5E3 build issue.

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Brad166
Posts: 23
Joined: Fri Mar 21, 2008 12:04 am

5E3 build issue.

Post by Brad166 »

Well I finished a 5E3 build. This is my second one. First one I built fired up and work perfect on the first try. This one on the other hand didnt. Tubes light up and there was no smoke. But there is no sound at all. One other thing I found strange was if I plug in a guitar cable and toutch the tip with my finger I can see an ark in the 6v6 power tubes!!?!?!?!? Anyone have any ideas? Thanks to all in advance.
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Noval_novice
Posts: 124
Joined: Mon Jun 14, 2010 11:22 pm
Location: Tennessee

Re: 5E3 build issue.

Post by Noval_novice »

Greetings. Sorry to hear about your troubles. If it makes you feel any better, I have yet to build anything that works as expected on the first power-up. How 'bout sharing some pics and voltages with us?
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Bob-I
Posts: 3791
Joined: Thu Feb 02, 2006 10:06 pm
Location: Hillsborough NJ

Re: 5E3 build issue.

Post by Bob-I »

I'd start by measuring voltages at all of the tubes, all pins and post the results. Remember the the heaters are AC and the rest DC so set the meter accordingly.

Next build a signal probe like this one from BYOC http://buildyourownclone.com/probe.html

Put a signal into the input and listen by connecting the probe to another amp, ground the clip lead and then touch the tip of the probe to each stage, grid and plate to see if there is an output. Once you find where the output is lost you can double check your wiring.
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