Three Hoffman AB763s down, one more on the bench

[MFowler]

Nice job on that layout as usual.  Does Windows 10 support Visio 2003?


Mark

[bnwitt]

You can run it as long as you don't have a later version of Microsoft office products installed on the computer.  Also, when you shut it down, it has a little glitch where it tries to re-launch and you have to close the pop up.  I haven't tried compatibility mode with it which might fix that.  I do most of my work on my Windows 7 machine and I'm still using my 2003 Microsoft Office programs on that computer instead of later versions.  My Studio computer and my second office computer are Windows 10 so I occasionally run it on those machines and it works.  I just don't like Ribbon user interfaces as it's too hard to find your tools going from tab to tab.  With the 2003 Office products it's a lot easier to put your most frequently used tools on the main page so you don't have to jump around getting at them.

[purpletele]

If anyone is interested, I think the pricing is still available for Visio 2016 @ $170, which would include a remote installation from a tech.

Windows 10 and Visio 1016 originally had issues and people abandoned it.  the issues are fixed and the software is much less expensive.

Contact me if interested.

otis8@sbcglobal.net

[bnwitt]

You know I started using Visio Pro in 1995 long before Microsoft bought it from the two guys who created it.  I used it for floor plans when I was a regional engineer with Marriott.  I absolutely loved the program for drawing scaled plans.  Then Microsoft bought it and the two guys got rich.  Microsoft's first update had no new features except copy protection to prevent one from using it on more than one PC and the price went from $199 to $499.  Each subsequent update was less useful than before as they slowly changed it from a CAD like program to a charting program for IT folks.  It is just a shell of it's former self in today's version.  I just checked my 2003 version in compatibility mode in Windows 10 and it works without the shutdown glitch I mentioned before.  An un-opened version of Visio 2003 Professional can be purchased for around $40 on the bay if all you want to do is draw amps, but as I said, you can't have it installed at the same time as other Microsoft Office programs later than 2003.  And of course I'm sure that was done on purpose by Microsoft.

[kagliostro]

I use a 2007 version of Visio (on Windows 7 64bit)

an used version can be find on the cheap on e-bay

Franco

[purpletele]

You know I started using Visio Pro in 1995 long before Microsoft bought it from the two guys who created it.  I used it for floor plans when I was a regional engineer with Marriott.  I absolutely loved the program for drawing scaled plans.  Then Microsoft bought it and the two guys got rich.  Microsoft's first update had no new features except copy protection to prevent one from using it on more than one PC and the price went from $199 to $499.  Each subsequent update was less useful than before as they slowly changed it from a CAD like program to a charting program for IT folks.  It is just a shell of it's former self in today's version.  I just checked my 2003 version in compatibility mode in Windows 10 and it works without the shutdown glitch I mentioned before.  An un-opened version of Visio 2003 Professional can be purchased for around $40 on the bay if all you want to do is draw amps, but as I said, you can't have it installed at the same time as other Microsoft Office programs later than 2003.  And of course I'm sure that was done on purpose by Microsoft.

Barry,

Can I pilfer your tube sockets from Visio?

I like those with the numbering.

otis8@sbcglobal.net

[bnwitt]

Barry,
Can I pilfer your tube sockets from Visio?
I like those with the numbering.

otis8@sbcglobal.net

Sent to your email sir.

[bnwitt]

Well I'm still waiting for some more 18GA green wire to finish HDR #2 so I've started on #3 while I wait.  In the mean time here is a photo of #2's chassis.  I took a Fender twist and tuck tack instead of all of the flying wires on this one.  When I get the heaters connected we'll see how quiet it is.  Also, there is only (1) CC resistor in this one and that is the 3.3megohm reverb mix resistor.  Can't seem to find that value in MF.  I know the OT wires are long but I'm just waiting to crank it up and make sure I don't have to change their phase before I shorten them.

[bnwitt]

Cabinet #2 is finished.

[bnwitt]

Well I'm still waiting on heater wire for HDR #2 so I'm working on the cabinet for #3.  Sometimes it takes a lot of clamps to overcome the cupping in pine boards.  Sheesh!  After I am done with HDR #3 I'm moving on to Sluckey's AC 15 amp build.  I'm going to do a 1x12 combo and I've got some Vox black grill cloth (might not use it) but I'm trying to decide what color and type of Tolex to use.  Maybe I'll go with the vintage look or maybe the cream look.  What does everyone think.  Now that I have an Incra I-box finger jointed cabinets are a breeze so anything goes.  I'm interested in the opinions of all of you amp aholics out there.  I'll probably make a couple of these for sale as well as one for my studio so I need to know what look excites.

[mresistor]

Thank you sir.  How does that HPR sound these days?

Sounds great..  I have always had JJ's in it. It's not a normal HPR  has an oversized/ove spec'd Allen PT and a Deluxe OT. I built a HDR though, marshall style head, that is working it's way to being my #1.
Next up is a HSR (Super) - probably also a head.


Sorry I can't give you a fave on the Vox - they both look really nice.

[bnwitt]

Ok, I finally received the 18ga heater wire and have completed the HDR #2 amplifier which only has the (1) 3.3megohm carbon composition resistor in the amp.  All other resistors are mostly 1 watt metal film with (2) 1 watt carbon film resistors and (1) 1/2 watt carbon film resistor (as I didn't have MF for those values) and 1 watt or 3 watt metal oxide power resistors (plate and B+ dropping resistors).

This amp is dead quiet with the volume controls at 10.  Absolutely no resistor hiss or other noise present.  HDR #1 which was mostly CC resistors had some hiss at full volume.  This is a huge difference.  Now I have to get some players to compare the two amps side by side for tone.  I hope they both sound great so I can move away from CCs altogether.  We'll see. 

