Question for Amp Builders

[wixomwhat]

I was wondering why nobody offers Solid State amp kits?

I don't mean SS as in NU- Metal crap I dont Mean SS for metal at all.

I'm thinking more of vintage SS Gretsch amps, Their not tube but would you ever turn one down?

Wouldn't a SS amp cost less to build anyway and probably easier- seems like they would be good beginer kit amps to build.

 

[Scott_F]

Re: Question for Amp Builders

When you build your own amp, it usually costs more in the long run than just buying something similar. With circuit boards, they'd have to be pretty sturdy to make it worth your time. That costs money. For people to invest their own time, they probably want to do it "right" which to me means using the best components you can find.

I'm betting there's just not enough money in it if you really want to get down to the bottom line.

There are companies like Hoffman that will sell you completed boards with the leads already attached. That is similar in concept to what you are talking about I think.

 

[Artie]

Re: Question for Amp Builders

This is just speculation on my part, but I imagine that its because SS lends itself so well to mass production, and not so much to hand built. An SS amp can be had fairly inexpensively. A kit might actually cost more to build than a tube amp, so no one would want one.

Just a thought.

 

[GuitarStv]

Re: Question for Amp Builders

. . . that and you have a lot more leniency with tubes. They are forgiving to tinker with, whereas with microchips it just takes one wrong move and POOF - you've let the magic smoke out of the box . . .

 

[wixomwhat]

Re: Question for Amp Builders

thanks for the replies guys.

I'm not looking to build a SS or anything but I was just curious.

Thanks

 

[Curly]

Re: Question for Amp Builders

tube amps are kinda like hot rods, and the type of people who build them want something that not only sounds good, but is fairly easy to repair, troubleshoot, and mod

AFAIK, SS amps are a little tricky to work on

I think it's also a bit of a retro movement back to basic, old circuits that sounded great, were fun to play, but hard to find in good original condition for a decent price ... in fact, I think it spawned a whole cottage industry

these are good times for tube amp fans