Frequently Asked Questions

Welcome to our FAQ page! Here, you’ll find answers to common questions about our products and services. For further inquiries, feel free to contact our support team!

Shipping and orders

Where do you ship to?

Worldwide except China and Russia. Shipments from London, UK.

How long does shipping take?

Typically 5–14 business days depending on destination. Delivery estimates shown at checkout are often inaccurate — actual delivery is usually earlier.

Do you ship to China?

No, we no longer ship to China.

My tracking isn't updating — is my parcel lost?

Tracking gaps are common, especially post-Brexit. Open a support ticket and we'll investigate. If the parcel is confirmed lost, we'll resend or refund.

My parcel came back to you — what happened?

This is usually caused by unpaid import duties. You should have received an email from customs. Contact us and we'll arrange a resend (additional shipping charge applies).

I received the wrong board — what do I do?

My order shows "Awaiting Shipment" — is it stuck?

Orders typically ship within 1–3 business days. If it's been longer, contact us and we'll check.

Can I get a discount?

We occasionally offer discount codes for returning customers, bulk orders, or review submissions. First-time single orders don't normally qualify, but we make exceptions for multi-board purchases.

I left items in my cart — can I still order?

Yes, your cart is saved. Complete checkout at any time.

Documentation & Resources

Where do I find the BOM (Bill of Materials)?

All BOMs can be found in the resource page at: aaelectronicspcb.com/resources

The BOM is hard to read when printed — can I get a PDF?

Yes, you can export a print-friendly PDF for your specific board from aaelectronicspcb.com/resources .

The document revision number doesn't match my PCB revision — which is correct?

Document revisions are independent from board revisions and always higher. Your PCB is the current version; ignore the version mismatch.

I found a layout/schematic error — what should I do?

Please email us with the specific issue (component reference and description). We verify and release corrected files, crediting your feedback.

The link to a layout on the website is broken or incorrect.

Thank you — please email us and we'll fix it immediately.

Do you have build reports or forum threads I can reference?

Yes, for most boards you can find posts and build reports on our forum at www.aaelectronicspcb.com/groups. AmpGarage also has community threads.

Can I see photos of completed builds for lead-dress reference?

Yes, check posts and build reports on our forum at www.aaelectronicspcb.com/groups. AmpGarage also has community threads.

Will you share the PCB traces/Gerber files?

No. The PCB traces are proprietary and not shared. The circuit has been verified by hundreds of successful builds. The schematic and layout diagram are provided.

Technical

What wire gauge should I use for connections?

As a rule of thumb, use 18–20 AWG stranded wire for general connections. Use RG59 shielded coax (one end of the braid grounded) for signal connections to pots and jacks.

Why is only one end of the shielded wire's braid connected to ground?

Connecting only one end prevents ground loops. The braid picks up RF interference and drains it to ground without creating a loop.

Can I drill out holes in the PCB to fit larger component leads?

No. Drilling risks cracking the FR4 substrate and cutting copper traces. Instead, wrap the leads around adjacent components (hook method) — standard practice used in Friedman, Marshall, and SLO builds.

The hole footprint seems too small — what should I do?

Use the hook method described above. Do not drill out holes. Contact us if you're in doubt.

My transformer doesn't have a dedicated bias tap — how do I get bias voltage?

Take the bias supply from the HV taps with a drop-down resistor to reach the desired voltage

Which chassis do you recommend?

We recommend pre-drilled chassis from TubeTown (Germany) — saves significant time vs. manual drilling.

What is the Black Eye Deluxe?

It's the Friedman BE-100 Deluxe — an evolved version of the BE-100.

My build has a ground hum — how do I fix it?

Check all your grounds and make sure you're using the star ground method. Have a read here: https://aikenamps.com/index.php/grounding

Can I substitute capacitors with higher voltage ratings?

Yes. Use the same capacitance with equal or higher voltage rating.

Can I substitute capacitors with lower voltage ratings?

No. Don't do that.

What resistor types should I use?

Use metal film where possible for 1W and 2W. Otherwise, wire-wound or ceramic for higher wattage resistors.

My schematic and layout show different values — which is correct?

Where do I find the resources page?

It's here: aaelectronicspcb.com/resources