Another new guy...

[Carlin Mitchell]

Hello all.... I've been looking around the home brew amp pages and decided I might be in a little over my head. I'm 38... I live in Minnesota. I've "played" guitar for almost 20 years. I've had several tube amps but never thought about building one until recently. I've found a few radio, phono, and organ chassis and have a lot of random tubes and transformers laying about. I've picked up a few books from the library on tube basics. I need a little guidance. I'd like my first project to be a solid one that I can play and enjoy and also learn from. Maybe a "from scratch" project is too lofty for me now. I'm fine with cutting, drilling, electrical... it's what I do for a living. I just need a push in the right direction. I like a bit more gain than most... jcm 800 style but would like to build a low wattage amp that plays.... period...gain or not.... I'd like something with a bit of a bite...PLEASE HELP ME !!!

[funkmeblue]

welcome, maybe you should try a single ended wreck or purchase a champ kit. No one can build just one, it's an addiction

[Decko]

Build the Wreck Express with the VVR (Variable Voltage Regulator) or use an attentuator to play at lower volumes. My first build was the Trainwreck Express but I have an engineering background (which did not help). This forum has the greatest people and resources! Just do it! IMMHO...

[CaseyJones]

welcome, maybe you should try a single ended wreck or purchase a champ kit. No one can build just one, it's an addiction

+1 on the Champ kit. The only downside is that if it's a tweed replica they're like a ship in a bottle, that chassis is tiny...

By comparison a black panel Champ chassis is like a bus garage. A black panel with the tone contols jumpered is close to a tweed...

"K.I.S.S.". We ain't stupid and it ain't simple most of the time but... take things one step at a time. Start simple, make it work, move forwards. Something simple that works is a lot more fun than something complicated that doesn't.

Build the Wreck Express with the VVR (Variable Voltage Regulator) or use an attentuator to play at lower volumes. My first build was the Trainwreck Express but I have an engineering background (which did not help). This forum has the greatest people and resources! Just do it! IMMHO...

An Express w/ Powerscale for a first project? That's a big "MINUS ONE" on that!

An Express as we all know is an amp you can get almost exactly right... and it will still kick yer ass. Cool amp, though. Can't argue wif that!

[RJ Guitars]

Carlin,

Welcome!

I'd say go for the Champ build. It's a great amp and a critical learning tool. Also, I'll risk mentioning the AX-84 website... they have some really simple circuits and a ton of documentation all based upon a pretty simple circuit.

Bring your questions to the forum here and you'll find a lot of really helpful people and some really smart guys.

Trainwreck amps are not extremely complex but they are not really a beginners amp either. The parts for a Trainwreck can be kinda expensive and it's likely you'll make a few mistakes on your first build. I myself would rather learn (in my case read that as "ruin stuff") with the lower cost parts set of a Champ build and then move up to bigger amps as your skills allow.

my 2 cents worth, your mileage may vary

rj

[jjman]

Normally I would say buy and build a small kit 1st. But it sounds like you might want to skip that step and do a scratch build. My 1st build was a scratch Champ type combo. The goal was to spend as little money as possible since it was a stepping stone. It's still my best sounding amp among five. Either way, I would keep the circuit very simple for the 1st one.

[fishy]

1+ on a Champ. Simple circuit, low parts count and cool. Its a favorite for a reason.
If you want more gain, try AX84. The HO gets my nod there.

[dave g]

A Champ was my first build as well, after which I did a 5E3. If you want something a little more than a champ, I think a 5E3 would definitely be a reasonable amp for you if you already have some electronics know-how.

[M Fowler]

Carlin,

I think in your original post you said you have some chassis laying around. My first project was an old phonograph tube amp with one 6v6 and added new pots, 1/4 inch jacks and had fun with it. The next phono amp I found used two 6v6 so again another great amp to play with. The trouble with these old amps is that they are true point to point wiring and real rats nest to work on. So if you take the layout of a Fender Champ as suggested by the other guys and use your trannies you should have a good start. Getting a new blank chasis from Hammond would also be better than working with the old phono chasis, your call.

Mark

[M Fowler]

Had error and double post?

Mark

[Carlin Mitchell]

Thanks for all the great responses. The Champ idea seems to win. I will take a pic of the chassis that I have and maybe make a list of the tubes and transformers I have. Has anyone tried the Torres (sp?) products ? Where can I get a Champ kit for a reasonable price ? I'll research tonight. I've been reading about the original Trainwreck amps.... I never knew an amp could fetch that kind of money. I thought THD and Soldano stuff was spendy.. shows you all what I know. Thanks again for the welcome and PLEASE keep the tips and comments coming while I take the training wheels off. Carlin

[DustyBadlands]

Hello Carlin,
The Fender 5E3 circuit is a fun first build that is not too difficult and sounds great. There is a lot of information for the 5E3 on the web. I completed two of them before I attemped my first Express build which is more challenging. Have fun with whatever you choose. Dusty Badlands

[Zippy]

Regarding Torres: There is a great deal of smoke and mirrors and high prices for lil' "stuff" there. I won't comment on how he trashed some of my amps a few years ago but yes, I have some baggage along with my familiarity.

If you need parts for a build, there are a number of people here that can help you out. Many schematics and layouts are easy to come by as well. One resource that I enjoy is schematicheaven.com - even if it just for looking for old ideas that still have a place in a new build.

If you build a Champ and need more gain, you can always add another gain stage (see some Marshall schematics for ideas). Enjoy!

Welcome.

[Decko]

Hmm what a conservative bunch!

[Carlin Mitchell]

I got this on ebay for 30 bucks a month ago..... The guy said it was a silvertone organ chassis. Anyone have any plans for turning this into a guitar amp ? It has a harness that has a 12 (- one not hooked up) pin connector on the fuse/transformer side. I'm guessing mot of those connections were from variious organ controls. It's totally intact. Please see the attached photo. I hope the attachment works. Thanks all. Hell.... maybe I bought it from one of you guys ????