Notes for the complete Novice

 

These notes are a work in progress so check back for updates and coninuation.  

 

If you know absolutely nothing about electronics, schematics, soldering or anything else related to understanding vacuum tube electronics don't worry you're not alone and it's not that hard to learn. When Eldon began he was in your boat too. 

 

When he started his focus was entirely on the larger picture of understanding vacuum tube amplifers. He tried to blend learning about tube amps and learning the basics of electronics as he went along. It worked for him and he got there but he would be the first to admit there is a much faster way to get there and he doesn't recommend the route he took to new people. So what does he recommend now? 

 

Make your final goal understanding how tube amplifiers work but make your first few steps be all about acquiring the necessary basic skills you need in electronics.  Learn the basics well and then move on.  Easier said than done? you say.  The answer is yes, it's easier said than done but it's actually not that bad to do either, thanks mostly to the good old U.S Navy.

 

In 1951 they wanted to streamline teaching basic electronics to their recruits, many of whom had zero previous experience or education in electronics. Sound familar? Well the US Navy hired a professional course creation firm, Van Valkenburgh, Nooger & Neville, Inc. and this firm created a 5 volume course in basic electronics for them. It assumes no previous experience and is highly regarded today. 

 

Here's the best bit for you. In 1955 the Navy relased their course materials to the public and Rider publications printed and released them in a complte 5 volume set, pictured below.  A set you can find on eBay or abeBooks for a resonable price. Expect to pay between $5 and $10 USD per volume (March 2024).  The set below is a first edition in near mint condition and cost $75 CAD including shipping in 2023. 

 

 

 

1955 Rider publications of the US Navy course in basic electronics.

 

 

Inside Page

 

 

Back Cover

 

If you want to learn about this field for your hobby and you're starting from ground zero, this publication is worth your investment. If you can't afford your own copy then look for PDF copies online. If you know already where to find a PDF copy email Eldon and let him know.  We'll update this post with the new info. 

 

We think these books are great because

 

  1. It is a professionally designed course for people with little or no previous experience. 

  2. It was written in 1951. Meaning it contains no modern electronics of any kind so is perfect for this hobby.

  3. It is a course in practical electronics so does not require a lot of Math. 

  4. It had four years of use and refinement in the US Navy prior to publication. 

 

We don't expect you to learn everything in these books before you start looking at tube amplifier schematics. We don't want you to do that either because you'll lose interest quickly. Reading is never a substitute for thinking and if you're like Eldon was you're interest is in the tube amps not the resistors and capacitors anyway.  So here is how we suggest you proceed. It assumes that you get the books and that you truly have zero knowledge.  It'll get you going.  

 

  • Read through all of Volume I once. You don't need to memorize things or even undrstand them completely just read it through cover to cover once. You do have to think about what you're reading as you go so take frequent pauses to think about what you've just read. Don't just read the words.  Take as long as you need but not more than a week or two if you can manage it.

  • Put it away for a week and don't think about it at all.

  • Take the week to look over and research the Fender Champ Amp Schematic below and the diagrm of a typical Fender V1A tube shown. During this time read the post on the HI LO Input Jack Wiring here on DellBill. Again, you don't have to understand everything just do your best.

  • Now review all the content in Volume I but don't take more than a day or two to do it.  

  • At this point you should stop and wait for our first post on the Champ Amp itself. It's coming soon.  

 

The posts and videos coming will explain the Fender Champ Schematic by looking at the amplifier in it's three sections. Input, power and output, in that order. If there is sufficient time and reason to do so we'll follow this series by one, on YouTube,  where we build the Champ 5f1 amplifier from scratch. 

 

The next diagram illustrates the arrangement for the first input tube triode in the Champ (and many other Fender amps). In the series to come we'll discuss each component and what it does and how to manipulate it ourselves if we want.    

 

           

 

Fender V1A position (Typical)

 

 

 

And the Board layout for the circuit