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http://www.GuitarAmplifierPCBs.com 

“Baby Will” Valve Junior Conversion 

 

Version 4 

 Build Manual 

 

22 September 2009 

13 of 36 

6.  Prepare the Chassis 

6.1  Layout and Drill 

 

The Baby Will circuit board, tone potentiometer, and the new output transformer 
require some drilling in the chassis. 

6.1.1  Layout the Drill Plans 

 

Always verify you are using the latest version of the drill plan posted on 
GuitarAmplifierPCBs.com. 
 
If you can not print onto 11x17” paper, you can take an electronic 
version of the drill plan to Kinkos.  They will print it professionally for 
under $1. 
 

Print out a copy of the VJ Conversion Drill Plan.  Make sure it is printed to scale. 
 
Cut away the unused 
portion of the drill plan as 
shown.   
 
Align the drill plan to the 
chassis using the 
alignment holes 
indicated on the plan. 
 
Affix the plan to the 
chassis with a generous 
amount of tape or 
Elmer’s white glue.  
 

Summary of Contents for Baby Will

Page 1: ...http www GuitarAmplifierPCBs com Baby Will Valve Junior Conversion Version 4 Build Manual 22 September 2009 1 of 36 Baby Will Valve Junior Conversion Build Manual...

Page 2: ...es instruction for the assembly of version 2 3 of the Baby Will circuit board Several of the pictures or diagrams in this manual may refer to or display a previous version of the circuit board However...

Page 3: ...http www GuitarAmplifierPCBs com Baby Will Valve Junior Conversion Version 4 Build Manual 22 September 2009 3 of 36 Here s a look at the Baby Will PCB if you haven t purchased yours yet Version 2 3...

Page 4: ...w the basic safety practices Building modifying or repairing tube amplifiers should only be performed by trained personnel 3 Disclaimer of Liability GuitarAmplifierPCBs com assumes no liability or res...

Page 5: ...the Chassis 14 7 The Baby Will 16 7 1 Assemble the Baby Will Circuit Board 16 7 1 1 Tube Sockets 16 7 1 2 PCB Standoffs 17 7 1 3 The Power Grid 17 7 1 4 Signal Path and Cathode Resistors 19 7 1 5 Sag...

Page 6: ...ipment 4 1 Here s what you ll need 4 1 1 Parts The Baby Will circuit board Misc parts and components refer to the VJ Conversion parts list document for a full listing of what parts are needed and wher...

Page 7: ...Take off the back panel by removing the seven 7 screws using a Phillips head screw driver Be careful pulling off the back panel They are typically stuck onto the chassis Slowly pull from each side to...

Page 8: ...r tube retainer These items can be discarded They will not be used later in the build Now that the tubes and their hardware have been removed we can take a look inside This is a version 2 EVJ You can...

Page 9: ...f Be careful not to damage the board or the output jacks They will be reused later Flow the solder to each transformer lead on the output jack board and pull the lead out Remove the fastening nut at t...

Page 10: ...J s power transformer provides leads for various mains supply voltages The extra leads are fastened to dead posts on the stock circuit board for storage We are going to clean up the inside of the chas...

Page 11: ...chassis Leave it connected to the stock EVJ circuit board The volume pot will be glued to the chassis This part will NOT be used later in the build so use whatever force you need 5 2 5 Remove the Stoc...

Page 12: ...Manual 22 September 2009 12 of 36 Remove the stock circuit board and pull all of the power transformer leads to the rim of the chassis Salvage the ground wire from the stock circuit board for use late...

Page 13: ...sing the latest version of the drill plan posted on GuitarAmplifierPCBs com If you can not print onto 11x17 paper you can take an electronic version of the drill plan to Kinkos They will print it prof...

Page 14: ...er of each hole to be drilled A center punch is often used Here a 1 16 drill bit was used as shown in the picture Use the appropriate drill bit size as prescribed by the drill plan Here a unibit was u...

