The 18 Watt Amp Builder's Guide April 2018, Version 3.0 For the sole personal use of Trinity Amps Customers. Parts © Trinity Amps 2005 - 2017 www.trinityamps.com Trinity Amps 18 Watt Builder’s Guide. Version 3.0 Page - 2 Table of Contents Table of Contents .................................................................................................................................................. 3 Thank You! ............................................................................................................................................................ 5 Introduction .......................................................................................................................................................... 7 Acknowledgements ............................................................................................................................................... 7 WARNING............................................................................................................................................................ 8 Version Control ..................................................................................................................................................... 9 Fender and Marshall Tone controls ..................................................................................................................................................... 13 VOX Tone controls ................................................................................................................................................................................ 17 Distortion .................................................................................................................................................................................................. 19 General Amplifier Operation ................................................................................................................................................................ 21 Some DO NOTS ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 21 Some DOs ................................................................................................................................................................................................ 21 Introduction to Vacuum Tubes and Common Terms ......................................................................................... 23 Input Jack Theory ............................................................................................................................................... 26 Building an Amp ................................................................................................................................................. 27 Introduction .............................................................................................................................................................................................. 27 Switches and wire .................................................................................................................................................................................... 27 Physical layout .......................................................................................................................................................................................... 27 Grounding ................................................................................................................................................................................................. 27 Insulated jacks .......................................................................................................................................................................................... 28 Minimizing transformer interference ................................................................................................................................................... 28 Wiring ........................................................................................................................................................................................................ 28 Assembling the amp ............................................................................................................................................ 28 Before You Begin .................................................................................................................................................................................... 28 Tools .......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 28 Soldering .................................................................................................................................................................................................... 29 Tube Pin Numbering .............................................................................................................................................................................. 29 Tube Designations .................................................................................................................................................................................. 30 Grounding Scheme ........................................................................................................................................................................ 31 Assembly Steps Summary .................................................................................................................................... 33 1. Install the Hardware ..................................................................................................................................................................... 34 Tube Sockets ................................................................................................................................................................................... 36 Can Capacitor ................................................................................................................................................................................. 36 Grommets ........................................................................................................................................................................................ 36 Front Panel ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 36 Terminal Strips ............................................................................................................................................................................... 36 Ground Lugs ................................................................................................................................................................................... 37 Impedance Switch .......................................................................................................................................................................... 37 Output Jacks .................................................................................................................................................................................... 37 IEC Mains Socket .......................................................................................................................................................................... 37 Fuse Holder ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 37 2. Heater Wiring ................................................................................................................................................................................ 38 Heater Wires.................................................................................................................................................................................... 38 3. Install Transformers ..................................................................................................................................................................... 39 4. Wire the Power Supply ................................................................................................................................................................ 39 120V MAINS .................................................................................................................................................................................. 42 220-240V MAINS .......................................................................................................................................................................... 43 RECTIFIER WIRING ................................................................................................................................................................. 44 HV WIRING .................................................................................................................................................................................. 44 Test the Power Supply .................................................................................................................................................................