Hello all,

Ok, time to swallow my pride and ask for some help. Just finished building and firing up new HRM 50. After making sure nothing smoked using a dummy load. I plugged in a speaker and turned it on and first thing was squealing due to OT primaries backwards. I emailed Nik about this becuase the layout and photos show opposite wiring. He said go with layout but that is wrong.  So I reversed and the squealing stopped but I'm left with a crazy loud hum, like something is very shorted to ground or wired backwards. Along with this there is absolutely no input signal getting to the speaker.

I'm a bit frustrated right now, because I took my time building and have been going over it with a DMM, scope, and my eye checking my wiring, and can't figure it out. 

I'm throwing this out there right now, even though I haven't taken any photos and haven't gotten key voltages yet in hopes that is might jog somebody's expertise and point me in a direction. The wife is sleeping right now and the hum is so loud that I can't mess with it much more tonight without bugging her. I will get some photos and voltage check tomorrow.

Any help will sure be appreciated. Thanks.

Yep, I ordered it from Antique Elec Supply on Tuesday night using standard USPS and it showed up on Thursday in my mailbox. I was blown away. When I first saw it I thought the one from Ceriatone finally came, but no luck on that one YET.

So anyone (in the US I suppose) I highly recommend Antique Elec Supply.

That's crazy good sounding!

I just got my HRM 50 built and doing the initial power up routine. I can only hope mine will sound as good.

Very nice indeed!

+1 on transformer decoupling and buffering. When I used a dual amp setup I used an older Fultone Stereo Choralflange which is buffered and/or my TC 2290 and it worked nicely, but most A/B/Y boxes I used just always ended up with ground loop issues. If the buffer is designed well it won't kill your tone. In fact can make things better.

Wow, thanks for posting this. I'm just finishing my HRM50 w/LNFB switch. I was just posting in another thread that I started thinking I should've ordered the regular OTS and not the HRM because of some negative comments I have read. But you just confirmed all the reasons I ordered the one I did. Plus, I like it has been said, I doubt any of the models will disapoint.

To the OP, when I emailed Nik about his opinion on the different versions, the one thing I said was that "I like jazz fusion type of stuff, but also like to get heavier now and then". His reccomendation was the hrm over the non-hrm, claiming being able to achieve a bit more "gain". Also the extra tonestack helps get things driving. Atleast this is what I took from his statments.

Cool, I was going to ask yesterday if you got it going. I would be there too, if it wasn't for still waiting for that part. Actually, I did order one from Antique Elec. Supply. Don't know which one will get here first. I know one thing the one I ordered will be here by next Mon or Tues.

I'm glad you like it. I started having "choosers" remorse earlier in the week after reading all the stuff here and ampgarage. I think a person can read too many opinions. I started thinking I should have ordered a different model. (non-hrm vs. hrm) Some of these guys have built many different versions of this amp and it's probably like a parent and their children, you love them all, just sometimes certain ones are more appealing depending on the day and personal taste. It seems to me that it will be hard not to be totally thrilled when it's your first one.

So have you messed with PI yet? Interested in your findings.

Keep on playing!

When you say "shoty" do you mean microphonics or something else? I normally use JJ's in my other amps, but it seems they are not as popular with the dumble clones. we'll see, I guess.

I found this post on that thread at Ampgarage which seems to sum it up in very non technical way.

I think starting with a matched/balanced tube is probably the best place to begin. Atleast I hoping cuz I just received my tubes today, which I spent extra 5 bucks to get a balanced one.

Got all Tung Sol 12AX7's and TAD 6L6WGC-STR I hope they sound good!!

I'm on the other side of the country. York, PA. About two hrs. from Philly.

hmm, thanks...I noticed it was sent registered. Hopefully I'll be here when they try to deliver.

The main "mid" control. I was sent a linear taper when it should be an audio (log) taper. I could use the linear until I get it, but I don't want to go through the hassle of trying to desolder and solder with the boards in if I don't have to. Also the response of the pot won't be exactly right.

I think you were smart for ordering it already. I was about to go ahead and order one lastnight. The email I got telling that it was sent did say that tracking through USPS is poor at best until it gets in the country. So I'm hoping that it will be here soon and it's just the tracking that blows.

BTW, it took a few days from the time Nik said he would sent it until I got the email notification.

Thanks or the reply,

P.S. I see you have a Steve Morse EBMM guitar. I always wanted to play one, but have never had one cross my path. I'm a huge Morse fan. Have been since the Dregs. Sounds like you have good taste. My PRS 513 Swamp Ash w/ maple neck RW fretboard is my "do everything" guitar.

Has anyone here ever have Nik send you a small part (potentiometer) to the USA via USPS? And if so, how long did it take. (approx)

I got the wrong part in my kit and Nik sent me a new one a week ago. (very nice of him) There was a tracking #, which seems pretty useless with USPS from overseas. When I track it the only thing I get is this status (Origin Post is Preparing Shipment...We have received notice that the originating post is preparing to dispatch this mail piece.) It seems like it's hung up is customs or something.

I'm getting to the point where that is the only thing holding me up from finishing my amp. If I knew it was going to be this long I would just have ordered it locally. Actually I still might. It will be my luck though, to order it and have both show up the same time.

Thanks for any help!

Where do you live? Have you looked here?
http://www.ceriatone.com/tlbrBorderSub/tech_service.htm

If you actually ask some specific questions in the "overtone" section or elsewhere here on the site, you will get help. It really seems like you're not willing to help yourself. These are great amps and well worth the money. It's not like no other companys out there can have a defective unit now and then.

Were these kits or did you buy them already complete?

Have you ruled out a bad pot on the main volume?

Until I know whether you built this amp or not I can't address the other problems.

How long have you been trying to get satisfaction?

NO! Not only is it not needed, but would be somewhat dangerous for just a general continuity test.