On Wed, 30 Aug 2006 15:30:39 -0500, jakdedert
wrote:

J.P. wrote:
I can get one of these for $200 plus shipping. Is this what I need for
use on a guitar amp building/repair workbench? thanks...J.P.

Very strange question....

Anyone who builds/repairs guitar amps should know the answer.

jak
Nothing strange about it! I am a rookie and am studying about guitar
amps and trying to build a work bench one tool at a time. I have a
Fluke meter and think my next tool should be a tube tester. I have no
clue as to how to use it nor do I have a big wad to buy one with so I
am looking for information instead of just buying something off of
Ebay with no idea of what I am getting. I would appreciate any
information I can get. Thank you...J.P.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ +++++++++++++++++++
I'd do a bit more studying first. Most Hickocks are good units. I'm
not personally familiar with the one you cite; but any tube tester that
you buy is probably pretty old and should itself be restored and
calibrated. I'd check eBay for price. There is a fairly limited
number of unique tube types for guitar amps, so substitution is an
viable option to checking (although the output tubes in many amps are
very expensive).

I think I'd look into an audio signal generator, several hundred watt
8/4 ohm dummy load and an oscilloscope first...all of which might cost
you less than $200 and be more useful on a day to day basis. Make sure
you have good soldering tools...a good assortment of hand tools in general.

Another thing which is particularly useful when servicing these big dogs
is some sort of a chassis dolly which allows you to rotate the unit
without picking it up....

jak

On Wed, 30 Aug 2006 21:52:35 -0500, jakdedert
wrote:

On Wed, 30 Aug 2006 15:30:39 -0500, jakdedert
wrote:

J.P. wrote:
I can get one of these for $200 plus shipping. Is this what I need for
use on a guitar amp building/repair workbench? thanks...J.P.

Very strange question....

Anyone who builds/repairs guitar amps should know the answer.

jak
Nothing strange about it! I am a rookie and am studying about guitar
amps and trying to build a work bench one tool at a time. I have a
Fluke meter and think my next tool should be a tube tester. I have no
clue as to how to use it nor do I have a big wad to buy one with so I
am looking for information instead of just buying something off of
Ebay with no idea of what I am getting. I would appreciate any
information I can get. Thank you...J.P.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++++++++++++++++++++
I'd do a bit more studying first. Most Hickocks are good units. I'm
not personally familiar with the one you cite; but any tube tester that
you buy is probably pretty old and should itself be restored and
calibrated. I'd check eBay for price. There is a fairly limited
number of unique tube types for guitar amps, so substitution is an
viable option to checking (although the output tubes in many amps are
very expensive).

I think I'd look into an audio signal generator, several hundred watt
8/4 ohm dummy load and an oscilloscope first...all of which might cost
you less than $200 and be more useful on a day to day basis. Make sure
you have good soldering tools...a good assortment of hand tools in general.

Another thing which is particularly useful when servicing these big dogs
is some sort of a chassis dolly which allows you to rotate the unit
without picking it up....

jak
You're the second person,so far, that has suggested I get a scope
first. What scopr would you suggest. I like name brands but am not
stuck on them. I just want accurate readings.

J.P. wrote:
jak
You're the second person,so far, that has suggested I get a scope
first. What scopr would you suggest. I like name brands but am not
stuck on them. I just want accurate readings.

You won't get accuracy with a scope. That's okay. You use a scope for
qualitative measurements most of the time.

So buy whatever you find that is cheap. You don't need dual trace. You
don't need more than a MHz or so bandwidth at best. Tektronix made some
fine scopes, but a $10 Heathkit from a hamfest will be just fine for fixing
audio gear.

You will want a signal generator too. The HP200CD is decent and shows up
cheaply at hamfests.

As far as tube testers go, you want a real transconductance tester, and
you want to make sure it can handle typical audio power tubes. So look
on the chart for 6550s and 6CA7s and if they are there, you're good to
go. Most of what you'll use a tube tester for is matching tubes anyway.
Finding bad tubes is usually a lot easier to do by swapping and checking
voltages. And for the most part, small signal tubes don't fail much
so you're mostly worried about power tubes.
--scott
--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

You're the second person,so far, that has suggested I get a scope
first. What scopr would you suggest. I like name brands but am not
stuck on them. I just want accurate readings.

Just about any scope is good enough for audio work. Dual trace scopes are
better than single trace scopes, but dual trace isn't absolutely necessary.

There are now tons of perfectly adaquate TV shop 5 Mhz scopes out there at
give away prices.

Frank Dresser