Tube orientation for new chassis

[gkwallace]

Is there a standard for tube orientation when drilling a new chassis?

Some amps, would benefit from having pins 4 & 5 facing away from their respective side of the chassis (for a 12AX7 for instance).

I've seen it all different ways.

Does it matter at all, disregarding ease of build?

Thoughts?

[Bieworm]

I like to arrange them so the heater wires can be tucked in the long side corner of the chassis, with the shortest way to the tubes. So pin 4-5 pointing to the backside of the chassis.

[gkwallace]

I like to arrange them so the heater wires can be tucked in the long side corner of the chassis, with the shortest way to the tubes. So pin 4-5 pointing to the backside of the chassis.

Exactly! but I see them different ways. I was wondering if orientation of the actual grid had any effect on rf noise. It my be a fun experiment.

[JMPGuitars]

I was wondering if orientation of the actual grid had any effect on rf noise. It my be a fun experiment.

It's not the orientation of the wires as much as the relationship between them. Certain wires need to avoid being run parallel to others for example.

[gkwallace]

I understand the wires need to be correct, I was wondering about internal components of a tube.
I watched a demo on how transformer orientation and position greatly affects noise. So simple, but often ignored.

It's just my ocd geek brain working overtime in public.

[JMPGuitars]

I understand the wires need to be correct

But what does that mean to you? Correctly wired is not ambiguous. But how the wires are run, and what they're next to can be. The biggest one is to avoid running the grid and plates parallel.

[gkwallace]

I understand the wires need to be correct

But what does that mean to you? Correctly wired is not ambiguous. But how the wires are run, and what they're next to can be. The biggest one is to avoid running the grid and plates parallel.

I am no expert but my Soldano SLO is wired completely different than a Marshall. ie bus wire in straight lines parallel for the heaters. So, although not ambiguous, not without variance. Rift amps makes really bitchen amps and all his heater wires are twitsed, but straight up from the sockets, floating in the air. Not next to the chassis like we normally do it. I like the utility of doing it that way, but it kinda worries me to do it on mine.

[gkwallace]

I understand the wires need to be correct

But what does that mean to you? Correctly wired is not ambiguous. But how the wires are run, and what they're next to can be. The biggest one is to avoid running the grid and plates parallel.

I just reread what you wrote and now I understand what you're saying. It's not the position of anything, it's the relationship in orientation to all the parts and wires. You could do any crazy orientation or layout you wanted if none of the basic principles are violated, ie, power transformers away from preamp, main power in on own ground near input, etc

[Bieworm]

I understand the wires need to be correct

But what does that mean to you? Correctly wired is not ambiguous. But how the wires are run, and what they're next to can be. The biggest one is to avoid running the grid and plates parallel.

I just reread what you wrote and now I understand what you're saying. It's not the position of anything, it's the relationship in orientation to all the parts and wires. You could do any crazy orientation or layout you wanted if none of the basic principles are violated, ie, power transformers away from preamp, main power in on own ground near input, etc

Main power should have a dedicated ground, but not near the input. Unless you mean power cord inlet (IEC?)

[gkwallace]

But what does that mean to you? Correctly wired is not ambiguous. But how the wires are run, and what they're next to can be. The biggest one is to avoid running the grid and plates parallel.

I just reread what you wrote and now I understand what you're saying. It's not the position of anything, it's the relationship in orientation to all the parts and wires. You could do any crazy orientation or layout you wanted if none of the basic principles are violated, ie, power transformers away from preamp, main power in on own ground near input, etc

Main power should have a dedicated ground, but not near the input. Unless you mean power cord inlet (IEC?)

Yes.
Thanks for prompting clarification.