Getting the Amp building itch...

[PFDarkside]

I've been getting the itch lately to dig into tube amplification and use my preexisting knowledge and apply it to fun stuff... Tube amps! Of course, they haven't taught the theory of tube amps in years, so I've been using other sources to supplement my knowledge and fill in gaps. (Old RCA Tube book, Jack Darr, Dave Hunter, etc.)

The question is, should I start by modifying (say, a Blues Junior) or by building a simple circuit like a Champ, Princeton or Deluxe? Maybe a Tweed Princeton with a few mods, or maybe even the BYOC Tweed Royal or the Hunter Two-Stroke? If I did a Champ or Princeton if want at least a 10" if not 12" speaker. The caveat to the Blues Junior... I don't own one, so by the time I find a used one, get a speaker and all the components you're almost at a 18W kit! Maybe a do a Princeton kit and and 18W kit? However, if I modified a Blues Junior, you're starting with an amp that *works*.

(I have the necessary soldering skills and circuit building knowledge, as well as a respect for high voltage. I'm exploring Classic guitar amp designs as well as learning good tube amp practices, we've all seen the difference between a well wired and a messily wired amp)

Looking for any and all suggestions!

 

[kevlar3000]

Re: Getting the Amp building itch...

I have been pondering much the same and was going to nab a champ kit, just for cold weather fun. I love tinkering with amps, and have forever, but I still am not sure if I really feel like building them. I ended up nabbing an Epi Valve Jr really cheap and am going to the fab sounding Gibbon's tone mod or a very simple GA5 mod. I kinda decided I wanted an up and running low watt amp, and at 100.00 this became a no brainier.

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: Getting the Amp building itch...

I saw that post, should be a fun project. I didn't realize until recently how simple the old Fender and Gibson circuits are.

 

[kevlar3000]

Re: Getting the Amp building itch...

Little did I know 4 resistors turn the Valve Jr into a GA5.

 

[Surgeon]

Re: Getting the Amp building itch...

If you know how to solder, read schematics and all I think a complete build is a lot of fun and something to be proud of...

I'll be starting my second build soon, a Hiwatt-inspired kit from Weber and I can't wait.

Being addicted to building pedals was one thing but amps are a completely different sickness...

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: Getting the Amp building itch...

Very cool Surgeon, I'd love to see a thread as you progress. Which kit is it you are building?

 

[zzmoore]

Re: Getting the Amp building itch...

Buy a kit from:
Weber
Ceriatone
Mojo
TAD
and build something that you really want to Own/Play.
good luck

 

[Gone_Shootin]

Re: Getting the Amp building itch...

I cut my teeth by modding my JVM, which in retrospect I realize that I probably should've picked a more simple amp to mod lol, but it did teach me a lot about working on complex circuits. Since then I've also modded my VTM120, a couple stompboxes, and picked up a Blue Doodoo on the cheap for a guinea pig to experiment with.

I've been wanting to get a kit from Triode Electronics, but seem to end up blowing my guitar funds on other stuff. But when I do get around to it, I'll be ordering either a TW Express, JCM800, or 1987 Plexi kit from them.

So I guess I would recommend starting by modding an amp. It's a great way to learn. And I recommend reading Design and Construction of Tube Guitar Amplifiers by Robert C. Megantz. It doesn't have many pages, but it is absolutely packed with info. I didn't quite understand all the algebra in it, but after reading it, I did have a much better understanding of how amps work.

 

[Lazarus1140]

Re: Getting the Amp building itch...

Buy a kit from:
Weber
Ceriatone
Mojo
TAD
and build something that you really want to Own/Play.
good luck

or, in my (pretending to be) humble opinion, Mission.

 

[Nacho8807]

Re: Getting the Amp building itch...

I've always wanted to do one of Bruce Egnater's seminars where he guides you through building your own amp over a weekend or something. Problem is, having a class nearby, and having the money and time to do it are like having all the planets align.

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: Getting the Amp building itch...

Buy a kit from:
Weber
Ceriatone
Mojo
TAD
and build something that you really want to Own/Play.
good luck

I've always loved the tone of a Tweed Deluxe, I'm just thinking if I want the Deluxe power section or the smaller power section of the Champ/Princeton. I'm kind of feeling the smaller one since I'll be using it more at home, but I guess it's all up for debate. Which of the above kits include the most "finalized" chassis? For the first build I'd prefer to not have to drill tube socket holes and drill/punch the turret/eyelet board.

I've always wanted to do one of Bruce Egnater's seminars where he guides you through building your own amp over a weekend or something. Problem is, having a class nearby, and having the money and time to do it are like having all the planets align.

