Talk to me about amp kits

[Infernal Death]

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.

Well that might work. But that only is if the amp is running 100% when firing up the first time. Chances are (even more if you are a beginner) that something might not work and then it's time to trace the problem(s). For example you need to know where you can measure your signal after each tube stage so you can identify a faulty running tube stage. That would be after the dc-blocking caps.

And that's when you inevitably have to measure when the amp is running. And that's where it can get dangerous if you don't know where to touch and where not to. Also the big filter caps on the main working voltage for the tubes (b+) can hold the voltage for quite some time if not properly discharged so the amp can also be dangerous even when turned off.

The one thing you absolutely have to know is how to make a safe build. The build has to be properly grounded, the mechanical work has to be safe, switches that carry high voltage have to be insulated and so on.
That's a point you really have to learn before you attempt to build an amp.

Flo

[Grandturk]

All good points, Flo - thanks!

[skintaster]

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

Oh, that's ridiculous! There's nothing "dangerous" about building a 100 watt amp kit!

ZAPPPP!!!!

......On second thought.... Thanks for the good advice.

[Infernal Death]

I just hope i didn't spoil the fun of starting to build amps for anyone. Really it's a great and very rewarding hobby. By all means i am not a electronic wizard and i also managed to build several amps so it's definitely doable for a normal guy, no need for a ee-degree.

It's just that i think that's not a hobby you suddenly one afternoon decide to get into and then start immediately. Getting into this at least takes some months doing reading and learning. Get an account on some amp building forums and do lots of reading, ask questions and learn. By the time you get a "feeling" how it's done you can then get into building a small single channel amp and go from there.
Cyg gave some great ressources where you can read up much informations.

Flo

[fr0sty]

I bought a kit last year and didn't start it. I am thinkng of selling it, but who knows. Maybe I will find time this winter.

I got the doberman p1 extreme with all the upgrades. I may sell it if anyone is interested in buying it. My cost was $348.00 I would sell it shipped for $325.00 Comes with tubes. Just add wire, solder and time.

Item Name: AX84 P1-extreme Tube Guitar Amplifier Kit
Item Price: $348.00
Options:
# Board Choice:Eyelet Board
# Chassis Choice:CNC Cut Aluminum Chassis Upgrade.
# OT Upgradeoberman/Heyboer 20Watt OT Upgrade
# Variable Bias:Include Components for Variable Bias Option

[Grandturk]

What's that one supposed to sound like, frosty?

[Partial @ Marshall]

Spend the extra dough on whatever you build and go Merc mags on the trannys...totally worth it.

[Bengal65]

Gerald Weber (Kendrick) has amp camps and DVD's on amp construction and maintenance. From what I heard he's really good. Also, does a monthly article in Guitar Player magazine.

[fr0sty]

What's that one supposed to sound like, frosty?

Take the P1 and make it bigger and meaner! The P1-eXtreme features an octal output stage using EL34, 6L6, KT66, 6V6 etc... in its power amp. The P1-x is still suitable for beginners.

Tone goes from cleanish to pretty crunchy, depending on gain settings and guitar volume setup. Responds well to pedals and retains your guitars tone.

There are some clips on youtube too.

[Grandturk]

Take the P1 and make it bigger and meaner!

Helpful... if I knew what the P1 sounded like! I'll check out youtube

[mr426]

What kind of amp would be good for a great clean tone?

[Cygnus X1]

What kind of amp would be good for a great clean tone?

Depends on your definition.
Roland Jazz Chorus or a Fender Twin.

[mr426]

I like Fender tweed sounds. I had a 59 Bassman and old silver face champ I really dug.

[Cygnus X1]

I like Fender tweed sounds. I had a 59 Bassman and old silver face champ I really dug.

The 5F6A circuit is about as easy to build as the 5E3 Tweed Deluxe.
I guess you are aware neither amp has much clean headroom as designed.

There are some tweaks in the power section that will solve that problem such as SS rectification or dual rectifiers.
Look at the later Bassman circuits, or even the blackface if you need more range, less dirt.

For those that don't know, the earliest JTM 45's were just tweaks on that 5F6A.

[fr0sty]

I finally watched the clip on youtube for the p1 extreme. Yuck! I know there are mp3's somewhere on the ax84.org site, but can't find them.