Crack "upgrades"

[STURMJ]

Concerning fit: view the Alps pot here
http://www.bottlehead.com/smf/index.php/topic,1508.0.html
Perfect with the speedball upgrade. Since others stated your other selections are smaller they should work as well.

[Mr. Davis]

Mr. Davis, A bayonet mount LED should only run about $5 at most. Find out the size used by the pilot light you purchased and run a search in Google or eBay for the size.

I was able to find an #47 6.3 volt LED bayonet base pinball machine light that I think will work.

[anson67]

I just received my kit and I'm also considering adding a pilot light.  Found a nice looking 6.3V light, similar to the lights I've seen enterprising folks deploy, here:

http://angela.com/redjewel63vtubeamppilotlightassembly.aspx

What's the best way to make a hole in the plate?  Just drill it out and round file it?  This particular light requires a 0.620" hole.  Thanks!

[Mr. Davis]

Use a step drill.  Something like this: http://www.harborfreight.com/catalogsearch/result?q=step+drill

Just remember to drill a pilot hole first.

[anson67]

Thanks, Mr Davis, and also for the warning to first drill a pilot.  I've seen those types of bits before but never investigated what they are for.  Looks like one that can go as large as 5/8" will do the trick.

[tubeglow]

Is a "pilot light" just for aesthetic reasons or does it serve a function?

[Grainger49]

I think it is a "classic look" that goes with tube equipment.  I don't know the available heater current for the Crack but if you get a 120V pilot light it could go on the AC side and not make any difference.

[Beefy]

Is a "pilot light" just for aesthetic reasons or does it serve a function?

I would imagine it would dramatically upgrade the ability to determine whether the amp is turned on or off.

[anson67]

I'm adding it mostly for aesthetic reasons but I suppose it is more obvious an indicator at quick glance that the amp is on than trying to discern tube glow, in a bright environment.

[anson67]

Just a follow-up thank you again to Mr Davis re: the step drill bit.  I picked one up at Home Depot -- expensive relative to the online set -- and had no problems whatsoever making the 5/8" hole I need.  Seeing as it is this easy to make nice holes in aluminum, I'm not going to have any qualms about further mods that need drilling!

[tubeglow]

For those of you who used the Neutrik jack, what size does the hole need to be and is there any benefit from drilling in one direction or the other?