It is currently Mon Mar 16, 2020 9:07 pm

All times are UTC - 7 hours



Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 12 posts ] 
Author Message
Post subject: Sorta OT But Amp Related
Posted: Sun Mar 11, 2012 10:08 pm
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star

Joined: Mon Apr 05, 2010 2:37 pm
Posts: 8708
Location: Natural Bridge, Virginia
Like I said, this post is sort of off topic but amp related.

I will be turning 58 in a few weeks (April 2nd if anyone wants to buy me anything :lol: ). I hope that I will be able to retire in 7 more years if the economy picks up. I graduated from college in 1976 with a BSEE and they were just wrapping up teaching about tubes and just starting to teach about integrated circuits (discrete solid state was firmly entrenched). I have built a Weber 5F6A clone which sounds great and converted a Champ 600 to a 5F1 circuit configuration. I have also been modding all of my guitars and pedals. I am trying to convince my guitar instructor to let me build him an amp.

With all that in mind, I am seriously looking at getting into amp building and repair (and maybe even designing something) as a way to earn a full dollars and (mostly) to keep busy after I retire (I really don't want to be a Walmart greeter :x ). To help prepare, I have been buying and reading a number of amp design books and brushing up on some long forgotten math. I'm even looking at finding some relatively inexpensive SPICE package (one that I found was $5K :shock: ). I figure I have a few years to catch up.

What I am really looking for advice on, as it has been years since I used them, are audio signal generators and oscillioscopes. What can anyone recommend/what should I look for in buying a scope and sig gen? Is E-Bay the best place to go or are there other places. Does anyone have any recommendations for design software that doesn't require a supercomputer to run on or cost as much as a good used car? Any other equipment I should look at obtaining? Obviously, I have all the basic stuff. What do you all recommend. TIA.

_________________
Bill

Image


Top
Profile
Fender Play Winter Sale 2020
Post subject: Re: Sorta OT But Amp Related
Posted: Sun Mar 11, 2012 10:29 pm
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Wed Mar 31, 2010 12:48 am
Posts: 26417
Location: Tombstone Territory
The H-P stuff still commands a hefty price, even on the secondary market, but EICO used to make a pretty decent signal generator that was priced for the budget-conscious. As for an oscilloscope, a single-trace Tektronics 515 or equivalent should be adequate for the task. Don't forget a Variac and plenty of high-power wire-wound resistors to use as dummy loads.

Best of luck, Bill!

Arjay

_________________
"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Sorta OT But Amp Related
Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2012 9:01 am
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Tue Jun 29, 2010 1:20 pm
Posts: 9640
Location: Indiana
You might consider computer-based for scope/signal gen/design/testing all from your laptop or PC, very convenient and very powerful.

I have limited experience with the computer software, but from what I've seen and used, it works very well, and this might be the way to go for equipment that you don't already have, and if you are computer savvy. I am seriously thinking of doing this myself, just a little hard to justify right now since I already have all of the "old school" equipment. I already use Spice, Electronics Workbench, and Multisim for design and testing, and getting a scope, sig gen, and more on the laptop would be sweet, very tempting.

There are many, I couldn't tell you who makes the best, here are just a couple of good ones to consider.

For PC models and USB models that would work on laptop:
http://products.gage-applied.com/pc_oscilloscopes/?gclid=CIeA3PfY4a4CFSoGRQod7VtiAw

Laptop or PC:
http://www.usbee.com/

_________________
---> "The amp should be SWITCHED OFF AND UNPLUGGED before you do this!" <---

Por favor, disculpe mi español, no se llega a la práctica con mucha frecuencia.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Sorta OT But Amp Related
Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2012 9:56 am
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star
User avatar

Joined: Sat Jul 03, 2010 2:18 pm
Posts: 6544
I agree with Shimmy, there are several good software Scope programs. These work well with laptops. Only wish they had some half-decent tube tester programs.

