Chasing Tone - Pignose & Dwarf

[FdB]

l’intro:



Now approaching 50 years since their original creation… a little look into the differences, use, some repairs, working modifications and hopefully… successful resurrections of older Pignose & Dwarf solid-state portable guitar amplifiers.

Several months of study & de-construction here… all reduced to four different “pages” / postings… and very surprisingly… some, now still-working amplifiers. Some, were actually resurrected.

Other “pages” to follow here as images and text are prepped & merged:

1. Overview
2. DC power
3. The Pignose
4. The Dwarf
5. [Maybe]… the Rock Amps’ - “Petros 1”

All  of “this” with my thanks to: Howard Chatt / Pignose, Dieter Höller / SongBirdFX.com, MacOS9Lives.com, many folks over at TDPRI.com, Tim - Petros I, Ian League, Craig - B.B. King’s Estate, Mel Patrick & The Blue Wabbits, cooldaddy-O #3303, GaryN, Michael Bryant #675, Jim Buonocore, Eric - Pignose, Mr. Tubehead ’77 PN, Tom Cleveland, Mr. Happy and of course… MacOS9Lives.com’s very own Herr DieHard.

…and that guy down in Decatur Alabama. #3448

À votre santé!

[FdB]

Overview

“Not just for buskers anymore…”

For those interested in clear, clean guitar tones that rival / and can approximate the early Fender Tweed amplifiers - without the often painful financial investment that such amplifiers normally require… an examination of (two) 70’s era - solid state amplifiers will follow.

Viewed by many as practice amps (or as mere “toys” by others) the Pignose 7-100 and the slightly more powerful (and rare) Dwarf amplifier, might actually surprise you - and most certainly when cost-compared with today’s much larger and much more expensive alternatives. AND especially… compared to the original 50’s era Fender Tweed amps and those current prices.

What is surprising are the current prices on newer, used Pignoses on eBay now… when you can buy a brand new Pignose from GC / or elsewhere, for around $75.00.

Of those “notables”, known to have used Pignose amplifiers in the past (and some still): Keith Richards, Pete Townshend, Santana, Jimmy Page, Paul McCartney, Joe Walsh, Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck and Frank Zappa (among many others).

Zappa’a modified Pignose was extensively utilized and reportedly is still in use today by his son Dweezil. I’ve read that Frank’s Pignose was modified to run on 18 volts instead of the customary 9 volts. I’d love to get a look inside. (Have briefly pushed a 1977 model Pignose here with 12VDC and it didn’t melt or smoke.) Howard Chatt of Pignose recently commented that Dweezil had just had his Dad’s old Pignose in “for servicing”. Still would like to take a peek inside but Dweezil’s just not taking my calls right now.

Frank Zappa “Black Napkins” / Mike Douglas Show - 1976: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_q0nImsfMvE

Certainly these little amplifiers (AC & DC powered) can’t compete with the volume levels of higher-powered amplifiers but when you eliminate the hum & noise inherent with the bigger, more powerful AC powered amps, perhaps therein lies the simple beauty and one of the primary advantages of these little demons. Crisp, clear and clean tones (with mad distortion if you want it) and ZERO AC HUM when DC powered. Mic it!

Cigar box guitar: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FYPq6mf4NR4  (A favorite, ‘round here lately.)
 
Just-for-fun: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2aryigCJJIc

Dial in volume and desired tone… and mic the little devils. Used by a great many musicians in recording environs as well as in live performances. Some (Pignose & Dwarf amps) are simply used as pre-amps with today’s larger amps. And recently, been running a Dwarf here straight into an external speaker cabinet with a well-used, old 12” Fender-Eminence speaker http://www.tdpri.com/threads/diy-walkin’-blues-speaker-cab.923252/#post-88966 - and while it could use just a wee bit more output power, the tonal range is amazing. There’s also a mod for the Pignose to add a speaker-out jack too. (A standard “out” provided on the Dwarf.)

Recently restored Dwarf.  Some say ash - some say oak.

Pignose example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QPnE2rMfqEE (Might want to skip ahead in this video to around 3:00.)
*Not a great quality sound recording but you’ll get the idea.

So, for those of you DAW fiends still playing “live” guitar in your tracks, or for guitar players (noodlers, harp players, etc.) still chasing “that tone”…
read on. (More to follow, probably every other day.)

