Aaaaannd it's on... (amp build)

[Surgeon]

So, I received my Weber JCM800 (Weber 8CM100) kit tuesday. That very night the transformers and the choke were installed.

It's going slowly as I can't build everyday for long but it's still coming along nicely. I'm a long way from firing it up but I'm enjoying this a lot.

Cap cans holes are being drilled tonight, faceplate, pots and all that jazzz are going on there tonight. I'll then start forming the grounding buss wire.

Here are pics from tuesday night... stay tuned for more!

 

[CTN]

Re: Aaaaannd it's on... (amp build)

will watch with much interest.

is that a cap on that preamp tube hole? Maybe you could add in another couple of gain stages? or maybe a tube driven reverb tank?

 

[DankStar]

Re: Aaaaannd it's on... (amp build)

You work quick! Anxious to hear this thang.

 

[Surgeon]

Re: Aaaaannd it's on... (amp build)

will watch with much interest.

is that a cap on that preamp tube hole? Maybe you could add in another couple of gain stages? or maybe a tube driven reverb tank?

Weber uses the same chassis for different kits. You're right, I could add another gain stage there, there's also another capped hole for a rectifier tube. I'll start with the stock build as it is my first but, if all goes well with this one, it's definitely not likely to be my last.

You work quick! Anxious to hear this thang.

That wasn't much. What's coming is gonna be a bit more complex and longer to do, namely the wiring, routing and the rest. Still, it's gonna be a blast and I can't wait to hear it too!

 

[VanDerchuck]

Re: Aaaaannd it's on... (amp build)

I forget how much real estate is in that chassis. I also forgot that the tubes are on a different sides of it. That's a loud F'n beast. Easily my favorite I've ever built. One piece of advice: Get an attenuator if you don't have one already.

Good luck.

 

[Demanic]

Re: Aaaaannd it's on... (amp build)

What sort of basic equipment and knowledge does one need before attempting a build like this? I can solder and read a schematic, does the chassis come predrilled or do I need that capacity also?

 

[Demanic]

Re: Aaaaannd it's on... (amp build)

Just checked out the website. Never mind.

 

[VanDerchuck]

Re: Aaaaannd it's on... (amp build)

Just checked out the website. Never mind.

Find an amp you want. Something simple. 5E3 for the fender types, JTM45 for the Marshall types and build it. There's nothing you can do that hasn't been done already. Search their forum and you will find every answer to every question. Buy some extra caps and resistors for your build. Do it. You'll have a good time and an amp you'll never need to bring to an amp tech in the future.

 

[Gone_Shootin]

Re: Aaaaannd it's on... (amp build)

Nice!

I've been wanting to build an amp for some time, but have held off until I learn more about how they work. And I've learned alot between repairing and/or modding my existing amps, and doing alot of reading and research. Problem is, I can't decide which amp I want to build first. I'm kinda torn between a Trainwreck Express and a JCM 800 2204.

What brought you to the decision of building an 800?

 

[Surgeon]

Re: Aaaaannd it's on... (amp build)

I forget how much real estate is in that chassis. I also forgot that the tubes are on a different sides of it. That's a loud F'n beast. Easily my favorite I've ever built. One piece of advice: Get an attenuator if you don't have one already.

Good luck.

Thanks Chuck. Yeah, an attenuator will be needed at some point although I do intend to end-up running it with 2 tubes most of the time. It's still gonna be effin' loud though.

Nice!

I've been wanting to build an amp for some time, but have held off until I learn more about how they work. And I've learned alot between repairing and/or modding my existing amps, and doing alot of reading and research. Problem is, I can't decide which amp I want to build first. I'm kinda torn between a Trainwreck Express and a JCM 800 2204.

What brought you to the decision of building an 800?

Well, I just wanted to build an amp... Everyone everywhere will tell you to build a 5e3 but I had no interest in owning playing one. I then started asking on the weber forum about how out of my league an 18 watter (1974) would be, since, if I was going to build something, I wanted some crunch, not just a clean amp. Folks told me that building an 800 wasn't gonna be that much more complicated and would get me the sound I wanted right from the start. My "too much wattage" objections were met with "pull two tubes and be happy" so I went that route. It's a classic, it's an amp I wanted so I'll be there in a few weeks... pretty cool!

Progress update:

Installed both faceplates, all pots, jacks, impendance selector, grounding buss (although I'll need to reshape it).

Pics soon.

 

[Surgeon]

Re: Aaaaannd it's on... (amp build)

 

[Demanic]

Re: Aaaaannd it's on... (amp build)

Find an amp you want. Something simple. 5E3 for the fender types, JTM45 for the Marshall types and build it. There's nothing you can do that hasn't been done already. Search their forum and you will find every answer to every question. Buy some extra caps and resistors for your build. Do it. You'll have a good time and an amp you'll never need to bring to an amp tech in the future.

Well, I won't write it off entirely, I did see something on their site that has a pair of KT-88's in it. It just surprises me that they don't include a schematic (if I read them correctly). I might start off by modding my Picovalve or something simple like that with an amp I already have.

 

[Surgeon]

Re: Aaaaannd it's on... (amp build)

They do have both schematics and layouts... no instructions though.... Their forum is a gold-mine of information and amazingly helpful people.