Page 15: ...ld Manual 22 September 2009 15 of 36 Version 2 3 of the Baby Will circuit board was designed to use most of the stock chassis mounted pcb standoffs However you need to remove one 1 standoff for the bo...

Page 16: ...get installed on the back side of the board I repeat the back side of the board Insert the tube sockets as shown They only go in one way on the back side Flip the board over and rest the sockets agai...

Page 17: ...1 2 PCB Standoffs Install the one 1 PCB standoff on the back side of the board in the location shown 7 1 3 The Power Grid Install the four 4 rectifier diodes Orient the diodes as indicated on the cir...

Page 18: ...stors in the power grid as shown Refer to the latest version of the schematic on GuitarAmplifierPCBs com the Baby Will circuit board and the component package to identify locate and position component...

Page 19: ...Manual 22 September 2009 19 of 36 7 1 4 Signal Path and Cathode Resistors Install solder and trim all of the signal path and cathode resistors as shown Don t bother with the input section We ll get t...

Page 20: ...with the polarities indicated on the circuit board 7 1 7 Hum Balance Version 2 3 of the Baby Will circuit board is equipped with a DC elevated artificial center tap It uses two 2 100 ohm 1 resistors t...

Page 21: ...careful to install them by inserting the positive lead the longer one into the square pad and the negative lead as indicated by the downward arrow and symbol in the round pad Insert the ground wire t...

Page 22: ...requires a jumper to tie the two input leads together so the two halves of V1 12AX7 work in parallel The lead from R19 will be used to jumper the two inputs Bend the leads of the 1Meg resistor over a...

Page 23: ...nput jack by cutting off the stock connector Cut off the connector that plugged into the stock EVJ circuit board Leave the input connector plugged into the input jack board Strip the insulation from t...

Page 24: ...fierPCBs com Baby Will Valve Junior Conversion Version 4 Build Manual 22 September 2009 24 of 36 Here s what everything should look like so far minus the input jack wiring Oops this picture is missing...

Page 25: ...and break it off We like to install the controls on the outside of the chassis for better access Be careful with the soldering iron if you temporarily install the pots on the outside of the chassis Fl...

Page 26: ...Transformer Relocate the extra power transformer grommet from the left front to the new hole drilled for the output transformer Guide the leads through the grommets and seat the output transformer in...

Page 27: ...ut transformer leads onto the output jack board Refer to the GuitarAmplifierPCBs com layout diagram transformer hookup diagram and output jack board for hookup details Re Install the output jack board...

Page 28: ...wer transformer Do not tighten them down Install and fasten the volume and tone controls and the input jack into the chassis Slide the volume and tone knobs onto the pot stems and fasten with the set...

Page 29: ...m and cut the wires Strip of the insulation from the wire twist the wire ends and tin the end of the wire with some solder Insert one of the leads into T1 Insert the other into T2 Make sure the leads...

Page 30: ...nior Conversion Version 4 Build Manual 22 September 2009 30 of 36 Here s how it should look when everything is hooked up Good Job You re almost done But before you start celebrating you still have to...

Page 31: ...h step was performed and completed properly Look for the following Missing components Damaged components or leads Solder joints that may have spilled over onto a nearby component or solder pad Loose c...

Page 32: ...ilure to connect a speaker will cause harm and eventual failure of the output transformer These measurements will NOT match those on the schematic These are As Built measurements The actual voltages w...

Page 33: ...http www GuitarAmplifierPCBs com Baby Will Valve Junior Conversion Version 4 Build Manual 22 September 2009 33 of 36...

Page 34: ...ower cord in the IEC mains connector Secure the black ground lead of your voltmeter to the chassis star ground lug Plug the amplifier into a speaker cabinet Match the speaker impedance with the approp...

Page 35: ...http www GuitarAmplifierPCBs com Baby Will Valve Junior Conversion Version 4 Build Manual 22 September 2009 35 of 36...

Page 36: ...ssis back into the stock cabinet Fasten the chassis to the cabinet with the stock screws Insert the screw caps into the sockets Press them in until they are flush with the cabinet surface Attach the b...

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