Anyone here building tube amps ?

[greco]

Just wondered how many folks in the amp part of this forum are building tube amps from "the chassis up" using parts they source themselves (i.e., not kits).

I'm hoping to try this soon.

Did a search here and didn't get any hits, but read about people trying specific brands/types of caps, resisters, etc. for their amps in some posts.

I have been looking at various amp builing sites/forums and learning a lot. Just starting this post as I spend a lot of time reading this forum.

What are you building?
Where do you source most of your components from?
Any suggestions for a first build?
What were the most useful resources? (books, websites, etc)
Any general comments on the topic?

Thanks

Dave

 

[Curly]

Re: Anyone here building tube amps ?

the advantage of kits is that someone else has done the sourcing, and worked out some of the kinks

one of the problems with sourcing your own is that you end up getting parts from more than one one supplier, and when your ordering "onesy twosey" numbers, the shipping costs go up for each amp, not to mention delays

 

[kmcguitars]

Re: Anyone here building tube amps ?

There is a few guy's on the forum who have built their own amps. I just built a 2204 from the ground up. I sourced the parts from a few different vendors. Metro Amps, Hoffman Amps, Weber and Antique Electronics. Custom chassis designed by me and built by R.Work in TX. Custom Cabinet built by my Father in FLA. I'll admit a 2204 was a bit to ambitious for a 1st build... But I pulled it off.:smokin: The guy's on the Hoffman board are real knowledgeable,But you have to ask the right question's over there or you'll get flamed.:laugh2:

 

[greco]

Re: Anyone here building tube amps ?

Thanks Curly

Which kit(s) did you build?

Dave

 

[gt5litre]

Re: Anyone here building tube amps ?

I built a Tweed Bassman a few years ago. Started with a Weber chassis and Fender trannies. Later installed Allen Amp trannies and his are great. run cool, far more transparent. Used a old Fendar Bassman cab that had been lacquered. I started with 4 Eminence Blue Alnicos and now I use a pair of Eminence Ramrods on the bottom and 2 Blues on the top.

The amp has a bias control and right now has been converted to 6V6s. 25 watts or so and the Allen output transformer lets you do this since it as a 4 and 8 ohm output taps as weel as the standard 2 ohm. It was just too loud using 6L6s. Great circuit and good parts from Weber and David Allen.

gt5litre

 

[Curly]

Re: Anyone here building tube amps ?

Thanks Curly

Which kit(s) did you build?

Dave

I built Mission Amps' 5E3 kit.

I also sourced parts for my own 5E3, thus my comments. One advantage of Bruce's kits is his support, and his guarantee to get the amp up and running for a nominal fee if you just get stuck.

with any amp, you're likely to have questions beyond what the schematic and diagrams show.

 

[chcjunior]

Re: Anyone here building tube amps ?

I just built the Super Charged Champ from www.stf-electronics.com. Pretty good documentation with good email replies when I hit a roadblock (and there was five of them).

 

[Rich_S]

Re: Anyone here building tube amps ?

I built my own 18 watter clone. Mine was built on a Bogen PA chassis, so I didn't need much "tube ampy" stuff like sockets and transformers - they came with the chassis. Most of my generic parts (caps, resistors, switches) came from Mouser Electronics.

I don't think that sourcing the parts is a big deal - just make a list in a spreadsheet, then sort it various ways to divide it up into orders. Shipping gets a bit pricey if you end up going with several different vendors, though. Try to limit yourself to just two vendors, one for the purely tube-amp stuff (tubes, trannies, sockets, filter caps, jewel lights, etc) and one for the generics.

To me, the biggest advantage of the kit is avoiding the sheet metal work. Drilling, punching, and cutting chassis is a PITA. Using the Bogen donor saved me a lot of that work, but not as much as a kit would have.

BTW, I liked the way that first project went, so I'm doing it again. The next build will be a JTM-45 on a Bogen H30 chassis.

 

[greco]

Re: Anyone here building tube amps ?

Thanks for all the comments/suggestions.

I phoned to order Kevin O'Connor's book "The Ultimate Tone #3 " (one of a series) today and ended up talking to Kevin himself. He offered to answer any questions during the build. Nice of him provide that type of service !!

kmcguitars wrote that he built a "2204". What is this amp compared to?

 

[Curly]

Re: Anyone here building tube amps ?

I have #3. O' Connor's books are advanced, but good. He goes into theory and wiring techniques more than some of the other guitar amp books.

 

[joelap]

Re: Anyone here building tube amps ?

Thanks for all the comments/suggestions.

I phoned to order Kevin O'Connor's book "The Ultimate Tone #3 " (one of a series) today and ended up talking to Kevin himself. He offered to answer any questions during the build. Nice of him provide that type of service !!

kmcguitars wrote that he built a "2204". What is this amp compared to?

I have his The Ultimate Tone #1 and DIY Speaker Cabinets, awesome reads.

For the past two years I've been saying how badly I want to build my own amp, finally I decided and with the help of some guys on the hoffman forum, I've got the schematic finished (just needs to be checked over). It's a combination of two difference AC30 designs, totalling 3 channels (6 input) with an added mid pot and a PPIMV and some minor "mods" if you even want to call it that. I'm going to order the board materials, metal chassis, and all electronics / tube parts the first week of may. As soon as final exams are over, I'm getting started. As soon as I've got the thing done (all electronics wired in and working properly), I'll order the enclosure and speakers.

But first, I'm spending all my waking hours refining this schematic, putting together a parts list, and finishing up my design, then sticking to it.

 

[kmcguitars]

Re: Anyone here building tube amps ?

Thanks for all the comments/suggestions.
kmcguitars wrote that he built a "2204". What is this amp compared to?

A Marshall JMP/JCM800 50 watt circuit.

 

[greco]

Re: Anyone here building tube amps ?

Just wanted to thank everybody for their comments as this post sinks into the sunset.


Great to know that there is so much interest in building.

Good luck to all on their builds

"joelap", I admire your thorough planning & hope your amp gives you the special TONE you are searching for.

Cheers

Dave

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: Anyone here building tube amps ?

Does totally rebuilding my Marshall 50 watt head with a PTP board,new choke,new transformer,all re-wiring,tweaks,etc.....count? I mean can I be part of the tube amp builders club? Please! ;o) :smokin: :banana: :dance:

Before The PPIMV Mod.I might do away with it anyway

 

[gt5litre]

Re: Anyone here building tube amps ?

I would suggest a kit with full instructions and support too. I would build it stock first, get that working and then modify it. The AC30 on its own is a complicated amp to do as a first build, just an FYI. Good luck on whatever path you choose.

gt5litre

 

[greco]

Re: Anyone here building tube amps ?

Stratdeluxer97 Thanks for the pics.

Nice looking work !!

Your lifetime membership to the club has been accepted.
Hope you enjoy being on the executive committee.

Cheers

Dave

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: Anyone here building tube amps ?

Stratdeluxer97 Thanks for the pics.

Nice looking work !!

Your lifetime membership to the club has been accepted.
Hope you enjoy being on the executive committee.

Cheers

Dave

Excellent.....Thanks so very much! :laugh2: :smokin: :smokin: :smokin: