input impedance

[hennfarm]

A stock FP3's input impedance is determined by the 33k res, stopper and attenuators?  what happens if the 33k res are removed? What is a 12au7 or 6cg7 grid impedance? What will the source "see"?

[Grainger49]

The input impedance is the sum of the series dropping resistor, 33k ohms, and the "bottom" of the pot that is forming the voltage divider for your source voltage.  So at the zero volume setting on the pot, the series resistor is all there is between your source and ground.  If the resistor is removed your source ends up shorted to ground.  That is a bad thing.  It could damage your source.

The input impedance varies from 33k ohms to 48k ohms depending on the volume setting.

The 33k series value was chosen because it gives a good minimum load for solid state and tubed sources.

Why are you considering removing the series resistor?

[hennfarm]

i replaced the noisiest whispers with 50k stepped alps. the 33ks came out at that time.   so between the grig and cathode of say a 6cg7 is a short?

[Grainger49]

i replaced the noisiest whispers with 50k stepped alps. the 33ks came out at that time.

If you wired the 50k Alps the same as the stock FP III attenuator then you still have a dead short at the input when the volume is at zero.  I.E. your source is shorted, again a bad thing!  Not knowing the configuration of your attenuators I can't comment on what happens one step, or more above "zero volume."

So between the grid and cathode of say a 6cg7 is a short?

Between the grid and cathode doesn't apply here as it has nothing to do with the input impedance.  The Grid in a stock FP III is 15.22k to ground, the cathode is an LED forward bias to ground.

[Caucasian Blackplate]

i replaced the noisiest whispers with 50k stepped alps. the 33ks came out at that time.   so between the grig and cathode of say a 6cg7 is a short?

If you wired the alps without the 33k resistors, then you likely wired it as a standard attenuator, giving you 50k input impedance.

[Grainger49]

He didn't answer.  I guess it was OK.