•Using only a small delay (or reverb) pedal… to add just a little “depth”… dime the volume on the amp and dial the guitar volume & tone pots “to taste”. Now simmer and then slowly bring to a steady boil. Sure, one can now purchase a Roland Cube or some other such portable offering, but where’s the fun in that… when you can resurrect and play through one of these little monsters, on the cheap?

[DieHard]

This is an awesome post !

I play on my newly acquired (donated from a dear friend)  PiggyNose everyday while running the computer store and it rocks.

Long Live the Pig !... and maybe the dwarf

[Custos]

Had no idea about these. Fender tweed always sparked my interest. Pretty cool that zappa used them.

[macStuff]

frank zappa!
oldschool

[mrhappy]

I used to run my original 'Pigger" with the case partially open and of coarse a Guild Power Booster hanging out of the input!!

[DieHard]

Still looking for my Pignose after my move.... 100+ boxes to guess at

[mrhappy]

I'm gonna guess 'box 99' !! 

[DieHard]

I'm gonna guess 'box 99' !! 

Yeah... that's the usual luck, but I narrowed it way down to a section of about 12 to 14 from the displaced "work" studio.

On a different note, if FdB connected all the stuff in the "Wall of Sound" and then had Angus grab that SG (seen behind it all) I am sure he could make friends with many of the neighbors

[FdB]

“Wall-O’-Sound”?
  May be fairly accurate, actually.

I’ve avoided counting them all until today… but there are now 20 different portable amps here. [Of those 20, guess which (only) one has refused all repair efforts so far?] Stay tuned.

And of those twenty... six were made after the “golden-era” decade of production (1972 to 1982) and they serve as comparisons to the originals. (Like G4 Macs, they multiply.) So a mere 8 months after I first posted the “Pignose vs. Dwarf” topic here… final photography begins tonight. (And only just a few other amps have been added along the way.) What? It’s only been a year-long project.

And then last night I stumbled upon this:

Looks a bit like a Roland Cube Street? And check this guy's playing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KAsc0xOF6TI

Lucky for me that it’s well outside the “golden era” focus group parameters here. (I still want it!) 50 Watts! And it also currently belongs to the original owner of Angus. (See below.) Nice segue there DieHard. Thanks.

Speaking of “Angus”… here’s a refinished Dwarf amp (the one on the right) that had one too many coats of ebony wood stain and came out “Back in Black”. And yup, have called it Angus ever since. Spent most of its previous life tethered to a Marshall stack as a pre-amp. (Maybe IIO will translate that new name on the faceplate?) I actually built the Big Pig in an attempt to level the comparison with the Dwarf's performance.

Angus seen here with another abomination - the “Big Pig”.
(25% larger custom cab w/ Jensen MOD 6/15 speaker inside.)

Let’s see now… how do I post “text-picture-text-picture-etc.” here again?
Senility apparently has yet to solidify?

(My neighbors also allow me a fairly wide berth.)

[mrhappy]

Both 'Angus' and the 'Big Pig' are lookin' SWEET there FdB!!!

[FdB]

DC Power Solution(s)
Looks like my original page count here might be way off…

Posting here (finally) resumes.

Buy any batteries lately?

Considering the cost and trouble of constantly replacing AA size & other batteries (and the often leaky-battery syndrome)… OR even the costly option of using alternative “custom-built” rechargeable battery pack assemblies… ALL while striving to retain independence from AC to DC power transformers and that inherent 60-cycle Hummmm… A little “light bulb” moment occurred here. (Thanks Sherman!)

 

Sparked by the use of rechargeable USB Battery Bank power packs and voltage converter cables used to power guitar pedals… why not try same with the Vintage Portable Amplifiers? And really, they're much less expensive than traditional dry cell batteries… especially over time.

Of the five first portable amplifiers covered here (from 1972 to 1982) only one… the now very rare Rock Amps “Mini-Rock” (2nd from right, below) - required more power than the converter cables provided. *And I’ll explain the Pygmy amp later. The Pignose, The Dwarf, The Pygmy and The Mouse amps function well with the USB BirdCord method. I’ve yet to attempt the possible series-wired application for the later-produced Maxi-Mouse amps. (1984?)

The newer portable amps also included here for comparisons: Blackstar Super Fly, Boss Katana Mini, Blackstar Fly 3, Roland Micro Cube and Roland Cube Street… all worked exceptionally well with BirdCords and battery banks. (Even though Roland recommends that you “only use” their accessory power.)

You can purchase less-expensive, generic brand USB voltage converter cables that will also work - but the Birdcords are more ruggedly constructed and they come with a 24 month warranty. AND only for members of MacOS9Lives… SongbirdFX / BirdCord is currently offering a 15% discount - until January 31st, 2020. (See imbedded discount coupon code in “thumbnail” image above.) Again - it pays to be a member here. And tell Dieter, thanks!

