Has anyone priced out DIY-from-scratch tube amp copies?
- Thread starter Adieu
- Start date
Gtrjunior
Well-known member
Has anyone priced out DIY-from-scratch tube amp copies?
I’m interested in this topic too.
I’ve been sort of window shopping for an amp kit I can build myself.
From what I can tell, everything you’ll need is included in the kit.
Obviously you’ll need your own soldering supplies etc. but I don’t think you’ll need to spend much more than the cost of the kit.
That of course depends on whether you buy the complete kit that includes the head shell/combo box. Etc.
I’m interested in this topic too.
I’ve been sort of window shopping for an amp kit I can build myself.
From what I can tell, everything you’ll need is included in the kit.
Obviously you’ll need your own soldering supplies etc. but I don’t think you’ll need to spend much more than the cost of the kit.
That of course depends on whether you buy the complete kit that includes the head shell/combo box. Etc.
Re: Has anyone priced out DIY-from-scratch tube amp copies?
Are you talking about kit's? Or sourcing everything off a B.O.M or from scratch?
There are lots of different kits but most of them are supposed to be copies of the more popular, classic amps. But there are some kits that are more original. Most are still based on classic designs but tweaked. Weber has some of both and may be one of the least expensive of the larger suppliers that offer kits. I think they use Chinese iron, but not sure. Never built a Weber amp. Depending on what you wanted to build you would definitely pay a good chunk less with DIY than the cost of a new hard-wired version from the manufacturer. But maybe more than a modern, PCB made version, again, depending on what you were building, what kit you buy or what parts you use (mainly the iron).
My Marshall build probably cost me $650. But I bought it from someone who bit off more than they could chew and never built it. There were a few small parts missing that I had to replace and some minor component changes that I made. The Iron is Magnetic Components (Classic Tone) which are USA made but on the lower cost side. You could add hundreds by going with something like Mercury Magnetics transformers or even Marstran.
Are you talking about kit's? Or sourcing everything off a B.O.M or from scratch?
There are lots of different kits but most of them are supposed to be copies of the more popular, classic amps. But there are some kits that are more original. Most are still based on classic designs but tweaked. Weber has some of both and may be one of the least expensive of the larger suppliers that offer kits. I think they use Chinese iron, but not sure. Never built a Weber amp. Depending on what you wanted to build you would definitely pay a good chunk less with DIY than the cost of a new hard-wired version from the manufacturer. But maybe more than a modern, PCB made version, again, depending on what you were building, what kit you buy or what parts you use (mainly the iron).
My Marshall build probably cost me $650. But I bought it from someone who bit off more than they could chew and never built it. There were a few small parts missing that I had to replace and some minor component changes that I made. The Iron is Magnetic Components (Classic Tone) which are USA made but on the lower cost side. You could add hundreds by going with something like Mercury Magnetics transformers or even Marstran.
Re: Has anyone priced out DIY-from-scratch tube amp copies?
It can be but places like Hoffman provide B.O.M's with all the parts needed so you can just put them all in your cart as is, or delete parts if you want something else, like different tubes, caps, Iron etc. There are also some "kits" that don't include the cabinet and head cabs can run $200 and up for a tolexed cabinet. So whatever you do, you have to be careful.
It can be but places like Hoffman provide B.O.M's with all the parts needed so you can just put them all in your cart as is, or delete parts if you want something else, like different tubes, caps, Iron etc. There are also some "kits" that don't include the cabinet and head cabs can run $200 and up for a tolexed cabinet. So whatever you do, you have to be careful.
Re: Has anyone priced out DIY-from-scratch tube amp copies?
IIRC there are sites that sell the parts individually for those and you can certainly get a list of parts and the schematics and build them yourself.
