Amp tips, repairs, Head and cabinet building etc advice.

all i know how to do to a amp is turn it on .well i can swap out tubes or change speakers but im clueless on the electronic workings of a amp and im no hurry to electrocute myself lol.but ya good post Chilli
 
In light of this thread, and JohnnyGoo's honesty, I present you with this video and link that everyone should know if they are even contemplating opening up a tube amp:


http://billmaudio.com/wp/?page_id=1150

Another method I use to ensure that the caps don't recharge themselves while I work in the amp is to keep a wire with insulated alligator clips attach at one end to GROUND... this can be anywhere on the chassis the clip can secure to... and the other end of the wire is attached to anywhere in between Pin 1 and it's plate resistor of the first preamp tube (V1). Make sure this connection is removed before the amp is powered on again.

Also, like the video and tutorial states, leave the amps Standby switch on OFF.
 
Last edited:
Oh yeah...

If you do any work or probing while the amp is powered on, please practice the "One Hand" rule. Don't use one hand in probing the live amp while using the other hand, for support, resting on the chassis. This is a good way for an accidenal zap of electricity to shoot right thru your heart. If you have to support the "off" hand, rest it on your lap, or stick it in your pocket and play some "pocket pool".... unless you're naked of coarse.
 
I believe I posted a good video about what Sysco mentioned. Also a simple chop stick made of wood is your friend as it is nonconductive.
Never use anything metal to probe either.

 
Last edited:
The link in your first post is very useful Chilipepermaniac. Not many people would have access to a Megger Meter to ascertain internal shorts. R G Keen puts so much useful info out but I hadn't heard of this before. Thanks for the link. Cheers
 
Cheers Chili. While I'm here, anyone of you amp builders looking for split top turrets like those found in early Marshalls & Hiwatts, like thisWP_20170101_004.jpg (sorry for the crappy phone pic), you can get them from Watts Tube Audio at www.tubeamplifierparts.com or for better quality silver plated ones with a knurled base www.hificollective.co.uk. I just thought I'd post the links as the plain turrets seem easy to find but the split top kind, which I find so much better to use, aren't so easy to find. Cheers
 
Last edited:
It is very blurry Ivan. I am not sure what it is they do.

Clarify how one of these is used please. Are these what connects the board to chassis?

Also, I am goin to post some videos about building a few amps I am fond of.

bassman here. I will try and put a better order to them in subsequent posts.

 
Last edited:
Video 1. I won't post all vids he posts to do the Bassman as I found he has a ton of vids to build Vox AC30, to Blues Deluxes to AC100 to others. check out his page to see them all.

 
Thanks for your input, 67.
I have a Peavey Envoy and a Fender Princeton Chorus Solid State amps.

What happened to the ones you had as to why you had em ( in for service?)
 
No problem. The turrets shown in the last 2 pics are the plain, commonly available type (without split top). I did manage to get a better pic of the split top type I was trying to show earlierC__Data_Users_DefApps_AppData_INTERNETEXPLORER_Temp_Saved Images_244076912.jpg
Cheers
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top