Metro JTM45 kit

[vibratoking]

I am thinking about a Metro JTM45 kit. Does anyone have any information/experience regarding quality of sound or parts. The kit is about $1k. Is this reasonable for what they provide. Yes, I could kit it myself I suppose, but I'm wondering if it worth it to just get the kit.

[jelle]

That very much depends on your building skills. In case you have not built many amps before, you'll prob understand what I mean when you have completed the build. If this is the case, please make sure you have someone around that is in your area and can help.

I have no doubt that Georges stuff is top notch.

Good luck!

jelle

[C Moore]

Yes they are good quality and they sound like a JTM-45 "should" sound. Are you wanting to build a JTM45, or are you looking for a good amp...?
Have you seen what $1,000.00 will buy you? Go to The Gear Page (Emporium) and look at all of the hand wired "boutique" amps that are available for 1000 dollars.
Good Luck

[vibratoking]

I am an electrical engineer and have been designing analog circuits for the past 20+yrs. I've serviced lot's of Fender and Marshall amps, and have done a Champ build. I am not worried about building an amp. The biggest issues for me are the time/cost tradeoff of doing my own BOM vs paying Metro to 'do' that for me. A career and family mean that my time is limited and I would rather spend it making music than building. I do electronics all day at work, so I don't have a compelling need for electronics at home as well, although I do enjoy it. I am looking for some inputs to help me judge the tradeoff between a Metro kit and my own - sound quality, value, etc...

Thanks

[vibratoking]

hired hand - good points. I am looking for a good Marshall circuit, not necessarily a JTM45. My experience with Marshalls has lead me to believe that the JTM45 is the one I want. I should look at TGP and see what's there. I also noticed an Express for sale here. Not exactly a JTM, but it might be fun.

[selloutrr]

how true to the original Vintage do you want to get?
If you want a clone that is ready to build and sounds good buy the kit.
If you want it to be exact, and you have time to source the parts, and the money to spend on NOS, do it yourself.

It all comes down to what you want? His kits are great for what they are but they are not a true JTM45. With that said. finding all the true Vintage Parts could take you years.

[M Fowler]

The JTM 45 is the only kit I see George offering right now since he had to re-organize his company.

[Allynmey]

George makes great stuff!!!

[Phil_S]

hired hand - good points. I am looking for a good Marshall circuit, not necessarily a JTM45. My experience with Marshalls has lead me to believe that the JTM45 is the one I want. I should look at TGP and see what's there. I also noticed an Express for sale here. Not exactly a JTM, but it might be fun.

Fun, yes, but these two amps don't sound anything alike.

The JTM45 will give you classic rock n roll sounds. It needs to get frickin' loud before it starts to overdrive. It is low gain in comparison to the Express.

The Express is a fairly high gain amp, and more difficult to build. Lead dress is a challenge due to layout and gain. The Express has a tone all its own and is a gas to play with. I'm not sure it's for everyone.

[M Fowler]

Well that Express was listed at $800 OBO so that is a lot of savings $ on a nicely built amp too.

[Structo]

I had no idea that Metro was in trouble.

At one time I wanted to build a plexi but my unemployment cured that dream.

People don't realize how much work there is in picking parts for kits.
I'm glad he still is going to keep some bare bones kits going but trying to stock all the tiny hardware and other parts is a losing proposition unless you are Mouser........

[jelle]

+1. If time is an issue, then I'd strongly suggest the kit.

Jelle

[vibratoking]

Thanks to everyone for the replies and information! I didn't know Metro was in trouble either.

I also know that a JTM45 and an Express are very different animals, but thanks for the warning. The comment regarding how much you can get for $1k got me thinking. The desire for more amps never seems to quit. Maybe an Express now and a JTM45 later could be an option. Either will go well with my 65' Super reverb, 68' Twin, 83' Concert, 85' Mark III, Lonestar Special, Princeton, Jubilee, and Fuchs ODS 50. Did I forget anyone? I contacted Charlie regarding the Express clone. So maybe it'll join the harem. The only bad thing about that amp is that it is not an original or reissue Wreck. Sorry, couldn't resist the dig after all the posts lately about the JM amps. Charlie, you are hereby authorized.

[ToneMerc]

I built a JTM45 a few months ago and I debated long and hard about going the Metro kit route or just getting a chassis and sourcing the parts myself. In the end I used a Metro chassis, backplate, wire, PT bracket and OT and then sourced the remainder. I couldn't be more happier as I love the final results.

https://tubeamparchive.com/viewtopic.ph ... ight=jtm45

I did this for a couple of reasons; I wanted to run a bit higher plate voltage than the Metro kit, I wanted it to be similar looking to the first Marshall that I worked on and I originally was going to use a Radiospares style OT. Besides I'm generally not a complete amp kit person and I build weapons systems and racing engines the same way, I like to choose my own vendors.

I don't think there is one JTM45 sound perse'. Which JTM45 sound are you after? The RS 6.6K OT tap with 460V on the plates or Drake 8K OT at 430V on the plates?

That being said, I think the kit is a great value at $1K. Metro has the best kit documentation and support, hell they were even supporting other vendors customers who would call them with questions.

FYI, Metropoulus Amps is doing great, it was the parts store portion of the business that was losing money.

TM

[Structo]

Yeah, I remember that build with the mustard caps and other NOS parts.
Very nice build and one that should be well worth more than $1K.
I loved your attention to detail on that one.

Nothing like a nice gut shot to show off the quality of an amp.