Kit amps

ezietsman · 2011-02-24T17:11:57+00:00

I'm quite interested in building a kit amp, and I'm looking into this as a serious alternative to getting a mass produced amp for gigging. I've got my eye on a Marshall 1974x clone, the 18 watt combo. I've had a look at kits offered by Weber, Trinity, GDS and Tubedepot. The Weber kits are cheap but reports indicate that some of the parts/cabs aren't of excellent quality. It would be nice if I can get a decent quality kit which includes a cab from somewhere, or alternatively order just a kit and have a combo cab made locally. Can anyone offer some advice? Local cab makers, please PM me.

TomCat

Sounds like a nice choice to go for. Good luck with the build..... ? ?

Be sure to post lots of pics....

Karel-Mars

Nice one.... EL84 amps are always a good choice for first time builds. Would love to see some pics.

DonovanB

So I'm thinking of taking this plunge. What I'd like to do is source the parts myself. (major challenge I'm sure)

Any tips or guidance? Like parts lists or circuit diagrams I can try?

I've built a cabinet before. Never delved this deep into electronics.

ezietsman

Donovan Banks wrote So I'm thinking of taking this plunge. What I'd like to do is source the parts myself. (major challenge I'm sure)

Any tips or guidance? Like parts lists or circuit diagrams I can try?

I've built a cabinet before. Never delved this deep into electronics.

I'd first contact the people like bottledtone, they may be able to help / supply some of the hard-to-find parts as well as help you choose suitable parts for the amp you want to build. Some amps are easier to source and build than others e.g. pretty easy to get Fender 5E3 parts as a few guys in South Africa import kits already.

What kinda amp are you thinking of?

Attila

If anyone's interested I have a very good write up of understanding tube amp circuitry ~~Pm me your email Addie's and I will send on~~

Download it yourself

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/102518748/Designing%20Valve%20Amplifiers.pdf

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/102518748/Tube%20Amp%20Overview.pdf

And the calculator Referred to in "Designing Valve Amplifiers" this is not my work so you must check your calculations

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/102518748/vac_tube_amp.XLS

shaunf

Donovan Banks wrote So I'm thinking of taking this plunge. What I'd like to do is source the parts myself. (major challenge I'm sure)

Any tips or guidance? Like parts lists or circuit diagrams I can try?

I've built a cabinet before. Never delved this deep into electronics.

Don, depending on what you're looking to build, I have lots of quite hard to find parts that I could help you obtain and probably save you a fair bit of money. Hit me up if you need any help and I'll do what I can to assist.

lapdawg

I've just built 2 18's - one for me & one for a friend, I'm busy fine tuning &sorting out a few issues. I'm almost there. I have done A LOT of reading & research on sourcing parts & can certainly help save some time & money if anyone wants to ask. I also have a few extras that I could share....
Building your own is something I'd recommend, if you're that way inclined.
I suppose I should post these amps & start thread. There are a few things I would like advice on s well.

Chris-Webb

Heres some links to places Ive found useful in the past that ship to SA:

http://www.ampmaker.com
(UK based 18W lite)

https://www.tube-town.net/ttstore/
(German based supplier of everything amp DIY)

http://www.ceriatone.com/
(offer layouts and parts)

One option you may want to consider is using an existing amp (PT, OT, chassis, cabinet, speaker) and ordering the board from Ceriatone.
I did this with both 20W and 5E3 clones.

If your going the 6L6/6V6 route Peavey ValveKings can be had from Gumtree for between R2800 and R3500.
For EL84 based amps Laney Cub 12s can go for the same if not less. I saw a 30W 4xEL84 LC30 Laney sell for R2500 last week in working condition.

Add a board from Nik at Ceriatone for around R1500 (which includes shipping and customs) and you
have everything you need.

Only issue is that it isn't as straight forward as a kit and maybe a little too much hassle as a first build.

My 2c ?

shaunf

lapdawg wrote I've just built 2 18's - one for me & one for a friend, I'm busy fine tuning &sorting out a few issues. I'm almost there. I have done A LOT of reading & research on sourcing parts & can certainly help save some time & money if anyone wants to ask. I also have a few extras that I could share....
Building your own is something I'd recommend, if you're that way inclined.
I suppose I should post these amps & start thread. There are a few things I would like advice on s well.

Please do. I think I'd still like to build an 18watt at some point too.

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