Aaaaannd it's on... (amp build)

[Red_Label]

Re: Aaaaannd it's on... (amp build)

For anyone wanting to get started in building/modding amps. Please read this thread thoroughly.

http://www.weberorders.com/forum/index.php?topic=944.0

Please! Safety first.

I know this is Surgeon's thread, and it's about his amp. And I know we are all excited about building amps. But with 450vdc in this amp it is the only one that scares me work in. I've been hit with 36vdc and that burnt like a motherfu@ker. My arm went numb, I couldn't move my hand for an hour.

Please take these precautions into consideration.

Great post!!!

I'm always nervous when fiddling around with my tube amps. I've shorted circuits out while under the hood of my car before, so there's proof that sometimes I get in a hurry and am not as careful as I can be. Anyways... I usually try to use rubber-handled tools when working on things that have charges, and/or sometimes I don heavy rubber gloves if there's any doubt (and of course, I always make sure that the device isn't plugged-in!).

 

[misterwhizzy]

Re: Aaaaannd it's on... (amp build)

This is my favorite type of thread. Keep up the great work, and keep the pictures coming!

Will you include an effects loop, and what power tubes are you planning on using? If I were in your shoes, I'd make sure the grid resistors were beefy enough to handle EL34s, because that would leave me the option of 6L6s, but I don't know what your plans are.

 

[Surgeon]

Re: Aaaaannd it's on... (amp build)

For anyone wanting to get started in building/modding amps. Please read this thread thoroughly.

http://www.weberorders.com/forum/index.php?topic=944.0

Please! Safety first.

I know this is Surgeon's thread, and it's about his amp. And I know we are all excited about building amps. But with 450vdc in this amp it is the only one that scares me work in. I've been hit with 36vdc and that burnt like a motherfu@ker. My arm went numb, I couldn't move my hand for an hour.

Please take these precautions into consideration.

Nice post Chuck. However, if you think I'm diving in this without having acquired all the knowledge I could gather regarding safety, you really don't know me (which you don't so it's all good...)

This is my favorite type of thread. Keep up the great work, and keep the pictures coming!

Will you include an effects loop, and what power tubes are you planning on using? If I were in your shoes, I'd make sure the grid resistors were beefy enough to handle EL34s, because that would leave me the option of 6L6s, but I don't know what your plans are.

It's all el34s. I have no intention for now to use anything else. Resistors can be changed easily if I ever change my mind though.

 

[TwilightOdyssey]

Re: Aaaaannd it's on... (amp build)

That is looking really great! I have no desire to build my own amp, I simply don't have the time or skill set required.
Looking forward to seeing/hearing the finished product!!

 

[VanDerchuck]

Re: Aaaaannd it's on... (amp build)

Nice post Chuck. However, if you think I'm diving in this without having acquired all the knowledge I could gather regarding safety, you really don't know me (which you don't so it's all good...)

Nah... It's for everyone. When a thread starts about a new build everyone gets excited. One of the things that gets overlooked is safety. I think everyone should read through that safety thread, even with years of experience. When someone fires up their first amp they will know what I'm talking about. It's exciting, but I still use a twenty foot extension cord with a switch and film every start up in case something goes kaboom. And at some point it will. I just want video of my basement filling up with smoke and me grabbing a fire extinguisher and my kids running for their live and all that goes with it.

 

[zzmoore]

Re: Aaaaannd it's on... (amp build)

:flowers1:

Nah... It's for everyone. When a thread starts about a new build everyone gets excited. One of the things that gets overlooked is safety. I think everyone should read through that safety thread, even with years of experience. When someone fires up their first amp they will know what I'm talking about. It's exciting, but I still use a twenty foot extension cord with a switch and film every start up in case something goes kaboom. And at some point it will. I just want video of my basement filling up with smoke and me grabbing a fire extinguisher and my kids running for their live and all that goes with it.

Think of the press you would get from Youtube....!!!
You and the family might get your own "reality" show from that.

The good thing about being electrocuted is...You can only do it once.
Take Care Everybody

 

[zzmoore]

Re: Aaaaannd it's on... (amp build)

Again, you can get better parts elsewhere but I'll bet that the tone/price ratio is still amazing compared to other pricier kits... just my opinion of course.

They carry many of the same parts you would see in a Two Rock, Dr Z, Carol-Ann.....
1 watt cf resistors
150 Mallory caps
Sozo caps (if you believe in that sort of thing)
Cloth or PVC wire
etc etc
I think (as you imply) you would have to spend A LOT more money to get some sort of advantage from parts/building layout.
Anyway...best of.......

 

[Gone_Shootin]

Re: Aaaaannd it's on... (amp build)

Nah... It's for everyone. When a thread starts about a new build everyone gets excited. One of the things that gets overlooked is safety. I think everyone should read through that safety thread, even with years of experience. When someone fires up their first amp they will know what I'm talking about. It's exciting, but I still use a twenty foot extension cord with a switch and film every start up in case something goes kaboom. And at some point it will. I just want video of my basement filling up with smoke and me grabbing a fire extinguisher and my kids running for their live and all that goes with it.

