Top reasons you know your an "Amp Builder"

[amplifiednation]

1. You have more than one soldering iron
2. You can tell wire gauge by sight or feel
3. While playing guitar you are usually testing something at the same time
4. You see "polarity" to finished positions of zip ties
5. You wouldn't dream of not testing for outer foil, even if it's marked
6. You have been accused of loving an amp build more than your wife
7. You have named an amp after your wife to shut her up about "number 6"
8. The last three problems you troubleshot, you actually figured out in bed...while asleep!
9. You won't power up an amp for the first time unless you have at least two hours of free time in case it doesn't work, or worse, in case it does!!!
10. You have no idea how to use an oscilloscope but can somehow get it to do everything you ask it to, everytime

[Colossal]

LOL, excellent!! All true too!

[amplifiednation]

You can place a mouser order on your smartphone

You have considered guitar lessons only to make your amps sound better



Oh man I could go on and on...let's hear them!

[xtian]

8. The last three problems you troubleshot, you actually figured out in bed...while asleep!

Actually, just on awaking. So true: "Sleep on it."

[Jana]

You convert everything to the resistor color code--an item for $2.95 is a red-white-green but it's now on sale for red-yellow-white.

When faced with the choice of getting something to eat before you keel over from low blood sugar or wiring up the heaters, you plug in the soldering iron, grab a beer, and start wiring (there's calories in solder fumes, right?).

[Leo_Gnardo]

I'm home on (another) Saturday night, drilling, bending & melting metal.

[tribi9]

I'm home on (another) Saturday night, drilling, bending & melting metal.

Sounds like fun.

[amplifiednation]

You have a sweet stash of NOS but you are always afraid to use it because you'll probably end up selling the amp you are building...

[Bob S]

We all have our vices.
Some we give up (or have to give up) as our age advances.
Amp building is one I got late in life & I'm keeping it.
And it's up there.

[Jana]

The RCA tube manual is in the magazine rack in the bathroom.

Your friends knit with yarn, you knit with wire.

[Jana]

You're hoping for a "snow day" so you can stay home and change the 100pf cap back to 250pf which you have already swapped back and forth between those two values seven times.

[Jana]

You contemplate installing dzus 1/4 turn aircraft fasteners for the chassis mounting hardware--it will be much quicker to get in and swap the 100pf cap with a 250pf.

[amplifiednation]

Tinning stranded wire makes you feel morally superior

[martin manning]

You're looking into a "whole-house" Variac.

[ampgeek]

You have a frequently updated list of NOS tubes laminated in a credit card size document that you distribute to family and friends known to seek out and attend yard and estate sales.

Desparately trying to figure out a way to include simple instructions regarding the evaluation of vintage audio equipment PTs and OTs on said card.