Another good program to look for are "Glassware" circuit simulators. Helps you design basic PS, pre-amp, power sections DIY's. I believe that AES carries this and maybe some other circuit design programs.

http://www.glass-ware.com/audiogadgets/


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Sorta OT But Amp Related
Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2012 10:09 am
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Tue Jun 29, 2010 1:20 pm
Posts: 9640
Location: Indiana
Something else to consider. :D

http://www.amplitrex.com/about.html

_________________
---> "The amp should be SWITCHED OFF AND UNPLUGGED before you do this!" <---

Por favor, disculpe mi español, no se llega a la práctica con mucha frecuencia.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Sorta OT But Amp Related
Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2012 11:18 am
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star
User avatar

Joined: Wed Feb 17, 2010 11:38 am
Posts: 4333
Location: Tennessee
There's a lot of info on this site,he goes into testing equipment and everything else that's tube amp related.
http://tone-lizard.com/Table_Of_Contents.htm


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Sorta OT But Amp Related
Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2012 8:59 pm
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star

Joined: Mon Apr 05, 2010 2:37 pm
Posts: 8708
Location: Natural Bridge, Virginia
Hey, thanks a lot for all the info guys.

Weber sells a nice dummy load good for 200 watts at 2 to 16 ohms and the price is reasonable:

https://amptechtools.powweb.com/truload.htm

I hadn't even thought about software scope implementations. Definitely going to look into that. Might even find sig gen software. I have to admit though, that using a computer with 50+ year old amp designs sounds like overkill. :lol:

I've bookmarked this thread so I can check out all the links when I have more time.

_________________
Bill

Image


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Sorta OT But Amp Related
Posted: Tue Mar 13, 2012 12:32 am
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician

Joined: Fri Jun 26, 2009 6:53 pm
Posts: 2252
Location: Harvard IL
Excellent ! Being just a "ham & egger" tech, I can really appreciate the sophisication you guys have. Give me a meter and spit on my finger, and "Whoa" I'll find the power. Seriously, o'scopes and computers are the way to go. Only do the math when I'm in a corner. Now, if I can find the right sandpaper and steelwool for that cab, there will be one happy camper ! Good Luck, Bill ! Art

_________________
None of Us are free, if One of Us is chained !


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Sorta OT But Amp Related
Posted: Wed Mar 14, 2012 3:59 pm
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star

Joined: Mon Apr 05, 2010 2:37 pm
Posts: 8708
Location: Natural Bridge, Virginia
aclempoppi wrote:
Excellent ! Being just a "ham & egger" tech, I can really appreciate the sophisication you guys have. Give me a meter and spit on my finger, and "Whoa" I'll find the power. Seriously, o'scopes and computers are the way to go. Only do the math when I'm in a corner. Now, if I can find the right sandpaper and steelwool for that cab, there will be one happy camper ! Good Luck, Bill ! Art


I wish I could build a cab from scratch, but I can't hammer a nail straight without hurting myelf. :lol:

_________________
Bill

Image


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Sorta OT But Amp Related
Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2012 6:21 pm
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician

Joined: Fri Jun 26, 2009 6:53 pm
Posts: 2252
Location: Harvard IL
Bill, I lack the skill and tools to build from scratch. This will be a dovetailed unfinished pine box, I found on the Bay. My woodworking skills are crude, at best ! The amp's present cab was a four-sided(dowel joined-"L" let in corner) pine box. Just had to do the baffle board, cleats, and finishing. Not interested in misleading anyone ! Art

_________________
None of Us are free, if One of Us is chained !


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Sorta OT But Amp Related
Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2012 7:36 pm
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star

Joined: Mon Apr 05, 2010 2:37 pm
Posts: 8708
Location: Natural Bridge, Virginia
aclempoppi wrote:
Bill, I lack the skill and tools to build from scratch. This will be a dovetailed unfinished pine box, I found on the Bay. My woodworking skills are crude, at best ! The amp's present cab was a four-sided(dowel joined-"L" let in corner) pine box. Just had to do the baffle board, cleats, and finishing. Not interested in misleading anyone ! Art


That's still more than my woodworking skills would allow. :D

Antique car restoration, amp building, yes.

Gardening, woodworking, no.

:lol:

_________________
Bill

Image


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Sorta OT But Amp Related
Posted: Fri Mar 16, 2012 12:03 am
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician

Joined: Fri Jun 26, 2009 6:53 pm
Posts: 2252
Location: Harvard IL
You know Bill, when I retired from the trucking game, my guy was a choice 20yr old Mack R600. Clean and strong, but way slow compared to the new equipment on the road(off-road was a different story). Kept doin' the R&R for 20yrs(second cab), don't know if that counts as restoration. Yeah gardening, I'm the grunt weed puller! My daughters make the garden designs. It's all OK with me, as long as the guitar pickin' is happening! Art

_________________
None of Us are free, if One of Us is chained !


Top
Profile
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 12 posts ] 

All times are UTC - 7 hours

Fender Play Winter Sale 2020

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 2 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum

Search for:
Jump to: