Amp build for a first time builder?

[yoyohomieg5432]

Hey guys,

I'm interested in learning to build tube amps. Is there a relatively simple, yet good sounding amp that you guys suggest would be a good one to start with?

I've already got a marshall amp so I'm interested in something fender/vox related, or boutique variants of these amps.

I would love a dumble type amp but I was looking at the schematics for those and I think it will be a bit too overwhelming for the first time.

[Milkmansound]

tweed champ

[M Fowler]

What are you thinking about a small single power tube noodling amp like the Fender 5F1 or 5F2, or something like a Fender 5E3 Deluxe which has push/pull two 6V6 power tubes or something like a Vox AC15 which has two EL84's?

Also, do you want to build your own combo cab or head cab? Or buy a complete kit to assemble?

Because boy do the people around here have suggestions unlike myself

Also the location where you reside so we can better suggest kits or products that meet your area of the world.

Mark

[yoyohomieg5432]

is there documentation for the tweed on this website or is that elsewhere?

[M Fowler]

Also here is a link to our library if you wish good stuff there:

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

[yoyohomieg5432]

What are you thinking about a small single power tube noodling amp like the Fender 5F1 or 5F2, or something like a Fender 5E3 Deluxe which has push/pull two 6V6 power tubes or something like a Vox AC15 which has two EL84's?

Also, do you want to build your own combo cab or head cab? Or buy a complete kit to assemble?

Because boy do the people around here have suggestions unlike myself

Also the location where you reside so we can better suggest kits or products that meet your area of the world.

Mark

hmm. well I haven't owned a fender or vox before so I'm interested in building either. I play mainly blues (SRV is my favorite) so maybe something with 6v6's would be better. I would like something somewhat simple, yet not so simple it only has like 1 or 2 knobs. I also need good documentation as well since it's my first time.

I'm not quite sure what you mean by building my own head cab. I was probably just going to buy a shell to slip the chassis in. I don't care if it's a head or combo though.

I live in USA

[M Fowler]

There are a lot of places selling kits these days so here is a partial list.

http://www.mojotone.com/amp-parts/amp-kits
http://www.ceriatone.com/
http://triodestore.com/
http://www.tubedepot.com/tubeampkits.html
http://taweber.powweb.com/store/kits.htm
http://allenamps.com/
http://www.missionamps.com/kits.shtml
http://www.marshamps.com/

[M Fowler]

There are many places that have layouts or schematics but if you need one email me and I can send them to you rather then reposting on the Forum.

[tubeswell]

tweed champ - or tweed princeton if you want a tone control or, if you want plenty of power, a tweed deluxe

[mark enger]

If your gonna try a 5e3, a excellent amp for a 1st timer, you might
wanna try something like ceriatone big deluxe with 6l6s, it was my
first really good sounding build, i never really liked the 6v6 myself
they got to mushy IMO.. good luck mark

[Firestorm]

Build the Champ. There were a couple of "errors" in the original design, but it's simple, tweakable, and you will learn a ton playing with it.

[yoyohomieg5432]

the ceriatone route looks pretty interesting to me.

has anyone tried the spitfire? right now i'm debating between that and one of the fenders. sound clips of the fenders sounded pretty clean/tame, i'm looking for more of a fat/overdriven sound.

[tubeswell]

A tweed deluxe is anything but tame when its cranked.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=niqzD-7c ... re=related

[Structo]

yoyohomieg5432,

Where are you located?

Please put your location in your profile so we can recommend kits or products that are close to you.

[kwijabo]

5E3 deluxe.

the tweed champ is a great amp to build and learn with. but, you're putting money and time into this. and when you get done with the champ, you're going to want more. because the champ is so simple, if you want more you'll have to buy new chassis and transformers.

so my advice would be to first look at the tweed champ. understand exactly what each component is doing. then look at the layout / gut shots. in your head completely act out as though you were assembling each part - get a schematic and a layout and act like you're going through building it. then get the parts and build the 5E3 deluxe.

if you have time and money, first build the champ otherwise go straight to the deluxe and build it slowly and cleanly.