Version 1.21 Page: 3
Table of Contents
Introduction ..............................................................................................................................................................................5
Sources of help....................................................................................................................................................................5
Acknowledgements ............................................................................................................................................................5
WARNING ..............................................................................................................................................................................7
Please Read this Information Carefully.....................................................................................................................7
Version Control........................................................................................................................................................................8
Guitar Amplifier Basics...........................................................................................................................................................9
Fender and Marshall tone controls ...............................................................................................................................10
Distortion...........................................................................................................................................................................14
Introduction to Vacuum Tubes and Common Terms ....................................................................................................17
Input Jack Theory ..................................................................................................................................................................20
Circuit Description ................................................................................................................................................................21
Power Supply ....................................................................................................................................................................21
Input / Preamp Stage ......................................................................................................................................................21
How Grid Leak Bias Works......................................................................................................................................21
Power / Output Stage .....................................................................................................................................................22
Triton Specifications..............................................................................................................................................................23
Building an Amp ....................................................................................................................................................................24
Introduction ......................................................................................................................................................................24
Switches and wire .............................................................................................................................................................24
Physical layout...................................................................................................................................................................24
Grounding .........................................................................................................................................................................24
Insulated jacks...................................................................................................................................................................25
Minimizing transformer interference............................................................................................................................25
Wiring .................................................................................................................................................................................25
Assembling the amp ..............................................................................................................................................................26
Before You Begin .............................................................................................................................................................26
Tools ...................................................................................................................................................................................26
Soldering ............................................................................................................................................................................26
Tube Pin Numbering.......................................................................................................................................................27
Assembly Steps Summary ...............................................................................................................................................29
Install Hardware .....................................................................................................................................................................30
Wiring.......................................................................................................................................................................................30
Wire Heater Wires............................................................................................................................................................31
Install Power Transformer ...................................................................................................................................................32
Trinity Triton Grounding Scheme...........................................................................................................................33
Mains Power Connection .....................................................................................................................................................34
Wire the Rectifier Socket ................................................................................................................................................36
Install the Output Transformer - Output Jacks ...............................................................................................................37
Impedance Switch..................................................................................................................................................................37
Assemble the Eyelet Board ..................................................................................................................................................39
Install the Jumpers ...........................................................................................................................................................39
Eyelet Board Components..............................................................................................................................................39
Build the Eyelet Board.....................................................................................................................................................39
Mount the Board....................................................................................................................................................................40
Connecting the Board ...........................................................................................................................................................40
Connect Board to Volume Control...............................................................................................................................42
Co-Axial Cable to Volume Control...............................................................................................................................43
Input Jacks...............................................................................................................................................................................43
Final checkout ........................................................................................................................................................................45
Power Up.................................................................................................................................................................................46
Working Inside A Tube Amplifier Safely.....................................................................................................................46
Unplug ..........................................................................................................................................................................46
Sit ...................................................................................................................................................................................46
Drain .............................................................................................................................................................................46
