Got it figured out. Transformer wired wrong. DOOHHHH!.  I'm cooking now. Thanks anyway for the tremendous amount I have learned from this forum.

Keep making noise!

Dennis

I finally got around to ordering a c-lator kit and am trying to fire it up to check voltages but I keep blowing the fuse. Is the input wired correctly on the layout? It looks like it would short the input signal. I wired the way the schematic shows and I have continuity between the grounding shield wire and the wire at the .047 cap on the tube board. Is this correct? Without the wire , this configuration with the jumper in the diagram connects the to inward most lugs.  If correct, any trouble shooting help would be greatly appreciated. I am a newby but had no trouble building the Overdrive Special. My favorite amp by far.

Thanks in advance

Dennis

+2  erwin and hywelg.
 I thought I was loosing my mind. At my age that could be a concern.  rogb, glad to know I did this the same as someone else, I too have around 470v on the plates. What a great forum for support and learning.

Thanks
Dennis

No disrespect to mr fabulous, but I don't think the bias is used to balance the tubes. I am a newbie also. but I believe the function of biasing is to apply enough negative voltage to the grids to limit the current from the plates. Without this neagative current, the tubes would overheat and self destruct. Think of this negative current as the blinds of a window to limit the amount of light coming in. Since electrons are negative and like charges repel each other, the negative bias limits the number of electrons passing through the grid.  If you are running 6l6 tubes, you need to bias to not exceed 70% of the 30 watt operation capacity. ODS's seem to like a cold bias. Usaually in the -34mv to-38mv range. Adjust to taste as long as you stay under the 70% max output of the tube.  If this seems too much to take in as it did for me innitially, you can probably set your bias at -34 to -38 range and be good to go if this was a prebuilt Ceriatone unit.  Let me restate that I am no expert and I hope other more experienced people can correct me if I have mislead you.
Good luck and enjoy.

Dennis

Thanks Dano
 I got the tips from SmallBear Electronics. They are plastic.

link: http://www.smallbearelec.com/Detail.bok?no=44

Tonequest,
   You just need a good multimeter and be very carful what you touch. Very lethal voltages inside of these amps due to the capacitors.  Here is a link that will explain step by step. Look under fixed bias.

http://www.diyguitarist.com/GuitarAmps/PT-Biasing.htm

Measure between pin 3 and pin 8 to get actual voltage I think. Can others verify?
Link to bias calculator and charts:   http://www.webervst.com/tubes1/calcbias.htm 

Nice clean vintage vibe.  Looks great.  I have mercury trannys also and TAD's. No complaints so far.

Dennis

Just curious. What is your plate voltage, Tonequest?

Thanks Pickmaster. If only I could pick like you.

Dennis

Thanks Mcinku.  I just wanted to be a little different.  I really love this amp. It deliveres the sounds I have been chasing for several years. Now if I can figure out the d-lator? There is always something else isn't there.

Dennis

I finaly completed my Overtone Special. After being totaly happy with the sound after the burn in and familiarization period, I decided to tackle building my own cabinet.  Not traditional color layout. But i did it my way.     Opinions welcome.
Thanks for having such a great forum.

Dennis

I have them biased at 36 and 38. Slight mismatch. Plate voltage is 472. This is still relatively cold I believe. 56 and 60 % approximately.  I'm sure somebody here with more experience can help more.  I am learning but have a ways to go. Good luck and I hope you enjoy, Tonequest.

Dennis

Tonequest:
     I wouldn't say the TAD's are darker, they just seemed to slightly dull the sharpness and maybe fatter would be appropriate. A little more 3D.  Can still sound pretty aggressive but a little more refined. Hard to describe but I hope you get the idea. I need to learn how to post sound clips and buy recording equipment.

Dennis

Hey Tonequest. Lurker and newbie here. I think you will really like the TAD 6L6WGC-STR. I replaced my winged c's with them and as Steven said, the C's seemed a little in your face for me and were louder but the TAD's have a rounder warmth that I really like. My new build is the 50 watt OTS. It seemed to really smooth out after about 20 plus hours and a little tweaking with controls but the Tad's got me where I want to be. Now if I can just get the cabinet finished.

Dennis