TWILIGHT WARRIOR PREAMP

(based on Peavey 5150 Preamp Section)

1. Project description

There is no guitarist who would not have heard of Peavey 5150 amplifier (later 6505). Indeed, this
amplifier needs no introduction, because over the years of its existence it has managed to become an
"icon" of metal sound for many players.
Eddie Van Halen was directly involved in the development of the 5150 amplifier, who has always
had deep technical knowledge and often modified his equipment with his own hands. Peavey's
engineers, based on Eddie's suggestions and wishes, created an amp with plenty of headroom and a
very personal distortion structure. When Eddie's contract with the firm expired in 2004, the name of the
amplifier was changed to 6505 with unchanged characteristics. This model turned out to be so
successful that guitarists in metal bands have consistently preferred it for several generations. There are
many examples: Sepultura, Soulfly, Trivium, Asking Alexandria, Suffocation, Dimmu Borgir, Mayhem,
Behemoth, Bullet for my Valentine, Amon Amarth and many others.
The project of the preamplifier (preamp) brought to your attention is made according to the scheme
of the preamp section of the tube guitar head Peavey 5150.
The preamp has two channels: Rhythm (clean and crunch) and Lead (high gain). Each channel
has separate gain and volume controls. A three-band tone stack is common to both channels. Switching
channels, as well as modes of the Rhythm channel, is carried out using the foot switches. The device is
made on three vacuum tubes of the type 12AX7 / ECC83 or 6Н2П-ЕВ. Switching the heater for the type
of tubes used is carried out using a jumper on the main PCB.
By changing the values of several radio elements, the sound of the Lead channel can be changed
towards the 6505+ model (see p. 9).
The preamp PCB kit is designed for installation in a Hammond 1590DD case. Thus, structurally,
the device is made in the format of a compact “floor device”, which will undoubtedly take its rightful place
in your pedalboard.
The device is powered by an external power supply, which provides a heater (it is also used to
power the switching circuits) and anode voltage.

2. Controls

- potentiometer RHYTHM GAIN – Rhythm Channel gain control

- potentiometer LEAD GAIN – Lead Channel gain control
- potentiometer BASS – low frequency control
- potentiometer MIDDLE – midrange frequency control
- potentiometer TREBLE – high frequency control
- potentiometer RHYTHM VOLUME – Rhythm Channel volume control
- potentiometer LEAD VOLUME – Lead Channel volume control
- toggle switch BRIGHT – Rhythm Channel high frequency boost
- foot switch CLEAN/CRUNCH – Rhythm Channel mode
- foot switch RHYTHM/LEAD – channel select
 3. Schematics

4. Part list

Metal film resistors 1/2W (0.6W)

68* - 1 pcs 1k8 - 4 pcs
2k2 - 2 pcs 5k1 - 1 pcs
10k - 2 pcs 22k - 1 pcs
39k - 2 pcs 47k - 5 pcs
51k – 2 pcs 68k - 1 pcs
100k - 2 pcs 220k - 3 pcs
330k - 1 pcs 470k - 4 pcs
1M - 11 pcs 2M2 - 2 pcs
3M3 - 2 pcs 10M - 1 pcs
Metal film resistors 1W
100k - 3 pcs 220k - 3 pcs
Metal oxide film resistors 2W
4k7 - 1 pcs 10k - 2 pcs
Potentiometer RV16LN(PH)-15KQ-B50k - 1 pcs
Potentiometer RV16LN(PH)-15KQ-B250k - 1 pcs
Potentiometer RV16LN(PH)-15KQ-A1M - 5 pcs
Electrolytic capacitors
22u 16V 85° - 3 pcs 22u 400V 105° d13 h25 - 3 pcs
47u 400V 105° d16 h25 - 1 pcs 4700u 16V 105° d13 h25 - 2 pcs
Ceramic disk capacitors
39p 50V - 1 pcs 150p 1kV - 1 pcs
220p 1kV - 1 pcs 560p 1kV - 1 pcs
470p 1kV - 2 pcs 1000p 1kV - 1 pcs
Monolithic ceramic capacitors X7R
100n 50V - 1 pcs 1u 50V - 1 pcs
Polyester film capacitors (MKT, MKS)
1n 63V (R=5mm) - 1 pcs 2n2 63V (R=5mm) - 1 pcs
10n 63V (R=5mm) - 1 pcs 22n 63V (R=5mm) - 3 pcs
22n 400V (R=7,5mm (10mm)) - 6 pcs 100n 63V (R=5mm) - 2 pcs
1u 100V (R=5mm) - 4 pcs
Transistor LND150 - 1 pcs Transistor BC550 - 1 pcs
Transistor J177 - 1 pcs Diode UF4007 - 4 pcs
Diode 1N4148 - 8 pcs Bridge rectifier RS407 - 1 pcs
LED 5mm red - 2 pcs
DPDT foot pedal switch (on-on, latching, solder lugs) - 2 pcs
Toggle switch SMTS-102 - 1 pcs Power switch - 1 pcs
Relay JRC19F-2C-5VDC (HJR1-2C-L-05VDC, HLS-4078-DC5V, HDF27/005-S) - 4 pcs
6.35mm 1/4" stereo insulated switched socket jack PCB (NMJ6HCD2) - 2 pcs
Fuse holder - 1 pcs Fuse 0,1 А - 1 pcs
Connector XLR mini M12 4-pin - 1 set Tube socket GZS9-Y - 3 pcs
Connector PLS-40R (DS1022-1x40R) - 1 pcs Connector PLS-20 (DS1021-1x20) - 1 pcs
Jumper (R=2.54mm) - 1 pcs Vacuum tube 12AX7/ECC83 (or 6Н2П-ЕВ) - 3 pcs
Power transformer** - 1 pcs Potentiometer knobs - 7 pcs
Aluminium enclosure Hammond 1590DD - 1 pcs Rubber feet for cases rf-1002 - 4 pcs
Power supply enclosure - 1 pcs Power cable – 1 pcs
4 Core Power Cable, 0.5mm² - 1 – 2 м
* if necessary, select the value of the resistor in such a way as to ensure reliable operation of relay K1
when the CRUNCH mode is turned on and sufficient brightness of the CRUNCH LED
** secoundary: 280V 15mA; 6.3V 1.5A

