Welcome To the Hoffman Amplifiers Forum

September 08, 2025, 05:18:44 am
guest image
Welcome, Guest. Please login or register.
-User Name
-Password



Hoffman Amps Forum image Author Topic: 18 watt tremolo starts. Then slowly loses intensity and stops  (Read 2242 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline Fiat_cc

  • Level 2
  • **
  • Posts: 174
  • I love Tube amps
Hoffman Amps Forum image
18 watt tremolo starts. Then slowly loses intensity and stops
« on: August 05, 2019, 02:45:10 am »
As the title says. Trem was working fine, and has been for some time. Now it starts, but slowly (over 30 seconds or so) loses intensity and stops. I’ve tried replacing the tube with another, and no noticeable improvement. I know this circuit can be finicky, and sensitive to tubes, but it’s frustrating me as it has been fine for months.

Offline Williamblake

  • Level 2
  • **
  • Posts: 483
  • I just picked values that I've seen in other circu
Hoffman Amps Forum image
Re: 18 watt tremolo starts. Then slowly loses intensity and stops
« Reply #1 on: August 05, 2019, 03:36:05 am »
What plate voltage do you have? I am using the  18w tremolo and it stopaped working when the rectifier died. And did you tweak the oscillation  loop?

Offline Fiat_cc

  • Level 2
  • **
  • Posts: 174
  • I love Tube amps
Hoffman Amps Forum image
Re: 18 watt tremolo starts. Then slowly loses intensity and stops
« Reply #2 on: August 05, 2019, 04:04:38 am »
What plate voltage do you have? I am using the  18w tremolo and it stopaped working when the rectifier died. And did you tweak the oscillation  loop?
Can’t remember plate voltage on that tube now. It’s been ages! Around 180 on the oscillator and 125 on the gain stage from memory, but I’ve built a few amps since then, so could be mis-remembering.
Yes, I used the well know tweaks and updates available at 18watt.com. It has been really well behaved up until now. My voltages are definitely higher than usual because I’ve put the 18 watt preamp in front of a Super Reverb output section, so the B+ starts much higher. Obviously I’ve used dropping resistors to get in the ball park, but yeah, suddenly the trem is misbehaving. It had been on for quite some time, so I wonder if heat related maybe.
« Last Edit: August 08, 2019, 02:44:15 am by Fiat_cc »

Offline sluckey

  • Level 5
  • *******
  • Posts: 5075
    • Sluckey Amps
Hoffman Amps Forum image
Re: 18 watt tremolo starts. Then slowly loses intensity and stops
« Reply #3 on: August 09, 2019, 08:52:25 am »
Get a handful of tubes and start rolling 'til you find (hopefully) a happy one.
A schematic, layout, and hi-rez pics are very useful for troubleshooting your amp. Don't wait to be asked. JUST DO IT!

Offline Fiat_cc

  • Level 2
  • **
  • Posts: 174
  • I love Tube amps
Hoffman Amps Forum image
Re: 18 watt tremolo starts. Then slowly loses intensity and stops
« Reply #4 on: August 12, 2019, 06:53:27 am »
Get a handful of tubes and start rolling 'til you find (hopefully) a happy one.
So they really are just that finicky on tubes?
My next version I plan on using the Fender VibroChamp tremolo circuit.  Same overall effect, being preamp bias wiggle, but hopefully more reliable.

 


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