. The Union Jack is printed on the front panel as well.
Marking out the chassis that was formed from 3mm Aluminium sheet
On the drawing board, an idea is starting to blossom
Punch out the holes for valve holders and controls
Turret board, designed and drilled as required
Turrets inserted. Old school is best and most reliable
Components added as are the bus bars for power feeds where required
Chassis mostly fitted out with sockets and transformers
Transformers wired as required
Underside and rear view of amplifier
Components are wrapped around the posts before soldering
Wired and ready for testing
Powered on for the first time
A final tidy up of the wires to ensure the signal lines are not too close to power lines
Only high temperature 105°C capacitors and reliable other components are engineered for extra reliability and a very long life
That looks better after a final tidy up
The iCon 18 is on test in my workshop
Passed all tests and sounds lovely. These amplifiers take me about 28 hours from start to the testing stage and are designed to last a lifetime.
The valve lineup; ECC83, ECC83, ECC83, 6V6GT, 6V6GT.
User notes
The Icon 18 is equipped with Gain, Treble, Middle, Bass, Volume, Curve and Power On/Off with a Pilot lamp. Point to point wiring using only the highest grade components and internal fusing protects the High Voltage lines. Capacitors are rated at 105°C ensuring an extra long life.
Mostly, self-explanatory, but the Curve control gives a little extra. Clockwise rotation increases upper frequencies, and anti-clockwise increases lower frequencies. Very useful when swopping your Strat for a Tele, for instance.
The mains IEC socket, is a Mains Interference Noise Filter, with a fuse next to it.
The mains socket is situated behind the rear cover, towards the left of the chassis as you look at the rear of the speaker.
There is a Speaker Jack Socket to allow for other cabinets to be plugged in, as the Icon 18 is designed to cope with more than just your Lead Guitar.
NEVER use any Valve Amplifier without a Loudspeaker connected, as permanent damage may occur that will not be covered by any warranty offered.
