Hand Wiring vs vs. Eyelet/Turret Boards vs Circuit Boards Amps

Hand wiring or circuit boards. Does it matter to your purchase?

  • I prefer point to pont amps, and would not buy anything else

  • I prefer circuit board amps, and would not buy anything else

  • I prefer turrent/eyelet board amps, and would not buy anything else

  • If it sounds good and is reliable, I will buy it

  • I will buy point to point or turret/eyelet board amps, but not circuit board amps

  • I will buy circuit board amps, but not point to point or turret/eyelet board amps

Results are only viewable after voting.
RVA

RVA

Ambassador
There are many knowledgeable people here who can construct or re-construct their amps to the desired specs. Then there are those who buy on sound and features and look inside later, if ever, when something needs fixing. I fall into the later category, and was wondering what influences everyone's purchasing decisions when buying an amp.

For purposes of the poll, please assume it is appropriately priced for what you are getting and that you are able to afford it.
 
Personally. I have nothing against circuit boards. PCBs are gonna help keep the labor and component price at a more reasonable level. Hopefully letting purchase price be lower than say a point to point construction. From a repair standpoint. PCBs are nicer. Pull board. Install new board. Easy peasy

That said. I like to tinker. Don’t care if it’s a car. A guitar. Or an amp. Point to point let’s you do that.

But from a sound stand point. Would have to have amps side by side to do an A B trial. Betting there wouldn’t be a huge difference. Although. Real caps and resistors with the inconsistency of their values...... hmmmmm. ????

Isn’t this a fun hobby?
 
I have a good mix of turret boards, pc boards, tag boards, and hand wired. The choice of getting my 1973 JMP over a pre '72 was the difference of at least $1500.00(probably more), and it sounds great. May be worth less to a collector, but I do like to play all of them out occasionally.
 
I've owned all types over the last 40 years. The most reliable, consistent-sounding amps I have owned have all been PCB-based. I would buy a PTP or turret-board (turret have been the least reliable and consistent in my experience) if the amp and price was right but all other things being equal I prefer a properly designed and built PCB.
 
3 of my 8 amps are PCB based: A Rivera Quiana, a Fryette Memphis, and a Yamaha THR10... all reliable and solid. The other 5 amps are all handwired by me, and all are reliable and solid also. I prefer handwired amps mainly because I like to build them or mod them as a hobby.
 
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I'm actually thinking about buying a Granger printed circuit board for a future build. They have recreated the Marshall ST-1 and beefed it up for the 2203/2204 amps. Very reasonable as well.
grangeramp.com

JMP/2203/2204 ST1 Circuit Board - Green - Granger Amplification

Our ST1 circuit board was originally created to replace damaged or non-repairable ST1 boards. Same layout, and is double-sided with through-hole plating.
grangeramp.com grangeramp.com
 
I should note I voted for I will buy anything if it sounds good. That being said; Marshall has had some really shitty circuit boards at times. The JCM 900s are hard to work on (very delicate) and the JCM 2000s like to leak between traces. Otherwise, I find soldering on circuit boards as easy as turret boards. I've totally hacked up the circuits on the two 900s I have and really like the results. I haven't used anything else much since I finished my 800 clone. I just love the tone.
 
I --- went "SOUNDS GOOD WORKS WELL ILL BUY IT"

frankly I dont go monkey dicking around under the hood of amps -- as a general rule they WORK BETTER The less times I do ;)

If it works and sounds good --- I dont care how it does it-- I have SS hybrid and all tube amps spanning several decades of Mfct date---- I typically BUY and amp FOR that amps tone --- except the modelers I buy them for AALL THE TONES
 
I can't leave anything alone. All of my guitars have been modified in some way. I guess I have only retubed and biased my TSL100. And I haven't modified any of my pedals yet. So I have that going for me.
 
Im lazy as a general rule--- also running an animal rescue/shelter/zoo--- takes a bit of time so .......if it works it doesnt get much dicking with --- if it sounds like ass or was purchased LOW $$$ due to issues----then I will find time--

EARLY this morning while the critters slept I shielded the cavity on the Firebird............so Im not totally useless......Im pacing myself ;)

plus most all taht under hood amp stuff requires that evelest of evils----------------------soldering-- Id rather kick Hulk Hogan in the Testicles than solder---
Id rather bath ALL 10 dogs --- than solder----
Id rather mow my yard--- and fix a chicken coup (did all that today as well-- in 86 degree heat ;) ;) ) than SOLDER
Id rather wash the bed of my truck with clorox to remove ALL MILDEW-- and dirt--- in prep for PAINTING tomorrow........(again did that today) ...........than SOlder

I think you get the picture
 
My favorite wiring is point to point or eyelet/turret board, but... with that said if it's a good amp based on circuit boards I'm ok with it, even though it's not my preferred method.
 
eSGEe said:
Id rather wash the bed of my truck with clorox to remove ALL MILDEW-- and dirt--- in prep for PAINTING tomorrow........(again did that today) ...........than SOlder

I think you get the picture
Click to expand...
Where'd you get the clorox? Do you have disinfecting wipes? Toilet paper?
 
A well designed piece of equipment is a well designed piece of equipment & a poorly designed piece of equipment is a poorly designed piece of equipment. This applies to printed circuit boards & eyelet or turret boards just like anything else. There is absolutely nothing wrong with a good printed circuit board equipped amp. The only difference is that a printed circuit board makes manufacter easier & more efficient while on the other hand, eyelet or turret board type construction makes service/repairs easier. Cheers
Oh, I didn't vote as there isn't a choice that suits the above opinion. Cheers
Edit:
Damn this "predictive text" feature, I always notice typos & have to go back & edit posts. I suppose I should preview before posting. Cheers
 
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Cadorman,
I would tell you but then........................................................
;)
 
Only problem I've had with circuit boards is when a resistor vaporizes and takes part of the board along with it.
Some of the thin two sided boards don't take kindly to this.
But I'm firmly in the "If it sounds good" camp.
 
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