Amp kit (Gilmore 1/2 watt amp)

[Kivitel]

Hey folks. I was checking out this amp kit made by Gerhart:

It's a 1/2 watt amp in kit form, sound samples here

I like the cleans and the overdrive sounds nice and deep while still edgy.

I don't have a huge amount of electronics experience, but I can solder neatly and follow schematics. The kit is under 300 dollars. I think it has a really nice versatile sound. Do you think 1/2 watts is enough to practice/record with? Or just use as a preamp in my 100W 2x12 combo amp?

Think this is a good buy? Anyone know any similar project amps? Is 1/2 watts enough to get a good thump out of? I figure it will overdrive/break up at listenable levels, which is sort of the aim, right?

Are there any other good kit amps at around this price point? Will the SD twin tube do something similar?

 

[DankStar]

Re: Amp kit (Gilmore 1/2 watt amp)

Hey folks. I was checking out this amp kit made by Gerhart:

It's a 1/2 watt amp in kit form, sound samples here

I like the cleans and the overdrive sounds nice and deep while still edgy.

I don't have a huge amount of electronics experience, but I can solder neatly and follow schematics. The kit is under 300 dollars. I think it has a really nice versatile sound. Do you think 1/2 watts is enough to practice/record with? Or just use as a preamp in my 100W 2x12 combo amp?

Think this is a good buy? Anyone know any similar project amps? Is 1/2 watts enough to get a good thump out of? I figure it will overdrive/break up at listenable levels, which is sort of the aim, right?

Are there any other good kit amps at around this price point? Will the SD twin tube do something similar?

why not start out with runoffgroove's ruby amp?

http://www.runoffgroove.com/ruby.html

people say it's the bees knees, it would be hella cheap, and it can be battery powered, pushed with pedals, and from what people say, pretty loud (for recording and house usage). damn, now I want to build one. seriously, they are supposed to be very nice sounding.

also, check out sopht amp ideas: low volatage, small/simple, low wattage, etc.
http://www.sopht.ca/mambo/index.php

I think you have to determine if you need a tube preamp (like the SD) or a tube amp with preamp and poweramp sections (like that little head). The ruby, sopht amps, and gilmore are amps with power sections - you wouldn't want to try and use them like boosters or effects in front of another amp. The SD, tube king, chandler tube driver, real mctube, tomato, etc. are preamps that could be used in front of another amp. I really like tube preamps - I think you can really add nice warmth with them.

 

[Kivitel]

Re: Amp kit (Gilmore 1/2 watt amp)

The makers of the gilmore indicated I could use it in front of another power stage. This is a really interesting idea I think, since I could get both pre and power distortion feeding into my clean 100w power amp.

 

[DankStar]

Re: Amp kit (Gilmore 1/2 watt amp)

The makers of the gilmore indicated I could use it in front of another power stage. This is a really interesting idea I think, since I could get both pre and power distortion feeding into my clean 100w power amp.

oh! that's pretty cool. man, between that and the other thread about the lexicon, I'm learning a lot today!

 

[Kivitel]

Re: Amp kit (Gilmore 1/2 watt amp)

I'm sort of afraid 1/2 watts going into a power input might, you know, make stuff explode. The people at gerhart/guytronix seem to think it would work fine though.

Yeah listen to the samples. Sound really great.

Also: check this pedal out. It's an emulation of a supro amp. It has the sweetest, most musical fuzzy sound. That perfect LZ/Cream fuzz, so noble and perfect.

 

[muttonchopsrule]

Re: Amp kit (Gilmore 1/2 watt amp)

i was looking into that not too long ago, but ended up getting a P1 extreme kit from AX84.com. just seemed to be something that would fit my style a little better.

if you end up getting it, let me know how it goes! i just got my kit about a week ago, assembled it all and fired it up and :gurmpy: :gurmpy: :gurmpy: no sound!!! finally got sound out of it today, but still have a lot of bugs to clear up.