I've just got a reply back from Hull University to say they have accepted me on their Electronic Engineering course which i'm really excited about. So i'm thinking i'll do some reading before i go and hopefully have a go at some electronics projects so i don't get too baffled when i start the course. My main interest is electric guitar and as it happens i'm looking for a new amp to replace my AC30.
So i'm looking for an amp project which is pretty mid/high gain but not classic sounding. I'm thinking Hughes & Kettner style (i've always wanted one of them ) I found a schematic for a Hughes & Kettner Triamp after some searching on the internet (http://www.freeinfosociety.com/media/pdf/3216.pdf) it looks complicated, i doubt very much i'd be able to pull something like that off so i'll put that one aside for now.
So my question is, is there a known working project that i could get started with which is kind of loosely based around these kind of amps?
I mean have you always tinkered around with electronics?
Familiar with components and how they work?
You should really bone up on tube theory before attempting a tube amp project.
I can almost guarantee that the EE course won't touch on them and if they do it will be just a brief mention.
They will concentrate on semi-conductor theory and logic circuits most likely.
Welcome Dan. Like Tom said, if we knew a bit about your electronics background, it would be easier to point you in the right direction.
Having said that, it sounds like a Trainwreck Liverpool would be something you might like. Just do a search in the Trainwreck forums for Liverpool, and you shall find just about anything you would need to build one. Again, depending on what you know, this might not be the best first choice for a build. It's a very sensitive circuit.
Also, the Trainwreck Rocket , although voiced more like a classic AC30, may be something you might enjoy. I built one and really love it. Again, these are both known builds, and you should find lots of resources here.
Mark
"- Yeah, can we have everything louder than everything else? Right!"- Ian Gillan
Well about my electronics background. I've studied it a fair bit over the past 2 years, i've certainly done a lot of reading and theory so i know the principles and also what each component does and how they work etc. i suppose i could do to study tube circuits a little more.
As far as projects go this would be my first big project, all the other stuff i've done in electronics is just simple lab work making alarms etc.
The one thing i'm rubbish at is making printed circuit boards from a schematic, it takes me hours and i end up confusing the hell out of myself.
I've just had a look at the trainwreck amps, they look a lot simpler, definately something i'd feel comfortable tackling. Is the Liverpool the more modern sounding/high gain model? If so i might have a go at building one.
None of the Trainwreck models are high gain in the modern sense of the term. The Liverpool and the Express are both in the hotrodded Marshall camp. There are many audio clips on the site that can give you an idea of what they sound like, or you can check out Glen's YouTube videos of his original Express.
A modern high gain amp is a very serious undertaking, and I'd not wish it on a beginner at all. It also sound like you havent worked with high voltages before, so you should proceed with caution and educate yourself on proper safety procedures. Tube circuits have lethal voltages in them, and the filter capacitors can store deadly charges even when unplugged.
Is the Liverpool the more modern sounding/high gain model?
Yes, it has more gain than the Rocket. It's the Express pre-amp mated to the AC30 output stage.
Keep in mind when you say "modern, high gain", it's not like a Mesa Dual Rectifier or Soldano SLO, if that's what you are after *edit * sorry doctord02 you posted while I was still composing.
The Express and Liverpool circuit have been described as being close to the edge of running away and are very sensitive and responsive to the guitar and playing style of the player. Although those that have built one may be able to give you a better description than me
As I said, if you decide to build one, you should have no trouble getting help here! A very cool place!
Mark
"- Yeah, can we have everything louder than everything else? Right!"- Ian Gillan
) I found a schematic for a Hughes & Kettner Triamp after some searching on the internet (http://www.freeinfosociety.com/media/pdf/3216.pdf) it looks complicated, i doubt very much i'd be able to pull something like that off so i'll put that one aside for now.
*edit * sorry doctord02 you posted while I was still composing. 
