Opinions for tube amp...

[MarkDonMel]

Hello all,

I haven't been on this board in probably more than 2 years, and it has changed a lot; I'm impressed.

I'm looking for an easy first-time tube amp project.  Something that has hand-holding instructions and a list for parts and directions for wiring, etc.  Something similar to the GGG way of providing instructions.  Are there any projects like this spelled out for a beginner?  I have checked out many links on here, and from a google search, but can't seem to find one at my level of skill/knowledge.  The closest so far is the AX84 project, but it seems to be under construction or something.  Anyone know of anything similar or better, online? 

I guess I'm just asking for opinions, and I'd be very grateful if I received some.  Have a happy holiday weekend.

Thanks,
Matt.

[bancika]

AX84.com is up and running and there's no better place for tube amps. My first amp was Firefly, small and easy to do amp with nice lead tone. You can find many useful files at P1 project page (read theory file, build guide, etc) as well as great forum. Ask there if you need anything

[fixr1984]

If you havent worked on tube amps before a good starting point might be to get a
Valve Junior and modifiy it. That has become very popular lately. The amp can be had for $99 new,
at musicians friend. http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Epiphone-Valve-Junior-Tube-Amplifier-Head?sku=482069
Paces like these offer tips, mods, and all sorts of stuff.
http://www.valvejunior.com/
http://18watt.com/

This was just a thought, a lot of people use the VJ as a launch pad to get a feel for
what is involved in amps before taking one on from scratch.

[brett]

Hi
What sort of tone are you after?
Do you want a practice amp, recoding amp or a gigging amp?

The Marshall 18 watter is good "dirty" amp (18watt.com).  Several kits are available for the 18 watt, and prices are goood.
The AX84 projects are cool, too.

There's also messing with older or broken amps.  I got my JTM60 cheap from the pawn shop coz it had a couple of burning resistors.  A change of valves, 2 new resistors, a re-bias and it's good.  Real good.
cheers

[ColinT]

Although it's in England, This site has the best photo-build documents available for an amp kit, bar none. Look around for the .pdf of the build. It's awesome:
http://www.ampmaker.com/index.asp

Secondly, some people use this outfit. Lots of kits, I haven't looked at their istructions but hear they're OK:
http://www.tedweber.com/

For my part, I built a high octane from AX84. It was frustrating not having a "paint by numbers" type document, but that is part of their approach. They want you to learn about what you're doing before you go and do it. I then built an 18 watter from 18watt.com. I love both amps, but the prize goes to the 18.

[jrc4558]

I'll second AX84. P1 was my first one!

[d95err]

If you're in Europe, I can recommend the MADAMP kits.  Cheap kits with good instructions (the cheapest at 99€). Various amp models from 2W to 15W. I built their M15Mk1 as my first amp. You can get them from www.musikding.de.

On very good thing about the MADAMP kits is that the chassis are large with lots of room to spare, so you can add tons of mods and features without running out of space, and it's easy to follow the layout.

EDIT: Just another little comment. Don't try to build the "Ultimate" guitar amp the first time around. Build something simple that you can tweak and mod to death, getting a lot of experience. Then, you can go on to build the "Ultimate" amp...

[MartyMart]

I second the Epiphone VJ idea and also ampmaker, this is exactly what I did.
Modded the VJ and changed out the OT etc ( read a lot ) then built a kit from www.ampmaker.com, Barry is a star
and was VERY helpful
I'm just warming up for a JTM45 next .... when i get enough time !!

MM..

[Pushtone]

I'm a lot like you. Built my first amp a year ago and about a dozen pedals from well designed layouts.
I'm about to mod the VJH as outlined on 18watt.com (pg30).

I would recommend modding a VJH because that would cost the least and have an almost guaranteed good result.
I would also recommend the ax84 FireFly or P1. The Doberman kits are a good value.
I spent $200.00 to build my FF with locally sourced parts and Paul M's graphic layout.

On this page you will find lots of groovy amp stuff by Paul M.
and a link to a very clear Fire Fly layout at the bottom of the FF page.
Thats about as close as you will get to a GGG style project in an amp build.
http://www.diyguitarist.com/

Then there's the 18watt Lite II project on about the same level as the P1. Good first amp build.
Lately I have been looking at this kit web site.
http://www.bnamp.com/basickit.html
$350.00 US for a ready to build 18watt Lite amp. You could source the parts yourself for a low price but that includes a nice chassis and front panel.

Other than that, ax84.com and 18watt.com are the amp building centers of the universe.

[ColinT]

Then there's the 18watt Lite II project on about the same level as the P1. Good first amp build.
Lately I have been looking at this kit web site.
http://www.bnamp.com/basickit.html
$350.00 US for a ready to build 18watt Lite amp. You could source the parts yourself for a low price but that includes a nice chassis and front panel.

Yeah, Brownnote is a new entry to kits, but not new to the 18 watter. Everyone is raving about his kits.

[Dragonfly]

I'd check WEBER, who has excellent quality and customer service, and I'd also look at the GUYTRONIX, a,p kits, which I've heard great things about.

AC

[mac]

Not sure if Epiphone introduced the mods that can be found on the net in the 2006 models.


mac

[bancika]

I seriously doubt that

[Meanderthal]

 Hmm... it's rumored that Behringer did exactly that for the Ultrabass series amps. I know for a fact that they did somehow fix the noise problems that the mod addressed shortly after someone posted the mods on HC and emailed it directly to them. They of course promptly informed him that he voided his warranty by fixing THEIR mistake instead of thanking him, but coincidentally their new amps no longer have that problem.

Why wouldn't corporations take advantage of free R&D?

[MartyMart]

In a way they did, MKII combo's had DC heaters, extra filter cap and slightly improved wiring.
When the head was released it had the same improvements !!  .... go figure ?

MM.

[d95err]

Why wouldn't corporations take advantage of free R&D?

The R&D would be free. Implementing the mods wouldn't. The "flaws" that can be fixed by mods are usually not there because the designer didn't know any better. They are usually there because it was cheaper to do it that way.

[puretube]

DC-heating is NOT a mod...

it has been there almost a century ago,  - first -    before AC-heating...



("vintage" E-H tube-pedals use it since day 1...) 

[Meanderthal]

 Heh- I wouldn't call removing a factory installed ground loop(the behringer) a mod either. That's more of a correction, on the few occasions when the manufacturer actually does such things.

Anyone ever heard of a Sequential Circuits Pro One? It's an old school analog synth something like a Minimoog, sort of a no-frills version of a Prophet. Well, I had mine for a few years and never noticed the hum until I recorded it... I looked up the little beastie and it turns out that it was caused by... a factory installed ground loop! Snip one wire and the hum vanishes! So, from experience I can tell you that not only are design flaws in music gear possible, they are also reality. The idea that the designer knows better(or ought to) may be true, but he can certainly make mistakes! And sometimes does. If DIYers find the flaw and fix it, it only makes sense for the manufacturer to quietly use the info to get the product to work as expected. Especially when it's such a minor detail (and basic bonehead mistake)involving no more parts or retooling...

Sorry I'm so far off topic- this is about tube amps, and here I go rambling about Synthesizers and SS amps...

[puretube]

M.:
that can happen everywhere in the biz, sometimes...

not always is the original designer identical with the last quality-control tester...

(ask markp)

[MartyMart]

no ... Dc heaters was just a "fix" along with the extra filter cap for less noise and a tidy up
of the wiring.
I dont know "for sure" that it came from all the VJ "mod" sites, but Epiphone certainly responded to
the complaints !

MM.