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[kats]

I was planning on building a couple of Pultec type EQs using Brian Sowter's eqp1a style pultec xformers, but to do it right will cost close to $1500/unit. So I started thinking that for an extra $700 I can get a Retro 2A3 2 channel EQ and save myself a lot of time. The thing is I like the sound of Retro's line amps/circuits (IE it's known quantity to me) and am basically wondering if anyone had experience with the Sowter xformers and how they fair sound wise as the only way for me to find out is to do a build!

[compasspnt]

IMO there are three Pultec choices:

1. Get the currently made Pultec! Dave Collins and Steve Jackson, need anyone say more?

2. Get the EAR 822Q.  Tim DeParavicini, need anyone else say more?

3. Get a used vintage Pultec and be prepared to fix it.

4. Build one yourself...

[ssltech]

compasspnt wrote on Mon, 06 December 2010 18:45

IMO there are three Pultec choices: 1. Get the currently made Pultec! Dave Collins and Steve Jackson, need anyone say more? 2. Get the EAR 822Q.  Tim DeParavicini, need anyone else say more? 3. Get a used vintage Pultec and be prepared to fix it. 4. Build one yourself...

Quote:

Nobody expects the Spanish inquisition!!! Our chief weapon is surprise...surprise and fear...fear and surprise.... Our two weapons are fear and surprise...and ruthless efficiency.... Our *three* weapons are fear, surprise, and ruthless efficiency...and an almost fanatical devotion to the Pope.... Our *four*...no... *Amongst* our weapons....

Seriously though... with DIY gear, you may want to consider that resale is an iffy proposition if you decide it's not quite 'the sound' that you were hoping for.

Commercially produced versions are a more predictable quantiy when it comes to resale. -If your front panel metalwork ninja skills are weak, then you'll find that people turn their noses up at even excellent sounding gear, if it was home-made.

Just another thing to consider.

Keith

[Gold]

On the DIY forums most of the time "Pultec" means passive EQ with makeup gain. By that definition a Neumann PEV is a Pultec. Many don't even have an interstage transformer. If you really want a Pultec get one. If "passive EQ with makeup gain" is close enough then DIY is a good option.

[ssltech]

I thought what Paul mentioned, but since Brian Sowter's transformers were mentioned, I assumed that the 'proper' Pultec circuit was taken as a given...

-Though that may of course have been an excessive assumption on my part, I don't know.

Keith

[kats]

No no, of course I would build it properly. I'm just wondering if the Sowter's themselves are up to the task.  I mention the Retro only because it is close in price and I like the sound of their gear. I should be clear though, I don't have my heart set on exact Pultec clone, it's not about that. I sold a Chandler curve bender that I used on the mix bus because, although I thought the bottom end was fantastic,I found the top end way too aggressive for it to be very flexible and basically only used it for bottom. So I figured something like a Pultec would be more useful.

[MagnetoSound]

Just out of interest, anyone know what transformers are in the Retro?

[radardoug]

I've been using Sowter transformers for 40 years, they are good, and a good company to deal with. They know their transformers, and produce good copies, and also many of their own designs.
By the way, I'm not affiliated with them in any way. I just like to give them their due.

[rphilbeck]

You've obviously got the ability, so DIY and take pride in knowing you've got a piece in your rack that you built yourself.  Just like the old schoolers!  have you seen the Drip Pultec kit?  let us know what you end up doing.

[RMoore]

Nice!

http://www.pulsetechniques.com/about.html