Hello from another newbie.  I agree that part of due diligence for a new forum member here and elsewhere is to research posting histories.  It has saved me some questions, and it also pointed me in the direction of Merlin's book, which I purchased and am bit by bit learning from it.  My tube amp knowledge is very imbalanced...I know vintage tubes like few do but my knowledge of circuits and corresponding math equations has been much less.  Am learning bits and pieces from here and the ampgarage.  Fun!  A while back I did up a turret board for a BF Champ with some parts of my own choosing.  Now after I have spent some time here It'll be a blast to get back into it and apply what I've learned here and elsewhere. 

Somewhere in my basement lies a long-unused and nonworking condition Magnatone PA head with a pair of 6v6's, tube rec, and really big, rusty looking iron for a 6v6 amp.  So my dream project is to yank the trannies and do up a Martin/Dearmond type circuit for a pair of gorgeous sounding 40's vintage RT 6f6g's, but stick in an f/x loop, one of the most gorgeous sounding pentodes I've had the chance to listen to.  Have a lot of homework to do at the amp garage and personal reading...thanks to all who post helpful info here, it's nice.

Peace.