Even if you don’t use them for portable amps, BirdCords also power many keyboards, foot pedals and many other devices as well. Those I have ordered arrived here within 7 days! Visit: www.songbirdfx.com for more detailed info on the BirdCords. So save yourself some money - quit paying for replacing batteries and avoid the old leaky battery problem. “…Birdcords convert the voltage of any USB port to either 6-Volt, 9-Volt, 12-Volt or 18-Volt DC.” Be sure to check polarity requirements of your device. (And especially when considering a generic converter cord from another source.)

And no - I’m not paid by Birdcord, nor did I receive free stuff. (A t-shirt might be nice.)
You do get a little storage pouch and a real nice sticker with each BirdCord purchased.

Up next: (FINALLY!) le Pignose.

[mrhappy]

Those Birdcords look like a useful solution to a number of probs! I bought one of the original
Volto pedalboard batteries when they came out and it has worked well... I can get @ 2-1/2 gigs out out of it using a small pedal board... usually have it charging in the car on the way to gig, as I sometimes forget!

https://www.amazon.com/Pedaltrain-Volto-Rechargeable-Supply-PT-VT3/dp/B07MZGB7B1

[DieHard]

Sparked by the use of rechargeable USB Battery Bank power packs and voltage converter cables used to power guitar pedals… why not try same with the Vintage Portable Amplifiers? And really, they're much less expensive than traditional dry cell batteries… especially over time.

Ok, Birdcord it is, but what is a good USB Battery pack that is quality and in-expensive ?

[Custos]

What guitar is that hiding behind those amps? Les paul?

[FdB]

Both 'Angus' and the 'Big Pig' are lookin' SWEET there FdB!!!

Thank you sir, thank you very much. Big Pig was a dismal failure at first… then I zapped it with 18-24 volts instead of 9 volts and Viola! (hehe) and it now fights better with the Dwarf. I plan to eventually build a even smaller-cabbed version to better accomodate the slightly smaller Visaton BG 13P 8Ω 5” speaker that I like so much. (A real performance bargain compared to the cost of an actual Pignose replacement speaker from Pignose, or even the Jensen MOD 5/30.)

Those Birdcords look like a useful solution to a number of probs! I bought one of the original
Volto pedalboard batteries when they came out and it has worked well... I can get @ 2-1/2 gigs out out of it using a small pedal board... usually have it charging in the car on the way to gig, as I sometimes forget!

www.amazon.com/Pedaltrain-Volto-Rechargeable-Supply-PT-VT3/dp/B07MZGB7B1

Considered the Volto power supply here (and others) but went with the BirdCord and battery bank instead because less-expensive & I’m cheap (thrifty, tight, etc.) and the BBs are easy to simply velcro to the back or inside of the little amps and still remain more portable… BUT with as many of these little monsters that I sometime have powered up here together, a Volto (or similar) might be a good option for me as well. EDIT: A closer look at the specs for the Volto 3 notes 6200mAh compared to the battery banks offering 10400mAh and 50000mAh (both BBs priced under $20.00 ea.) and then add a 5-way daisy chain cable from BirdCord @ 8.99 (Euro) - plus the cost of a Birdcord with the discount? Maybe less expensive to go the BC/BB route, by about less than half the price of a Volto 3? Unless I'm missing something.

My pal Sherm gigs weekly with a similar BirdCord/BB pedal setup, whereas I am normally restricted primarily to “coffee table” use. I’ve four of the BBs so far and they each rotate charging on a multi-unit charger. (Usually every other week or so, if I remember.) Some of the BBs have indicator lights as “charge-level available” indicators but the Blackweb BBs have a digital display readout… so there’s no guessing. And sometimes they’re even used to actually charge phones here.

Ok, Birdcord it is, but what is a good USB Battery pack that is quality and in-expensive ?

The inexpensive Blackweb BBs are pretty good. They do have some weirdo sticky coating on them (grip or finish protectant?) that I don’t like. Maybe not on the black-colored versions? Silver: model BWA18W1052

Of the four pictured here previously, the black & red one (eBay source) drops power and resets itself IF burdened with a pedal while also powering an amp. So, it’s my least-favorite BB - but it works well enough when only powering a portable amp alone. Again however, I prefer a little reverb, delay or echo pedal when noodling around here, so occasionally must use two BirdCord/BB (BC/BB) combos for that… and especially if I’m pushing absolute maximum volume from a particular amp + pedal too.

