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Posted: Sun Nov 28, 2010 9:29 am
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Posted: Sun Nov 28, 2010 11:34 am
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Remember to put a load (speaker) on it before you turn it on. It's an exciting moment! Good luck!


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Posted: Sun Nov 28, 2010 11:42 am
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rjake wrote:
Remember to put a load (speaker) on it before you turn it on. It's an exciting moment! Good luck!


+1

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Posted: Sun Nov 28, 2010 1:48 pm
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Snowy you're doing a fine job, thanks again for sharing the build. Now at least other members can see there are alternatives to really expensive gear. You'll be close enough to a Tweed reissue tone wise and that board is plenty high quality enough to take component swaps if you ever decide later to do so. Sweet job!

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Posted: Sun Nov 28, 2010 2:10 pm
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Thanks again everyone. There's still a fair bit to get though with all the input jack, switches, pots etc, and associated wiring. (either that.... or I have a lot of left-over parts! :oops: )

I'm taking notes so any advice is well received! 8)

@Tissan - Good idea, I do give each solder joint a close visual check to make sure it looks good, then I checked each for continuity with a meter as I worked. I soldered from the "back" of the board and nearly all the joints had the solder flowing through the holes to the front as well (capillary action).
There are a couple that didn't flow through to the front side even though they passed visual "lookin' good" and continuity test, probably due to the thickness of the component legs, I'll take your advice though and touch these up with solder from the front side as well, just to be sure. :wink:

@stratele52 - Thanks for the "power-up advice slowly", I believe that is best practice and can also help the capacitors form properly. I'll look into constructing something to do this, too much work is going into this amp for me to not take all good advice and precautions. Plus, we have 240 Volts here so things could go twice as wrong! :wink:

@rjake and Arjay - Thanks for the "Plug in the Speaker" reminder, I will definitely be adding that to my "pre-ignition" checklist.


Snowy


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Posted: Sun Nov 28, 2010 2:16 pm
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No457 Snowy wrote:
@rjake and Arjay - Thanks for the "Plug in the Speaker" reminder, I will definitely be adding that to my "pre-ignition" checklist.


Should we notify "launch control" of the impending test flight?

:mrgreen:

Honestly Snowy, from what I have seen thus far I have every confidence in your capability to make this amp rock. It's really a work of art IMO.

Arjay

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Posted: Sun Nov 28, 2010 2:32 pm
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Arjay - mate, feel free to issue as many reminders as you feel necessary! 8)

63supro - Thanks to you I found out about this kit, so thanks again for that.
It's still surprises me that when checking out the amp building forums on the 'net, very few people (actually none that I've seen) mention this kit, it's a shame really as they are really missing something great. I see alot of builders struggling with their builds as well, when buying other kits.

This is my first amp, so it's really testament to just how good this kit is.

Snowy.


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Posted: Sun Nov 28, 2010 2:55 pm
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Great build so far. Everything looks top-notch..........Mike

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Posted: Sun Nov 28, 2010 8:01 pm
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Looks like a nice project ! Your cab work looks great and you have a good touch with the iron. The instruction manual seems to be very thorough. So initial power up should be a breeze. Keep up the good work ! Art

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Posted: Mon Nov 29, 2010 6:52 am
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The thing is, most problems with a 5e3 kit besides sloppy soldering, come from improperly routing wiring and bad grounding that results in all kind of buzzing and noise. The beauty of a quality PCB kit is the hard stuff is all laid out for you. Even the polarity of the caps are marked for you. It just simplifies the whole process and takes some of the stress out of the build. It's a great learning experience. Tube Depot even has videos showing you how to build it.
And no, I do not work for either Tube Depot OR Egnater and now Jet City. I just like recommending alternative gear that I've either tried out or own. I also like warning fellow musicians about garbage gear too. :shock:

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Posted: Mon Nov 29, 2010 9:51 pm
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Very Nice amp Snowy, great pictures.

I got some info that might interest you. I completed the Tubedepot kit last month. One area which may be difficult is the filiment wires (wounded green 18awg wires), on the middle preamp tube. I found it easier to make a good neat solder by using a very small jumper loop between pins 4&5, and soldering the filimant wires between them. Tubedepot suggests bending 4&5 together and running the 2 wires through the one small hole. I tried it and it was difficult stuffing two 18ga wires in there.

Nevertheless, everything goes together very smoothly with the supplied directions. Also, they have a final-check section. It would be good to review the whole final-check section several times before running any current through the amp just to get an idea of their test process. Reason is the instructions start the check by testing the B+ @ about 450v with no tubes or speakers hooked up. Then they recommend checking the preamp section with preamp tubes for 1.5vdc & 63vdc. Then the power tube section with power tubes and the speakers for 22vdc. However, if you have your own sequence for testing disregard this tip.

Your Mojo transformers are the same kind that was supplied with my kit. I did some checking on them after I got the kit, and they are trasformers for a Deluxe Reverb. They are not of original specification. Perhaps Tubedepot uses it because of its ability to handle a variety of tubes and a solid state rectifier, its value, and all the modifications they suggest. Anyway, I'ts nice to see someone build the Tubedepot amp. Plus, your build looks really good.


Do they still serve XXXX beer in Australia?


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Posted: Tue Nov 30, 2010 1:02 am
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TTSC, thanks very much for that very helpful info, much appreciated, it's good to hear that you have also built this amp. Thanks for the tip on the filament wiring and power-up checks, I'll be keeping your tips in mind when I get to those steps.

Yeah you can still get XXXX, but I prefer the brews from down in Tassie (I reckon Cascade Brewery turn out some nice beer.) I also have a soft spot for a nice Pint of Guinness from the tap. :lol:

Snowy.


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Posted: Tue Nov 30, 2010 10:02 am
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Great thread, can't wait for the results.

My first step was a couple of byoc pedals, one is done and working and another about half way. Great fun. Only a couple of burnt fingers, all part of the learning experience.

Maybe a couple of more pedals, seems addicting, and then an amp.


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Posted: Tue Nov 30, 2010 1:06 pm
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inbalance99 wrote:
Great thread, can't wait for the results.

My first step was a couple of byoc pedals, one is done and working and another about half way. Great fun. Only a couple of burnt fingers, all part of the learning experience.

Maybe a couple of more pedals, seems addicting, and then an amp.


Which pedals?
-T

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Posted: Tue Nov 30, 2010 7:13 pm
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Snowy,
Thanks for sharing this!! It is inspiring me for my build!!! Great work!
ABS :D


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