Hi guys and gals,

I think the DC30 will be my next build.  Since I live in the US, I am planning on picking up transformers, tubes and a cabinet here, and getting "Package 1" from Nik.

Which leads me to ask:  What do y'all like for tubes?  I assume the usual suspects for the 12AX7s and EL84s, but I'm nervous about the EF86 and its well-known microphonic tendencies.  I've never used that tube before.

Also, how about transformers? Brand/source?

I suppose I should ask about combo cabinets as well.

Thanks very much in advance!

I hope that's the case. But, I do have spares.

Hi guys,

Picked up some 1A fast acting fuses, and replaced the old 500 mA fuse. Everything is working great! Thanks everyone for your help!

Tim

Thanks Gregg. Back to Radio Shack I guess.

Here's a question:  The layout on Nik's site calls for a 1A 250V slo-blo.  The fuse I took out is a 500mA.  Anybody know what I should be using?  (Fortunately, I just bought some of both.)

Might have a winner, Gregg! Looks like the HT fuse is blown. It's too late to get a new one, but I'll try to pick one up tomorrow and report back.

OK, thanks.  I'll check it.

I haven't.  I don't know what the HT fuse does, but I figured if any fuse is shot than there shouldn't be a pretty light on the front panel....      No?

Thanks as always, Henry -- I've sent replies.

For everybody else helping out (which I really appreciate, BTW): I've run a signal into the effects return without any change. One thing I've noticed is that I'll get sound fading in and then back out when I switch off the standby switch.  Not quite sure what to make of that.

EDIT: planning to pull the chassis tonight and poke around with a chopstick.  If I have enough time, I'll also take some voltage readings and post here.

Thanks Todd.

I've never heard an Express, so no idea how it sounds. Funny how folks have very different ideas about tone.

Gregg,

I have - see #2 in my original post.

Thanks.

Thanks Todd.  (Would love to hear about that TW Express clone sometime.)

I've swapped out each 12ax7 (serially) for a new one.  Still no luck.

I can pull the chassis and get voltage readings, but it'll have to wait at least until Wednesday and possibly until Saturday.  I inherited a nice big workbench from the previous owner, so that should be relatively painless.

Is there a voltage chart somewhere on here for the OTS 100 FM?  My search turns up a bunch of folks posting voltages, but no generally accepted list of what to expect.

I'll be surprised if a connection came loose in the move, as I moved the head myself in the back seat of my car, and it's already survived shipping from Asia to Southern California to Maine.

Thanks again for your suggestions!

Hi guys,

I just moved to a new house back in January, and finally got a chance to set up my amp.  Problem is, no output.  This amp was built by Ceriatone, with some mods/finish work by Henry (tenguitars) of this forum.

Here's what I'm observing:

1)  My c-lator seems to be receiving input from the preamp.  I have a Lexicon reverb unit in the c-lator, and it's got an input meter showing a signal. So, I'm reasonably sure the preamp section works.

2)  I bypassed (unplugged) the c-lator to isolate the rest of the amp - no luck.

3)  The output tubes LOOK fine.  (I realize that's hardly an adequate test.)  I did pull the inner pair, and then the outer pair, both with no luck.

4)  The speaker cabinet and speaker cable are working -- I tried them with another amp.

So, that seems to narrow things down to somewhere in the output section, possibly excluding the output tubes.  I think that leaves the OT, speaker output jack, impedance switch, other?  Could one of the 12AX7s be causing this? Because these amps are relatively complex, I thought I'd run this by you all before I start buying new output tubes or an output tranny. 

Any thoughts or ideas?

Thanks much in advance.
Tim

Reducing the POWER by 50% does not result in a 50% reduction in volume.  Perceived volume to power is a logarithmic relationship.  A 10W (not 50W) amp is roughly half the volume of a 100W amp.  I've got a 1W amp that is still pretty loud!

Congratulations!  Successfully building one of these amps as your first amp build is quite an achievement.