Welcome To the Hoffman Amplifiers Forum

September 06, 2025, 12:50:31 pm
guest image
Welcome, Guest. Please login or register.
-User Name
-Password



Hoffman Amps Forum image Author Topic: Hoffman_AB763_1 channel build, output transformer feedback issue  (Read 3318 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline RoadShow

  • Level 2
  • **
  • Posts: 105
  • Disturbing the Peace Since 1955
Hello,

I'm wrapping up the Hoffman_AB763_1 channel build and "almost" everything is working great; inputs, volume, tone control, reverb, tremolo...

The issue I'm having is when I hook up the output transformer feedback.  When I do, I get a god awful howl/squeal.  When I pull the feedback wire it goes away and the amp sounds great.  In the attached pictures I have a jumper in place instead of a wire so that I can disconnect it quickly.

Any idea what I messed up?  I've included the AB763 pdf below with the pictures, and I've looked it over several time but am stuck and hoping someone can help me out.

Thanks in advance...

Bill

Offline sluckey

  • Level 5
  • *******
  • Posts: 5075
    • Sluckey Amps
Hoffman Amps Forum image
Re: Hoffman_AB763_1 channel build, output transformer feedback issue
« Reply #1 on: July 20, 2023, 06:42:44 pm »
Swap the OT primary plate leads (blue and brown).
A schematic, layout, and hi-rez pics are very useful for troubleshooting your amp. Don't wait to be asked. JUST DO IT!

Offline sluckey

  • Level 5
  • *******
  • Posts: 5075
    • Sluckey Amps
Hoffman Amps Forum image
Re: Hoffman_AB763_1 channel build, output transformer feedback issue
« Reply #2 on: July 20, 2023, 06:48:49 pm »
If OT wires are too short to swap, then swap the two brown grid wires on the board. (see pic)
A schematic, layout, and hi-rez pics are very useful for troubleshooting your amp. Don't wait to be asked. JUST DO IT!

Offline RoadShow

  • Level 2
  • **
  • Posts: 105
  • Disturbing the Peace Since 1955
Hoffman Amps Forum image
Re: Hoffman_AB763_1 channel build, output transformer feedback issue
« Reply #3 on: July 20, 2023, 06:49:41 pm »
Swap the OT primary plate leads (blue and brown).

Thanks, I kept looking and I was just reading that in your post here, bout halfway down:

https://el34world.com/Forum/index.php?topic=20167.msg211693#msg211693

Offline dogburn

  • Level 2
  • **
  • Posts: 127
  • Meddling Kid (but older)
Hoffman Amps Forum image
Re: Hoffman_AB763_1 channel build, output transformer feedback issue
« Reply #4 on: July 20, 2023, 07:01:12 pm »
With both amps I have built, I had to switch the OT wires because of the squeal. Fortunately, I was already aware this could happen (I think I read about it at Rob Robinette's site. The lesson should be to get ready to shut the amp off the first time it's all hooked up with a speaker.

Offline RoadShow

  • Level 2
  • **
  • Posts: 105
  • Disturbing the Peace Since 1955
Hoffman Amps Forum image
Re: Hoffman_AB763_1 channel build, output transformer feedback issue
« Reply #5 on: July 20, 2023, 07:01:57 pm »
Swap the OT primary plate leads (blue and brown).

BINGO, thx!!

Offline sluckey

  • Level 5
  • *******
  • Posts: 5075
    • Sluckey Amps
Hoffman Amps Forum image
Re: Hoffman_AB763_1 channel build, output transformer feedback issue
« Reply #6 on: July 20, 2023, 08:08:55 pm »
Swap the OT primary plate leads (blue and brown).

BINGO, thx!!
And the take home lesson for this is "DON'T TRIM THE OT PLATE LEADS UNTIL YOU KNOW THE NFB IS CORRECT".
A schematic, layout, and hi-rez pics are very useful for troubleshooting your amp. Don't wait to be asked. JUST DO IT!

Offline bmccowan

  • Level 3
  • ***
  • Posts: 1744
  • Better builder than player
Hoffman Amps Forum image
Re: Hoffman_AB763_1 channel build, output transformer feedback issue
« Reply #7 on: July 20, 2023, 10:11:48 pm »
I just paint the brown lead blue and vice-versa - it's easier.
Mac
“To my surprise, when I opened my eyes, I was the victim of a great compromise.”
John Prine

Offline nandrewjackson

  • Level 2
  • **
  • Posts: 430
  • "Don't stop here; this is Bat country"
Hoffman Amps Forum image
Re: Hoffman_AB763_1 channel build, output transformer feedback issue
« Reply #8 on: July 21, 2023, 03:30:27 am »
Nice looking build


😃✝️☮️🏆😎🥸

Offline bmccowan

  • Level 3
  • ***
  • Posts: 1744
  • Better builder than player
Hoffman Amps Forum image
Re: Hoffman_AB763_1 channel build, output transformer feedback issue
« Reply #9 on: July 21, 2023, 06:05:50 am »
Wow - that is a very clean build. Well done Roadshow.
And, I like the looks of that jumper - I need to get me some - sometimes alligators just don't make it.
Mac
“To my surprise, when I opened my eyes, I was the victim of a great compromise.”
John Prine

Offline RoadShow

  • Level 2
  • **
  • Posts: 105
  • Disturbing the Peace Since 1955
Hoffman Amps Forum image
Re: Hoffman_AB763_1 channel build, output transformer feedback issue
« Reply #10 on: July 21, 2023, 07:46:19 am »
Wow - that is a very clean build. Well done Roadshow.
And, I like the looks of that jumper - I need to get me some - sometimes alligators just don't make it.

Thx,

Those jumpers are a godsend, great for discharging the caps when I power it off to work on it.

Offline RoadShow

  • Level 2
  • **
  • Posts: 105
  • Disturbing the Peace Since 1955
Hoffman Amps Forum image
Re: Hoffman_AB763_1 channel build, output transformer feedback issue
« Reply #11 on: July 21, 2023, 07:47:33 am »
Swap the OT primary plate leads (blue and brown).

BINGO, thx!!
And the take home lesson for this is "DON'T TRIM THE OT PLATE LEADS UNTIL YOU KNOW THE NFB IS CORRECT".

Yep, 2 lessons learned here.


 


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