The cost will be less for the components. I've done that looking at building pedals, and if you really know what you're doing, you can build a pedal for a fraction of the cost of the "kit" pedals you can get online. The trouble is this. You are getting parts that haven't really been tested or looked at that come from a huge bin full of the same parts. There are going to QC issues with you buying individual components. The other issue that if you just need ONE of something, you may have a hard time buying ONE. You made up having to buy ten. To me that's actually a good thing, because in case you break one or screw it up (which I would) you have extras to work with.
It's a matter of this, ultimately. Do you want to spend the time to do all the research and then buy things separately, make sure you have everything, get the schematics, etc, and save some money, or do you want to spend a bit more money, in order to save you time and get exactly what you need with no hassle? Spend the time, or spend the money. That's what it comes down to.
IIRC there are sites that sell the parts individually for those and you can certainly get a list of parts and the schematics and build them yourself.
The cost will be less for the components. I've done that looking at building pedals, and if you really know what you're doing, you can build a pedal for a fraction of the cost of the "kit" pedals you can get online. The trouble is this. You are getting parts that haven't really been tested or looked at that come from a huge bin full of the same parts. There are going to QC issues with you buying individual components. The other issue that if you just need ONE of something, you may have a hard time buying ONE. You made up having to buy ten. To me that's actually a good thing, because in case you break one or screw it up (which I would) you have extras to work with.
It's a matter of this, ultimately. Do you want to spend the time to do all the research and then buy things separately, make sure you have everything, get the schematics, etc, and save some money, or do you want to spend a bit more money, in order to save you time and get exactly what you need with no hassle? Spend the time, or spend the money. That's what it comes down to.
Gtrjunior
Well-known member
Re: Has anyone priced out DIY-from-scratch tube amp copies?
Yeah, there’s a lot to research before pulling the trigger for sure.
Yeah, there’s a lot to research before pulling the trigger for sure.
CapoFirstFret
New member
Re: Has anyone priced out DIY-from-scratch tube amp copies?
I've got an old Hammond organ amp that I'd LOVE to pull parts from to build my own amp, but I don't really know where to start. I know basics of electronics (how to use a multimeter, how to discharge capacitors, how to solder, etc.) but don't have a great place to get started on this one. If you come up with something, let me know!
I've got an old Hammond organ amp that I'd LOVE to pull parts from to build my own amp, but I don't really know where to start. I know basics of electronics (how to use a multimeter, how to discharge capacitors, how to solder, etc.) but don't have a great place to get started on this one. If you come up with something, let me know!
Re: Has anyone priced out DIY-from-scratch tube amp copies?
i have a buddy building a trainwreck express clone for me, it wasnt cheap but itll be a hell of a lot cheaper than a real one. should be done soon finally. lots of figuring out transformer placement, component testing and wire routing.
my suggestion is to start simple unless you are ready for heaps of frustration.
i have a buddy building a trainwreck express clone for me, it wasnt cheap but itll be a hell of a lot cheaper than a real one. should be done soon finally. lots of figuring out transformer placement, component testing and wire routing.
my suggestion is to start simple unless you are ready for heaps of frustration.
Re: Has anyone priced out DIY-from-scratch tube amp copies?
If I do build another amp, an Express clone is gonna be it.
If I do build another amp, an Express clone is gonna be it.
Phantasmagoria
watch where you point that sabre
Re: Has anyone priced out DIY-from-scratch tube amp copies?
I'm in the middle of building a pint-sized 12"(W)x9"(D)x4"(H) Mega LOUD 250 watt/8 Ohm high gain tube-SS hybrid of my own (way out :laugh2
design from chinese parts/kits. It's cost me about $150 ..maybe $200 (tops) so far 
I also bought a DIY classic-rock/blues-type tube head that someone else made for about $650 last year. No idea what the parts cost ..but I'm pretty sure it was a steal for the price & could'nt have cost much less to build.
