best first dumble?

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yeahyeah
Posts: 85
Joined: Sun Aug 27, 2006 7:40 pm
Location: NC

best first dumble?

Post by yeahyeah »

i'm curently on my first amp build and i figure i better build the best amp there is so i can quit building and not get addicted.

i'd like to build a fairly straight up ODS clone with no reverb or effects loop. i can always tweak the values to get just the sound i'm looking for but i'm really here to figure out how to wire it all up. i'd like to learn how to make a relay to switch between the clean and overdrive channels via footswitch.

i'm looking at the hybrid schematic, and i like what i see. It doesn't look too complicated.

anyway, i was wondering if i could get some feedback from people who have built from the hybrid schem...maybe some pictures? or a layout would be awesome. As i'm new to amps i dont know much other than how not to get zapped.

It would be nice to have a solid state driven effects loop that switches itself out of the signal path when not in use. but i figure i can always add that later.

anyway, hi i'm new, educate me.
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Bob-I
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Location: Hillsborough NJ

Re: best first dumble?

Post by Bob-I »

yeahyeah wrote:i'm curently on my first amp build and i figure i better build the best amp there is so i can quit building and not get addicted.


:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:


And did I say.....


:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
i'd like to build a fairly straight up ODS clone with no reverb or effects loop. i can always tweak the values to get just the sound i'm looking for but i'm really here to figure out how to wire it all up. i'd like to learn how to make a relay to switch between the clean and overdrive channels via footswitch.
Cool, that's a great goal, but you won't stop there, no one ever does.
i'm looking at the hybrid schematic, and i like what i see. It doesn't look too complicated.
Yes, that's a well engineered schematic. I'm just finishing up one myself. I plan on drawing up a schematic when I'm done so that the variables in that schematic will be documented.
anyway, i was wondering if i could get some feedback from people who have built from the hybrid schem...maybe some pictures? or a layout would be awesome. As i'm new to amps i dont know much other than how not to get zapped.
Look at the files section, there's tons of pics there, plus many schematics and layouts. Normster is a real artist with visio, check out his 6V6 amp layout, he's almost done so it'll be fully tested soon.
It would be nice to have a solid state driven effects loop that switches itself out of the signal path when not in use. but i figure i can always add that later.
BITE YOUR TOUNGE YOUNG MAN..... SOLID STATE? :? :evil: Where's the moderators... ban this guy :lol:

Check out the Dumbleator schematics. These are typically built as seperate devices and placed in the passive effects loop. One tube will sound much better than any SS devices.
anyway, hi i'm new, educate me.

I'm old... educate me?

Ok, go to the files page and read, read, read. Examine the schematics until you know the signal path. Ask questions if you don't understand the function of a ckt or component. I can't quote for other folks but I like to talk about amps and I don't mind stoopid questions.

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Normster
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Re: best first dumble?

Post by Normster »

The only way to avoid amp building addiction is to build it and never turn it on. It's such a rush to fire up a homebrew you'll never be able to quit at just one build. :lol:

The Hybrid_A is a great schematic, probably the one that most of us cut our teeth on. NEVER trust a layout without confirming against the schematic! Those of us who have posted our layouts (Bob, Ben, et al) have all made corrections to circuits that sometimes didn't work as we intended. I, for one, don't always keep my layouts up to date with those changes.

I'm sure you've read the newbie warnings about starting simple before you try to tackle a Dumble. I ignored the warnings too, but in hindsight, I wish I'd have built a Trainwreck first. MUCH simpler and it's an awesome sounding amp. But, if you must be as foolish as I was, build the amp in stages and test each stage before moving to the next.

Read this thread:
https://tubeamparchive.com/viewtopic.php?t=1401
It's excellent advice.

Oh, and listen to Bob. He was my original mentor and we still learn a thing or two from each other. :wink:
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Luthierwnc
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Joined: Sat Feb 18, 2006 10:59 am
Location: Asheville, NC

Re: best first dumble?

Post by Luthierwnc »

Forget about the addiction. It's too late.

You want to make the first one bone stock. Use the schematics, components and iron recommended and nail it. Then, if you want to change some of the values you will have a point of reference -- for your self and potential contributors.

sh
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glasman
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Re: best first dumble?

Post by glasman »

If the addiction gets too bad it starts to look like this.......... the cure.... haven't found one.

But seriously. The Hybrid_A is a great place to start. Search the board for Dogears comments on recommended values.

Gary


[img:1024:751]http://glaswerks.com/images/classgrad2.jpg[/img]
Located in the St Croix River Valley- Afton, MN
About 5 miles south of I-94
aka K0GWA, K0 Glas Werks Amplification

www.glaswerks.com
yeahyeah
Posts: 85
Joined: Sun Aug 27, 2006 7:40 pm
Location: NC

Re: best first dumble?

Post by yeahyeah »

Thanks, i've read everything in the files section, as well as everything i could find elsewhere, schematic heaven, blueguitar, etc.

i like BobI's layout for the hybrid -is it correct? most of the other layouts were unconfirmed and/or had reverb or effects loop stuff in there too.

its kind of hard to read, i'm working on drawing a new one with it and the schematic.

could someone give more detailed info as to how to wire up the weber relay board? (very cramped in the layout) great idea, i didn't even know they had those.

what type/size transformers do you reccomend? (i dont know anything about transformers) what is the most important thing to take into consideration when buying transformers?
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Luthierwnc
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Re: best first dumble?

Post by Luthierwnc »

Even when I have a layout diagram I draw a new one to check against the schematic. It forces me to understand why things go where they do and not forget anything.

Fender iron works fine. There are good reports on Heyboer and MM transformers as well. Get an OT with the correct primary impedance. On these amps it pays to use a fairly heavy duty power transformer. The power supplies are rigid and you want to have a predictable B+. In an earlier thread I mentioned that a Plexi replacement I bought was rated at 350-0-350 at least with a good current rating but only managed 428VDC at the rectifier under load. Turns out that was what is was supposed to do. Some of the guys have used Twin iron.

Can't help you on the Weber relays. I did look at them once and it seems to plug and play. Some folks don't like using the PT for the relay supply but it is pretty well filtered by the time it gets to the switch. If they didn't work, we'd know about it.

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