Need Expert Opinion on Hand Wired Circuit

[teleman78]

Hello Friends,

I need an expert’s opinion. I had a Friedman PT-20 a few years ago and it was PTP hand wired, I sold it and regretted it. I came across the same amp for a good price and bought it again. Upon looking at the circuit I realized that it looks very different from the one I had and I’m not sure if this is a PTP hand wired circuit, it was sold to me new as hand wired so I need some expert to chime in… is this amp PTP Hand Wired? Thanks so much in advance gentlemen.

 

[teleman78]

For contrast here’s what the older one I had (without the 3-way gain structure switch) looked like

 

[Ed Storer]

Yes, your amp is hand wired. It is eyelet board construction - not "point-to-point".
If this was a PCB, you would probably have connector ribbons as sell - I don't see one.

 

[corliss1]

This is one of those things that people get up in the weeds about. But, for clarity:

point-to-point - this means no board attachments of any kind - components link directly to each other with no boards
eyelet board - Fender style amps from the golden years
turret board - like eylets, but taller, as seen in the photos showing the red circuit board

The amp you show with the black board is indeed a PCB construction as you can see traces in the board connecting components. BUT...it still has chassis mounted tube sockets and pots and other areas. It also looks like a very high quality board, much better than what we see from the big-name manufacturers modern assemblies, and it is beautifully laid out. So...call it a hybrid construction if you want.

The construction type has no bearing on the sound of the amp whatsoever.

 

[NTC]

I see traces on the board in the new one. The old one had some hand wired and a smaller printed circuit board - kind a combination of techniques. Just because it has a circuit board doesn't mean it isn't hand made, thought at least part of it was probably made in a machine.

Edit post above must have been made while I was typing mine. @corliss1 is spot-on with his assessment.

 

[teleman78]

Thank you guys, I really appreciate your thoughts on this. I know both amps are very high quality amps and are made very well with high quality components. I was just shocked to see that they sound exactly the same but yet look completely different inside. The main difference is that the new one has a 3 way gain structure switch in the front that allows you to change the amount of gain that comes in from the preamp section. Other than that they really sound the same. I mean I love the way this amp sounds and behaves, so I’m happy and after your expert and explanation I am even more so.

Thanks so much.