Diy amp kit - for a beginner
- Thread starter rumy22
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Gone_Shootin
New member
Re: Diy amp kit - for a beginner
I would recommend reading some threads over at ax84.com and ampgarage.com, and using the info from there to get a better idea of what to do.
Besides that, I would recommend starting out with smaller, easier projects. Things like swapping out guitar pickups/pots/caps, modding and/or building a pedal, or maybe even modding an existing amp. This is basically what I've been doing for the past year. I've swapped out pickups is a few of my guitars, some of them several times, and up graded the pots too. I've also modded my Marshall JVM (still have a bad solder joint to track down, my bad), modded both my MXR Wylde Overdrive pedals to run 18 volts, and have the parts to mod one of my wah pedals when I get the time.
All of it has been a learning experience for me, plus it has helped me get better at soldering. And looking back, I'm glad I did all of this before building an amp, because the amp I want to build is a Trainwreck Express, which is a design that is very finicky about how the components are layed out and the leade dress of the wires. But it's first on my list, so I'm determined to do it. The kit I've been looking at for it can be found over at triodeelectronics.com.
I would recommend reading some threads over at ax84.com and ampgarage.com, and using the info from there to get a better idea of what to do.
Besides that, I would recommend starting out with smaller, easier projects. Things like swapping out guitar pickups/pots/caps, modding and/or building a pedal, or maybe even modding an existing amp. This is basically what I've been doing for the past year. I've swapped out pickups is a few of my guitars, some of them several times, and up graded the pots too. I've also modded my Marshall JVM (still have a bad solder joint to track down, my bad), modded both my MXR Wylde Overdrive pedals to run 18 volts, and have the parts to mod one of my wah pedals when I get the time.
All of it has been a learning experience for me, plus it has helped me get better at soldering. And looking back, I'm glad I did all of this before building an amp, because the amp I want to build is a Trainwreck Express, which is a design that is very finicky about how the components are layed out and the leade dress of the wires. But it's first on my list, so I'm determined to do it. The kit I've been looking at for it can be found over at triodeelectronics.com.
Last edited:
VanDerchuck
New member
Re: Diy amp kit - for a beginner
Both suggestions are excellent. Dave Hunters book is excellent. And he's a great guy. Ax84 has some great info. That's what you should be looking for. There are lots of options for building amps. Kits or home brew. I'd find a smaller amp that you want first. A 5E3 is always a great sounding amp, but not everyone likes the fender sound. If you prefer an 18watt marshall sound then by all means build that one. I wouldn't do anything more than a JTM45 as a first build. It's doable, but agonizing to troubleshoot for a newbie. Anything with reverb should be out of the question for now. Nothing more than two preamp tubes, a phase inverter, and two power tubes. Maybe a rectifier. That's it. Or smaller.
Also check out Aiken amps for their tech stuff. Great info there.
Find some safety advice too.
As for kits, it's all subjective. I don't know where you want to start but paying for great transformers will help in the long run. Find a good company that sells good transformers. I like the classictone transformers. Affordable and American made.
Mojotone, Ceriatone, and Weber are the companies that come to mind first. All with pluses and minuses. Kits are great because you get everything in one order. Weber has great speakers, but Mojotone has better quality components. Weigh all your options. And good luck.
Both suggestions are excellent. Dave Hunters book is excellent. And he's a great guy. Ax84 has some great info. That's what you should be looking for. There are lots of options for building amps. Kits or home brew. I'd find a smaller amp that you want first. A 5E3 is always a great sounding amp, but not everyone likes the fender sound. If you prefer an 18watt marshall sound then by all means build that one. I wouldn't do anything more than a JTM45 as a first build. It's doable, but agonizing to troubleshoot for a newbie. Anything with reverb should be out of the question for now. Nothing more than two preamp tubes, a phase inverter, and two power tubes. Maybe a rectifier. That's it. Or smaller.
Also check out Aiken amps for their tech stuff. Great info there.
Find some safety advice too.
As for kits, it's all subjective. I don't know where you want to start but paying for great transformers will help in the long run. Find a good company that sells good transformers. I like the classictone transformers. Affordable and American made.
Mojotone, Ceriatone, and Weber are the companies that come to mind first. All with pluses and minuses. Kits are great because you get everything in one order. Weber has great speakers, but Mojotone has better quality components. Weigh all your options. And good luck.
PFDarkside
of the Forum
Re: Diy amp kit - for a beginner
Any other good books on tube amps? (From a technical aspect)
Any other good books on tube amps? (From a technical aspect)
VanDerchuck
New member
Re: Diy amp kit - for a beginner
There are a lot. I like the Valve Wizard preamp book and his technical essays on his website. His name is Merlin Blencoe.
The Gerald Weber books have some great information on mods for Fender type amps. But his opinions need to be taken with a grain of salt.
These are just the books I'm familiar with. On the Weber Kit Building Forum there is a list of technical books in the reference section. I'd check there also.
There are a lot. I like the Valve Wizard preamp book and his technical essays on his website. His name is Merlin Blencoe.
The Gerald Weber books have some great information on mods for Fender type amps. But his opinions need to be taken with a grain of salt.
These are just the books I'm familiar with. On the Weber Kit Building Forum there is a list of technical books in the reference section. I'd check there also.
PFDarkside
of the Forum
Re: Diy amp kit - for a beginner
Awesome, thanks. I'm looking for a combo of Christmas Break reading material and a refresher of my knowledge.
Awesome, thanks. I'm looking for a combo of Christmas Break reading material and a refresher of my knowledge.
jon the art guy
Nerdy Nerd
Re: Diy amp kit - for a beginner
Do a Tweed Deluxe. If you're not a metalhead, you'll probably never give it up as they're awesome amps.
Angela amp parts has a good build-up article on one, step by step. There's also an excellent youtube buildup from Tubedepot (I think it's them?)
You're doing it for the fun of a hobby, not to get a cheap amp out of it, right? Amp building never pays off financially.
Do a Tweed Deluxe. If you're not a metalhead, you'll probably never give it up as they're awesome amps.
Angela amp parts has a good build-up article on one, step by step. There's also an excellent youtube buildup from Tubedepot (I think it's them?)
You're doing it for the fun of a hobby, not to get a cheap amp out of it, right? Amp building never pays off financially.
VanDerchuck
New member
jimijames
New member
Re: Diy amp kit - for a beginner
I built this amp recently. First one I've ever put together, although I've done some very basic modding.
The instructions are fantastic. Even for testing and safety procedures.
They have all the parts you need listed, and you can get everything you need delivered to you for ~$250 - but you still need a cabinet and a speaker.
I've got a 5751 and a 12ay7 in v1 and v2 of the preamp right now and it does that great marshall distortion but with some very useable clean tones.
The next amp I'd like to build is a tweed deluxe because I've heard nothing but great things about them.
I built this amp recently. First one I've ever put together, although I've done some very basic modding.
The instructions are fantastic. Even for testing and safety procedures.
They have all the parts you need listed, and you can get everything you need delivered to you for ~$250 - but you still need a cabinet and a speaker.
I've got a 5751 and a 12ay7 in v1 and v2 of the preamp right now and it does that great marshall distortion but with some very useable clean tones.
The next amp I'd like to build is a tweed deluxe because I've heard nothing but great things about them.