New to building

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rynobass
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Joined: Thu Apr 18, 2013 5:10 pm

New to building

Post by rynobass »

Good evening
I am new to building amps but it has always interested me and given the events of the last few weeks with my current gear I have decided that this is the best place to ask for help. I want to build a really simple bass amp that is more bullet proof than loaded with bells and whistles. I am in no way thinking that my first build is going to be better than something that the big companies produce, but at least I will finally understand it and how to fix what goes wrong. Any advice as to books or schematics that may get me headed in the right direction would be appreciated. I am looking foreword to investing a lot of time building once i get the hang of it to build the sound i want when i figure out what that may be.
Thanks in advance for any advice.
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cbass
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Location: Between Pomona & Bakersfield

Re: New to building

Post by cbass »

You can build your first amp better than the big companies if you do the research ,spend the money and listen to the guys on here.

How much headroom do you need?The 5f6 bassman makes good bass amp though not much headroom for bass
rynobass
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Joined: Thu Apr 18, 2013 5:10 pm

Re: New to building

Post by rynobass »

I currently am playing with two guitarists both playing through 100 and 120 watt tube amps with 4/12 cabs each. I am currently playing through a 4/10 cab with either a cheap acoustic B600H solid state amp or a fender baseman 300 Pro ( The remake of SUNN 300T). whichever is giving me less problems at the time. I would like my first build to be in the 100 watt range but would venture higher with time. I do think that the 300 watts is slightly overkill at this point in time. ideally I would like to be in the 100-200 watt range but am willing to listen to reason. I just want it simple I bought the 300 pro and rarely mess with the settings and feel that they are just more things to break. I like a really thick bass tone with the potential to turn up the gain and let it growl.
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Blackburn
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Location: Texas

Re: New to building

Post by Blackburn »

For bass, I don't think 300w is overkill if your guitarists are using half stacks. If you want a tube bass amp, you might try a quad of KT88s or 6550s for over a hundred watts and more if you get to cranking it up. I think you'll learn a lot here on TAG and building the right amp shouldn't even be a third of what the big guys charge AND you'll have better tone, if you choose quality parts for the job.

David
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martin manning
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Re: New to building

Post by martin manning »

Marshall 1992 Super Bass?
rynobass
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Joined: Thu Apr 18, 2013 5:10 pm

Re: New to building

Post by rynobass »

I guess I was thinking starting in the 100 watt range with something like a pair of 6550's. just as a starting point seeing as I have never built anything and once that is dialed to the tone I like then up the ante to 300 watts minimum. And take the 100 water back to my house which has a smaller practice space. Unless the concencus is mimic a known amp and just build a monster watt off the bat.

Are there any books that one would recommend to pick up and read before buying a ton of parts and building. I know I am new to this but I am sure with some time I will be able to build something sweet and much more gratifying to play.
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cbass
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Re: New to building

Post by cbass »

A lot of people like Merlin's books.there is a lot of info on his site.

http://www.valvewizard.co.uk/
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Blackburn
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Location: Texas

Re: New to building

Post by Blackburn »

http://www.amazon.com/Guitar-Amplifier- ... 087930863X

This is a pretty good read. Really explains amp building quite simply and gives you a project at the end. Of course, I'm not well versed in bass amps and this one is geared more for guitar players, but they aren't too different anyway. Check out old Marshall and Hiwatt bass amps.
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cbass
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Location: Between Pomona & Bakersfield

Re: New to building

Post by cbass »

This may be a place to start https://taweber.powweb.com/store/kits_60a.htm#6s100

I've never built it or heard it but a kit will much easier for a first build
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