40's Epi Electar build

dangelico603 · June 23rd, 2008, 01:35 PM

Hey guys, I'm working on amp #2 and I decided to do a 40's Epiphone Electar. I've got the board done (hopefully correctly) with many thanks to Johnny Crash. So here are some pics. I'm currently getting the chassis drilled and all that stuff I may run into some trouble there because my chassis is going to be tight but we'll see.

Scott S · June 23rd, 2008, 01:39 PM

How *can* a board be correct for a 1940's Epiphone?

j/k, looks nice.

- Scott

dangelico603 · June 23rd, 2008, 05:21 PM

All Epi's looked like this back in the day.

I meant getting the schematic translated correctly into a working layout. I have the holes for the sockets done, next I'll probably drill all my other holes. Man is it going to be a tight fit!
Jason

Scott S · June 23rd, 2008, 09:04 PM

You mean they weren't point-to-point in the 1940's? My bad, there goes my joke...

- Scott

JohnnyCrash · June 23rd, 2008, 11:05 PM

A '40s was likely point to point (and a pain to service). I think dangelico603 just means he hopes the schematic is "right" with the layout he's drawn/drilled/staked for it.

From the schems you sent me, this will be an interesting amp. Very primitive 6L6 circuit... it should sound great for the music you described. This will be a fun build to watch!!!

dangelico603 · June 24th, 2008, 10:34 AM

Hey guys, how do you all typically mount your tube sockets. I'm wondering how to mount them so as to have my heaters away from signal wires etc. I've seen Weber's layouts for some stuff and he seems to put the heaters' lugs facing the back corner but it seems to me you would want them where the heater wires wouldn't have to go around the socket, no?
Jason

dangelico603 · June 30th, 2008, 02:31 PM

Well, here's the almost finished product. I will probably get to fire it up tonight, hopefully without having to use the fire extinguisher.

JohnnyCrash · June 30th, 2008, 04:03 PM

Double check everything before firing it up.

As you mentioned before, I made some mistakes and overlooked some stuff on the first layout you sent me. It is a sparse and simple circuit, but you should still double check it :)

Very neat wiring! I can't wait to hear how it goes and how it sounds!!!!

dangelico603 · June 30th, 2008, 05:31 PM

All right I checked everything twice then fired it up.........no smoke which is good......sound, which is a positive but it sounds quiet and far away and almost out of phase or something. Any thoughts?

JohnnyCrash · June 30th, 2008, 05:40 PM

What is up with your 3rd filter cap? Is that grounded? There doesn't seem to be any dropping resistors between filter caps either.

How about your 6L6's cathode resistor, is that grounded too?

Double check your actual resistor values. Your input grids, plate resistors, and cathode resistors.

dangelico603 · June 30th, 2008, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnnyCrash

What is up with your 3rd filter cap? Is that grounded? There doesn't seem to be any dropping resistors between filter caps either.

How about your 6L6's cathode resistor, is that grounded too?

Double check your actual resistor values. Your input grids, plate resistors, and cathode resistors.

The third cap is grounded with the cathode resistor (under the board). I tapped on the preamp tubes just a bit ago and they are noisy. There is a choke between the first and second caps. Can a bad preamp tube do that? I also swapped the first two tubes and after I did I got a lot of static but it was louder. I 'll double check all my values when I get another minute. Thanks guys.

June 23rd, 2008, 05:21 PM	#3 (permalink)
dangelico603 Tele-Meister Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Oklahoma City Posts: 175	All Epi's looked like this back in the day. I meant getting the schematic translated correctly into a working layout. I have the holes for the sockets done, next I'll probably drill all my other holes. Man is it going to be a tight fit! Jason __________________ "Don't just play something, stand there."

June 24th, 2008, 10:34 AM	#6 (permalink)
dangelico603 Tele-Meister Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Oklahoma City Posts: 175	Hey guys, how do you all typically mount your tube sockets. I'm wondering how to mount them so as to have my heaters away from signal wires etc. I've seen Weber's layouts for some stuff and he seems to put the heaters' lugs facing the back corner but it seems to me you would want them where the heater wires wouldn't have to go around the socket, no? Jason __________________ "Don't just play something, stand there."

June 30th, 2008, 05:31 PM	#9 (permalink)
dangelico603 Tele-Meister Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Oklahoma City Posts: 175	All right I checked everything twice then fired it up.........no smoke which is good......sound, which is a positive but it sounds quiet and far away and almost out of phase or something. Any thoughts? __________________ "Don't just play something, stand there."

June 23rd, 2008, 01:39 PM	#2 (permalink)
Scott S Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: SW CR IA US NA PE Age: 28 Posts: 1,419	How can a board be correct for a 1940's Epiphone? j/k, looks nice. - Scott

June 23rd, 2008, 09:04 PM	#4 (permalink)
Scott S Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: SW CR IA US NA PE Age: 28 Posts: 1,419	You mean they weren't point-to-point in the 1940's? My bad, there goes my joke... - Scott

June 23rd, 2008, 11:05 PM	#5 (permalink)
JohnnyCrash Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Lost Angeles and Orange County Posts: 7,128	A '40s was likely point to point (and a pain to service). I think dangelico603 just means he hopes the schematic is "right" with the layout he's drawn/drilled/staked for it. From the schems you sent me, this will be an interesting amp. Very primitive 6L6 circuit... it should sound great for the music you described. This will be a fun build to watch!!!

June 30th, 2008, 04:03 PM	#8 (permalink)
JohnnyCrash Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Lost Angeles and Orange County Posts: 7,128	Double check everything before firing it up. As you mentioned before, I made some mistakes and overlooked some stuff on the first layout you sent me. It is a sparse and simple circuit, but you should still double check it :) Very neat wiring! I can't wait to hear how it goes and how it sounds!!!!

June 30th, 2008, 05:40 PM	#10 (permalink)
JohnnyCrash Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Lost Angeles and Orange County Posts: 7,128	What is up with your 3rd filter cap? Is that grounded? There doesn't seem to be any dropping resistors between filter caps either. How about your 6L6's cathode resistor, is that grounded too? Double check your actual resistor values. Your input grids, plate resistors, and cathode resistors.