Wiring Techniques

Zack · Post by **Zack** » Fri Feb 13, 2015 4:40 am

Hey all, I've recently ordered parts for a low-voltage tube amplifier and I was curious to what your preferred wiring techniques are. I've always paired turret boards (and eyelet boards) with tube amp designs since that was what was used at the time. As electronics have grown smaller and newer components have been developed the choice of circuit board has changed. So what do you guys think, has the change from using point to point designs to printed circuit boards have been beneficial outside of the computerized world? After designing PCBs, do you find them easier to use vs. say, a veroboard? Do you think wiring component to component (done correctly, not yun-style) is ultimately more troublesome than a printed circuit board?

What's your favorite way to solder electronics?

moogmusic · Post by **moogmusic** » Fri Feb 13, 2015 10:57 am

Mine is to have someone else do it so that they work and I don't die.

NickS · Post by **NickS** » Fri Feb 13, 2015 12:53 pm

It's been a mixed blessing. PCBs mean you can use board-stuffing machines and miniaturised components to get the cost down and the complexity up - think of trying to build a TSL on a turret/tagboard. If you're not careful with the quality of the PCB substrate you can end up with the problems Marshall had with the early JCM9000s, though, which are basically only totally cured by replacing the main PCB. Typically to do a re[pair you have to unplug a load of stuff and dismount the PCB.
I think if I were building a simple 2 - 4 valve amp I'd use tagboard just for the accessibility.

Concretebadger · Post by **Concretebadger** » Fri Feb 13, 2015 1:26 pm

moogmusic wrote:Mine is to have someone else do it so that they work and I don't die.

^same here.

Joking aside, there's no discernible difference in sound between PCB and turret/point-to-point. It's just, PCB is more efficient in terms of time and labour costs so turret and PtP are common amongst hobbyists and boutique types. As NickS points out, PCB does have the advantage of being easier for complicated circuits, which I'm guessing yours isn't.

I had a chat with the techs at Matamp about this back when I bought my amp. Although those guys have a strong anti-PCB stance, it makes sense for them because the one-at-a-time turretboard builds they do make servicing and modding much easier. For a DIY project, I'd say it's less hassle that way for the additional reason that mistakes are easier to undo.

Sloan · Post by **Sloan** » Fri Feb 13, 2015 7:30 pm

I fix shit all the time and really have come to prefer PCBs. They are usually clearly labeled and I don't have to unsolder two or more parts just to remove or install one part. The worst problems with shitty PCB's are: cracked pcb that breaks a trace or multiple traces, solder pads come off.

Zack · Post by **Zack** » Fri Feb 13, 2015 9:28 pm

Thanks guys, I appreciate hearing your opinions on the matter. The repair and accessibility factor is something I really shouldn't over look, while it'd be quick and dirty to wire components straight to the tube sockets, I figure they'll be more of a headache to repair/modify than having the circuit neatly on a board.

The circuit is pretty small, under 20 component parts, so in theory it'd work pretty well with any of the wiring techniques. Once the rest of the parts show up I'll do the smart thing and put 'em on a breadboard instead of jumping straight to soldering like I want to.