Tremolo Help

[C Moore]

OK -
Let me ask one more (I hope) question.
It was difficult to build this amp...because of the space constraints.
I had to add a couple of turrets (eyelets actually) to the board...and had to attach one of the Power Supply caps under the board to even get it all on there. There was No Room for the bias circuit...so I put that on "top" of the chassis.
You cannot pull the pots off the chassis...if the board is in place. So...I am having a real hard time even getting this back together...and feeling any kind of comfort with the build quality.
I think it will be better if I...kind of...start over. I have space on top of the chassis to mount the trem circuit. Then...I can get all other components on the top of the board...and probably have a more intelligent lead dress...and more importantly...a much more serviceable amp.
So with that in mind...what do you guys think...should I adapt the chassis to take an AX7 type of tube...and change the trem circuit...or should I stick with this Ampeg design with the 6SL7.?
I am using a LTP for the PI circuit. It was WAY back at the beginning of this mess. Maybe some are under the impression that I was also using that "floating" PI as was in use with the Ampeg amp.
If I am going to reconfigure this...would I be wise to change to an AX7.?
Thank You

[tubeswell]

Personally I would try to avoid mounting components on separate boards over the top of one another. Where space is lacking inside the chassis, its better to put the filter caps in a doghouse on the back (but I acknowledge that can be a real a PITA when you want to change the filter caps or check voltages). Other than a few platitudes ('Carefully thought out layout is the key to good amp design' etc) I can't really be much help with seeing gut-shots and knowing the measurements of the real estate you're working with.

[C Moore]

http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n143 ... proto3.jpg

http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n143 ... proto1.jpg

http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n143 ... /proto.jpg

http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n143 ... 6k6003.jpg

Hey Tubes -
So it would be better to keep all the circuits on the board...and put the power supply caps/resistors on the other side of the chassis.?
Yeah...I can do that just as easily.
Not sure how well it shows...but I have room next to that Blue Edcor OT.
It is easier to remove the tri-fold boards from a Peavey C30 than it is to work on this amp at present.
I think your idea to move the PS stuff is good.
What do you guys think about keeping that Ampeg Trem and the 6SL7.?
Thank You Very Much

[tubeswell]

Yes given the small space you have to work with, I would be inclined to put the filter caps and dropper resistors on the back, but take care to put them into a proper doghouse enclosure, and think about how you will run the leads through and where you will put the HT node measuring points (inside the chassis). It looks like you have more room for a better layout for a doghouse nearer to the input-jack-end of the chassis. The 10uF pre-amp node filter cap on the main board might as well stay where it is. YMMV