Vortexion 807 and Octals - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

onewatt · 22nd Nov 2019, 11:08 pm

Hi All,

I'm wondering if someone can help.

I've searched previous posts and the net but not found a cct for this amp, and as Its having a major rebuild It would be nice to see what it started out as.
It's now hopefully going to be used with stringed instrument......previous owner used it as a backup for my local disco evenings in the 70's before it got loaned out and came back defunct. It's only been on the to do shelf 42 years

Oh dear, thats rather scary!

Is that something I should admit too?

Thank you Peoples

Chris

Stevie342000 · 22nd Nov 2019, 11:46 pm

It's a Vortexion Wimbledon Amplifier Wimbledon being the model type, it started out in or around 1944 using 6L6 which is a version of 807 but lower anode volts on former. Circa 1949 it changed to 807 and in or around 1954 it changed to EL34s or possibly later than '54. It was octal up to the point of the EL34s. It changed to EF86s, there is a schematic I am sure for the last version on here and pretty sure there is an 807 version floating about but I could be wrong.

Mine is in better shape than yours but again like yours it needs an overhaul.

onewatt · 22nd Nov 2019, 11:51 pm

Thanks steve,
I guess I would class mine as a barn find! It's about to be completely stripped and rebuilt, It'll be a miracle if the tx's are sound.
I'll have another search and see if anything materialises.
Chris

Stevie342000 · 23rd Nov 2019, 12:05 am

The mains transformer looks like it is need of help, there is a guy on here forget his name but it should be under services who may be able to rewind it for you. Pretty sure he is the creator or moderator of this forum.

trobbins · 23rd Nov 2019, 5:42 am

Vortrexion advertised in WW. (eg Dec 45, Sept 47, Aug 48, Jan 49, Dec 51).

Their 'Record reproducer" and 'Super Fifty' had a similar front fascia.

onewatt · 23rd Nov 2019, 7:59 am

Yes, your right. I’d just found an old thread showing similar. Hopefully there will be a cct around somewhere or original layout pic would be good. Failing that, if someone has the same Amp and can provide some pics, it would be most helpful.
Thanks
Chris

Diabolical Artificer · 23rd Nov 2019, 9:32 am

Blimey Chris it's seen better days, that'll take some elbow grease to restore it, the worse bit on stuff like this is often getting the screws, nuts and bolts off etc without damaging it further. Are going to sand blast the chassis?

Good luck with the restoration, I'll look forward to seeing it finished, Andy.

Ted Kendall · 23rd Nov 2019, 10:39 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stevie342000

The mains transformer looks like it is need of help, there is a guy on here forget his name but it should be under services who may be able to rewind it for you. Pretty sure he is the creator or moderator of this forum.

Ed Dinning?

ronbryan · 23rd Nov 2019, 12:07 pm

I have a photo of the underside of a Super 50 Watt Vortexion amplifier that might give you some clues. It has 2 x 807, two octal rectifiers and four octal valves for the earlier stages.

All other photos that I have accumulated have B9A valves in the pre-output stages, probably 3 x EF86 and 1 x ECC82.

Ron

onewatt · 23rd Nov 2019, 12:55 pm

Thanks Ron and others.

That helps to see the original layout.

As soon as I get the tx's out I'll let you know the bad news, or good!

That picture reminds me of something Eric Morcambe said when I compare it to mine!

The rebuild is a joint effort with an OT friend who used to use these for PA requirements when he worked for British Telecom.

I'll do the cleaning up and supply the hardware, but as he's retrired, he'll do most of the rebuild work.

Thanks again

Chris

onewatt · 23rd Nov 2019, 1:56 pm

Hi Andy,

Yes, going to sand blast the chassis.

The valve bases are riveted in, so all will be removed aswell as any other screws and fittings. It's fare to say there wont be much left of the original amp unfortunately. I'll use what valves that check out ok and use the tx's rewound if they need it (pretty sure they will). But as in a lot of cases it's a triggers broom scenareo or scrap it completely, and fortunately I dont need to do that. It has history!
The valve bases have seen alot of damp so they will have to go, and I'll attempt to remove unecessary chassis holes.
I had thought of upgrading it to use EL34's if the op/t needs work, but as its going to be used with a guitar I'll probably leave this as is, especially as I've just found this one lurking around that I thought I'd got rid of.

Stevie342000 · 23rd Nov 2019, 8:23 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ted Kendall

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stevie342000

The mains transformer looks like it is need of help, there is a guy on here forget his name but it should be under services who may be able to rewind it for you. Pretty sure he is the creator or moderator of this forum.

Ed Dinning?

*Indeed that would be the one, it was late and I could not remember his name.

Stevie342000 · 23rd Nov 2019, 8:24 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by ronbryan

I have a photo of the underside of a Super 50 Watt Vortexion amplifier that might give you some clues. It has 2 x 807, two octal rectifiers and four octal valves for the earlier stages.

All other photos that I have accumulated have B9A valves in the pre-output stages, probably 3 x EF86 and 1 x ECC82.

Ron

This one looks more like mine.

22nd Nov 2019, 11:08 pm	#1
onewatt Hexode Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Buntingford, Hertfordshire, UK. Posts: 362	Vortexion 807 and Octals Hi All, I'm wondering if someone can help. I've searched previous posts and the net but not found a cct for this amp, and as Its having a major rebuild It would be nice to see what it started out as. It's now hopefully going to be used with stringed instrument......previous owner used it as a backup for my local disco evenings in the 70's before it got loaned out and came back defunct. It's only been on the to do shelf 42 years Oh dear, thats rather scary! Is that something I should admit too? Thank you Peoples Chris Attached Thumbnails __________________ BVWS, VMARS, RSGB, DEHS, RAOTA Nothings too big or too heavy, otherwise it wouldn't be where it is!

