newbie

[thestone08]

Hi everyone, I'm new to the site. What brought me to this site was all the talk of dumble style amp building. I know probably lot of this has been covered but I'd like to start building. I've never built an amp before but I was very interested in the very much talked about #124. I know I should probably look into easier builds but I'd like to build an amp I'd actually use.. I am willing to learn even if it is difficult. You all seem like a cool community so a few questions I have I feel you guys will be able to help me. First thing would be... where do I begin? what tools are reccomended on a build like this? I hope to learn alot about amps by doing this and possibly move onto making my own amps.

[thestone08]

btw.. any recommendations for books to read that will help with understand components of the amp?

[M Fowler]

Hello thestone08,

Take a look at this site for good reading http://www.freewebs.co.uk/valvewizard/index.html

The #124 is quite an undertaking for a first amp.

[thestone08]

I appreciate a speedy reply.. I figured it would be a difficult first amp but I am up for the challenge. I know I don't really have much background in building at all but I like to set the bar high. Any help is wonderful though!

[David Root]

Read everything in the Dumble files section first. Do you have any background at all in electronics? Do you know how to solder? Do you know what a relay is? Do you understand that 450 Volts DC can kill you in milliseconds if you screw up?

This is not a Fender Champ.

I'm not trying to discourage you, just trying to get you to see what you are getting into here. Believe me I'm no rookie, but building a #124 is bit like doing the Sistine Chapel, you have to understand what you're taking on before you get into it.

Oh, and it will cost you some serious money, like at least a thousand bucks, maybe more, depending on your taste in speaker(s).

Having said that, if you're prepared to take your time, which could be several months to a couple of years, depending on how much time you can devote to it, it will be one hell of a journey and one hell of a reward.

Are you up to it?

If so, you will need a decent soldering iron station, a decent multimeter, some good solder, not the new lead free crap, and some help from the folks here, all of which are freely available.

[thestone08]

I'm willing to put the time and effort in I'm in no rush to build this thing I just want to learn but in the end feel like i got something out of it thats why i choose this amp. Money too I don't mind forking over. I know this is difficult but again I'm willing to take the challenge just need a little guidance which i feel this forum could give me. I have some basic soldering skills. I dont have a great background with electronics component wise no but again willing to learn everything i need to.

[thestone08]

Any specific equipment you would suggest? Any stuff to stay away from? I'm starting from scratch

[David Root]

Well you picked a great amp anyway. Good luck and this forum is here to help.

There are some basics you need to understand, for example, how tubes work, principles of amplification, transformers, etc.

One thing I don't see spelled out for beginners too often is how DC and AC relate in an amplifier. I look on DC as the skeleton, the fixed frame, and AC as the signal, the animating principle. In that sense the human body and the human mind are the analogy. And the power supply is the muscles, how it gets the job done.

An audio amplifier is simply an AC modulated DC power supply.

That's an oversimplification but I have always found it useful as an analogy.

[angelodp]

+1 on reading and research. Easily several weeks of reading to do and collecting info. Pics help as well. Get the layout and schematic you want to work with. Talbany and Martin Manning did a great one. Look at BOM's, start sourcing your components.

Bur first read the entire history of this site.

So many brilliant builders here, you are in for a ride.

[thestone08]

haha I love the guidance already.. just joined the forum and already feel home. I've been non stop reading for a few days now on this site..like I said I want to work with the ODS #124 to start... Im unfamiliar with how to read schematics so i figured that should be a good start? What's a good way to learn how to read them? again I'm starting right from the beginning. ( I know it sounds like I'm trying to bite more than I can chew)

[d95err]

The best way to get started with amp building is probably to get a kit. I think a D-lite kit would be a good place to start (if it's still available).

My advice is to scale down your ambitions as low as you can possibly go for your first amp. Make your first build as cheap as possible.

I would get a cheap single ended amp like an Epiphone Valve Jr, some spare resistors and capacitors, and mod it to death. Experiment and learn how changing simple components changes the sound. That will teach you things you could never learn just by reading books and internet forums.

The money spent on the Valve Jr will be worth it ten times over when you start your first big build, like a Dumble-style amp.

[Structo]

Check this thread out for reading material.

https://tubeamparchive.com/viewtopic.php?t=9023

[angelodp]

+1 on starting more simply. The Mission Amps Tweed 5E3 is a great starter kit, and you get a classic amp in the end. It comes with everything you would need to build the amp as opposed to sourcing all you stuff for the #124 which can get complicated.

[thestone08]

Any other advice other than changing my build? or readings? Again if anyone can help me with what a few good brands are for tools that would be great too.. I'm going to need that for any build I will attempt.

[angelodp]

https://tubeamparchive.com/viewtopic.ph ... ight=tools