1st time builder - 12xxx '68 EVH spec kit journal

[YMI5150?]

Hey there,

I'm going on faith that I can pull this off with your help. I'm minutes away from pulling the trigger on the 68 EVH spec'd parts kit (no instructions...).
My first question is - I know I want the virtual variac kit. should I include that in my initial order or pick it up in a few weeks?

Much more to come...

Cheers

[neikeel]

Hey there,

I'm going on faith that I can pull this off with your help. I'm minutes away from pulling the trigger on the 68 EVH spec'd parts kit (no instructions...).
My first question is - I know I want the virtual variac kit. should I include that in my initial order or pick it up in a few weeks?

Much more to come...

Cheers

Yes. Also I suggest if you are going to use a LarMar (Fischer) PPIMV do tha tfrom the outset.
On the other hand if you are going to use Steve's effects loop that goes in later once you are up and running.
Look forward to your journal

[YMI5150?]

apparently the variac switch is part of the kit so here we go...splash...

[YMI5150?]

Any prep work advice you can provide while I wait for the kit to arrive? I've got a great Weller solder station (WD1001) ready to go. any links to light reading would be helpful as well. I have the stock 100w super lead instructions here. I'm not sure how much this kit deviates from those. Please advise.

Cheers

[Vegard]

Hi!

We will help you through the build if you need it! You will love it when its done! : D

[YMI5150?]

Kit's here. Wish I could tear into it instead of working...

My plan is to work off the basic 100W kit instructions until I run into a snag and ping you guys. Will that plan work?

Cheers

[Vegard]

I think that plan will work
Also, see the layout for the early 68` ; )

[YMI5150?]

Day1
Got my workstation all set up, kit unpacked and although I'm confident I'll complete it, I quickly realized all I really have to go by is previous build pics and your support. Most initial build pics jump right to all components attached to chassis. The very first step of attaching the PT to chassis is different than the standard 100w instructions...and to boot, looks like they forgot to kit the PT mounting hardware...no lock nuts or any nuts with the correct thread are included. flat washer needed between PT and chassis?

Hope for a better day tomorrow.

[YMI5150?]

I decided to take a chance and use the nut/bolt assembly from the the PT to mount to the chassis. please correct me if I'm wrong here.

PT, OT and choke mounted to chassis. switch loosely mounted (is there orientation? cant tell from pics)

I'm new to this whole thing but wow, what a difference from the stock superlead plexi kit. no filters, v1 capped. seems significant.

Cheers

[Vegard]

So far, so good I dont know if I would install the standbyswitch this early in the build... but it probably doesnt matter ; )

[YMI5150?]

thx. i realize some of my comments from last night might appear to be silly but I don't want to assume anything on this build. I've got a lot of respect for high voltages and want to avoid catastrophes...

inserted the preamp sockets this am before work (yes, I'm addicted). went to insert power tube sockets and the kit did not have tube retainers. was that a mistake or were they omitted because Ed's amp didn't have them?

BTW, took the switch off. getting back on track with the general flow of the basic instructions. I'm curious why the preamp only has 3 valves. Used to 4. and only 1 filter.

Thx for the early help. more questions to come I'm sure....

[Vegard]

No mistake. The 68' 12xxx package dont include powertube retainers. I dont know why, but George doesnt use them on his builds either...

Most of the old Marshalls had three preamp tubes. Amps with four preamp tubes can use the extra tube for clean channel, reverbdriver, Fxloop etc...

Dont forget to keep the pics comin'

[vanhalen5150]

thx. i realize some of my comments from last night might appear to be silly but I don't want to assume anything on this build. I've got a lot of respect for high voltages and want to avoid catastrophes...

inserted the preamp sockets this am before work (yes, I'm addicted). went to insert power tube sockets and the kit did not have tube retainers. was that a mistake or were they omitted because Ed's amp didn't have them?

BTW, took the switch off. getting back on track with the general flow of the basic instructions. I'm curious why the preamp only has 3 valves. Used to 4. and only 1 filter.

Thx for the early help. more questions to come I'm sure....

Many amps with the 4th have reverb, effects loop etc...

[vanhalen5150]

You really need to build an amp cradle to hold the chasis. Things are going to get difficult if you dont. Nothing fancy needed. Scrap lumber is all you need.

[vanhalen5150]

One thing I'll tell you way ahead of time. When you put on the front and back plexi panels you will notice they do not fit exactly. For the back the easiest way is to line up the ohm selector switch dead on. The rest I just used a Dremel tool with a small sanding drum to slightly enlarge. The front is the same, every hole is slightly off. Just use the dremel on the plastic overhang and you'll by fine. Put tape around the holes to avoid scratching as well.

Oh yeah, make sure your tubes fit into the sockets before you install them. I had 2 bad ones and had to tear them out. Its usually the pre amp tubes that you may have a problem with. Look into the holes first and make sure there is no debris and that the pin hole sides are not to close together. The little things save you a heap of trouble.