22nd Nov 2019, 11:46 pm	#2
Stevie342000 Hexode Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Greater Manchester, UK. Posts: 373	Re: Vortexion 807 and Octals It's a Vortexion Wimbledon Amplifier Wimbledon being the model type, it started out in or around 1944 using 6L6 which is a version of 807 but lower anode volts on former. Circa 1949 it changed to 807 and in or around 1954 it changed to EL34s or possibly later than '54. It was octal up to the point of the EL34s. It changed to EF86s, there is a schematic I am sure for the last version on here and pretty sure there is an 807 version floating about but I could be wrong. Mine is in better shape than yours but again like yours it needs an overhaul.

22nd Nov 2019, 11:51 pm	#3
onewatt Hexode Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Buntingford, Hertfordshire, UK. Posts: 362	Re: Vortexion 807 and Octals Thanks steve, I guess I would class mine as a barn find! It's about to be completely stripped and rebuilt, It'll be a miracle if the tx's are sound. I'll have another search and see if anything materialises. Chris __________________ BVWS, VMARS, RSGB, DEHS, RAOTA Nothings too big or too heavy, otherwise it wouldn't be where it is!

23rd Nov 2019, 12:05 am	#4
Stevie342000 Hexode Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Greater Manchester, UK. Posts: 373	Re: Vortexion 807 and Octals The mains transformer looks like it is need of help, there is a guy on here forget his name but it should be under services who may be able to rewind it for you. Pretty sure he is the creator or moderator of this forum.

23rd Nov 2019, 5:42 am	#5
trobbins Heptode Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Melbourne Australia Posts: 901	Re: Vortexion 807 and Octals Vortrexion advertised in WW. (eg Dec 45, Sept 47, Aug 48, Jan 49, Dec 51). Their 'Record reproducer" and 'Super Fifty' had a similar front fascia.

23rd Nov 2019, 7:59 am	#6
onewatt Hexode Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Buntingford, Hertfordshire, UK. Posts: 362	Re: Vortexion 807 and Octals Yes, your right. I’d just found an old thread showing similar. Hopefully there will be a cct around somewhere or original layout pic would be good. Failing that, if someone has the same Amp and can provide some pics, it would be most helpful. Thanks Chris __________________ BVWS, VMARS, RSGB, DEHS, RAOTA Nothings too big or too heavy, otherwise it wouldn't be where it is!

23rd Nov 2019, 9:32 am	#7
Diabolical Artificer Dekatron Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Sleaford, Lincs. UK. Posts: 7,657	Re: Vortexion 807 and Octals Blimey Chris it's seen better days, that'll take some elbow grease to restore it, the worse bit on stuff like this is often getting the screws, nuts and bolts off etc without damaging it further. Are going to sand blast the chassis? Good luck with the restoration, I'll look forward to seeing it finished, Andy. __________________ Curiosity hasn't killed this cat...so far.

23rd Nov 2019, 12:07 pm	#9
ronbryan Octode Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Guildford, Surrey, UK. Posts: 1,959	Re: Vortexion 807 and Octals I have a photo of the underside of a Super 50 Watt Vortexion amplifier that might give you some clues. It has 2 x 807, two octal rectifiers and four octal valves for the earlier stages. All other photos that I have accumulated have B9A valves in the pre-output stages, probably 3 x EF86 and 1 x ECC82. Ron Attached Thumbnails

23rd Nov 2019, 12:55 pm	#10
onewatt Hexode Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Buntingford, Hertfordshire, UK. Posts: 362	Re: Vortexion 807 and Octals Thanks Ron and others. That helps to see the original layout. As soon as I get the tx's out I'll let you know the bad news, or good! That picture reminds me of something Eric Morcambe said when I compare it to mine! The rebuild is a joint effort with an OT friend who used to use these for PA requirements when he worked for British Telecom. I'll do the cleaning up and supply the hardware, but as he's retrired, he'll do most of the rebuild work. Thanks again Chris __________________ BVWS, VMARS, RSGB, DEHS, RAOTA Nothings too big or too heavy, otherwise it wouldn't be where it is!

23rd Nov 2019, 1:56 pm	#11
onewatt Hexode Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Buntingford, Hertfordshire, UK. Posts: 362	Re: Vortexion 807 and Octals Hi Andy, Yes, going to sand blast the chassis. The valve bases are riveted in, so all will be removed aswell as any other screws and fittings. It's fare to say there wont be much left of the original amp unfortunately. I'll use what valves that check out ok and use the tx's rewound if they need it (pretty sure they will). But as in a lot of cases it's a triggers broom scenareo or scrap it completely, and fortunately I dont need to do that. It has history! The valve bases have seen alot of damp so they will have to go, and I'll attempt to remove unecessary chassis holes. I had thought of upgrading it to use EL34's if the op/t needs work, but as its going to be used with a guitar I'll probably leave this as is, especially as I've just found this one lurking around that I thought I'd got rid of. Attached Thumbnails __________________ BVWS, VMARS, RSGB, DEHS, RAOTA Nothings too big or too heavy, otherwise it wouldn't be where it is!