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Hi Guys

So I was actually convinced by 1 or 2 forum members, instead of buying an amp, why don't I build my own ??? ???

After much consideration and investigation online, I found that there is more to this than slapping together a couple of valves, resistors, caps, etc to build an amp

At the end of the day, I would like to build a something along the lines of a Marshall 2061X (Head only).

But where to start? :-\

I dont want just to buy a kit of the shelf but and build the amp, but would like to know the theory behind amp building.

A good place to start is probally to get a book, maybe "The Ultimate Tone" by Kevin o'Connor?

Also should I source all my parts from UK/USA or is there locally someone I can source it from?
    I've been building for over 11 years and every week I learn something new.
    What would you say is your level of skill? People rely on kits because they have everything worked out for them.
    Its getting the chassis, transformers, box, components, pots, knobs, everything.
    I've never built someone else's kits, but designed from scratch instead, but you might be
    "Shocked" to see what work is involved.
      It is widely believed that the 18watt is superior in every way to the 2061. I have only tried diy 18watts so maybe dp some careful homework before choosing.
        I am an electrical engineer. Have done a bit of electronics @ varsity level, but nothing to make you excited. I had the chance to build an amplifier (dont remember the class) for a final year project but decided to build an optical sorter instead ☹

        I believe one should start somewhere. Don't mind the figuring out and long nights.

        I need basically a starting point, but the problem is too much info for my small brain.

        Maybe start with an 18W DIY?
          I would like to build a something along the lines of a Marshall 2061X (Head only).
          It is widely believed that the 18watt is superior in every way to the 2061.
          haha i knew EZ would bring up the 18watt ?
            Blues Brother wrote: I am an electrical engineer. Have done a bit of electronics @ varsity level, but nothing to make you excited. I had the chance to build an amplifier (dont remember the class) for a final year project but decided to build an optical sorter instead ☹

            I believe one should start somewhere. Don't mind the figuring out and long nights.

            I need basically a starting point, but the problem is too much info for my small brain.

            Maybe start with an 18W DIY?
            IMO you're already most of the way there. I'd say do some listening to demo's and reviews in the low to medium powered valve amp in the fender/marshall/vox camp to get an idea of what you would be super excited to play through (think Tweed amps, Blackfaces, AC15/30's, 18W Marshalls etc). Once you have singled out a couple of designs, work your way through some schematics and layouts and get to know the practice.

            If you want to get straight into building, work out what you need and order some parts and go for it.

            If you decide you want to get into the nitty gritty design aspect, read some books and make a start with prototyping. A good set of books are those by Merlin Blencowe http://www.freewebs.com/valvewizard/.
              Jono's hit the nail on the head ?

              If you're going to be putting it together yourself, read Merlin's article on grounding - many times.
                Yeah, Makepeace is right. You should be fine. Building an amplifier without knowing EXACTLY what everything does (like me) is easy enough as long as you work methodically and triple triple check everything you do as you go. Grounding design is something you should be intimately familiar with, with your background, but reading some stuff on the application in audio amps prob won't hurt (you'll likely be bored by it in 10 minutes though).

                Playing your own amp is the best feeling, MUCH more rewarding than playing a shop-bought amp.

                  Thanks guys

                  I am going to look into this. Will let you know when I start the project
                    11 days later
                    ez wrote: Yeah, Makepeace is right. You should be fine. Building an amplifier without knowing EXACTLY what everything does (like me) is easy enough as long as you work methodically and triple triple check everything you do as you go. Grounding design is something you should be intimately familiar with, with your background, but reading some stuff on the application in audio amps prob won't hurt (you'll likely be bored by it in 10 minutes though).

                    Playing your own amp is the best feeling, MUCH more rewarding than playing a shop-bought amp.

                    I agree there is nothing like playing an amp built by yourself the feeling is addictive. you feel like Frankenstein

                    I just finished my first amp recently actually the electronics side at least, still have to do the enclosure for the chassis and mount all the trannies etc . The best thing to do Is do a lot of research looking at Valve amp schematics first, this will
                    allow you to learn the common building blocks that make up a typical valve amp like: the high voltage DC power supply, phase splitter/phase inverter, pre-amp section, tone stack, power output stage, matching your output trannie to your
                    valves, biasing output tubes, types of biasing ie fixed or cathode biased, grounding etc etc.

                    one thing I found that worked for me is that I built each major amp section eg. power supply(DC), bias supply, pre- amp section as an independent modules. Tested Each module separately for expected outcome, then joined modules
                    together and tested again to check for correct operation.

                    Note: voltages/current in a valve amp can kill you or someone else please do homework on safety first

                    If you do decide to build one remember baby steps, and kiss all your spare time good buy!
                      A good place to start if you want some online free info would be www.AX84.com, yes getting some books would help a lot into understanding tube amps. The 18W DIY are super cool amps. The kits that Karel Mars is selling is the 18W TMB (where the second channel is suppose to be plexi styled and I think he said he's selling the kits for R4000 (Not sure... it's somewhere on the forum). Unless you really want to start the whole project from scratch I would suggest going with a kit, because you can still go through the theory and understand how each part works, but you won't have the hassle of sourcing each component as necessary. I recently finished a Soldano SLO-100 clone where I tried to source most of the components on my own and ended up having to change a few values here and there - it sounds RAD!!! ?. I must admit it was quite fun doing it step by step. There are quite a few places to get components from. RS Components, Mantech Electronics, Yebo Electronics, AP Electronics and you could source some stuff through Karel Mars himself like transformers. So first things first is try to get a circuit diagram/schematic of the amp you want to build.
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