What do I need to build Guitar tube amp?

[neil.ferguson]

Howdy, as you can see from my profile I am new to this forum.

I would like to ask a question about building amps.

I plan to start a new hobby building the occasional tube guitar amp. not for sale or business, but purely for pleasure as I am a player.

What I wanted to know is what tools, equipment, books etc I need as a bare minimum in order to successfully design, build and test these. I have done a fair bit of research, but nothing gives you a comprehensive guide of what's required on the bench.

A little about me. I have been into electronics from a young age. Studied at college with an HND in electronics (but no tube stuff). Worked in electronics for 15 years. So I have a good foundation.

I want to get back into it again so need to get some equipment, books etc.

If any can offer up some kind of basic toolkit of the best tools, books etc, that would be awesome.

Many Thanks, look forward to any replies

[Cantplay]

Bare minimum to build anything:

Soldering station
Small flush cutters
DVM
Small needle nose pliers

Not essential, but stuff I use all the time:

Drill press
Various files
Tap set
Nibbler
Holding jig

John

[NickC]

In addition to above:

set of nut drivers
set of screwdrivers
pair of wooden/bamboo chopsticks
homemade cap bleeder
homemade light-bulb limiter

[martin manning]

Wire stripper, automated is the bee's knees.

[Milkmansound]

the Dave funk book - read it over and over again until you understand everything, then buy some tools and get started.

[chief mushroom cloud]

Find the closest forum member to you (in the real world..not this fake-assed virtual world), take over a case of his (or her) fav beer, put on some of your fav tunes.....and hang and make a list..
Oh, you might get a copy of Merlin Blencowe's books....kinda the Heathkit of amp books.
Start a secret bank account that your wife DOES NOT, or ever will know about to buy useless amp parts that you're going to give away or throw in the trash eventually anyway...and beer.
Join at least two other forums to get a balanced outlook on 'mojo' or 'voodoo' or 'ooga booga'.
An' don' be crossin' mah brij!

[Structo]

Good advice here.

Would you please put your location in your profile so that we may recommend products or advice that may be local to you?

Thanks, T

[xtian]

We have a good thread for power learning:

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

[cbass]

I absolutely could not build an amp without beer.

[d95err]

A fancy soldering station is not really necessary. A cheap soldering iron can get you a long way.

I recommend starting with a simple kit, like a Champ or Tweed Deluxe. A kit will give you all the components you need, plus instructions and support when (not if) you run into trouble. Build it, then mod it to pieces, experimenting with component values to learn what happens.

[neil.ferguson]

Thanks Guys, I just bought Merlins Book on preamps. It is bringing back some fond memories of my college years.

Of course the beer is essential, but what about thing like signal generators, variacs etc

BTW I am from Scotland, just updated my profile.

[rdjones]

Howdy, as you can see from my profile I am new to this forum.

I would like to ask a question about building amps.

I plan to start a new hobby building the occasional tube guitar amp. not for sale or business, but purely for pleasure as I am a player.

What I wanted to know is what tools, equipment, books etc I need as a bare minimum in order to successfully design, build and test these. I have done a fair bit of research, but nothing gives you a comprehensive guide of what's required on the bench.

A little about me. I have been into electronics from a young age. Studied at college with an HND in electronics (but no tube stuff). Worked in electronics for 15 years. So I have a good foundation.

I want to get back into it again so need to get some equipment, books etc.

If any can offer up some kind of basic toolkit of the best tools, books etc, that would be awesome.

Many Thanks, look forward to any replies

SAFETY FIRST
The main difference between general electronics and tube circuits is that there is always dangerously high voltages present.
Don't ever let your guard down and take chances that might create a hazard for yourself while working in an amp, and for a user down the line.
"One hand in your pocket", discharging caps, modern grounding practices, etc. ... there's a whole subject area for safety.
When in doubt, ask.
The vast majority of classic amp designs have outdated grounding schemes that can and do present shock hazards, so don't just copy old layouts without clearing up safety issues.

Another hazard to be aware of is heat, it's not just the tubes that get very hot.
Cathode and dropping string resistors can get pretty hot during operation and cause burn risks until they cool.

Also remember to provide ventilation during soldering, the fumes are known to cause health risks.

Tools -
This can vary a great deal depending on how much of your own fabrication you'll be doing.
A blank chassis will require a lot more tools (and work) than one that's been prepunched and drilled.
There are a few good suppliers of prepared chassis that a lot of members use.
If you will be doing you own cabinetry, that's another whole thread (actually sub-forum) right there.
Again, some real quality cabinet suppliers right here among the members.

Reference materials -
Merlin's website is a good concise online source.
Although dated, I like the old RCA "Radiotron Designer's Handbook" (4th ed.) as a reference.
LOTS of good stuff in the "reading materials" thread.

Welcome, and come back and ask questions.
You'll find the s/n ratio pretty good here, better than most other forums.
Aside from the occasional humorous thread-jack there's a great brain trust in these pages.

RedDog Steve

[briane]

a thick skull is required.

[rdjones]

Thanks Guys, I just bought Merlins Book on preamps. It is bringing back some fond memories of my college years.

Of course the beer is essential, but what about thing like signal generators, variacs etc

BTW I am from Scotland, just updated my profile.

The best signal generator is your guitar of course ;->
I just use a computer sound card output and make waveforms in SoundForge.
A guitar track can also be played back.

A Variac is a good piece of test equipment to have.
Much better to have one with built in metering for watching current on startup and troubleshooting.
I have a Sencore PR57 variable isolation transformer, it has excellent metering, B&K and Tenma (MCM) have similar units.
The light bulb limiter can be hung on the output of a Variac or used on it's own.
Dad had a bulb limiter in the '50s, I think I remember seeing one in Grandpa's shop as well, no telling how far back the concept goes !

A Dale 250 Watt 8 Ohm resistor makes a good dummy load.
It's also nice to have a scope.
High MHz ratings are not important for audio, but a higher rated scope will have better triggering which is important.

rd

[neil.ferguson]

Thanks Guys

All great stuff, please keep the info coming. Was reminding myself about equivalent circuits, thevenin's and Norton's etc last night. it all came flooding back.

I did think about building the whole lot from scratch, but I think my first build will be pre-punched chassis. i might give the cabinet bit a go though.

I have a scope, which I have used many times, but never on a tube amp. can someone advise on best practice for this, where best to connect earth etc.

Also, please recomend your favourate circuits not only for sound, but most fun to build.

Cheers