AX84 October Club Build

Dave-W

Hi All

After having read a couple of forum posts on amp builds here I've decided to post my own! I have a JCM2000 DSL100 which is a little bit overboard on the volume side of things for my uses but I don't want to get rid of it!!! So I've decided I will build myself a new slightly smaller (20W) valve head.

After spending a number hours looking for a good sounding design I came across the AX84 October:

http://www.ax84.com/october.html

The original design was done by ChappellAmps: http://chappellamps.com/ and there are some decent sound clips for it there.

Unfortunately you can't buy kits for this amp anymore so I'll be building everything from scratch, in fact I've already placed an order on Graemes latest bulk buy from tube depot!

An update will follow as soon as the components arrive!!!

ezietsman

Awesome! Seems like a nice challenging one. Should be great ?

Dave-W

I picked up the first batch of components today the only issue was tubedepot switched a 25k pot for a 5k pot but that should be sorted out soon enough!

Really exciting should be getting some aluminium tomorrow to build my chassis as well!!!

makepeace

rad. i love a sight like that.. :-[

Karel-Mars

Nice project.

Manfred-Klose

you gonna keep us updated with pictures with the progress ? ?

Dave-W

Definitely! The turret board is done now, and I received the last of the passives this morning from rs so I'll be soldering the lot together fairly soon, pictures will follow perhaps later today!

Dave-W

Completed turret board!

makepeace

~~Completed~~ Complicated turret board!

Fixed ?

Nice work, its looking good.

What are you doing for a cab?

Dave-W

Haha yeah it does look fairly complex, the diagrams are good though so it shouldn't be too bad to put together!

I'm just going to use my 4x12 to start with, I want to build a cab with a single 12" celestion Vintage 30 when I get some more money!

makepeace

Cool man, well all the best with your build.

Dave-W

Thanks a lot! Will keep the pictures rolling in!

Dave-W

So here is the first round of soldering done, unfortunately there was a mix up in the caps and I didn't have enough 0.022uF Caps but other then that all the components are on the board!

FenderBender

Dave.W wrote: unfortunately there was a mix up in the caps and I didn't have enough 0.022uF Caps but other then that all the components are on the board!

Oops, sorry, that was my mistake! I have ordered another 7 0.022uF 600V mallory coupling caps. Should have them in a week ?

Your build is looking great!

MikeM

Wow, complicated looking layout!! Seems interesting ?

Freddy-Bl00D

Looking awesome!! I'm looking to start a project aswel but havn't found a design i like.. I'm thinking of stripping a old broken marshall mg series to use as a chassis and see what else i can salvage from it... I browsed the AX84 website but didn't find anything perfect... I'd like a 30watt tube amp with a clean chanel, volume and 2 or 3 tone knobs... I dont want 2channels with a million knobs that i wont use! Anybody have ideas or links to recommend? I'm not that tech savvy but i have a tuks engineering student to help me out..
I'll definetly be checking this topic for more pictures and to see your progress, any idea how much the entire build will cost you if you dont mind me asking?

GuitarGeek

I'm just starting on a similar project at

http://www.guitarforum.co.za/amps-speakers-and-valves/very-clean-tube-amplifier-design-project/

It's 30W, single channel. I have the turret board and most of the components. Still awaiting a final schematic but that should be coming soon. You're welcome to have a look if interested.

Dave-W

I got my Power Tranny yesterday evening, its a multi tap 240V to 275 - 0 - 275, 5V, 6.3V Looks great:

Freddy at the moment I've spent just over R4000.00 for all my components and transformers etc. The only thing I haven't got is a head cabinet for it, I actually tried to get hold of an old burnt out tube head to use but I couldn't find one. Perhaps check out the Marshall builds I just preferred the sound of the October personally.

Gearhead

Imho one should not build guitars or amps to save money. You don't go and build a car from scratch if you cannot afford a brand new one. A better way to get what you want for the price you can afford, is to buy brand, second hand. A much better reason to build is to gain understanding, skill and experience. The best reason to me still is if you want stuff that is not for sale.

Dave-W

I'm an engineer so any excuse to build an amp will do for me! You're right though its not worth doing something like this to save money.