Own guitar amp

Tamago · 2010-03-01T09:24:48+00:00

Based on a number of threads here, I felt inspired to make my own guitar amp for home use and my close friend has been needing a good woodworking project for some time now. Now I am going to do small amps with single Class-A output stages, but, please note, I have the capability to make more of these, should the forum membership find them appealing and wish me to make more, or do custom amps to each musician's requirements. I am having trouble finding the following components: * Aluminium chassis * Celestion Speakers (specifically looking for a Super 8 as its specs match what I am trying to achieve and fits within the cost constraint) I am well aware of the limitations of a single EL34 output stage, but I feel that 8 watts RMS is more than sufficient for the home and for the beginner musician's pocket (as well as my own pocket, considering I have spent a shyteload of money recently on guitars and cables and other accessories)\ If you are interested I will post the design process here... PS- yes I have been quiet on the forum. Been sick as a dog and had a medical procedure done last week. Don't even ask, it was THAT bad!

[deleted]

matta wrote
That is why you need to put it in the hands of other players and let them decide...

I offer this service at a very competitive rate.

Tamago

Well that is of course what I planned on doing anyhow, taking it to a couple of you chaps and letting you test it. I just didn't mention it yet ?

matta

FREE? Because that is what I get from some VERY respected players both here and abroad and they BUY stuff, I've never given a FREE thing yet, well I'm considering giving Jack White his Fuzzsilla FREE, but I'm allowed to make acceptions ?

Stratisfear wrote
matta wrote
That is why you need to put it in the hands of other players and let them decide...

I offer this service at a very competitive rate.

Tamago

Well the rule of TANSTAAFL applies I guess....

Tamago

Just a note to say the wood work for this amp has commenced...

The aluminium chassis is also underway. Many thanks to aja for helping out with that one.

aja

Tamago wrote Just a note to say the wood work for this amp has commenced...

The aluminium chassis is also underway. Many thanks to aja for helping out with that one.

meh, didnt really help! But it is a pleasure ?

I might be asking for a favour soon, you just don't know it yet mwahahahaha!

Oh damn. now you do...

Attila

Just another thought on own builds, and finding parts for your build. Hope I am not stepping on toes ???

One can always order preconfiged componants parts such as a "Champ Ultra" singel end circuit ....from someone like Ceriatone - Malyaia http://www.ceriatone.com/productSubPages/ACChampUltra/ACChampUltra.htm as an example, then fine tune the circuit to suit.
This will save lot of time and hassel waiting for parts from various sources.

In this example:

a) Supplied Pre Assembled Champ Ultra USD 75.00
b) Power & Output Transformer USD 75.00
c) 2 x 12AX7 , 1 x 6V6, 1 x 5Y3 USD 45.00

comes to USD195 X 7.4 = R 1462.5 + shipping +- R600 = +- R2000
the Chassis and Head Cabinet bought or made locally at a fraction of the cost + Shipping

Or by a completed one for USD300 and then fine tune = +- R3000 incl shipping

Tamago

I can appreciate that, and yes it is a solution for many on this forum.

However, I am a designer, and I rarely, if ever, purchase ready-made stuff to mod or tweak, when instead I can go through the whole calculation process and do the design from scratch. The same argument applies to anything I build, it can be had ready-made in the store. I do not subscribe to tweaking only, when I can do the design from start to finish, and add or delete what I want.

Also bear in mind, I've been doing this my entire life, so why would I want to take the easy way out ?

Attila

I subscribe to your thinking .......however when time = money cents will (should) prevail

the point I am making is that I dont know how accessible good part are in SA from a comon source eg. Mil spec pots, Sprague or Mallory caps, OT& PT tranies etc etc ..... see wot I means

TomCat

I found just about everything locally for my amp.