You definitely want to shield the underside of the cabinets on these amps as they will pickup spurious signals.  While taking a photo with my phone of the chassis in my amp cradle with the amp turned on in burn in mode, I could inject the Wi-Fi Bluetooth phone signal into the amplifier from about 1 foot away.

[CraigB]

Dang, that is one fine looking gut shot!  You're a rockstar man.  Beautiful work! Any top chassis shot?

[bnwitt]

CraigB,
Thank you sir.  Yes, here is a top chassis shot.

[bnwitt]

Just and FYi, I've updated both files in this thread.  The 4 page set and the 11x17 layout have both been updated to match the current Hoffman board layout which is a little tighter than the original board from long ago.  Trying to get HDR#3 finished and then it's on to the Sluckey AC15.  I am supposed to get some recording done on these amps next Saturday and I'll share those when I get them including some CC amp to MF amp comparisons which will show the major difference in noise at idle.

[bnwitt]

Ok, I spent 4 hours this morning with 2 local guitar players playing and recording HDR #1 and #2 side by side.  You may remember that #1 was mostly CC resistors and flying wires while #2 is metal film resistors with only 1 C.C. and twisted Fender style wires.  #1 has been in the possession of it's owner for several weeks now and to my surprise, it is now very quiet on idle.  The hiss which was present at delivery when the amp was dimmed is gone.  I assume this is due to the CC resistors drying out under power.  #2 is just as quiet as #1 but even better news is the tone with M.F. resistors is just as sweet.  Both resistor types and lead dress methods produce a great sounding quiet on idle amplifier.  Sweet!  So all subsequent HDR amps will use M.F. resistors to avoid value drift over time and twisted control wiring to minimize wire flop during amp transport.


Over the next few days I will pull out some sound bites from the session to share.

[purpletele]

Good report,

I am ordering my resistors soon for my Deluxe.

[bnwitt]

Have fun building it purpletele.  They are great amps.

[bnwitt]

Ok, I've got lots of clips to wade through on this recording session but here is the first one.  HDR #1 on the left and HDR #2 on the right.  Both amps were recorded with a separate SM57 on the grilles raw into an Art Digital Gold 2 channel preamp and then into a Tascam DP-01.  No compression or any external effects were used.  HDR#2 had an American Deluxe Strat with vintage noiseless pickups and S1 switch plugged into the Tremolo channel.  HDR #1 was a Mexican strat straight into the Tremolo channel after a looper pedal that was used occasionally during the session to add background rhythm parts.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/lwezh5rd7z71g28/HDR%201%262%20clip%201.mp3?dl=0

Barry

ok second clip:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/r5jqzufp2hnx3ig/HDR%201%262%20clip%202.mp3?dl=0

A bit of noodling going on here

[bnwitt]

And for a while at least, here is the last loaded HDR turret board.  I should finish the chassis today or tomorrow.  Tolexing the cabinet is the last thing to do on this third HDR.  And then it's on to the AC15 unless I get a commitment from a potential buyer for a 1987 Plexi or 2204 JCM800.

Man I love the smell of electronics in the morning

[bnwitt]

Just when I say "done"  another Hoffman AB763/6G16 Deluxe style amp on the bench.  Hopefully it will be done sometime this week.  I'm taking my sweet time on this one though as I don't want the silly mistakes on it like I had on the rush job Super Reverb version I just completed.

[purpletele]

Ok, I've got lots of clips to wade through on this recording session but here is the first one.  HDR #1 on the left and HDR #2 on the right.  Both amps were recorded with a separate SM57 on the grilles raw into an Art Digital Gold 2 channel preamp and then into a Tascam DP-01.  No compression or any external effects were used.  HDR#2 had an American Deluxe Strat with vintage noiseless pickups and S1 switch plugged into the Tremolo channel.  HDR #1 was a Mexican strat straight into the Tremolo channel after a looper pedal that was used occasionally during the session to add background rhythm parts.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/lwezh5rd7z71g28/HDR%201%262%20clip%201.mp3?dl=0

Barry

ok second clip:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/r5jqzufp2hnx3ig/HDR%201%262%20clip%202.mp3?dl=0

A bit of noodling going on here

Nice clips Barry.  Your amps sound great and the guitar work is very nice.

[bnwitt]

Thanks Purpletele but it wasn't me playing.  Those are my amps but it's one of my customers and his brother playing them.  It was a couple of strats into two of my Duke 65 Hoffman Deluxe Reverbs.  They are great sounding amps for sure.

[bnwitt]

Ok, I have updated the 13x19 layout drawing pdf and the 4 page build information drawing pdf as well.  The files in the previous posts are updated and here they are as well.  These versions show the Red LED in the Tremolo section of the circuit.  I will update the voltage chart and the Schematic shortly.
Steve, take a look at the led polarity in the drawings if you would and make sure it is correct. 

[sluckey]

I'm surprised you didn't put the LED on the front panel. Was that just too geeky for you?   

[bnwitt]

Look closely at the faceplate page in the 4 page file Didn't put it on this one but probably will on the next one

[bnwitt]

I just finished wiring the 4th AB763/6G15 Hoffman amp chassis.  Attached are a couple of photos of the finished chassis.  Now I have to run through the entire amp and make sure everything is wired correctly.  I took my time on this one so hopefully all is well.   Once I test it and all is good I will complete the voltage chart and annotated schematic to upload.  Then it's on to tolexing the cabinet and putting grill cloth on the baffle board.  This HDR has a pull on push off bright switch on both channels and the 0.47uf capacitor, red LED and 220 ohm resistor (instead of the original 470K ohm resistor) in the tremolo circuit to increase intensity.  I've got a couple of Marshall 18 watts next on the list.

[bnwitt]

The finished chassis