DONE! I've got killer tone. Fired up on the first go round!

bvmjethead · Post by **bvmjethead** » Sun Mar 19, 2006 9:37 pm

I'm at the testing stage of my JTM 45 kit and I'm a complete newbie with this multimeter.

Probably should have somebody talk me through the first few steps before I kill mysef.

I'll be happy to call you so it's my nickle.....

Scott

bvmjethead · Post by **bvmjethead** » Sun Mar 19, 2006 10:10 pm

Well I'm getting correct voltages on the output tube pins and preamp tube pins but funkiness on the rectifier pins 2 & 8.

I read another thread which explains that you must test rectifier pins 2 & 8 together, I assumed that meant bridge the probe across the two pins....well if I do that I see sparks! If I measure them seperately I get something in the neighborhood of 79 vac, nowhere near 5 vac.

NOT GOOD.

Help please.

JD · Post by JD » Sun Mar 19, 2006 10:37 pm

Did you follow VG's instructions? If its a Metro kit, I'd call VG.

bvmjethead · Post by **bvmjethead** » Sun Mar 19, 2006 10:49 pm

Working now I'm just an idiot.

Another board newbie (I forget what he said his name was on the board

) called me and talked me through the rectifier pin reading I was unable to get at first. I had the meter on the AC setting instead of DC......DUH!

Rectifier tube is glowing with correct voltage and now 3 preamp tubes are glowing. Getting ready to check the voltages on them now.

Thanks to all!

philmanatee · Post by **philmanatee** » Sun Mar 19, 2006 10:56 pm

Let us know what you think after you fire it up.

bvmjethead · Post by **bvmjethead** » Mon Mar 20, 2006 12:01 am

philmanatee,

DUDE!

This thing sounds great!

There is/was a bit of a buzz but I quickly tracked to my Les Paul. I had a local shop install the RS pot kit in my Lester and they did not get it grounded right. Have to take it back or fix it myself.

So I plugged in my Flying V and it is as quiet as a church mouse through the JTM, well till I start picking!

WOW!

I have tone! It's going to get better too? I did get the SoZo caps so I've heard when they burn in it keeps getting smoother.

What creamy breakup. What glass like cleans. I'm overwhelmed right now. I don't know where to start. I must play through it more before I comment more on it's tone. Suffice to say I've got a big smile on my face.

I'll say a bit about the kit and the instructions.

The kit is awesome. I've not built anyone else's kit before so I'm not speaking from a comparison. I'm speaking from the standpoint that this is the first amp I've ever built. I followed the directions to the letter. Plugged it in and fired it up and it works perfectly on the first try. The questions I had to ask of the board members were because of my own inexperience and ignorance to certain terms, NOT because the instructions were wrong, or unclear.

With the combination of written instructions with color pictures, the forums and the CD full of information, if you have ANY common sense you can successfully build one of these kits.

I have very few parts left over. It was nice to know that the things you might need a few extras of, they are there.

There were 2 maybe 3 things I'd recommend changing in the instructions. They are all minor and have to do with doing one step before another or vise versa. These are personal preference items that another person might not think needs changing.....

This has been a fun and exciting learning experience for me.

George, I'm looking forward to building another Metro kit soon. [cough]18 watt combo[/cough]

philmanatee · Post by **philmanatee** » Mon Mar 20, 2006 12:09 am

Right on! I think I'm going to go put some more break in time on mine right now!

bvmjethead · Post by **bvmjethead** » Mon Mar 20, 2006 12:15 am

huh?

Can't hear ya, got both volumes on 8 and it's 12:15 am here!