 

[Red_Label]

Re: Aaaaannd it's on... (amp build)

VERY NICE! I've been wanting to build a kit for a while now... especially since acquiring my already-built Ceriatone 36 RP 18/36 watter. LOVE IT! So I've been browsing their kits thinking of what to build. It'll be something Marshall for sure. I'll always be a Marshall guy. But still... the choices are endless. Likely be a cleanish (hairy!) plexi circuit though instead of a high-gain deal. I have REALLY grown to love my Carl Martin Plexitone V1 over the past couple of years (this is my 2nd one) and that pedal gets half of my flavor and most of my crunch. The amp is just there to give it the rest of the flavor and some punchy volume.

 

[Gone_Shootin]

Re: Aaaaannd it's on... (amp build)

Well, I won't write it off entirely, I did see something on their site that has a pair of KT-88's in it. It just surprises me that they don't include a schematic (if I read them correctly). I might start off by modding my Picovalve or something simple like that with an amp I already have.

Modding existing amps has served as a good way to get my feet wet. I started off doing a few mods to my Marshall JVM, and the other day I managed to bring my old Peavey VTM120 back from the dead. If you have paitence, do your homework, and can solder, you can do it.

 

[Gone_Shootin]

Re: Aaaaannd it's on... (amp build)

VERY NICE! I've been wanting to build a kit for a while now... especially since acquiring my already-built Ceriatone 36 RP 18/36 watter. LOVE IT! So I've been browsing their kits thinking of what to build. It'll be something Marshall for sure. I'll always be a Marshall guy. But still... the choices are endless. Likely be a cleanish (hairy!) plexi circuit though instead of a high-gain deal. I have REALLY grown to love my Carl Martin Plexitone V1 over the past couple of years (this is my 2nd one) and that pedal gets half of my flavor and most of my crunch. The amp is just there to give it the rest of the flavor and some punchy volume.

Check out www.triodeelectronics.com , they have several flavors of Plexi to choose from.

 

[Red_Label]

Re: Aaaaannd it's on... (amp build)

Check out www.triodeelectronics.com , they have several flavors of Plexi to choose from.

Thanks bud! Will do!

 

[zzmoore]

Re: Aaaaannd it's on... (amp build)

They do have both schematics and layouts... no instructions though.... Their forum is a gold-mine of information and amazingly helpful people.

Let me ask...what do YOU think of the apparent quality of there "stuff".?
Weber has gotten a lot of criticism over the years...especially for their amp kits. I know in the beginning (5-6-7 years ago) they had a problem with their tranny sets....they were a bit too budget built I guess. But I think they fixed that problem a long time ago.
The reason I ask.?
Like I say, I have heard, and to some extent still hear, criticism about their stuff. Over the last 10 years i have bought all kinds of parts from them...not just speakers, and the only trouble I had was with a batch of wire that was kinked...they never should have shipped it. But OK...one F-Up in 10 years. I have always been pretty happy with their supplies and gadgets.
Anyway, not trying to corner you.....just wondering what your first thoughts were.......
nice job btw
best

 

[Surgeon]

Re: Aaaaannd it's on... (amp build)

Let me ask...what do YOU think of the apparent quality of there "stuff".?
Weber has gotten a lot of criticism over the years...especially for their amp kits. I know in the beginning (5-6-7 years ago) they had a problem with their tranny sets....they were a bit too budget built I guess. But I think they fixed that problem a long time ago.
The reason I ask.?
Like I say, I have heard, and to some extent still hear, criticism about their stuff. Over the last 10 years i have bought all kinds of parts from them...not just speakers, and the only trouble I had was with a batch of wire that was kinked...they never should have shipped it. But OK...one F-Up in 10 years. I have always been pretty happy with their supplies and gadgets.
Anyway, not trying to corner you.....just wondering what your first thoughts were.......
nice job btw
best

So far I have nothing bad to say about anything. I've read the same things as you but I can't (for now) really agree. Sure, if you look around you'll find kits with better quality or more "mojoish" components but they are quite pricier than the weber kits, and this is where the distinction is for me: Weber kits are good no-nonsense kits. Good quality parts, great cabinets and speakers so you get a great amp for very little money compared to the competition.
Still, you can order the complete kit, upgrade the caps, resistors, pots, whathaveyou and still come under the competition's prices... not bad IMHO.

Their caps are standard quality and so are the resistors. Pots seem fine but many have recommended that I upgrade them. I'll see down the road if I need/want to, for now I'm building the stock kit as a starter.

Trannies: I've read that they fixed the initial problems. From what mine look and feel like, I can't imagine them being substandard... but I'm not transformer expert either... they do seem as good as anything I have in my Mesa or Oranges but this is just based on weight, looks, finish, fit and feel, without playing anything so far.

Again, you can get better parts elsewhere but I'll bet that the tone/price ratio is still amazing compared to other pricier kits... just my opinion of course.

 

[VanDerchuck]

Re: Aaaaannd it's on... (amp build)

For anyone wanting to get started in building/modding amps. Please read this thread thoroughly.

http://www.weberorders.com/forum/index.php?topic=944.0

Please! Safety first.

I know this is Surgeon's thread, and it's about his amp. And I know we are all excited about building amps. But with 450vdc in this amp it is the only one that scares me work in. I've been hit with 36vdc and that burnt like a motherfu@ker. My arm went numb, I couldn't move my hand for an hour.

Please take these precautions into consideration.