The silver Blackweb BBs ($9.00 each on sale from “NotAmazon-Mart”) are my solid favorites and they’re rated@ a mere 10400mAh / 38.48Wh. The all-black BB pictured previously is via eBay and it’s rated@ a whopping 50000mAh / 185Wh… and while I don’t always trust these ratings, the black one has proven to be very strong & powerful. Each USB port on BBs are rated in amperage output. Often sellers will note a total combined rating for this, and when noted individually - this rating can be as much as 2.4 amps each. Typically it’s more like 2.1amps each - and in the case of the black & red BB… it’s 1 amp for one port and 2.1 amps for the other one. (Probably why it falters / fails with a pedal also attached.) I would not buy another black & red BB.

The black BB (from eBay) is model AS283-H …if interested. 50000mAh. www.ebay.com/itm/50000mAh-Dual-USB-Backup-External-Battery-Power-Bank-Pack-Charger-For-Cell-Phone/261917443920?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

So if you’re planning on only powering one of the Vintage Portable amps, without also trying to power a pedal at the same time with the same BB… any of the above four will work with a BirdCord. Add a pedal on the same BB and that’s where you have to pay attention to individual USB port amperage output ratings.

However, the newer (modern) portables come normally with a myriad of already built-in EFX / echo, chorus, delay, reverb, etc. so they don’t have these concerns as they only require the one BC/BB connection. I still prefer the Vintage Portables though. (Made in USA.)

Dieter (of SongBirdFX / BirdCord - www.songbirdfx.com) speaks highly of / recommends(?) the Anker brand of BBs. I’ve never tested or owned one due to their higher cost. But should someone here try one out, do please report back on your findings. Again, note the mAh and Wh ratings (the higher the better / available power-wise)… as well as check the amperage per USB port output ratings. Made a mad dash here to buy an Anker BB recently - when the Mini-Rock was discovered to require mo’ power… as one Anker BB was listed as 4.8 to 5 amps. Turned out that this was a combined output rating for both USB out-ports added together. I wanted more than 2.4 amps for the Mini-Rock. No sale… back to D or C dry cell batteries for the Mini-Rock. [Mini-Rock has a 6x9 speaker similar to that of the Big Pig’s 6/15 Jensen speaker, thus ≥ more power required?]

Note: For those that might be considering a BC/BB setup for a stock Pignose (without an updated accessory power-in port). Dieter also offers an adapter with a male input-end for the “stock” Pignose. Polarity changers are also available - if you are not likely to shorten the cables and add your own plug as I have often done. Again, check www.Songbirdfx.com for more info / details. Really not all that complicated, but if polarity is wrong… caps may blow. (And yes, I have made that mistake.)

I plan to cover the speaker-out mod & alternate power-in port here, later. *Original Pignose power-in port can be root of some problems. And with the new port you can venture into powering the Pignose with 12+ volts or more (at yer own risk).

Pignose port mods with added speaker-out port.

According to author Mick Ekers in his “Zappa Gear” book, only 50,000 Pignoses were produced the first year. So just imagine how many have been made since 1972! So, I’ve no qualms about hacking in new ports or other mods on even a 25th Anniversary Edition Pignose (black & gold one pictured above). But I won’t change a 1972 first-year model. Nope. I have seen an added “speaker out jack installed inside on the metal shroud covering the Pignose PCB if you don’t care to mod the cases as I have done. Wiring instructions for the added speaker-out jack, here: https://www.tdpri.com/threads/nad-i-finally-got-a-pignose.983744/page-2#post-9386303

Had no idea about these. Fender tweed always sparked my interest. Pretty cool that zappa used them.

Very interesting info on Frank’s mysterious Pignose in Mick Eker’s “Zappa Gear” book on pages 94-96 and I’m certain… a veritable plethora of mucho more interesting stuff. But the more recent Tweed-covered Pignose amps are most likely not any different in sound / performance over any other version of Pignose. (Later production was shifted to Asia / the orient.) But basically, they’re all still really pretty much the same - unless you have one of the very early germanium versions of the Pignose and those didn’t come in Tweed. (And there is the opinion that the first germanium-based Pignoses are not all that different compared to the newer ones.) And while Tweed covering might look cool it doesn’t warrant mo’ money IMO. Naked, underneath… a Pignose is a Pignose… is a Pignose.



1/8” thick plywood, sans the naugahyde cover

OR... "I'm your Father, Big Pig".

