Re: I need to build an amp, I'm so bored...
various kits out there...
www.missionamps.com for the very incredible TweedDeluxe 5E3 or a variation of the 6L6 circuit, Tweed Pro, super or Bandmaster. Bruce is probably working on an 18 watt Marshall type amp if i had to guess. Bruce's support is legendary. I spent some time with him on the phone one time for a while, as he listened to this oscillation I had going. incredible support.
www.webervst.com Weber has come into the kit world and grabbed huge market share by pricing his kits insanely low and including cabs and speakers. definitely the cheapest route, but his support consists of a website.
allen amps makes some kits.
gds amplification has some kits
mojotone.com has kits.
For the first build, don't go with an easier circuit just because it's easy. Build something you want to hear and play. If you're a Marshall kind of guy, get an 18 watt kit and build it.
You just have to have some basic soldering skills. If you can install a pickup and work off the wiring diagram, you're already half-way there. You just have to look at the parts layout and solder things together. Then you have to go over it with a fine-tuned comb and make sure you didn't make any mistakes. Take your time and you won't. Then triple check it again before you plug it in.
It's not overly hard. It is time consuming and you have to pay attention all the time. Can't be drinking beer and soldering. Gotta watch what you are doing. ONce you've plugged it in for the first time, the voltages are lethal.
I have a very healthy respect for amp voltages. I began this stuff scared to death of frying myself. that is the proper attitude it appears. no respect and you'll get zapped at some point. You have to learn how to drain the capacitors when you open the amp up to work on it. It's not hard, but you have to be careful and make sure you've done it before you go poking into it.
Just some normal precautions. There are a lot of materials on the net about this stuff and general safety. Read up before you give it a try.
various kits out there...
www.missionamps.com for the very incredible TweedDeluxe 5E3 or a variation of the 6L6 circuit, Tweed Pro, super or Bandmaster. Bruce is probably working on an 18 watt Marshall type amp if i had to guess. Bruce's support is legendary. I spent some time with him on the phone one time for a while, as he listened to this oscillation I had going. incredible support.
www.webervst.com Weber has come into the kit world and grabbed huge market share by pricing his kits insanely low and including cabs and speakers. definitely the cheapest route, but his support consists of a website.
allen amps makes some kits.
gds amplification has some kits
mojotone.com has kits.
For the first build, don't go with an easier circuit just because it's easy. Build something you want to hear and play. If you're a Marshall kind of guy, get an 18 watt kit and build it.
You just have to have some basic soldering skills. If you can install a pickup and work off the wiring diagram, you're already half-way there. You just have to look at the parts layout and solder things together. Then you have to go over it with a fine-tuned comb and make sure you didn't make any mistakes. Take your time and you won't. Then triple check it again before you plug it in.
It's not overly hard. It is time consuming and you have to pay attention all the time. Can't be drinking beer and soldering. Gotta watch what you are doing. ONce you've plugged it in for the first time, the voltages are lethal.
I have a very healthy respect for amp voltages. I began this stuff scared to death of frying myself. that is the proper attitude it appears. no respect and you'll get zapped at some point. You have to learn how to drain the capacitors when you open the amp up to work on it. It's not hard, but you have to be careful and make sure you've done it before you go poking into it.
Just some normal precautions. There are a lot of materials on the net about this stuff and general safety. Read up before you give it a try.
