Where Do I Start?

[yalesmith]

I just finished my second amp, a TW Express and boy I realized holy molly I need to learn tube and electrical theory. I probably should start by learning to read schematics….Lucky for me I have the guidance of great guy who helps me out when I run to problems..
As an example my 12ax7 had voltage readings of 330! And I could not figure out why? – Apparently for a resistor to drop voltage it has to be pulling voltage and your cathode should be grounded!
My question is there a book or video I can read to give me a good foundation. Basically where do I start? The forum is awesome, but at times when I read post, I miss something’s that are probably considered common knowledge.

My first Build was a fender tweeed and I built 20+ pedals.

Thanks

[surfsup]

and you did all this not being able to read a schematic? I would suggest you simply start googling:

"learning tube amp"
"Ohms law"
etc...

and go here:

https://tubeamparchive.com/viewtopic.php?t=9023

[vibratoking]

Apparently for a resistor to drop voltage it has to be pulling voltage

You still don't have it right. For a voltage drop to occur across a resistor, current must flow. The amount of that drop is equal to IR.

Here are some threads regarding resources to learn from. Enjoy the journey.

https://tubeamparchive.com/viewtopic.ph ... ight=books

https://tubeamparchive.com/viewtopic.php?t=9023

[blues junkie]

Google NEETS it will help you ALOT.

Also my wife got me "Electronics for Dummies" it's actually very good alot of info thats easy to understand.

Dave Hunter 'The Tube Amp Handbook"

Google "The Trainwreck pages" lots of good info there.

Go to Aikens home page, he has alot of tech info.

Good Luck and enjoy the journey. I will be starting my first build shortly (Eagle Supre) and I did A TON of reading and studying before I felt comfortable to start a Build. I am also a Mechanic so reading schematics and soldering was a skill I allready had.

Just remember its not a sprint its a Marathon.

Have fun.

[yalesmith]

Yeah I know, you can do alot with layouts and pictures!. I take alot of precautions as well....You only need to get shocked once to learn your lesson.

[rsalinger]

A good starting point for a beginner (with some pedal building experience) is: http://www.diystompboxes.com/wpress/?page_id=10

Basic but important.

[Jack Hester]

Here's a good lesson from Aiken Amps:

http://www.aikenamps.com/CommonCathode.htm

Jack