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Base theme by DesignModo & ported to Powered by Vanilla by Chris Ireland, modified by the "theFB" team.
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Today was the grand kit un-packing day!
Ready for action ...
Bits unpacked and sorted
And contents all present and correct (which is always a good start).
I ended up double-checking all the resistors before noticing that the little slip of paper that told me there was a minor spec change in a couple of the components. D'oh.
Still, the multi-meter has had a good workout today.
So, basically, half way there now ...
- Mrs TT encourages the kit-building thing, but isn't quite so supportive of amp buying. So here's a way of getting a new amp into the house!
- I've built some pedals which have - largely - worked, so now know the difference between the main components and am reasonably happy soldering stuff. The last kit included a surface-mounted chip which was challenging, but done. There's nothing anything like as delicate in the amp build.
- The construction guide is quality. I read through that a couple of times before placing the order with AmpMaker. The guide looks to be pretty comprehensive, is clearly laid out with plenty of diagrams. I reckon I can follow that!
Time will tell.of a copy of Aspen Pitmans Tube Amp book. If uou can get past the Grooves Tubes sales pitch ( which isnt too bad tbh ) the rest of the book is an absolute goodmine of classic amp circuits and Layouts ( especially classic Fenders )
i built my first few amps simply by following the Fender layouts in that book
i really miss the Fender ProAmp circuit I built from the book - it was one of the best amps I have owned, period.
Looking forward to seeing the progress.
Just don't die - I got just one jolt from mine, ironically when almost finished and installing valves. Not pleasant and that was just through my thumb...! I recall a great mind once said "Electricity is ouchy if you get it up you" - wise words...!
use thisnto drain the power capacitors in the filter supply ever time you have had the amp powered up and you next work on it. Power supply caps can hold a very powerful charge for a long time
Whatever you do dont work inside a live amp with a guitar that your holding plugged into it - I would never do that myself (ahem….)
i always measure the residual voltage on the B+ and make sure its super low/gone before doung any work on the amp.
https://youtu.be/_ATLTizLbDU
At least, I *hope* it's steady (I'm definitely taking my time).
First stage, the main chassis bits, is done.
I would have saved myself a bit of time if I'd taken the protective cover OFF the chassis before I screwed all the screws in place, but I thought I'd leave it on to protect against damage, scratches, etc. That valve seat on the left was the only real awkward bit.
So with that moved aside, on to the first turret board ..
The only soldering done so far is the bare wire that connects the top 5 and bottom 3 turrets. Everything else is just placed into position (with legs cut to size apart from the couple of diodes towards the RHS (which are deliberately *not* in the turret holes).
Thought I'd do that rather than start soldering and then realise that something didn't fit, or I'd put a resistor between the wrong turrets, or put a capacitor in the wrong way round.
All resistors checked in the DMM (again) before placing in position and all capacitors deliberately placed so that the polarity is clear to see.
Would any of the more experienced amp builders do anything differently?
Start them this week, finish them next week.
But 5 ???
Some of the wires could probably be cut shorter, but I'm wary of finding out that I've soldered them incorrectly and need to move them later, and then find that they're too short.
Also, I need to get better at soldering left-handed. There's not quite as much access to some of the solder-spots as it appears from the photo!
All good practice and learning for next time ....
A couple more bits of soldering to do, then I can test the power stage of the build.
And I think we can say that the Power Stage test is successfully passed.
Capacitors discharged correctly within a minute of power-off too.
Stick the valves in, switch on, and they glow a comforting dim amber
So far, so good ...
Got the main turret board to put together next, then wiring all the front panel controls in. It takes a while, but then I'm definitely not rushing anything (no need to) and checking everything a few times before cutting/soldering anything in place.
Next stage is to wire the valve sockets and front controls into the boards. That's going to be a lot of wire cutting, tinning and soldering!
I'm deliberately stopping myself from rushing ahead to get it all done, and taking it slowly and checking everything as I go.
But, into place they all went eventually.
I then ticked off every single connection against the diagram in the build guide ... and found one wire that I'd completely missed. So, it was worth checking.
Wire added, and it was time to run through all the tests.
I admit to feeling a little nervous, poking around inside a switched on valve amp with my multimeter probes, but I seem to have avoided any nasty accidents.
And also seem to have soldered everything in the right place. All results, I believe, within acceptable tolerances.
And so .... let's switch the damn thing ON
Yup, it works.