Nik claims that if youre not skilled enough to build the amp with the layout then you should probably try an easier kit.
Yes Schematics are great for following the circuit more easily but when building an amp it's easier with a layout because you can see exactly where everything should go on the board and chassis etc. It's also easier to share mods when they are on the layout
Yes a layout for the build - but, still, why not both? However, I don't agree that layouts are good for mods as then it seems much harder to comprehend what the changes really are and what they are doing.
And where is the attachment button? None of the icons I see seem to be for attachments.
See if there the Recovery Input cable has a ground shield that is grounded to the front buss wire that runs along the top of the pots. If so, try cutting it so is not connected to the buss.
PS: At first you described the problem as 'noise', but later as 'hum' Just for future reference, most people regard noise as 'hiss' or 'static' etc. and hum differently.
If it's mine,... obviously BM HRM plate voltages are different compared to OTS or OTS HRM.
ODME's -- I'm rather technically challenged. But I'm learning...
Umm... if you don't know what I'm taking about then shouldn't you also not know what Mcinku is talking about?
In the event you mean you don't even understand the concept of adjusting the pate voltages, then it is this: [Someone please correct me if I am wrong]. The power supply generates a high voltage that is successively dropped through string of resistors in series - and the voltages that go to the plate resistors come off the taps (B3, B4, B5) between those resistors. The values of those resistors are supposed to be selected so as to drop the voltage to the desired level. But that apparently doesn't always happen. Either that or people have determined that the noted voltages produce the best tones etc.
On my HRM, that is modded more towards an OTS, the voltages were much higher than those 'golden' voltages I mentioned. I didn't have enough 2 watt resistors to totally adjust the entire voltage divider string - so I just raised the first 3.3k resistor [delivering the B3 voltage to the PI phase inverter tubes] by adding 2.7K which lowered B3 to 300 volts at the PI tube plate. My B4 voltage was still a bit high at 210 and my B5 voltage a bit low at 183; but the amp sounded much better.
Checking the plate voltages also allows you to see how balanced your tubes are. If they are not, then the voltages can be quite disparate.
Different plate resistor values, different dropping string as well - that's why different voltages. BM amp has also different tonestak and PI section as well,... obviously all that equals to different sounding amp
I read where Scott mentioned that the PI is typically around 250 compared to 300 on the OTS.
One thing you want to do is to adjust your PS dropping resistors to get the voltages right. I leaned the hard way by doing everything else but.
Edited: mcinku informs that the optimal Bluesmaster voltages are not the same as the OTS, but I don't know what they are. Perhaps someone can post them.
When a low frequency exposes something it's generally because it causes a physical vibration that causes the problem to manifest.
Have you tried pounding on the amp with your fist to see if that also causes the problem to happen? It could be a bad solder joint or even a tube that is reacting to vibration.
I'm not very technically inclined, so apologies for my dumb question.
I assume you refer to the two ceramic caps on the V2 OD tube, the S&M has 270pf and the OTS has 330pf, right? Where is v2b and how would I parallel a 300pf cap across it? Is there possibly a layout for this mod somewhere?
This is why I just do not understand why everyone posts the LAYOUT and not the schematic; nor why Nik doesn't include schematics.
With just a layout, one has to not only envision what each part is about but which parts are different. But with a schematic the part's function is evident and it's much easier to follow the circuit flow.
Having both together can be very useful - especially when trying to build a board. But if only one is available to understand the circuit and any modifications, after something is built, the schematic seems the most explanatory - otherwise I'm sure layouts would have been the diagrams supplied with all electronic devices for the past 90 years rather than schematics.
I would have taken a hammer to my HRM long ago if not for having a schematic.
Power On amp (on standby) and there goes fuse. Amp was working fine for several months, I assembled it myself. I disconnect all the wiring from PT except PINK (220V) to switch and Black (0) that goes to mains input Power On - fuse burned again. I measured the resistance between taps but not sure what should I expect, transformers are not my cup of tea so to say. Please any knowledge/advice is greatly appreciated, what measured values should I expect between taps (with the transformer disconnected of course), 0's, grounds (E) to to be sure that is something wrong with the PT. Except it's blowing fuse every time :-) One more - I was using Fast blow fuse instead of SLow blow, didn't have any at home, but if the tran is OK that shouldn't matter that much, right?
THANKS!!
I wouldn't count on anything but trying it with a slow blow.
However, if you disconnected all the secondaries from the circuitry, so that the only connection to the transformer is the AC, and it still blows (with the correct fuse) - then the transformer is bad.
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