Hello Amp Garagers!
This is my first post on the site and I'm happy to join the community. I'm just stepping into the world of DIY guitar amps, but I'm an experimental physicist and have a lot of experience working with HV power supplies and RF drivers. Research is expensive so I've learned to build equipment where possible and now that itch is spreading into my hobbies.
Recently, our lab decided to get rid of a bunch of electronics we no longer need. That included some drivers and power supplies for two quadrupole mass spectrometers built in the 90s. After opening the chassis, I couldn't bare to see such beautiful, hand-assembled circuitry sitting in a landfill-- especially since they still work just fine! I plan to put what I can to good use in my own custom guitar amp. I've already pulled out the pots, switches, buttons, etc. but I wonder if salvaging the passive electronic components like resistors and capacitors are worth the trouble. I'd have to test them one by one, but it could save me some money sourcing materials for the amp if I find that many of these still match their specified ratings. Or is the consensus here to always use new caps and resistors regardless? The power supplies used 6CL6 tubes but they certainly look past their prime and not really meant for audio.
Unfortunately none of the transformers are a great match for my needs, but there are a few good chokes (4 H, 250 mA, 100 ohms, tested up to 1500 V). A bit overkill but should still work. Anything else I should look for? What do you think of this project idea?
I added some photos of the circuitry-- I have a lot of respect for whoever assembled it.
Repurposed mass spectrometer
Moderators: pompeiisneaks, Colossal
Repurposed mass spectrometer
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Re: Repurposed mass spectrometer
Hi! Pots and switches are good to harvest, lamps, LEDs, neon bulbs, hardware. I don't bother pulling resistors. Certain caps can be worth it, but not many. Looking forward to your build.
I build and repair tube amps. https://www.monkeymatic.com
Re: Repurposed mass spectrometer
The meters may also be of use if you build compressors, limiters, etc. Also, the bulkhead connectors, if you have access to the matching plug connectors that mate with them.
All of that stuff is not cheap.
All of that stuff is not cheap.
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Fischerman
- Posts: 912
- Joined: Thu Dec 07, 2006 3:47 pm
- Location: Georgia
Re: Repurposed mass spectrometer
Just curious but what is that stacked, cylindrical thing in the bottom picture? Is that a switch of some sort? If so could it somehow be shortened?
Early brewers were primarily women, mostly because it was deemed a woman's job. Mesopotamian men, of some 3,800 years ago, were obviously complete assclowns and had yet to realize the pleasure of brewing beer.