Firefly PCB and Build Guide

dano12 · August 31, 2007, 09:52:18 AM

I didn't see this posted here (may have been)....

Here is a very cool project for a Firefly amp, you can buy a PCB or burn your own. Also included is a very comprehensive project guide.

From a fellow named Calhoun: http://web.mac.com/calhoun/PCB/Firefly_PCB.html

John Lyons · August 31, 2007, 10:05:20 AM

Yes, this is a pretty cool thing. Making it even simpler for someone to get there feet wet building an amp.
There should be a kit available at some point on AX84 but we'll see.

John

micro · August 31, 2007, 04:44:34 PM

Cool! I was just researching and thinking about building one of these!
For a beginner like me, this is definitely the way to go. Thanks for posting.

luap77 · August 31, 2007, 06:27:26 PM

Thanks for sharing Dan

$uperpuma · August 31, 2007, 06:59:31 PM

I haven't really built an amp... so maybe.. cricket... then the firefly?

Paul Marossy · August 31, 2007, 07:35:31 PM

Cool.

powerplayj · September 01, 2007, 10:06:46 AM

Wow! The clips from Doug H's pages were always impressive and a PCB option makes this one even easier for guys who have only built on pcb (like me). I'm still teetering between this build and a Gilmour Jr. for my first amp build.

Paul Marossy · September 01, 2007, 02:03:59 PM

I did point to point when I built mine. It was the first tube amp that I ever built.

meffcio · January 23, 2011, 10:45:15 AM

Can someone upload the newest revision pcb? It doesn't work on the official site.

askwho69 · January 23, 2011, 10:50:11 AM

no luck its forbidden!

theundeadelvis · January 23, 2011, 12:02:11 PM

I built the Firefly using his pcb. Made for a super simple and clean build. I experienced some strange, unpleasant distortion, as notes degraded, though. Similar to some of the noises you get from some of the 386 distortions. Not sure if this was a result of this particular layout, or if this normal for the Firefly. It was very subtle, but it was enough that I ended selling off the amp. Here's a video I did of it before I sold it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j3K_52YwU9o

It was a fun amp, and a fun build.

danielzink · January 23, 2011, 12:24:39 PM

Quote from: theundeadelvis on January 23, 2011, 12:02:11 PM
I built the Firefly using his pcb. Made for a super simple and clean build. I experienced some strange, unpleasant distortion, as notes degraded, though. Similar to some of the noises you get from some of the 386 distortions. Not sure if this was a result of this particular layout, or if this normal for the Firefly. It was very subtle, but it was enough that I ended selling off the amp. Here's a video I did of it before I sold it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j3K_52YwU9o

It was a fun amp, and a fun build.

I -just- finished up a Firefly build - based on the Rev. 8 board.

Dead silent - great crunch - no odd noises etc. I know that the layouts have been "perfected" as they've gone along (hence the "rev. 8" designation).

My build: http://pws.cablespeed.com/danielzink/firefly.html

A thread regarding a new run of the Rev. 8 boards: http://www.diystompboxes.com/smfforum/index.php?topic=84856.0

And the actual ordering page: http://ronsound.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=34_129&products_id=882

Dan

theundeadelvis · January 23, 2011, 01:25:23 PM

Yeah, mine was one of the very early iterations. I suspected it could have been related to the layout.

meffcio · January 23, 2011, 05:39:59 PM

Quote from: askwho69 on January 23, 2011, 10:50:11 AM
no luck its forbidden!

Well, I don't get it?
It was available for download all the time, but now it just doesn't work..

reddo · January 23, 2011, 08:11:10 PM

Dan,
I'm about to order the parts I need from Mouser, I have the AES parts. I remember reading that some of the parts on the BOM were no longer available from Mouser. Do you have any advice on the substitute parts?

tombola · January 23, 2011, 08:52:03 PM

If you're in the UK, you might want to know that you can get (slightly) cheaper than usual power and output transformers for the Firefly from here:
http://www.vvttransformers.co.uk/news.htm#new
I haven't tried them, but I contacted the company, sent them a link to the Firefly docs, and they replied saying 'yes, we can do that, we'll add it to our product range' - which I thought was pretty cool.

Now I need to source a pre-cut chassis, then I'll start ordering. Alternatively, http://www.torresamps.com/ sell their 'Tiny Tone' 1w valve amp in a complete kit w/8" speaker and combo cab for £267 - which is probably £100 above the Firefly PCB parts (without a speaker/cabinet)

danielzink · January 23, 2011, 08:58:16 PM

Quote from: reddo on January 23, 2011, 08:11:10 PM
Dan,
I'm about to order the parts I need from Mouser, I have the AES parts. I remember reading that some of the parts on the BOM were no longer available from Mouser. Do you have any advice on the substitute parts?

I do.

The only parts that are suspect are the large electro's. I think everything else was still current. You need to be careful on the sizing of the electro's as they can interfere with the standoffs.

The new number is 140-TEA470M2WBK1836P @ Mouser.. they fit perfectly.

Dan

Schappy · January 23, 2011, 10:51:32 PM

Im trying to order a few of these boards using mozilla and internet explorer. Both times Ive gotten a message saying I must allow cookies. Ive done so on both browers and I still get the same message. Ive also disabled my firewall and anit-virus.

Please help.

danielzink · January 24, 2011, 12:31:50 AM

Quote from: Schappy on January 23, 2011, 10:51:32 PM
Im trying to order a few of these boards using mozilla and internet explorer. Both times Ive gotten a message saying I must allow cookies. Ive done so on both browers and I still get the same message. Ive also disabled my firewall and anit-virus.

Please help.

post up in this thread : http://www.diystompboxes.com/smfforum/index.php?topic=84856.80

and ask theehman to pm you here and he can help you sort his website out.

Dan

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Firefly PCB and Build Guide