JTM45 vs Idiot

[Chris-in-LA]

Finally found the issue!!

I noticed that the tube wasn't heating up as much as the other tubes. The left hand triode finally started conducting when I reflowed the solder on its heater pin. This is despite me testing and re-testing each socket pin with a probe on BOTH top and bottom.

Thanks for all the help and suggestions. Lesson learnt about cold solders!

Yes, sir. Great! I’ve had a few cold solder joints in socket pins and other spots, too. For my builds, that’s usually the issue.

 

[Chris-in-LA]

Oh, BTW, how’s that amp sounding now?

 

[_Steve]

Oh, BTW, how’s that amp sounding now?

I had to leave for the weekend before I got a chance to take it upstairs and play it unfortunately Will try on Monday and report

 

[JeffMcLeod]

So Idiot: 1, JTM45: 0? lol

 

[_Steve]

So Idiot: 1, JTM45: 0? lol

LOL. No I think the amp won that one. It was on and off the bench for over a month!

 

[JeffMcLeod]

LOL. No I think the amp won that one. It was on and off the bench for over a month!

Ok. Sounds like you finally won in overtime though.

 

[william vogel]

LOL. No I think the amp won that one. It was on and off the bench for over a month!

From the pictures, I recommend that you melt a good bit more solder into your joints. Do you buy solder by the 1/2 lb or 1 lb roll? If not, buy a roll. And I’m not saying to glob it up, but it’s the purpose of the solder to weld the connections solid. The components on the board are okay but I prefer a little bit more, the wires appear to be “lightly tacked” and this proved to be a problem here and will definitely become a full blown problem as the amp ages.

 

[myersbw]

I had a Bad Cat Classic Deluxe once. Worked fine...traded it (fortunately to a good friend). He played it and within 10 min the amp cut out. I peeked at it and thought I'd found some oxidation problem causing the issue...sent it back...SAME problem! It came back. All voltages looked good...no failure "on the bench" at any level (was using an external cab). So...I poked every wire with my nylon adjustment tool. FINALLY found the guilty party...and...it pulled right out! (B+ wire!). It was factory oversight...no solder on the wire at all. It had been inserted and bent sideways on the terminal strip solder tab....never soldered. Never had a Bad Cat in before or since with an issue like that. Glad you found the problem!

Also, if you reflow a lot of turrets...as they take a bit of heat, keep an aluminum alligator clip heat sink and clip it on any small signal caps connected to avoid excessive heat. It's just good practice. And, congrats on the fix!

 

[neikeel]

I like the croc clip heat sink too (saves overheating components).