Neatness counts

[Ash Telecaster]

Hey all,

Any tips or tricks for getting a "neat" build? I try but when I look at some of you guys amp gut shots I am amazed by how perfect everything is. How do you get everything so perfect?!

Thanks

[dwinstonwood]

First off, I am not claiming that my builds are very neat. But, I've managed, over time, to come up with a system of lead dress and grounding that results in very quiet amps with little to no hum and hiss (I play at night in an townhouse where you can almost hear a mouse walking on carpet).

I enjoy drawing my layouts as much as I do soldering together the parts. I try to think of each gain stage as its own separate circuit. I group its parts together, including filter caps, and rotate tube sockets so that the fewest number of wires cross each other. I then like to leave some physical space on the board between these circuits. Basically, I try to lay out components so that their wires are grouped together and separate from other components/circuits. This part of the design takes the longest time to finish. I'll redraw layouts several times until I happy with a stopping point (there's always room for a bit more adjusting).

But, every time I finish an amp I see something that I could have done better. So, I incorporate that observation into my next build.

[Ash Telecaster]

Thanks! Sorry I took so long to reply. I posted, then got busy. But now here I am.

That design looks great. What software did you use to make it?

[acheld]

I'm pretty sure that is DIYLC, a common tool in this and many other build communities.  It's quite versatile, and has been around for ages.  Highly recommended.

Go here for downloads:  https://github.com/bancika/diy-layout-creator/releases

As far as neatness goes, it is a process, as dwinstonwood has alluded to.  Experience counts.
 
Sluckey, a truly inspired amp builder, has said that he spends far more time planning than building.    Check out his website:  https://www.sluckeyamps.com/index.htm,  and dive into some of his builds.