New Oscilloscope - Looking for advice

[Jonas]

at least new to me.... I have a B&K Precision model 1474 scope. I plan to use it primarily with tube amps.

I have 0 experience with scopes, but I plan to start by reading the manual / on-line videos

Is this a good scope to start with (assuming it works)?

I'm also looking for replacement probe suggestions

Thanks!!!!

[WimWalther]

That scope is perfectly fine for about any audio use, and more.

As for probes, pick up a set of the very inexpensive 60 or 100MHz 10:1 (switchable) probes that can be found on ebay for around $20 or less. I have several sets and they work just fine. And they're cheap enough that you won't stress out if you accidentally wreck them.

Definitely RTFM and watch some o-scope 101 vids on YT.

And one caveat to always bear in mind.. you see all of those controls on that scope? Well, think of them as Data Adjustment Knobs.. meaning that you will always tend to set them wherever they give you what you think you should see - rather than what you might really need to see.

[Lectroid]

And one caveat to always bear in mind.. you see all of those controls on that scope? Well, think of them as Data Adjustment Knobs.. meaning that you will always tend to set them wherever they give you what you think you should see - rather than what you might really need to see.

This is a good tip to remember.

[sluckey]

Honor the input voltage limitations. (See service manual page 3)

Max. Input Voltage
300 VDC + AC peak or 600 V p-p.

[TitaniumValhalla]

This is a good introductory video on how to use your scope to look at an amp:

[WimWalther]

Here's another excellent beginner's video, this one is oriented towards analog scopes like the OP's B&K.

i=UX_7-R0uJImTLdYt

[joesatch]

i bought this scope over a year ago. i still cant figure out how to use it.  Buy simple!

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01J1MQC3G/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[PRR]

PDF files of old books:
http://tubebooks.org/Books/Sicuranza_cathode.pdf
http://tubebooks.org/Books/smith_oscilloscope.pdf
http://tubebooks.org/Books/haas_oscope.pdf
http://tubebooks.org/Books/Middleton_troubleshooting.pdf

http://tubebooks.org has a self-signed security certificate. This is perfectly safe for you, but your browser doesn't know what you are doing and you may have to beat it into loading the site.

[WimWalther]

i bought this scope over a year ago. i still cant figure out how to use it.  Buy simple!

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01J1MQC3G/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

With computer-based scopes, the number of features can be staggering. How much software can you cram into it?

The OP's scope is about as basic as they come. But it's still totally suitable for all sorts of jobs. I think that I owned one of those units, many years ago - though mine was cosmetically different.

[Jonas]

Thanks everyone, I will get some probes ordered up and do some reading / watching.

[WimWalther]

Thanks everyone, I will get some probes ordered up and do some reading / watching.

Here you go, check out ebay item 314549314579

These are the same probes I use, and they are perfectly adequate for your purposes. $12.99 shipped per pair.

[tdvt]

It must be scope month.

A friend who is parsing out unused electronic projects, parts, etc. dropped off a box that included a Tektronix TDS 210, with a dead backlight, salvaged from his work.

Apparently they used a fluorescent tube which seems to wear out in most of them. New tubes seem to be readily available, but lots of home-brew LED conversion mods online as well.   

Like the OP, I have zero scope experience, so I will have to start with the videos linked above.

[Jonas]

THANKS AGAIN! I hope to have time this weekend to start my education. I have the test leads ordered thanks WimWalther!

[Jonas]

quick update -

@WimWalther - I purchased those probes and they work well - thank you!!

started out small here but successfully used the scope to determine inner and outer foil on a few caps. I experimented with the noisy white mallorys then moved up to caps that will actually go in the amp.