I'm in the middle of building a pint-sized 12"(W)x9"(D)x4"(H) Mega LOUD 250 watt/8 Ohm high gain tube-SS hybrid of my own (way out :laugh2
design from chinese parts/kits. It's cost me about $150 ..maybe $200 (tops) so far I also bought a DIY classic-rock/blues-type tube head that someone else made for about $650 last year. No idea what the parts cost ..but I'm pretty sure it was a steal for the price & could'nt have cost much less to build.
Re: Has anyone priced out DIY-from-scratch tube amp copies?
Oh noes, I'm strongly ANTI-kit and absolutely resolutely opposed to buying headshells.
I meant build-it-yourself shopping lists
Oh noes, I'm strongly ANTI-kit and absolutely resolutely opposed to buying headshells.
I meant build-it-yourself shopping lists
Gtrjunior
Well-known member
Re: Has anyone priced out DIY-from-scratch tube amp copies?
You really want to get down and dirty with this thing!!
Good luck in your search. I’m interested to keep track of your progress sourcing and building.
You really want to get down and dirty with this thing!!
Good luck in your search. I’m interested to keep track of your progress sourcing and building.
Re: Has anyone priced out DIY-from-scratch tube amp copies?
Uhm, yeah, that's the thing.... was kinda hoping to "borrow" someone else's research
I'm only anti-kit because I figure there's huuuuge margins built into the proce of those, considering how many cost as much or more than similar assembled amps
As to headshells, that I can certainly build for pennies/"free" out of scrap or crap I have laying around already, high confidence since ive done it before
Uhm, yeah, that's the thing.... was kinda hoping to "borrow" someone else's research
I'm only anti-kit because I figure there's huuuuge margins built into the proce of those, considering how many cost as much or more than similar assembled amps
As to headshells, that I can certainly build for pennies/"free" out of scrap or crap I have laying around already, high confidence since ive done it before
Re: Has anyone priced out DIY-from-scratch tube amp copies?
You can still go over to the hoffman amps site and look at their parts lists for the different amps. You don't have to buy anything from them. Just copy the list and get whatever components you want from somewhere else. Or go to Weber and look at the amp layouts. They are on the site for download. Other kit sellers also have the manuals with parts lists and the layouts and schematics available for download without buying anything.
You can still go over to the hoffman amps site and look at their parts lists for the different amps. You don't have to buy anything from them. Just copy the list and get whatever components you want from somewhere else. Or go to Weber and look at the amp layouts. They are on the site for download. Other kit sellers also have the manuals with parts lists and the layouts and schematics available for download without buying anything.
PFDarkside
of the Forum
Re: Has anyone priced out DIY-from-scratch tube amp copies?
Have you built an amp from a kit before? Heavily modified an existing amp?
What circuit are you planning on building?
Have you built an amp from a kit before? Heavily modified an existing amp?
What circuit are you planning on building?
Re: Has anyone priced out DIY-from-scratch tube amp copies?
No clue.
That's why I'm asking what kinda costs are involved.
PS i sure as hell ain't spending 600-700 bucks, that's too much for me
No clue.
That's why I'm asking what kinda costs are involved.
PS i sure as hell ain't spending 600-700 bucks, that's too much for me
PFDarkside
of the Forum
Re: Has anyone priced out DIY-from-scratch tube amp copies?
So you want an estimate of parts to build an amp that you don’t know yet? Are you going to build the chassis too?
I’ve not built an amp yet, but I wouldn’t start with anything more difficult than a 5E3 Tweed Deluxe. There are a ton of good resources for that amp, instructional and layout-wise, and pretty good parts lists online fornwhat you’ll need.
I’m curious what you come up with for your total spend vs. something like a Mojotone or Weber kit.
So you want an estimate of parts to build an amp that you don’t know yet? Are you going to build the chassis too?
I’ve not built an amp yet, but I wouldn’t start with anything more difficult than a 5E3 Tweed Deluxe. There are a ton of good resources for that amp, instructional and layout-wise, and pretty good parts lists online fornwhat you’ll need.
I’m curious what you come up with for your total spend vs. something like a Mojotone or Weber kit.
