Talk to me about amp kits

[Grandturk]

I'm itching to do some DIY - and I thought an amp kit might be pretty cool to put together. But what's the deal with these things?

I checked out a couple of sites, and low powered tweed clones are like $800 for the kit AND I have to build it myself. I guess I was expecting something cheaper - like $200 - especially since I have to build it myself!

So, DIY'ers - what's out there? What's been your experience?

[butrus]

for 200 you can only build something like Firefly
For more Ceriatone are exelent

[DonP]

I don't build kits, I just buy parts.

I didn't know the kits were so much.

[GodWentPUNK]

I just checked out those Ceriatone clips on youtube. What a great sounding amp. I've got to get me one of these.

joe...

[Cygnus X1]

Kits are great for the first time builder.
Instructions included!

After you get used to it you can start sourcing your own parts and save a couple of dollars.
TBH there is not a lot of money to be saved building amps.

I do it because I love to!
It isn't just the construction, it's the fine tuning, modding, tweaking.

[roodyrocker]

I'm not an amp builder but if I was to do a kit I'd go take Bruce Egnater's seminar where he guides you through the whole thing and you leave with an amp kit you built yourself. Granted its more than $800 but as a first time builder getting the learning experience from Bruce Egnater at the same time as building your own amp would be worth it.

[Grandturk]

TBH there is not a lot of money to be saved building amps.

I guess I was hoping there was...

So what's a good kit mfr to check out?

[Cygnus X1]

Mission, Weber, Ceriatone, Hoffman are a few.
Doberman sells AX84 kits but I must caution-although I designed
my own "low watt lead head" around the AX84 SEL, my opinion is you have to do a LOT of tweaking/redesigning to get anything other than a nasty sounding buzzbox out of their amps.
AX84 is great, but really not for the first time builder.

I would credit them for too many people giving up, with a bad sounding project.

Resources to read, before doing anything:
Google:
Aiken Amps (the tech pages).
The Tone Lizard
Valve King

And check their links.
The amp building community is wide open.
There are a lot of pros out there willing to help and never profess to "know" before you really do.
It can be as complicated or simple as you want it to be.

[skintaster]

I've been considering an amp kit myself, although after researching, everything I'm interested in still adds up to significant $$$. There're some nice plexi kits out there, but they all seem to be at least $1000.

[Grandturk]

Given that these kits are expensive anyway - is there an SLO clone kit out there anywhere? If I'm going to spend a grand, I might as well build something better than a 5 Watt tin can sounding amp.

[Infernal Death]

Not the best idea to start with a 100W multichannel amp, too complicated for a beginner. Better go with a small 5-10W single channel amp.
Also a SLOClone has 500V B+, do you know how to handle that ? Those things are VERY dangerous if you don't have a clue.

Flo

[Grandturk]

Also a SLOClone has 500V B+, do you know how to handle that ? Those things are VERY dangerous if you don't have a clue.

I don't even know what that means! So... good advise, I guess!

[Infernal Death]

A SLO has nearly 500 volts on the powertubes so it has the potential to kill/seriously hurt you if you don't know exactly what you are doing. Building tube amps isn't for a electric beginner. They are way too dangerous to be fooled around with.

So my advice is that you should start with building some small guitar effects. It's fun, cheap, useful and you learn. Work your way up, take your time, do TONS of reading and then go into building a small 5W tube amps. That's how most guys start with those things.

Flo

[Grandturk]

I did do a few boost pedal effects. But I don't know what I did, per se. I just soldered it up. Do you have to know waht your doing to build an amp or can I just assemble it? I'm not interested in becoming an electrical engineer.

[Cygnus X1]

Usually best to start with a Tweed Deluxe 5E3.
This ain't no hillbilly amp either.
There were a LOT of classic rock tunes recorded on it including Cat Scratch Fever, half of ZZ Top's hits, many more.

If it doesn't turn out to be your style then sell it.
It is a great and popular amp.
20 watts.