Hello from Virginia!

[JRS]

Hello from Virginia!

With a degree in recording, 18 years of playing guitar, I now know its a crime that I never understood how tube amps really worked.

My journey into the world of tube amplifiers started about 2 years ago. I am now obsessed, cough, I mean passionate. Thanks to a few key publications, google, youtube, and of course Hoffman's forum, I'm now reading schematics, designing and building my own amps independently and most importantly safely.

Few key things that got me started:
My trusty American 96 Strat haha
Trinity Amp TC15 Kit
The Guitar Amp Handbook - Dave Hunter
A desktop reference of hip vintage guitar amps - Gerald Weber
Uncle Doug's Youtube Channel
That Pedal Show - Youtube
Merlin Blencowe's publications
Hoffman's forum
digi key schem it - website
Craftsman dovetail jig

My latest build/learning adventure is a little 5 watt'r:
Ef86 GEC (lower gain) > 6S4P-DR (russian single triode, mu68) > Bandaxall Tone Stack > SE swappable octal / 9 pin tube with a cathode biased resistor selector switch so I can, with an adapter of course, run a 6v6, El84, 6p14-EV, 6ZC5 etc. This build if anything has been a step in the learning adventure.

Next build is a stereo rig, maybe a combo, not sure, with complimenting circuits and speakers. EF86/Old strange Octal of some sort/Alnico + 12A_7/6V6/Ceramic. I've recently been learning about out of the box tubes, old octal pre and power tubes, old military tubes etc.

Anyway, Hello from VA!

JRS

[EL34]

Welcome to the forum

[pompeiisneaks]

Welcome, sounds great!  Yeah it's at least an expensive hobby eh? :D

~Phil

[JRS]

Thanks. Yeah, no joke..."found a nice Orsam 57 tube in mint condition, no microphonics, glorious"... and.. looks like ramen noodles tonight hahah