Kit or Parts?

[TbirdBear]

I'm thinking about building an ODS and have been looking at the kits vs buying parts issues.

Any advice? When I build a kit I tend to leave it the way the designer inteded (don't wan't to tamper with it), but if I buy parts I'm more likely to screw it up to my tasts - which is an advantage.

Any advice or a source for a BOM out there?

[heisthl]

Hi - you must be new to the forum - If you are serious about building one please start by reading this forum beginning to end - your questions are answered within...Welcome aboard

[Normster]

I think it depends on how much experience you have. If you're new to amp building, you'll waste a few hundred dollars ordering the wrong parts. (Of course, a proven BOM will help, but they're rarely up to date.) Also depends on your access to fabrication of chassis and cabs, knowledge of transformers and where to source them, etc.

For some perspective, the D'Lite kit took about 7 months to get into production (from concept/design to first customer delivery). However, building the kit only takes about 25 hours.

[jspax7]

I'm thinking about building an ODS and have been looking at the kits vs buying parts issues.

Any advice? When I build a kit I tend to leave it the way the designer inteded (don't wan't to tamper with it), but if I buy parts I'm more likely to screw it up to my tasts - which is an advantage.

Any advice or a source for a BOM out there?

Get a D'Lite kit.

I wanted to build an amp, but this is the one that motivated me to jump in.

I had no prior experience but the layout and forum support took the fear out of it. (for me)

BTW, If you've spend any time on this, or the Brown Note forum, you'll soon understand that nobody leaves their amps "as is."

It's a platform for you to tweak to your tastes. If you could get Dumble to build you one, that's exactly what he would do.

[TbirdBear]

I built a Weber 5e5a and a Torres (that I butchered until it sounded good). I think my leaning towards a kit comes from the BOM issues, I can find time and have experience to build the amp, but I don't think I'm ready to fly solo - yet.

[jspax7]

I built a Weber 5e5a and a Torres (that I butchered until it sounded good). I think my leaning towards a kit comes from the BOM issues, I can find time and have experience to build the amp, but I don't think I'm ready to fly solo - yet.

Sounds like a kit would be perfect for you.

You won't be flying solo. The Brown Note forum will get you through the build, and many of the more experienced guys post here as well.

I think of ampgarage as the more advanced builders place, which is why I won't be posting here as frequently...

[moj067]

Get a kit of some sort. Then if you want to tweak and understand how everything interacts, do so.
Then cobbling up some parts for your own build should be a logical progression to you.
Good luck from a fellow yellow belt (as compared to Funk).

[TbirdBear]

Thinking about it this morning, if someone has a proven kit for a complex amp - that's the way to go. D-amps are too complex for me to go it alone.

For something simple or more experimental buying parts makes sense. I do have the tools/equip to build a cabinet and bend/punch a chassis - but that's not the fun part of amp building.

I'll be placing an order for a D'lite.

Thanks for your input.

[tubetek]

A big +1 for the D'lite kit; Normster and Moss have done the homework.
I'm just now finishing the D'lite build; I bought just the bare chassis and sourced everything else (built the boards myself). I'm certain that I would have saved money AND grief had I bought everything in one place.
Have fun and welcome...
tubetek