Help: 5F1 build flutters and buzzes on power up

[lespaulplayer]

When I power the amp on it flutters (almost a skipping sound) and has a bad buzzing sound. When I plug a guitar into it you can hear it but it's very quiet even when turned up to the max. When it flutters I can see the glow in he power tube fluttering.

I've went through the wiring front and back dozens of times and everything is wired 100% correct. I can't for the life of me figure out what is causing this. I've even switched grounds around thinking that might be it but it's not. Anyone have any ideas? I can post a video showing what it does if that helps.

This is the wiring diagram I went off of. http://site.triodestore.com/5F1layout40-18019.pdf

I don't think there are any errors in the diagram. This is absolutely not a wiring error. Any ideas?

Here's a pic of my wiring:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/u04uu4q9tpj6y ... 8.jpg?dl=0

[Jana]

Voltage readings would be helpful.

Lift one end of the 22K resistor that connects to the 1k5 resistor and is in between the 25uf cap and the .022 cap. One end of that 22K goes to the speaker jack.

Does it still do it?

[lespaulplayer]

Yes, it still did it.

I can't take voltages because I don't have a multimeter. I can borrow one tomorrow and get voltage readings.

[Jana]

Did you try swapping in different tubes? I have had brand new tubes (not NOS) that arced internally right out of the box.

[lespaulplayer]

I don't have a spare 6v6 but I do have a 6L6. should I try that real quick to see if it works? I know its higher wattage tube so thats why I'm not sure about trying it out.

[Jana]

I would wait and get a 6V6. Buy a pair, then you have a spare.

Hey, I'm a poet!

[Blackburn]

This is absolutely not a wiring error.

Famous last words.

This isn't related to the issue you're having, but I seriously doubt you intended on using a pair of .22uf rather than .022uf coupling caps. I'd say that's an error. Just thought that after you get that puppy working properly, you'd like it to sound good. Hope you get it sorted out.

[Stevem]

Let me get this straight, you built a amp without owning a simple 35 buck voltmeter!?
You have checked the wiring over and over, but have you confirmed the correct component values used?
If you pull out the preamp tube does the issue still take place?

[Phil_S]

Let me get this straight, you built a amp without owning a simple 35 buck voltmeter!?

+1 on that. Heck, you can buy a real cheap DMM at Harbor Freight for $10. For $35 you can probably get one at the now bankrupt Rat Shack, Sears, Home Despot, or Blowes. This is a must have.

[lespaulplayer]

This is absolutely not a wiring error.

Famous last words.

This isn't related to the issue you're having, but I seriously doubt you intended on using a pair of .22uf rather than .022uf coupling caps. I'd say that's an error. Just thought that after you get that puppy working properly, you'd like it to sound good. Hope you get it sorted out.

Good call! I just ordered a new tube along with some .022uf caps. Thanks.

I can say it's not a wiring issue as far as all the wires are wired to where they need to be. I have gone over the wiring the past two days front and back and everything is right. Hopefully it's just a bad power tube and I can get the new tube and caps installed and be in business!

[lespaulplayer]

Let me get this straight, you built a amp without owning a simple 35 buck voltmeter!?

+1 on that. Heck, you can buy a real cheap DMM at Harbor Freight for $10. For $35 you can probably get one at the now bankrupt Rat Shack, Sears, Home Despot, or Blowes. This is a must have.

I had one. A nice one in fact. Last time I used it was when I built my JTM 45. I Don't know what happened to it. My dad has one I can borrow. It's not that big of deal fellas.

[Structo]

This is absolutely not a wiring error.

Famous last words.

This isn't related to the issue you're having, but I seriously doubt you intended on using a pair of .22uf rather than .022uf coupling caps. I'd say that's an error. Just thought that after you get that puppy working properly, you'd like it to sound good. Hope you get it sorted out.

A yeah, confirm component values and wiring.

A voltage check can absolutely narrow down the problems.

How about all the under the board wires?
Are they correct?

Double check your dropping string resistors.

Sort of looks like a 220R instead of a 22K.

[lespaulplayer]

This is absolutely not a wiring error.

Famous last words.

This isn't related to the issue you're having, but I seriously doubt you intended on using a pair of .22uf rather than .022uf coupling caps. I'd say that's an error. Just thought that after you get that puppy working properly, you'd like it to sound good. Hope you get it sorted out.

A yeah, confirm component values and wiring.

A voltage check can absolutely narrow down the problems.

How about all the under the board wires?
Are they correct?

Double check your dropping string resistors.

Sort of looks like a 220R instead of a 22K.

You're right it's a 10k and a 22k, I put a 10 and 22 in there. Crap. So I'll take back those famous last words, everything was not wired right Could that be wants causing my issue? I'll admit my first build I used a kit, and this time around I out sourced all the parts myself. I guess I should have been a little more careful when I was selecting values on my resisters and caps. I double checked all the rest of the resister values and they are right.

I checked all the wires on the underside and they all go to where they should.

[martin manning]

Very likely the low resistor values are causing your issue. The way it is there is virtually no decoupling of the power supply nodes. I'm with the others... Without a multimeter you're flying blind.

[M Fowler]

I use a meter during the whole build process, measuring resistor values, testing wire runs, measuring pots, voltage readings and bias. Not sure how you can work without a DMM.