Actually, yes I wanted to do one and almost signed up for the winter 2007 seminar when I lived in Michigan.

 

[Surgeon]

Re: Getting the Amp building itch...

Very cool Surgeon, I'd love to see a thread as you progress. Which kit is it you are building?

I've built a 2203 this spring (the thread is around here somewhere but can't link you to it right now) and I'll be starting a 6h50 as soon as the parts arrive. I'll definitely make a thread but I don't know if I'll do it as I go along or just when it's all done...

 

[Mad-Max]

Re: Getting the Amp building itch...

Wasn't there somebody here who was building a Mark IIC+ at one point? That was one of coolest builds I've ever seen.

 

[jimijames]

Re: Getting the Amp building itch...

I've gone from stock VJ combo -> stock VJ head -> couple of capacitor/resistor swaps -> Modded VJ with hammond OT -> 1974x 18w 'baby will' build -> 1974x 18w baby will build with a classic tone 18w OT.

I can say that the 'baby will' board over at guitaramplifierpcbs.com works well, and that for $20 above the cost on the build document you can get the much nicer classic tone OT. The Chinese OT that the kit instructs you to buy sounds pretty good on its own while it's clean but distorted it can sound a little strident. The Classic Tone 18w OT has a darker sound that's really tasty with everything around 2-3 o'clock. I've turned it up past there but IMO the sweet spot is a little before full tilt. You get more compression but the distortion is harsher.

But, you might not want a pcb-based 18w marshall clone. They have a 5w single ended plexi clone on the website if that's more your speed.

For me, it was a really good introduction to putting together amps - i.e., wiring things up and checking voltages to make sure you didn't fubar any connections.

 

[Gone_Shootin]

Re: Getting the Amp building itch...

I've always wanted to do one of Bruce Egnater's seminars where he guides you through building your own amp over a weekend or something. Problem is, having a class nearby, and having the money and time to do it are like having all the planets align.

Same here. It hasn't worked out yet.

 

[Gone_Shootin]

Re: Getting the Amp building itch...

Wasn't there somebody here who was building a Mark IIC+ at one point? That was one of coolest builds I've ever seen.

He's from Great Britian, can't remember his screen name. IIRC he built it on a PCB from Ampclones.com, which recently has had people up in arms over some sort of fraud or uncompleted orders or some such s***.

 

[Surgeon]

Re: Getting the Amp building itch...

Toe-knee's the guy you're all thinking of and his stuff is awesome indeed...

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Getting the Amp building itch...

In January, I shall be starting small with a couple of well-known mods to Fender Hot Rod Deluxe and DeVille combos. The theory is that this will prepare me for servicing another of my amps.

After reading a book on the history of Fender amplification, I fancy something with a solid pine cabinet. The EC signature series appeals but the amps cost a small fortune. The temptation is to steal the best ideas from this range and chose a kit that satisfies my brief.

The alternative would be similar to the OP, modify a Fender Blues Junior. In my case, I fancy one of the "Woody" special editions. I would want to change from EL84s to 6V6s.

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: Getting the Amp building itch...

In January, I shall be starting small with a couple of well-known mods to Fender Hot Rod Deluxe and DeVille combos. The theory is that this will prepare me for servicing another of my amps.

After reading a book on the history of Fender amplification, I fancy something with a solid pine cabinet. The EC signature series appeals but the amps cost a small fortune. The temptation is to steal the best ideas from this range and chose a kit that satisfies my brief.

The alternative would be similar to the OP, modify a Fender Blues Junior. In my case, I fancy one of the "Woody" special editions. I would want to change from EL84s to 6V6s.

I've got this part of me that wants to build a 6v6 Blues Junior with a bigger output transformer, stiffened power supply and big American speaker, then a second with the EL34s, soft power supply, and just the standard tone stack. But then I think, why not a Deluxe Reverb and an 18Watt?

Regardless, the Clapton amps look pretty cool, but a kit version of a Tweed Vibrolux is so much more cost effective.

We'll see...

 

[Gone_Shootin]

Re: Getting the Amp building itch...

I've got this part of me that wants to build a 6v6 Blues Junior with a bigger output transformer, stiffened power supply and big American speaker, then a second with the EL34s, soft power supply, and just the standard tone stack. But then I think, why not a Deluxe Reverb and an 18Watt?

Regardless, the Clapton amps look pretty cool, but a kit version of a Tweed Vibrolux is so much more cost effective.

We'll see...

I assume you've checked out www.billmaudio.com? If not, you should. He has quite a few mods listed, kits for the mods if you want to buy them, bigger transformers, ect.

Edit: I just looked again after I posted this. I guess Bill quit taking orders in November due to coming down with Brain Cancer. I hope he gets better.