Self build Amp

[Infernal Death]

Hi all

Today i finished my first tube guitar amp DIY project. I bought it as a kit with everything included (only no case and knobs).
Here are two pics (Very bad quality, sorry it was dark and i had only a digital camera from a cell phone)





It's a Class A 5 watt tube amp. 2x 12ax7 preamp tubes and 1x EL84 power tube. You really won't believe how loud this little beast is. I can't crank it, it's just too loud. Oh almost forgotten, it's based on the High-Octane from AX84.com but with a few modifications.
I thought that the building was quite easy. Easier than building the recording gear i made, that's for sure. Of course you should know what you do since there are quite some high voltages running around (around 370 volts after the bridge rectifier) but the kit is very well made.
For example there is a resistor between the power supply caps which will decharge them quite fast after switching off the amp. Around half a minute and you are ready to work on the amp without having to fear to get a electric shock.
Seriously those were the best 130 Euros (that's $160) i ever spend on guitar related equipment. And i am sure that this won't be my last tube amp project [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img]

Now i just need to figure out how to do a wooden case around the alu case and buy some knobs and it's really complete.

Flo

[sevser]

Re: Self build Amp

Cool Flo! Is she heavy? You should get an old army radio housing for it.

[sevser]

Re: Self build Amp

Something like this. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...ayphotohosting

[sevser]

Re: Self build Amp



I like this too!

[Infernal Death]

Re: Self build Amp

Wow this looks quite cool (although the one from the auction needs heavy cleaning). Thanks i think about this but i don't see a good possibility to score one here in germany and i am afraid that it's too expensive to get one from america.
I don't think there are any problems because of weight. The power transformer is the only thing a bit heavier in the amp, the case is alu and really light.

Since i am not that good with wood work i don't really know if i should make a wood case. On the other hand i have a friend who can make something like this. I guess i have to ask him. A wood case with tolex should be the best looking solution.

The other think would be this (sorry found only a small pic):


It's from the same brand like the case so it should fit and would give the amp a nice THD Univalve look.
Well the most important thing is that the amp works. I have all the time for deciding/building a case [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

Flo

[buzzsaww]

Re: Self build Amp

HAHAHA! that's a PRC-77 indestructible little unit. saw many of those in my marine days. it's a hyrid tube/SS unit btw

Originally posted by Dave:


I like this too!

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[Mordor]

Re: Self build Amp

Hey Flo!Great job!Clips are mandatory! [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]
Which is the rate of the speaker output?I'd like to build one but I've never used a solder! [img]graemlins/eyes.gif[/img]

[sevser]

Re: Self build Amp

I'm not sure if it would work, but it would make a damn cool housing for an amp. I'm sure you could though.

[buzzsaww]

Re: Self build Amp

yeah it would be cool, the design of the case would lend itself to a small amp too.

[metafaza]

Re: Self build Amp

Looks great! I've been reading about AX84 amps for quite a while and I'm thinking about building one for myself. Where did you get it from in Europe? Or did you get is sent from the US?

[Twisteramps]

Re: Self build Amp

Nice job Flo! I bet it sounds great [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

Pete

[Number Of The Priest]

Re: Self build Amp

Originally posted by Infernal Death:
Seriously those were the best 130 Euros (that's $160) i ever spend on guitar related equipment.

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Loud little tube amp for $160? [img]graemlins/drool2.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/headbang.gif[/img] By the way, those are some pretty clear pictures for a cellphone camera! Could you please post some sound clips too, whenever you get the chance? [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

[Infernal Death]

Re: Self build Amp

I try to make some clips but it can take a longer time since i am quite busy at work over the week and we just builded a garage and there is also a ton of working to be done.

@ Mordor
The speaker output is 8 ohms. But you can also make 4 ohms and 16 ohms (everything is supported by the output transformer which is a Hammond 125E). But for getting other impendance thatn 8 ohms you need to change some resistors. I just go into the 16 ohm in of my marshall cabinet.
If you never used a solder iron i will advice you against building a tube guitar amp. You should have quite some experience because there are very high voltages running around (and they can be leathal). If you seriously think about start building gear my advice would be to build a effect pedal. There are quite some pages around with schematics and tips on how to build effect pedals. Normally you don't need that much parts and the circuits are quite easy. Also only small voltages so it's not dangerous. You can practice your solder skills, gain experience in building stuff and you have useful guitar gear. If you have some experience and informed yourself on the net about tube amps you can start one.

@ Metafaza
I bought this kit in germany (that's where i live). I got it from Madamp ( http://www.madamp.de/ ). Seems like you are from poland. From what i read on the homepage of Madamp they will do international shipping. But the problem for you would be that the manual for building this kit only is in german. Sure the schematic and layout of course can be understood without knowing a single german word but all those tips in the manual are quite important and make the building much more easier. If you are really interested in getting this kit you can email [email protected] and ask if maybe they have a english version of the manual.

And thanks to all for the nice words [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

Flo

[Mordor]

Re: Self build Amp

Thanks a lot for the info Flo!8ohm is perfect for a marshall 1x12!If I find some friend able to build it I'll buy it!I wonder how does it sound with a mt-2 on front... [img]graemlins/headbang.gif[/img]

[Infernal Death]

Re: Self build Amp

Ok here is a short clip (beware of sloppy playing, didn't have time to warm up [img]graemlins/eyes.gif[/img] )
http://mitglied.lycos.de/InfernalDeath/Test-01.mp3

Well of course it's not a 100% recreation of the amps sound. But i guess you can hear somewhat the character of the amp. It's not a ultra high gain sound like you hear from the Bogner Überschall or Mesa Rectifier. Playing directly into the amp (which i did for the clip) it's best suited for hard rock and normal metal (just like a normal tube amp, besides the Überschall i don't know any tube amp to deliver a death metal sound without a pedal in front of it)
For my use (death metal) i will run my digitech in front of it.
Oh i haven't mentioned it but it's a single channel amp. So this limits it somehow to be a recording amp and practice amp (but that's what i wanted for my first diy amp). Channel switching on a guitar amp isn't a easy task. There are some channel switching amp schematics out there but i thought i first want to get some experience on something easier.

Flo