Express Issue: PI and MV

[peckjed]

Good evening! I finished my first build today and I'm troubleshooting why she isn't singing. From what I can tell there is no power going to the PI. I attempted to install a MV right off that bat and both my express and MV layout are from Triode USA. Below is a link to an album if anyone has some insight/suggestions.

Also, the chassis seems to be shocking me a bit when trying to play. I'm assuming I'm missing a ground somewhere, so any ID on that would be great too!

http://imgur.com/a/By0j8

[Littlewyan]

Well first off if the chassis is shocking you then either your earth isn't connected or the cathodes for V1 aren't grounded very well. Please check those immediately. I once forgot to ground the cathodes on V1 when messing with an amp. Touched a metal switch whilst holding my guitar and bugger me it wasn't nice!

Edit: Going by the photos is the input jack grounded? Can't quite see if you've connected it to the turret for the first cathode resistor/capacitor. If it is, then is that turret actually grounded?

[peckjed]

Well first off if the chassis is shocking you then either your earth isn't connected or the cathodes for V1 aren't grounded very well. Please check those immediately. I once forgot to ground the cathodes on V1 when messing with an amp. Touched a metal switch whilst holding my guitar and bugger me it wasn't nice!

Edit: Going by the photos is the input jack grounded? Can't quite see if you've connected it to the turret for the first cathode resistor/capacitor. If it is, then is that turret actually grounded?

The input jack should be grounded with the shielded cable that goes to V1, but that wire kind of confused me. The input jack is also linked to the turret directly below... but now that you mention it, that turret isn't grounded to the bar that is going across the pots.

This is the layout im using: http://site.triodestore.com/TWEXPRESSLAYOUT.pdf

[Littlewyan]

Thats probably why you have no sound. Ground that turret and stop shocking yourself . Also check all other grounds to be safe.

With regards to the shielded cable, that is grounded with the input jack (which should be grounded), not the other way round .

Also a good tip. Don't touch the guitar when testing for the first time. Lay it down and strum the strings with one hand. Then when touching the amp make sure you don't touch the guitar. Or better yet get someone else to strum the guitar whilst you tinker. You got shocked as you became the ground as your input jack wasn't grounded.

[peckjed]

Thanks for the tips! I'll make the changes and report back... hopefully everything works and my neighbors are ready.

[peckjed]

Thats probably why you have no sound. Ground that turret and stop shocking yourself . Also check all other grounds to be safe.

With regards to the shielded cable, that is grounded with the input jack (which should be grounded), not the other way round .

Also a good tip. Don't touch the guitar when testing for the first time. Lay it down and strum the strings with one hand. Then when touching the amp make sure you don't touch the guitar. Or better yet get someone else to strum the guitar whilst you tinker. You got shocked as you became the ground as your input jack wasn't grounded.

Adding the missing ground fixed the shock. The reason the PI wasn't working? The 12ax7 was a dud. Adding a working on and the amp was singing! Thanks for all the help troubleshooting.

[Littlewyan]

No worries mate. Glad to hear its singing!