5. Elements placement on PCBs

5.1 Potentiometers PCB

5.2 Main PCB

 5.3 Assembled PCBs

5.4 PSU PCB

6. Wiew of assembled PCBs

6.1 Potentiometers PCB

 6.2 Main PCB

6.3 Assembled PCBs

7. Preamp Layout
 8. PSU Layout

9. 6505+ Mod

To change the sound of the Lead channel towards the 6505+ model, it nessesary:
- resistor R8 – none
- capatitor C5 – 470p 100V (polyester film capatitor)
- resistor R41 – 33k 1/2W (0,6W) MF

10. Preamp work checking

Attention! The device has a high voltage source! All inspection must be carried out in
compliance with electrical safety regulations!

1. Checking the power supply (PSU)

1.1. Connect the multimeter, switched on in the DC voltage measurement mode (range 10 V), to
pins 3 and 4 of the power connector (positive probe to pin 4).
1.2. Connect the PSU to AC 220 (230) V.
1.3. Turn on PSU.
1.4. Measure the DC voltage with a multimeter. The measured voltage value should be
approximately 7.8V.
1.5. Turn off PSU.
1.6. Connect the multimeter, switched on in the DC voltage measurement mode (range 1000 V),
to pins 1 and 2 of the power connector (positive probe to pin 1). At the same time, it is strictly forbidden
to touch the uninsulated surfaces of the probes or the contacts of the power connector with your hands.
1.7. Turn on PSU.
1.8. Measure the DC voltage with a multimeter. The measured voltage value should be
approximately 380V.
1.9. Turn off the PSU, disconnect it from the mains.

2. Checking the preamp PCB

2.1. An initial check should be performed before installing the assembled PCBs in the
enclosure. The CLEAN / CRUNCH, RHYTHM / LEAD switches and the BRIGHT toggle switch at this
stage can not be connected to main PCB. Connect the PCB contacts "+Ua", "-Ua", "+Uh", "-Uh" to the
corresponding contacts of the XLR connector.
2.2. Set the jumper on the main PCB to the connector pins in accordance with the type of tubes
used (see the designations on the main preamp PCB). If it is not planned to change the type of tubes
(from 12AX7 / ECC83 to 6N2P-EV or vice versa) during operation, a jumper can be soldered instead of
the connector.
2.3. Install the tubes in the tube sockets.
2.4. Connect the PSU to the preamp. Turn on the PSU, after connecting it to the mains.
2.5. Verify visually that the lamps glow. Using a multimeter switched on in the DC voltage
measurement mode (range 10V), measure the voltage between the contacts "+ Uh", "- Uh" on the main
PCB. The measured voltage value must be between 6.0 and 6.6V.
 2.6. Using a multimeter switched on in the DC voltage measurement mode (range 1000V),
measure the voltage between the contacts "+ Ua", "- Ua" on the main PCB. The measured voltage value
should be around 350V.
2.7. Use tweezers to close the contacts "CRUNCH SW." on the main PCB. In this case, relay
K1 should work (an audible click) and the “CRUNCH” LED should light up.
2.8. Use tweezers to close the contacts "LEAD SW." on the main PCB. In this case, the relays
K2, K3, K4 should work and the LEAD LED should light up.

This completes the preliminary working check. Next, you should install the assembly in the
prepared case, perform the final installation in accordance with the wiring diagram (see p. 7) and carry
out the final check of the operation of the preamplifier with your equipment and guitar.

11. Drilling template

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