Total newbie.

[LOUDger]

Hello Group,

I am totally new to the world of electronics and tube amplifiers. I'll be taking an Introduction to Electronics course next month and building my skills and knowledge from there.

My goal is to eventually be able to make a small amp for myself. Up here in Toronto, there is a lot of excitement about building amplifiers from Bell & Howell film projector amps. I have an old RCA Victor turntable I would like to experiment with.

So my first question is, would the guru's here please suggest where, in this wealth of information, should I start my reading? And what schematics should I study first?

My tube amp collection consists of: a Kalamazoo Reverb 12, Traynor YBA-2, Traynor YBA-2A and a 1969 Traynor YVM-1 PA amp.

Thank you your accepting me into the group, and thank you in advance to anyone who takes the time to respond. 
Cheers,
Gerry

[EL34]

Welcome, go to this board for amp questions
http://el34world.com/Forum/index.php?board=13.0

[LOUDger]

Thanks!

Gerry

[timbertoes]

hello, good luck and above all, keep at it!

[drgonzonm]

Recommend three circuits,
5E3, 5F6a, and the early champ.

Please don't get mad at your electronics instructor, I will guess you review solid state components, not the dinosaur components like tubes.  (I like dinosaurs).

Download a copy of RDH-4, (very heavy reading).  In this tome, are methods to evaluate different methods of setting up tubes. including triodes and pentodes.

Over time you will hear about FMV tone stacks etc., 

While I have worn out the patience of a couple of the gurus, I find them to be very good.   

I am not a guru,

[LOUDger]

Thanks, drgonzonm.

I did a lot of reading yesterday and learned that the idea of turning old radios into tube amps is not as fruitful as a newbie thought. I will go for the fresh build, and a Champ does seem like the place to start. My other interest is repairing an old pedal, that unfortunately has all the parts scraped clean of info. Think there's any hope for it?

I'll get this RDH-4.

Tonestack lightning?

Cheers,
Gerry

[Bangy]

Jack Darr is where I started, maybe try his electric guitar amp book.

This forum is incredible, you have chosen wisely. The more work you do before asking a question will benefit the quality of answer you obtain. The folks here are super giving and willing to help. I have never had a question go unresolved.

Good luck in your journey.

[drgonzonm]

+1 on Darr. 

Do a search for jdarr_ for a downloadable chapters. 

RDH-4 can be found on a link from this website