First Build - should i do champ kit? what the best source?

[amplifiednation]

Hey everyone. Found your forum yesterday. Great stuff!! I'm interested in getting started with amp builds, and was thinking about making my own wreck. As I have read in pretty much every thread, it's probably not a good first build.

I do have a lot of experience with electronics and amps (I have a tolex recovering business and have done some pedal builds) but haven't built an amp and don't fully understand them. I have read two books from Gerald Weber so I have a good idea of what is going on, but don't think I will fully understand everything until I build one.

So if I was to start with a good simple first build, it seems as though the Champ circuit might be a good one to start. I get a discount at Mojotone, I can get a kit with no speakers or cab for around $250. Should I get that or is there a better kit or build plan that I should use? I'd rather spend less than more as I would rather sink money into a cooler build.

Any advice would be great.

Thanks,
Taylor

[M Fowler]

Taylor,

Welcome to TAG.

A good amp to have in your arsenal is the Fender 5E3 clone.

I have bought the Mojo small parts kits and their generic chassis and everything was of high quality. They use carbon comp resistors in the the kits.

There are a number of ways to go about the build and I am sure people will comment.

Mark

[sliberty]

The Champ or Princeton are both great first builds. The 5E3 is not significantly more involved, so it is also a great first build (it was mine). I would suggest you decide which of the 3 (if any) would make you the happiest tonally, and go with that one. They are somewhat different.

The Champ and Princeton will give you that ZZ Top overdrive, and some basic cleans. The 5E3 is generally thought of more in the Neil Young style of overdrive, and the cleans (although limited in volume) are chimey and nice. The 5E3 is a bit louder as well, with 2 6V6's instead of 1.

Good luck with your build, and be careful - this gets addictiing and expensive - but worth it.

[amplifiednation]

Thanks guys. Where would be a good place to start these builds, giving the most amount of learning experience per dollar? I don't want to do a paint by numbers, I'm not gonna learn much from that. Is there a book for a build? Or is there a good design? Should I try the AX84 site? What is that all about?

Really appreciate the help. If you have any questions about tolex, let me know.

Taylor

[sliberty]

Unfortunately, I've never seen a good "how to" book. But there are lots of books that you should have in your library.

Inside Tube Amps by Dan Torres
This book is a great introduction. It teaches some very useful basics. it has a few errors, and is a poor example of book publishing, but still a decent starting point.

4 books by Gerald Weber
These books are full of useful info, although not in tutorial format. Each chapter tends to cover a topic. Many are for doing mods, repairs, etc. Others are more fundamental in nature. His last book - All ABout Vacuum Tube Guitar Amplifiers might be the best choice if you only bought 1 of the series.

If you build a Fender type amp, visit the Ampage website. There are great forums, as well as lots of photos and other info.

Also, visit Randal Aiken's site. He has articles on the web site that are wonderful, informative, and easy to read.

Enjoy.
Steve

[MCK]

Dave Hunters book is quite good. He takes you through a few schematics and then gets you to build an amp...

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

[amplifiednation]

Unfortunately, I've never seen a good "how to" book. But there are lots of books that you should have in your library.

Inside Tube Amps by Dan Torres
This book is a great introduction. It teaches some very useful basics. it has a few errors, and is a poor example of book publishing, but still a decent starting point.

4 books by Gerald Weber
These books are full of useful info, although not in tutorial format. Each chapter tends to cover a topic. Many are for doing mods, repairs, etc. Others are more fundamental in nature. His last book - All ABout Vacuum Tube Guitar Amplifiers might be the best choice if you only bought 1 of the series.

If you build a Fender type amp, visit the Ampage website. There are great forums, as well as lots of photos and other info.

Also, visit Randal Aiken's site. He has articles on the web site that are wonderful, informative, and easy to read.

Enjoy.
Steve

Thanks Steve, I have that Weber book plus the Tube Guitar Amp essentials book. I found them to be very similar, although both good reads. I can't believe how many resources there are online.

I'm gonna get a couple books ordered tonight that might be more specific in what I'm looking for. I understand a good deal about the amp and how it works, how to be safe with it, etc. I work on amps almost everyday, just haven't gotten to really build anything yet.

[amplifiednation]

Dave Hunters book is quite good. He takes you through a few schematics and then gets you to build an amp...

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

Thanks! And it's only $16!! Really appreciate the suggestion, just ordered the book.

[Normster]

It never gets rave reviews, but "Building Valve Amplifiers" by Morgan Jones is at the top of my reading list. Jones rambles a lot and throws in more theory than I can to know, but the book is filled with lots a great tips about how to build amps.

As for a first build, I only have two suggestions:
1. Build something you want to hear.
2. Don't build anything you can't troubleshoot.

IMHO, it's not the complexity of the build that will get you in trouble. It's figuring out what to do when it doesn't come out right.

[M Fowler]

Tino Zottola books are great and have many amp projects along with sections on what you need to know about amp building.

Volumes I, II and III.

At http://tubesandmore.com/ or sister company http://cedist.com/




Mark

[M Fowler]

Talking about Dave Hunter's book his 2 stroke build has many guys talking very highly about it. I see weber has a 2 stroke amp called Maggie on his amp kit pages.

But many of the books mentioned have amp projects in them so it's all in what you really want a champ, the 5E3 or other.

Mark

[amplifiednation]

Well I ordered the book, so thats a check. Should I work on finding a 53E build? Should i get a no-cab kit for $400 or try to source some parts? I can get a champ kit for $275.

[HeeBGB]

I started using the RCA recieving tube manual. Has a great tutorial on the operation of tubes. I also have the Torres book. He's a bit self serving and as has been stated...he has some misinformation in the book BUT it is usefull nonetheless!

[dreric]

Well I ordered the book, so thats a check. Should I work on finding a 53E build? Should i get a no-cab kit for $400 or try to source some parts? I can get a champ kit for $275.

Don't forget:

http://www.allenamps.com/

My first two builds were Allen kits and they came out great. If you can get a discount from Mojo I'd go for it. I've heard nothing but good things about their kits. I would second Normsters advise, build something that you want to build.

About sourcing your own parts. If you have a specific parts list and lots of time it can be OK. Often you'll have to go to 2-3 sellers to get all the parts and something vital is always back ordered. Unless you already have a good understanding of component values, ratings and composition I wouldn't suggest trying to part a build from a schematic or layout.

Good luck and enjoy

Eric

[dreric]

He's a bit self serving

That's really funny!

E