I think we guitarists get excited about amp builds because it's like the first time you watch porn, it's fascinating and you want to do it too. :32:

 

[Surgeon]

Re: Aaaaannd it's on... (amp build)

They carry many of the same parts you would see in a Two Rock, Dr Z, Carol-Ann.....
1 watt cf resistors
150 Mallory caps
Sozo caps (if you believe in that sort of thing)
Cloth or PVC wire
etc etc
I think (as you imply) you would have to spend A LOT more money to get some sort of advantage from parts/building layout.
Anyway...best of.......

I know, however the standard kits judt come with standard components... as I said, upgrading is always an option, they have pretty cool trannies too.

 

[Surgeon]

Re: Aaaaannd it's on... (amp build)

I just finished the heater filaments. I believe it will most likely have been my least favorite part of the build...pic tomorrow when the lighting is better.

 

[crusty philtrum]

Re: Aaaaannd it's on... (amp build)

I always have to psyche myself up for the first switch-on due to the 50% possibility of the output transformer primaries being the wrong way around and causing positive feedback instead of negative feedback, meaning the amp simply howls when you turn it on. Always a bit of a heart-stopping moment. The trick is not to trim the primary o/p transformer leads to the power tube plates to length in case you need to reverse them to correct the phase issue.

 

[Surgeon]

Re: Aaaaannd it's on... (amp build)

I always have to psyche myself up for the first switch-on due to the 50% possibility of the output transformer primaries being the wrong way around and causing positive feedback instead of negative feedback, meaning the amp simply howls when you turn it on. Always a bit of a heart-stopping moment. The trick is not to trim the primary o/p transformer leads to the power tube plates to length in case you need to reverse them to correct the phase issue.

Yeah, I expect that the first power-up will be quite adrenalin-filled... from what I read there's not really a simple way to check for the right connections of these primaries... too bad but at the same time it's not a big deal to switch them up afterwards.

 

[Surgeon]

Re: Aaaaannd it's on... (amp build)

And here's a pic with the heater filaments wired... I'm starting to understand why folks dislike working with the push-back cloth wire weber provides... it really makes it a bit more annoying and longer.

 

[Surgeon]

Re: Aaaaannd it's on... (amp build)

Did a lot of wiring tonight (some star-power ground and others)... I feel like I did well.
Also got a little thrill as I tested my filament wiring. Was really cool to see all my tubes light up for a few seconds that early in the build.

Pics 2morrow.

 

[CTN]

Re: Aaaaannd it's on... (amp build)

shweet.

what's so bad about weber's push back wire?

 

[Surgeon]

Re: Aaaaannd it's on... (amp build)

shweet.

what's so bad about weber's push back wire?

It's a pita to strip...

 

[CTN]

Re: Aaaaannd it's on... (amp build)

strip? but it's push-back.

I dunno, i've never wired up an amp from scratch, but I love using push-back for guitars. Measure it from component to component, cut it. push the insulation back to expose a section of tinned conductor, solder it, then pull the insulation back snug up to the solder joint. I've never needed to strip insulation from push-back wire. :\

waaaaaaaay easier than working with plastic insulated wire

 

[zzmoore]

Re: Aaaaannd it's on... (amp build)

Yeah...something is not right if you are Having to strip "Push-Back" wire.
I have worked with wire from (I believe) Weber...that had a push-back cloth cover, but also had a plastic insulation under that. It worked much better if you pulled back the cloth...and Then Stripped the insulation. It WAS a PIA, but it did seem to be good wire...just, kind of, a non-intuitive procedure to put it to use.
You may have some scenario like that going on...or the wire might just be a PIA as you say.
good luck

 

[Toe-Knee]

Re: Aaaaannd it's on... (amp build)

Nice work on this so far. I love these kinda threads.

I have used weber sealed conductive plastic pots in the past and I haven't had a single issue with them but others have had them literally falling apart on them.

Good luck with the build!

 

[Surgeon]

Re: Aaaaannd it's on... (amp build)

strip? but it's push-back.

I dunno, i've never wired up an amp from scratch, but I love using push-back for guitars. Measure it from component to component, cut it. push the insulation back to expose a section of tinned conductor, solder it, then pull the insulation back snug up to the solder joint. I've never needed to strip insulation from push-back wire. :\

waaaaaaaay easier than working with plastic insulated wire

Yeah...something is not right if you are Having to strip "Push-Back" wire.
I have worked with wire from (I believe) Weber...that had a push-back cloth cover, but also had a plastic insulation under that. It worked much better if you pulled back the cloth...and Then Stripped the insulation. It WAS a PIA, but it did seem to be good wire...just, kind of, a non-intuitive procedure to put it to use.
You may have some scenario like that going on...or the wire might just be a PIA as you say.
good luck

It's cloth covered and insulated. Glad you guys like it but i don't enjoy having to push back the cloth, strip the insulation and then have stray fibers come forward where I'm soldering 'cause it's not staying put once pushed back. To me it seems a lot more trouble than regilular insulated wire.