First Build- Don't laugh too hard...

[Ron Worley]

Well boys, thanks to a LOT of help from many here at TAG, I have managed to finish my first build ("Teri Lin" after the wife, of course).... Lots of work to be sure, but a great learning experience.

Here are a few gut shots... please critique away, I really want your input to make it as good as I can... and avoid frying anything...

Tubes are on order, should be here this week... I am a tad nervous...

Ron

[Ron Worley]

The PS board...

[Bob-I]

Looks great, 300% better than my first build.

How's it sound?

[tubetek]

She's gorgeous, Ron-
Hope your wife doesn't get too jealous!!
What tubes are you trying in her? NOS Teslas or Siemens couldn't be bad.
How about preamp tubes?

[Ron Worley]

Thanks, I really tried to get it close to Franny.... I still have to put in some CC2W 100K Bleeders, and swap out one diode on the PS board (it's bent, and it pisses me off...lol).

For tubes, I've ordered a cheap set for startup: GT EL-34s, and Tung Sol reissue 12AX7s...

Once it's running well, then it's NOS Seimens 34's, and perhaps an EI Yugoslav for V1 and undecided on V2 and 3... per a suggestion from V846....

I'm open to suggestions.....

Ron

[Ron Worley]

Bob-I

Forgot to add...no EL-34s in the house (I USED TO only work on Fenders... but that's over...)

So, no tubes, no sound....

[geetarpicker]

Nice work! Fire it up with some 6L6s if you have them around from the Fender days... Should sound very nice.
GK

[tubetek]

Might I suggest trying a Smooth-Plate Telefunken in V1 (not easy to find OR cheap, but truly a classic.) Of course, getting the quietest tube possible for V1 makes the best sense. GE 5-Star 5751 is also a real winner overall if slightly less gain is the aim. To thine own ears be true!
Tom

[drhulsey]

... I have managed to finish my first build...

Looks like Francesca's twin sister Teri Lin to me
Nothin' to be laughed at here, except maybe in happy anticipation of how she'll sound

[weld]

serious work...

congrats

[Ron Worley]

Glenn-

I am a tad dense some times... I have tons of 6L6s and 6V6s laying around.

Any issues on current draw using either of these??

And lots of used 12AX7s.... but I doubt any are good enough for V1....

Thanks for bringing the obvious to my attention

Ron

[Fredaxis]

Wow, 1st build? really???
Congrats, very nice amp!

[geetarpicker]

Hmm... just turn the bias pot until it delivers the most bias voltage and start from there.

Ken always told me that anything that isn't red plating is safe and then you can go by ear from there. Still, maybe 30ma to start and then up from there maybe up to 45ma if the tubes seem to be handling it. My original Express was always a little hard on 6V6s so I never got into them for long. Good US made ones from the old days might be another story. I would bet most 6L6s can handle as much current in an Express as an EL34.

Heck I've used plenty of microphonic (but nice) sounding tubes in V1 over the years as long as I didn't put the amp on top of the cab.

[Ron Worley]

Yup, no kidding- my first build.... but I have been working on Fenders for many years and am a EE.... so it isn't my first go at using a soldering iron or the like....

Glenn- thanks for the info... I need to get my light bulb limiter set up, then I think I will have to swallow hard and give it a go.....

[UR12]

Ron

That looks beautiful. Great job!! Now get some tubes in there and fire that baby up. Teri Lin needs to make some noise.