[Dirtymug666]

I've been thinking about trying to build a tube amp somewhere between 15-25 watts. I've done a little research and I think I might be able to pull it off if I keep it simple. Anybody have any advice or know of any sources of beginners info? Thanks for any help you can give

[MoonshineCalbilly]

Originally Posted by Dirtymug666

I've been thinking about trying to build a tube amp somewhere between 15-25 watts. I've done a little research and I think I might be able to pull it off if I keep it simple. Anybody have any advice or know of any sources of beginners info? Thanks for any help you can give

What level of electronics knowledge/proficiency are you? Have you done any wiring of components etc? I'm pretty sure good schematics can be found around the net; and then you could probably buy the components yourself and really save money or you can find some damn good kits in a few places too. I have been considering the same thing myself, so I have done a little looking around.

[Dirtymug666]

I'm not very experienced at all with electronics really. I have made wiring harnesses for guitars but that's about it. I can solder and read (simple) directions and that's about it. Complex schematics are still hard for me to understand, but I am willing to deal with a learning curve

[MoonshineCalbilly]

If you seriously want to try it from schematics, I would recommend getting a few books like these:

http://www.amazon.com/Beginners-Guide-Reading-Schematics-Second/dp/0830676325/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1343597212&sr=1-1&keywords=schematics+for+dummies"]


http://www.amazon.com/Circuitbuilding--Yourself-Dummies-Ward-Silver/dp/0470173424/ref=sr_1_5?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1343597212&sr=1-5&keywords=schematics+for+dummies"]

http://www.amazon.com/Electronics-Dummies-Cathleen-Shamieh/dp/0470286970/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1343597212&sr=1-2&keywords=schematics+for+dummies"]




And at the same time start trying to find the schematics for an amp that you would like to build. There are several sites like this:

http://www.drtube.com/guitamp.htm#Laney"

If cost is an issue, You would need to take into account the prices of the tubes, etc. This is the way I am going to go.

I haven't soldered very much except pups and harnesses myself over the years; but while I was in elementary through high school I used to wire components for custom recording consoles for a company in L. A. My mother and my older brother both worked for the place and they would (under) pay me to do some of their wiring (which they would bring home). Of course they taught me very well and were constantly overseeing (and testing) all of my work; but I got pretty good and learned a lot. The main practical thing I learned was that schematics are maps with a very clear and understandable "legend" once one learns the symbols. Then, if I got stuck, I would just ask somebody. So my main concern simply became making sure that all of the connections were made and made good.

Writing schematics, now that's a hole 'nuther bucket of fish bait!

What you will be doing is building circuits from schematics, so these above books, or other similar ones can give you all that you need to do that. I would suggest reading the book on schematics entirely and keeping the others mainly for reference; but I'm sure there would be chapters for any area that you may feel weak in too. I don't think you would have to read all of the "Electronics for Dummies".

I'll bet that if you have the bug now, you will love the whole experience of it once you get started, even if you make some mistakes along the way. There's nothin' you will run into, short of breaking a component, that can't be fixed.

Then, of course, you will also need to build some sort of housing for the amp too.

If that sounds like more than you want to tackle, like I mentioned above, there are some very cool kits out there:

http://www.tubedepot.com/tubeampkits.html"

http://www.mojotone.com/amp-parts/amp-kits


I hope I have given you at least a little direction in this very cool endeavor...

[norton]

Trinity amps are top notch. I built their hiwatt amp and love it. If you can put together a puzzle you can build an amp from a kit.

[CraigK]

Originally Posted by MoonshineCalbilly

I'm pretty sure good schematics can be found around the net; and then you could probably buy the components yourself and really save money or you can find some damn good kits in a few places too.

I've built a kit (5F1) and I've built a couple from scratch. Kit's are cheaper. You typically can't buy everything you want from one source, so you pay shipping at least three times.

Find a decent kit and buy it. Kits look expensive but when you add up what it really takes to build one, they're not so expensive anymore. Plus you save hours finding/ordering the separate parts.

I haven't built a Weber kit but they have a bunch of them listed. Boothill Amps is popular over on TDPRI, he's got a couple different kits. Plus the places already mentioned. Weber is worth checking out just because of all the info available on their site. Layouts, BOMs, that sort of thing.

