Must have tools.

[pinkphiloyd]

Just curious, but what tools do you consider essential for amp problem diagnosis and repair? And going a step further, what's maybe not "essential", but maybe really, really handy? Disclaimer. I already know what I think, and I also know that the answer(s) are going to vary widely from person to person. Which is exactly why I'm asking. Maybe I can learn somethin'.

[tubelectron]

pinkphiloyd,

The 1st tools you need are indeed prudence, patience ans wiseness.

The 2nd one is a good DMM.

After, you can think about a scope and an audio generator (used, why not).

For the rest, it depends on you needs - here's my bench :

[img:640:480]http://img11.hostingpics.net/pics/223562IMG7933.jpg[/img]
[img:640:480]http://img11.hostingpics.net/pics/206832IMG7944.jpg[/img]
[img:480:640]http://img11.hostingpics.net/pics/376594IMG7936.jpg[/img]

A+!

[pinkphiloyd]

I have an excellent DMM and a good scope as well. And a good iron, of course. I'm trying to decide where I'll go next.

Matter-o-factly, it looks like I have the exact same DMM that you do. I love it.

[pinkphiloyd]

Maybe I should build an audio probe next.

[tubelectron]

I have an excellent DMM and a good scope as well. And a good iron, of course. I'm trying to decide where I'll go next.

Matter-o-factly, it looks like I have the exact same DMM that you do. I love it.

So an audio generator would be worth to have to go along with your scope, and maybe a signal-tracer... I don't see what you call "audio probe" (?), sorry...

My DMM's are FLUKE FL87-III and FL87-V : reliable and nearly foolproof, able to make useful measurements where others are lost. So if you've got the same, you have good reasons to love it, indeed !

A+!

[LeftyStrat]

I have an excellent DMM and a good scope as well. And a good iron, of course. I'm trying to decide where I'll go next.

Matter-o-factly, it looks like I have the exact same DMM that you do. I love it.

One of those looks like one my DMMs also.

Another item is a good soldering station with adjustable temperature control. Any brand should be fine as long as it is Weller

Other items that are more for building and tweaking:
- Resistor and capacitor decade or substitution box.
- A big old 25w Rheostat (useful for dialing in dropping resistors).
- Alligator clips with cap draining resistors soldered in line to clip to B+ when the amp is off.
- A chopstick.
- A crappy speaker to hook up when testing.
- A cradle, I built my own.
- A butt load of fuses.

[leadfootdriver]

Mad Scientist Central over there!

[pinkphiloyd]

Here's a link to an audio probe description. I've read, that when built with properly rated components, people have used these with great success in amp debugging.

http://www.diystompboxes.com/pedals/debug.html

[pinkphiloyd]

I have an excellent DMM and a good scope as well. And a good iron, of course. I'm trying to decide where I'll go next.

Matter-o-factly, it looks like I have the exact same DMM that you do. I love it.

One of those looks like one my DMMs also.

Another item is a good soldering station with adjustable temperature control. Any brand should be fine as long as it is Weller

Other items that are more for building and tweaking:
- Resistor and capacitor decade or substitution box.
- A big old 25w Rheostat (useful for dialing in dropping resistors).
- Alligator clips with cap draining resistors soldered in line to clip to B+ when the amp is off.
- A chopstick.
- A crappy speaker to hook up when testing.
- A cradle, I built my own.
- A butt load of fuses.

Ah, yes, I have much of that. Funny how I didn't think to put it in my list. I've just been using a program I have on my mac for a signal generator, but I've been thinking of picking up a proper one.

[Reeltarded]

pinkphiloyd,

For the rest, it depends on you needs - here's my bench :

A+!

Is that a flux capacitor in the corner? I see that you are "into" electronics!

[rp]

Sorry as this is kind of mawkish, but this forum has become my favorite tool. I had hung up my soldering iron for years as I got tired of hitting the wall with builds, till I found this place.

Otherwise #1 if you're actually using a cheap pencil iron get a Weller station and a bunch of extra sponges, and Kester 44 + Solderwick - the wide stuff (Chemtronics 80-5-10) and a desoldring pump.

#2 A Fluke DMM

#3 Radio Shack Jumpers

#4 A chopstick

#5 A variac and bulb limiter

I've build a dozen excellent scratch amps with just that. Next is to learn to use a scope.

[M Fowler]

Here is the audio probe and outer foil tester if you do not have a scope.

[pinkphiloyd]

As it keeps coming up, I have a good variable temp soldering station. It's not a Weller, I can't recall right off the top of my head what it is, but I've been using it for a year or so with zero complaints.

[Reeltarded]

Mark.. I have to make one of those to confuse stage techs.. I shall put it on a pedal board!

[LeftyStrat]

Mark.. I have to make one of those to confuse stage techs.. I shall put it on a pedal board!

If you really want to freak them out, label that jack, "Input"