Welcome To the Hoffman Amplifiers Forum

September 08, 2025, 09:29:16 am
guest image
Welcome, Guest. Please login or register.
-User Name
-Password



Hoffman Amps Forum image Author Topic: Quick Tremor-lator Question  (Read 1590 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline yorgle

  • Level 2
  • **
  • Posts: 142
  • I love Tube amps
Hoffman Amps Forum image
Quick Tremor-lator Question
« on: December 06, 2019, 10:26:31 am »
I'm currently using this circuit in two of my SE amps.  In each amp, the tremolo "signal" wire is connected directly to the grid of a preamp tube.  Should there be a coupling capacitor on this wire?  I assume the answer is "no" because both amps work without caps, but looking at schematics of other tremolo circuits, eg Gibson GR-1rt, there is always a cap when the signal is inserted into tube grids.  As an experiment, I stuck a .01uf disc on one of the amps and it killed the tremolo, so again, I assume the answer is "no" but I'm confused as to why a coupling cap isn't used here.   :dontknow:   

Offline sluckey

  • Level 5
  • *******
  • Posts: 5075
    • Sluckey Amps
Hoffman Amps Forum image
Re: Quick Tremor-lator Question
« Reply #1 on: December 06, 2019, 10:47:10 am »
In the GA-1RT the tremolo signal is taken from the plate of the oscillator tube so the trem signal is riding on a big DC voltage. The cap is necessary to block that dc voltage from appearing on the grid of that 6V6.

The Trem-O-Nator output has no DC voltage nor even an AC signal voltage. The output is just a varying resistance that shunts the guitar signal to ground. The VTL-5C1 optocoupler isolates any voltage that appears on the LED side from appearing on the LDR side. So, no coupling cap needed.
A schematic, layout, and hi-rez pics are very useful for troubleshooting your amp. Don't wait to be asked. JUST DO IT!

Offline yorgle

  • Level 2
  • **
  • Posts: 142
  • I love Tube amps
Hoffman Amps Forum image
Re: Quick Tremor-lator Question
« Reply #2 on: December 06, 2019, 01:41:44 pm »
Thanks for clearing some fog from my head. Seems perfectly clear to me now.

 


Choose a link from the
Hoffman Amplifiers parts catalog
Mobile Device
Catalog Link
Yard Sale
Discontinued
Misc. Hardware
What's New Board Building
 Parts
Amp trim
Handles
Lamps
Diodes
Hoffman Turret
 Boards
Channel
Switching
Resistors Fender Eyelet
 Boards
Screws/Nuts
Washers
Jacks/Plugs
Connectors
Misc Eyelet
Boards
Tools
Capacitors Custom Boards
Tubes
Valves
Pots
Knobs
Fuses/Cords Chassis
Tube
Sockets
Switches Wire
Cable


Handy Links
Tube Amp Library
Tube Amp
Schematics library
Design a custom Eyelet or
Turret Board
DIY Layout Creator
File analyzer program
DIY Layout Creator
File library
Transformer Wiring
Diagrams
Hoffmanamps
Facebook page
Hoffman Amplifiers
Discount Program