The cabinet will add a lot to the price. You can build your own pretty cheaply if you have the skills/tools. But you still have to cover it or finish it somehow. Or you can build the amp using a cab from an existing amp if you have the skills.

TDPRI has a section on amp building, a lot of beginner builds going on over there right now.

[Dirtymug666]

Originally Posted by MoonshineCalbilly

If you seriously want to try it from schematics, I would recommend getting a few books like these:

http://www.amazon.com/Beginners-Guide-Reading-Schematics-Second/dp/0830676325/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1343597212&sr=1-1&keywords=schematics+for+dummies"]

http://www.amazon.com/Circuitbuilding--Yourself-Dummies-Ward-Silver/dp/0470173424/ref=sr_1_5?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1343597212&sr=1-5&keywords=schematics+for+dummies"]

http://www.amazon.com/Electronics-Dummies-Cathleen-Shamieh/dp/0470286970/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1343597212&sr=1-2&keywords=schematics+for+dummies"]

And at the same time start trying to find the schematics for an amp that you would like to build. There are several sites like this:

http://www.drtube.com/guitamp.htm#Laney"

If cost is an issue, You would need to take into account the prices of the tubes, etc. This is the way I am going to go.

I haven't soldered very much except pups and harnesses myself over the years; but while I was in elementary through high school I used to wire components for custom recording consoles for a company in L. A. My mother and my older brother both worked for the place and they would (under) pay me to do some of their wiring (which they would bring home). Of course they taught me very well and were constantly overseeing (and testing) all of my work; but I got pretty good and learned a lot. The main practical thing I learned was that schematics are maps with a very clear and understandable "legend" once one learns the symbols. Then, if I got stuck, I would just ask somebody. So my main concern simply became making sure that all of the connections were made and made good.

Writing schematics, now that's a hole 'nuther bucket of fish bait!

What you will be doing is building circuits from schematics, so these above books, or other similar ones can give you all that you need to do that. I would suggest reading the book on schematics entirely and keeping the others mainly for reference; but I'm sure there would be chapters for any area that you may feel weak in too. I don't think you would have to read all of the "Electronics for Dummies".

I'll bet that if you have the bug now, you will love the whole experience of it once you get started, even if you make some mistakes along the way. There's nothin' you will run into, short of breaking a component, that can't be fixed.

Then, of course, you will also need to build some sort of housing for the amp too.

If that sounds like more than you want to tackle, like I mentioned above, there are some very cool kits out there:

http://www.tubedepot.com/tubeampkits.html"

http://www.mojotone.com/amp-parts/amp-kits

I hope I have given you at least a little direction in this very cool endeavor...

Yes this is awesome info! I really appreciate everybody's advice!

[GADify]

You really want to start with a smaller amp first. I recommend the BYOC Champlifier. It sounds *amazing*, and is a very simple circuit. Learn how that works, then move on to something more complicated. I built mine, them moved on to a 5E3, and am considering either another Fender clone, or a Marshal clone next.

Here's my Champ:





The instructions with the Champ are great. You don't need to be able to read a schematic, but it will greatly help you to understand and troubleshoot if need be.

Here's my Mission 5E3 (The cab isn't in yet):





I've got decades of soldering experience, and understand electronics, but had very little experience with tube amps. I did used to help my dad with old color TVs in the 70s, so I know what lethal voltage is all about.

[GADify]

I can't stress enough how amazing that little champ sounds. Here's one more pic if you haven't seen it already:

[Dirtymug666]

Thanks gadify that champ looks awesome! I'm capable of making the inclosure/cabinet business myself, just not sure about the chassis. I think if I could find an amp that has what I want (and nothing else haha) I could do it. I basically want the jet city jca20h to the t, but with different tubes. I could build pretty much everything except for the electrical components. The reason I'm doing this is because I can't afford an amp like I want, but i could a few parts at a time and learning how to build amps in the process would be pretty killer. I've learned a ton already just from the tips in this thread. It is still very intimidating though

[polishbroadcast]

Check out Allen Amps. For $950 (w/ current 15% off promotion) you can get a Sweet Spot kit which is a mashup of a Fender Princeton and Deluxe Reverb (they have other models too—simpler, and more complex). I built one in a weekend. It was really fun, and the amp sounds amazing. Building an amp gives you a sense of pride and connection with the amp that you wouldn't have otherwise. It is the only amp i own, and totally killed any desire for another amp ever. I even sold my original 72 Deluxe Reverb after i built it.

