...and I'm officially in trouble...

Surgeon

New member
I officially purchased a 2203 kit from weber. It should be here within 3-4 weeks and I'll start building afterwards, slowly but steady if all goes well.
let's see if I bit off more than I can chew...
 
Re: ...and I'm officially in trouble...

Well Surgeon . . . I hope it doesn't end up sounding too . . . clinical. :D
 
Re: ...and I'm officially in trouble...

I doubt it, you have mad skills!


You are way too generous but thank you!

I've already downloaded their layout and schematic, compared 'em, found a few mistakes(which I dare see as a sign that my comprehension of the circuit is adequate), studied how I'll implement the grounding scheme, it should go pretty darned smooth for a first build. The folks over at the weber forum are awesome so far and really helpful so I shouldn't stay stuck too long when I do get stuck.

I won't tell what the shell will look like until I can post pics but it will be awesome!
 
Re: ...and I'm officially in trouble...

Sweeeeeet brother! :)

Thanks, it should be a lot of fun. However, there's always the fear that I may end-up with a non-functioning 700$(with shipping, duties and whatnot) hole in my bank account but I'll do whatever I can to avoid this.
 
Re: ...and I'm officially in trouble...

Just curious why 2204 wouldn't be more appealing to you given the nice 50-watt platform.
 
Re: ...and I'm officially in trouble...

Just curious why 2204 wouldn't be more appealing to you given the nice 50-watt platform.

Actually yes but they only sell the 2203... the conversion is easy and I'll first try pulling 2 tubes before I try doing the few mods required to be up to the 2204 specs.
 
Re: ...and I'm officially in trouble...

I would'a thunk you'da gone JTM45/100,especially with your love of pedals. Then again, The 2203 MV is a classic amp obviously, used on so many amazing classic recordings. I'ts interesting this has come up, because I am currently evaluating the differences between the 2203 MV late 70's JMP/ early 80's JCM vs. the NV Superleads of the early 70's( Marshall reissued the amp I have , which is a 73 Superlead).
Besides that all, in kit form, I think there is only the Plexi 60's kits and the MKII Master Volume Lead late 70's/early 80's kits( and later the JCM800 which seems to be the same at least in the beginning till they added more gain around the mid-80's).
 
Re: ...and I'm officially in trouble...

I would'a thunk you'da gone JTM45/100,especially with your love of pedals. Then again, The 2203 MV is a classic amp obviously, used on so many amazing classic recordings. I'ts interesting this has come up, because I am currently evaluating the differences between the 2203 MV late 70's JMP/ early 80's JCM vs. the NV Superleads of the early 70's( Marshall reissued the amp I have , which is a 73 Superlead).
Besides that all, in kit form, I think there is only the Plexi 60's kits and the MKII Master Volume Lead late 70's/early 80's kits( and later the JCM800 which seems to be the same at least in the beginning till they added more gain around the mid-80's).

It was a though decision but you nailed it: it's classic and is still a reference used by countless bands live and for studio use. Also, while I love building pedals, I don't especially like using them live. For me the simpler the better...

It's just the beginning though, there's a lot of amps I can see myself building in the future, my learning addiction will probably take over for this as it did with pedals...
 
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Re: ...and I'm officially in trouble...

If they haven't changed their wire, it's kind of a pain to strip. The boards are made of a vulcanized fiber, also. Not bad, but can warp over the long term.

Tone wise, their stuff is great. I built a non-MV JTM45 for a friend, and it sounded amazing.
 
Re: ...and I'm officially in trouble...

8CM100? I built one a while ago. It was a fun build. The chassis is huge. Fitting the cap cans into it was tough. Next time I think I'd run them up from the bottom. Still my favorite clean sounding amp. Add a fan. I measurd temps in the cab of almost 140°. Also don't use the switch for the ot secondaries. There are better options. Also, if they are still using the breakers and not fuses get some fuse holders. Oh, and the sealed pots they offer on their site are actually pretty good. It's not to late to add those in. I found the stock pots jumped to much. And good luck. Oh and the weber forum is fantastic.
 
Re: ...and I'm officially in trouble...

I'm sure you have the methodical approach required, as well as the skills. I put together my Ampmakers SE5a together and it worked at first time of asking, with no further work needed other than getting it into a case. I suspect you have something slightly bigger to go at here, but the same approach should see you right. Just watch how much hook-up wire you attach to the board before it goes in the chassis though, the temptation will be to give yourself extra length to connect to pots and such; before you know it, you've run out of the wire you've received in the kit and have to go looking for other sources (which you may or may not have already).
 
Re: ...and I'm officially in trouble...

If they haven't changed their wire, it's kind of a pain to strip. The boards are made of a vulcanized fiber, also. Not bad, but can warp over the long term.

Tone wise, their stuff is great. I built a non-MV JTM45 for a friend, and it sounded amazing.

Thanks for the input!

8CM100? I built one a while ago. It was a fun build. The chassis is huge. Fitting the cap cans into it was tough. Next time I think I'd run them up from the bottom. Still my favorite clean sounding amp. Add a fan. I measurd temps in the cab of almost 140°. Also don't use the switch for the ot secondaries. There are better options. Also, if they are still using the breakers and not fuses get some fuse holders. Oh, and the sealed pots they offer on their site are actually pretty good. It's not to late to add those in. I found the stock pots jumped to much. And good luck. Oh and the weber forum is fantastic.

Alright, thank you for all of this, I'll keep it all in mind!

I'm sure you have the methodical approach required, as well as the skills. I put together my Ampmakers SE5a together and it worked at first time of asking, with no further work needed other than getting it into a case. I suspect you have something slightly bigger to go at here, but the same approach should see you right. Just watch how much hook-up wire you attach to the board before it goes in the chassis though, the temptation will be to give yourself extra length to connect to pots and such; before you know it, you've run out of the wire you've received in the kit and have to go looking for other sources (which you may or may not have already).

Good tip indeed, thanks!
 
Re: ...and I'm officially in trouble...

If you run into trouble, email me. I've made every bone headed amp building mistake out there! Happy to share the humor.
 
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