Pictures!

[duck_arse]

My recent builds ...

this sounds like what the flight of the conchords would use.

[thelonious]

This is a SMD Klone I made because A) I wanted a Klone for my pedalboard and B) I wanted to learn how to do layouts for SMD. So I figured this was two birds, one stone. In hindsight it would have been a lot better idea to start with a little booster layout or something. But the important thing is, it works (!), even if I had to hack a couple things because I screwed them up...

The fatty caps on top and the oversized pads in some places are because I wanted to try a SMD build with all poly film and C0G ceramic caps vs. a build with all X7R ceramics, just to see if I could hear much of a difference (btw, I haven't finished the X7R build yet, so I can't comment on the difference yet). There were some weird poly film cap values I just couldn't find at mouser in SMD, so for testing purposes, I made 'em through hole. Pretty sure I'll end up doing all SMD ceramic in any future layouts, but I just wanted to give this a fair shake for comparison.

Btw, this is one of my favorite powder coat colors. It's called Deep Red Transparent.

[midwayfair]

Tristan, that's a heck of a lot better than my first SMD build (I think I did it wrong):

[Mika]

= TREMOLO =
Hand paint...

[Mika]

= BOX Of ROCK =
(Box diy and hand paint)

[thom]

I wish I had your steady hand, Mika!

Here's a practice amp based on the AX84.
The idea was to salvage as many parts as possible from some old (an beyond repair) valve radios I had hanging around.
Not quite as loud as advertised due to the transformers used, but a cool vintage sound and lovely overdrive.

[thelonious]

^ Great work, Thom! Is that a 6V6 I see on the left? Which AX84 amp is it based on?

[Jdansti]

Nice and classy, Thom!

[thom]

Thanks guys!
Well spotted, Tristan. It's the P1 extreme, and I replaced the EL34 to get a little more headroom, as the OT is a bit on the weak side.

[deadastronaut]

nice amp, i love those old cabinets , from the days when everything was built for quality and looks..

[Frances Rhodes]

amazing build thom!!
i've been looking for old broken amps/radios/anything with a built-in speaker but still didn't find any
io really love this king of old school looking devices!

[thom]

amazing build thom!!
i've been looking for old broken amps/radios/anything with a built-in speaker but still didn't find any
io really love this king of old school looking devices!

Thanks Frances!
Best place for those is car boot sales or junk shops, or possibly online classified. However, the main issue is finding big enough transformers. I had to use three different sets to put this one together.

[vigilante397]

Let me add my compliments to Thom on that sweet looking build! Do you ever use it onstage?

I've been building pedals for a while now and have been itching to try my hand at amp building, but transformers are the main thing that make me nervous  Any tips/suggestions where to start?

[thom]

Thank you Nathan. Here's the link to the build: http://ax84.com/p1x.html

I'd never really built anything like that before, and it's actually a pretty simple build, apart from the fact you're dealing with high voltage, so you've got to be reasonably tidy and organised.

My challenge was to recycle as many parts as possible, but you'd get a better result sound-wise (well, at least louder) with more appropriate transformers, such as the ones in the document above
(I think I'd struggle gigging with it, at least with a drummer, but with better parts you might be able to get away with it. As it stands, it's a pretty good practice amp).

I used an epoxy board with eyelets, definitely less fiddly than perfboard, space not being an issue here.

It's highly recommended to use a power cable with an earth connection attached to the chassis which also acts as the single ground point for the whole circuit.

This photo of a layout was also very useful (mine's definitely not as tidy ): http://harmoniccycle.com/hc/images/guitar/ax84/AX84P1eX_012-xl.jpg

You'll also need a 4 ohm speaker, so a fairly large radio set might be necessary (if you want to go down that way).

I'd be happy to answer any questions (but bear in mind there are way more qualified people on this forum than me )

[darron]

I've always thought that candy green sprayed over a vein looks cool

[midwayfair]

Darron, do you use a laser etcher for the serial number on each one?

[darron]

Darron, do you use a laser etcher for the serial number on each one?

yeah. normally i do it on the bottom panel and have some info and the power polarity symbol, but on this one I keep it simple as it's all on the plate and just engrave that little area on the top

[BLACK AUDIO]

Nice stuff Darron!! I wonder where you can find these unique 10 mm LED holders, if it's not a secret. ;-)

[darron]

Nice stuff Darron!! I wonder where you can find these unique 10 mm LED holders, if it's not a secret. ;-)

thanks

i've had a few people ask. i'm terrible with keeping secrets: http://www.altronics.com.au/index.asp?area=item&id=Z0230

[threepwood]

My take on the TH Customs Valve-e-Tizer with a EHX AT7 tube.