Ceriatone Forum

     I agree with Cat.
     I read about circuits from Gerald Weber's books & Torres Inside Tube Amps (easy to comprehend) to get an understanding before I thought about building. The "Trainwreck pages" are a must. Here's one to Ken.

   I never built an amp before and had no problem following the layout. I did an 18 watt TMB (non EF86) that was a little more difficult. I found Heyboer trannies from one ebayer, a slightly hacked up Weber chassis w/faceplate (TMB pots are backwards) from another and bought Nik's board. I emailed Nik about the trannies and started my build.

    I did a section at a time: (a)faceplates, pots & leads (pot to pot), (b)tube sockets and socket lead wires, (c)pilot light & switches, power supply, ground lugs, can cap & leads, (d)output tranny, leads to output jacks, (e)mounted the board, took all the leads laid them out, (measured twice) stripped the leads, then put all the leads straight up in the air so I always knew where I was and what was left to be soldered. I started at one end of the board and worked to the other. It took right off the first time. No smoke, no sparks, no fire. I don't know if this the right order, but it worked for me.

    Just take your time, and use your head. I'm an old fart (60) so you guys that still have your eyesight should have no trouble. Just plan ahead and take a break if you feel uneasy. You'll come back and go "yeah, now I get it"

Boogieguy