The only parts I got imported (Through Matta) was:
1. Caps as I wanted Sprague Atoms and Orange Drops.
2. Tolex and grille cloth
3. Corners and handles

Quick List of local pars / suppliers:
Valves, valve bases and clips: Mr Valve
OP Tranny: 2nd Hand through Mr Valves classifieds (I got lucky). BTW Comminica are the Hammond agents.
Power Tranny and choke: Karel Mars
Chassis: Designed self and got made locally
Pots, resistors, lamps switches etc: Communica
Wire and Cable: Jaycor International
Loudspeaker: Celestion Greenback G12M from Music Connection

matta

Attila,

In theory your numbers look great, but in reality they are not so good... you say shipping, but shipping is the single biggest expense! My Champ ONLY cost R3,500 in parts but with shipping, duties and VAT my total cost was R7,000, DOUBLE the cost of the parts... USPS won't ship an international parcel bigger than 10kgs +, so you are forced to go with a courier and it gets expensive, ask anyone who went in on the Mojo order!

If you can source locally, esp. heavier items, you may well find they are CHEAPER than importing them, I know I've done that with transformers for example, MUCH cheaper to wind locally than import. Cabs and Chassis would be the same, Speakers are a necessary evil though.

Cheers

Matt

Tamago

Communica are the agents for Hammond yes, but you are well advised to go via Mr. Valve for them.
I don't purchase from Communica anymore, I have had one too many cases of bad service from them.
I have had people fired there, but they still don't care!

TomCat

Tamago wrote Communica are the agents for Hammond yes, but you are well advised to go via Mr. Valve for them.
I don't purchase from Communica anymore, I have had one too many cases of bad service from them.
I have had people fired there, but they still don't care!

Mr Valve also does Hammond and you are absolutely right regarding Communica.
Terrible service but I do find them convenient for the more mundane items etc. Don't buy that much stuff anymore so I live with it.

Attila

matta wrote ......you say shipping, but shipping is the single biggest expense! If you can source locally, esp. heavier items, you may well find they are CHEAPER than importing them, I know I've done that with transformers for example, MUCH cheaper to wind locally than import. Cabs and Chassis would be the same, Speakers are a necessary evil though.

Cheers

Matt

Matt
You'er 100% on the money... Shipping kills, no argument there ...I used the shipping table on that website which give bottom-end shipping prices priced against weight, using DHL or UPS is not the way to cut costs. which weighed in at 6.5kg. You get the point I was trying toget accross

I like the idea that one can have tranies wound locally as well.

matta

Wow!

Communica is my favorite vendor, I know all the sale staff by name and get excellent service from them, they often go beyond the call of duty to sort me out... funny how the same company can offer different service out of different stores. I get my meat and potato parts from them on a weekly basis.

Cheers

Matt

TomCat

matta wrote Wow!

Communica is my favorite vendor, I know all the sale staff by name and get excellent service from them, they often go beyond the call of duty to sort me out... funny how the same company can offer difference service out of difference stores. I get my meat and potato parts from them on a weekly basis.

Cheers

Matt

Very interesting.

It looks like the Cape Town branch is great, but the stores up here in Gauties not so great.
I normally buy from their head office in Samrand. The service is OK but not fantastic.
I'm also not a big regular customer though and that would probably also make a difference.
Funny thing though is that I was a sub distributor for then a few years back distributing Switchcraft. Doesn't count for much now though.

Tamago

I used to spend on average, R2k a month at Communica. That equates to almost R24k I spent there in 2008 when I was selling AMF units.
Last year I went there one Saturday and they refused to serve me, instead chose to serve people of colour.
I threw my toys in the store, and they then proceeded to play the race card. Eventually management looked at the CCTV surveillance tapes and saw I was in the right, but by then I had had enough of them and have not set foot in their store since. If I need something there, I send someone to go and get it for me, who incidentally is also complaining about disgusting service when they were there 2 weeks ago.

I have not been back to the store since, and I will tell everyone I know what a bunch of sods they are.

Years ago they gave me crap aswell, I proceeded to tell the overseas distributor, Sipex, who promptly took away the distributorship from Communica.

The situation is not much better with Avnet Kopp or Arrow Altech Distribution these days, as I having to lick their backsides to get them to even show a little interest in sales.

« Previous Page