The cost includes a professionally made, completely finished cabinet (with your choice of color and grille cloth), speaker, tubes, and all wires, caps, resistors, transformers, etc. It includes everything including the parts drawings and parts list and instructions. I could also send you photos of my finished amp should you go that route.

If you are good at soldering, then the hardest thing is just determining what value resistors and caps are. Once you figure that out, it is basically just a big lego set. You look at the diagram, and put the correct value pieces where they need to go. What i did was just group and label all the parts first taped to a sheet of paper (you get a parts list with quantities) and then i could just grab the pieces i needed more easily, instead of searching over and over.

A real solder sucker and temperature-controlled iron are 100% required though, so consider that as part of your cost if you can't borrow, or don't already own.

[Michiel]

some beginners tips:

- make sure your iron is hot enough (I find I need 400 degrees celsius on my soldering station)

- if it's your first build and you're not (yet) amp-savvy, go for a kit with good build instructions. Debugging a tube amp without good layout instructions can be scary and tricky sometimes.

- Use thick 40/60 solder with a resin core. I prefer this stuff: 1.5mm thick


- Make sure you have a good, working voltage meter (1000V range) that can read resistance and capacitance as well. Doesn't have to cost the world. Just one to get you some good readings when you're checking / debugging.

- Search the forum for 'power up' jigs (with light bulbs) or variacs; this will protect you, your amp and your switchboard when you power it up the first time.

[nadles]

Hi DirtyMug, Amp building is a very satisfying pastime as long as you pay due respect to safety.

Oh its also addictive. I started off building a 5e3 Tweed Deluxe kit from CeriaTone - great amp. Following this I've sourced parts myself and built a JTM45, F52-A Tweed Princeton, BF Deluxe Reverb and a 6G2 Brownface Princeton. All wonderful sounding amps. I've currently got the urge to build another amp - I'm thinking about a 5E8-A Tweed Twin, but I really don't need one

I'd recommend Aspen Pitman's Tube Amp Handbook as a useful source of information and schematics for a range of brands of valve amps.

The amp building forums below provide a wealth good information and can answer many of your question.

http://www.ax84.com

http://www.18watt.com - need to sign up to view posts

http://www.wattkins.com - need to sign up to view posts

http://www.ppwatt.com - need to sign up to view posts

http://www.45watt.com - need to sign up to view posts

http://www.sewatt.com - need to sign up to view posts

Also CeriaTone provide a good range of reasonably priced kits, but don't provide instructions

http://www.ceriatone.com

The Fender Amp Field guide http://www.thevintagesound.com/ffg/ is a good source of information, schematics and chassis layouts for Fender amps.

Fender and Gibson schematics and layouts can be found on their respective websites.

Good luck

[Dirtymug666]

So I think I want to try to build a revera era bassman 20. As far as I can tell, it's about as simple as I need. No frills at all. I do want to build it in head form though, but I think that just requires a different inclosure and an extra jack, right?

[Dirtymug666]

Also, would I be able to put together a parts list by looking at a schematic and using common sense? Like counting all the components and their values, and knowing I need a chassis, tube sockets, etc.

[polishbroadcast]

Originally Posted by Dirtymug666

Also, would I be able to put together a parts list by looking at a schematic and using common sense? Like counting all the components and their values, and knowing I need a chassis, tube sockets, etc.

CraigK already said it but i'll reiterate: there is no way you will be able to get close to the price of a kit by sourcing all the parts yourself, not counting the time you spend researching the quality of each specific component, individual shipping costs, hours of time doing sourcing and general research, etc. The people who sell kits buy all their parts at a dealer discount, and in bulk. They have also made decisions about the value, tolerances, and quality of each part, including what tubes work best with their specific design.

If you really are curious what it will be like, find a schematic to a Fender amp (there are plenty of them out there) and try finding all the parts on Mouser or Digikey. I promise it will cure you of any desire to source the parts yourself.

[LATS]

Originally Posted by polishbroadcast

... If you really are curious what it will be like, find a schematic to a Fender amp (there are plenty of them out there) and try finding all the parts on Mouser or Digikey. I promise it will cure you of any desire to source the parts yourself.

A large-print copy of this should be featured prominently on the wall of every hobby shop!