What guitar is that hiding behind those amps? Les paul?

Yup, that’s an LP Studio hiding behind the amps. Good eye there, Custos.

frank zappa!
oldschool

The above, (sez the guy who’s website is named “oldskoolDAW”)? Shade or no?

What was the name of that movie where “The Karate Kid” goes up against Steve Vai? (Actually Vai vs. Ry Cooder playing.) “Crossroads” wasn't it? www.youtube.com/watch?v=bMAkr_Z74E8 And then there’s this “old school”: www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWBYjjzKvIw May want to check out www.zappasgear.com and maybe even have a look at the actual book before they’re all gone - POOF! Secrets and many-many various other electronica surprises inside.

Again, one of the primary premises here was that you don’t have to spend a bunch of money to get a sound and / or tone very similar to that of an original 1950’s Fender Tweed amp or a even a much bigger, more powerful and expensive modern amplifier. Recording techniques and even extension speaker cabs can provide more than some ever really imagine from these much older vintage portables*. (*not the same, but pretty darned close.)

Do I need a new Mac capable of running Catalina?
OR how well and more versatile is my good ol’ G4 running OS 9 at accomplishing nearly all that I really want to do?

 More to follow.

[Custos]

I've got a les Paul studio that looks identical. Best guitar I've owned. Worth every penny.

[FdB]

At first I chose to be buried with mine, until someone suggested
leaving it to them and being buried with a picture of it instead.
Those printed instructions are now inside the case.

[FdB]

Yet another tangent...

What began with the building of a simple primitive cabinet for a 12” speaker from a Fender Blues Jr. amp (after it had been replaced with a 12” Cannabis Rex)… that spawned building other cabs for various other speakers to test with all of the portables - because speaker G (above) had sounded so good pushed by a mere Dwarf. (It was also quite nice when used again with the Blues Jr. and a Fender SuperChamp X2 as an extension cab.) It’s a closed-back cabinet with ports - and specific details of its’ build can be found here: www.tdpri.com/threads/diy-walkin’-blues-speaker-cab.923252/#post-8896669 Most of the other cabs were also built in the same or a very similar manner.

I (eye) is a 10” speaker from a Fender SuperChamp X2 amp. The two small cabs (D & E) were an afterthought, thinking that maybe some speakers / cabs should have been smaller - to more closely match “portable” sizes. Besides, I couldn’t get the larger cabs under the freakin’ coffee table. The bigger cabs & speakers still sound absolutely great (just not so portable) whereas D & E became more “bench-test” mini-cabs for smaller speakers and portables when on the workbench. (D normally has a Visaton 5” BG 13P inside.)

A, B & C were “test” speakers from a Celestion Home Entertainment system and sound really good in their own right when paired with a portable (and they can sit on the coffee table). I really do prefer the sound of the larger cabs, paired with the portables. And really, all cabs here surprised the hell out of me with their sound when attached to portables. (D & E …not so much.)

I believe that I, J and F are Celestion 8” speakers (failing memory)… and again, part of the effort to provide a good sounding, lower cost speaker compared to the cost of an official Pignose or Dwarf replacement speaker (Pignose and Dwarf appear to have used very similar original speakers.) Thinking that if I could get a larger speaker at less cost into a cab of my own making, well… why not? Plenty of pine lumber and other materials around here. The 8” Celestions sound pretty damned good especially compared to the original 5” speakers in most of the portables AND the smaller cabs (F & J) do fit under the coffee table.

Z… well that’s not a test speaker. It’s a small portable amp (#20) that came in a bag from the Goodwill Store that I bought because there was also a patch cord with Switchcraft plugs in the same bag. $3.00! It’s named “Afterburner” on its nameplate so I simply couldn’t pass it up. It even has a “boost” switch that works! 9 volts and it has its own speaker-out 1/4” jack on the back. It’s perfect for testing Craigslist pedals, mics and / or guitars when meeting-up for any such possible deals.

Pictured here is the companion speaker cab that houses the Jensen MOD 5/30 that was built to look like an official Dwarf extension cab. Equally shared between a Dwarf or a Pignose, it’s a very good replacement speaker for either one. I didn’t want to commit it to either and I'm too tight to buy two. •There is a website that features a scientific approach and specific formulas for figuring appropriate cabinet dimensions for certain-sized speakers. I’ve checked it out a few times but figured… nah, where’s the fun in that! EDIT: www.diyaudioandvideo.com/Calculator/SpeakerBoxEnclosure/