First time builder looking for a project.

[DavidJNichols]

Hey all. I'm new to this forum (post #1!) and need some suggestions on an amp to build.

This will be my first amp project and first time messing with electronics (other than building VERY simple things as a kid). I would rather build something from scratch than from a kit for a few reasons: I would like to save the few hundred dollars, I would like to learn more about the electronics and science involved than just solder-by-number, and I am perfectly capable of shopping around and buying the parts myself.

With that said, I would like to build something simple but powerful enough to play small gigs with. It's been recommended to build something like a Champ or 18w Marshall clone as a first project, but I would like something with a little more power. Also, I think something like the 18w Marshall breaks up a bit too easily for me. I aim to have rich clean tone from the amp and use a pedal (Blues Driver) for most of my grit. I understand that what I want is more complicated to build, especially for a first time builder, but when I'm finished, I want something I will really enjoy playing and can show off at gigs. Also, even though I have no electronics experience, I am fully capable of learning and understanding everything involved. It's simply a matter of dedication and research, so please, no feedback like, "Since you don't know anything, just build this dummy-proof kit."

I have a working Fender Stage 160 to use for some parts. It's a solid state amp, so I'm not sure how much is usable for this project, but I definitely plan on using the speakers, pots, etc.

Now, onto what I want (and don't want). Right now, I play a mid-90's Peavy Classic 50 4x10 combo. It has decent clean tone but I would like something a little smaller, less powerful, and with less tone "options". I don't care if I make a combo or head/cab, but I would like to power the 2x12 Celestions from the Fender Stage 160. I don't need reverb or tremolo. Simple is good. I would like volume, bass, & treble controls. I like the sound and breakup level of 6L6s and would probably like to stick with those or something similar. I think 30 watts would be perfect.

Have any of you built something similar? I would like to keep the plans as simple as possible, (because it's my first build), while maintaining the specs I noted.

Thanks so much for the feedback, and I look forward to absorbing as much knowledge as I can!

David J. Nichols

[Structo]

Welcome to the Amp Garage David.

If you look a few threads lower there is this one where our illustrious Martin Manning and others have done a lot of work to help a first time builder.

Check it out.

https://tubeamparchive.com/viewtopic.php?t=19355

Also check out the Sticky thread for Reading Material on Steroids.

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

[DavidJNichols]

Welcome to the Amp Garage David.

If you look a few threads lower there is this one where our illustrious Martin Manning and others have done a lot of work to help a first time builder.

Check it out.

https://tubeamparchive.com/viewtopic.php?t=19355

Also check out the Sticky thread for Reading Material on Steroids.

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

Thanks, Tom.

I had already read about 8-9 pages of that other beginner's thread before making this post. There's a lot of fantastic info in there! Because I am not familiar with electronics, rather than designing my own amp, I am hoping to find a specific schematic/plan that matches my specifications. From there, I will learn exactly how/why the schematic works and ask about any particular tweaks. This seems like a tangible way to learn while keeping a specific project in mind and not becoming overwhelmed. Do you agree?

[LeftyStrat]

Check out some clips of the Rocket on Youtube. It sounds like something that would fit your needs. Everyone that has built one has loved it (well, it seems that way).

It's more complicated than say a Champ, but a lot easier than something like a Dumble.

The layout and schematics are in the Trainwreck files section, as well as a BOM.

[HeeBGB]

May I make a suggestion? What helped me immensely was reading the first sections of the RCA recieving tube manual. My first copy was I think RC-19 but I gave that to a friend and now I have RC-30 from AES.

http://www.tubesandmore.com/products/B-822

For a first build I would suggest something like a Champ, Tweed Deluxe or an 18watt Marshall build.

You can purchase all of the parts for these amps ala carte so you won't have to buy a kit.

[DavidJNichols]

May I make a suggestion? What helped me immensely was reading the first sections of the RCA recieving tube manual. My first copy was I think RC-19 but I gave that to a friend and now I have RC-30 from AES.

http://www.tubesandmore.com/products/B-822

For a first build I would suggest something like a Champ, Tweed Deluxe or an 18watt Marshall build.

You can purchase all of the parts for these amps ala carte so you won't have to buy a kit.

Thanks HeeBGB,

I have considered building one of these, but my ultimate goal is to create something I can gig with (I usually play to crowds of 50-100 and often don't mic amps). I like the sound of the Tweed Deluxe, and I may start with a Champ or Tweed Deluxe to get the hang of it and quickly move to another project, but I figure if I'm doing hands-on learning, I may as well be learning on a project I will use often. I don't suppose there's something as simple as a Tweed Deluxe or Champ that just has more power?

[HeeBGB]

May I make a suggestion? What helped me immensely was reading the first sections of the RCA recieving tube manual. My first copy was I think RC-19 but I gave that to a friend and now I have RC-30 from AES.

http://www.tubesandmore.com/products/B-822

For a first build I would suggest something like a Champ, Tweed Deluxe or an 18watt Marshall build.

You can purchase all of the parts for these amps ala carte so you won't have to buy a kit.

Thanks HeeBGB,

I have considered building one of these, but my ultimate goal is to create something I can gig with (I usually play to crowds of 50-100 and often don't mic amps). I like the sound of the Tweed Deluxe, and I may start with a Champ or Tweed Deluxe to get the hang of it and quickly move to another project, but I figure if I'm doing hands-on learning, I may as well be learning on a project I will use often. I don't suppose there's something as simple as a Tweed Deluxe or Champ that just has more power?

Well somethng with a bit more juice would be either a JTM45 or a 36watt variant of the 18watt. Difficulty level for these is probably on par with an Express or Liverpool.

[JazzGuitarGimp]

Marsh Amps sells a kit (I realize you don't want to buy a kit) for the Neal Young version of the 5E3, which uses 6L6's rather than 6V6's. But I've never seen a schematic for it. I imagine you could splice the 5E3 preamp to a tweed era PP 6L6 output section, like perhaps the Tweed Bassman.

[DavidJNichols]

Marsh Amps sells a kit (I realize you don't want to buy a kit) for the Neal Young version of the 5E3, which uses 6L6's rather than 6V6's. But I've never seen a schematic for it. I imagine you could splice the 5E3 preamp to a tweed era PP 6L6 output section, like perhaps the Tweed Bassman.

I found this "Proluxe 35w" kit from Boothill Amps for $205 (regular 5E3 kit for $189 with "upgraded" 35 watt parts for an extra $15). It comes with everything except tubes, transformers, and speakers/cabinet.

http://www.boothillamps.com/5E3_Kits.html

This is a kit I wouldn't mind building from. I could choose my own transformers and tubes, use the speakers from my Stage 160, build my own cabinet, and have all the parts in one place.

Has anyone here purchased a kit from Boothill? This seems very similar to the kit from Marsh, but doesn't come with the speaker and cab, tubes, and doesn't have the fancy Mercury Magnetics PT. It is also $600 cheaper.

[M Fowler]

Pretty sure those are Weber proluxe 5E3 kits.

[DavidJNichols]

Pretty sure those are Weber proluxe 5E3 kits.

I'm not sure I understand.

[M Fowler]

I believe Boot Hill amps is reselling Weber amp kits.

Weber amps has the same kit. https://taweber.powweb.com/store/kits_50a.htm#5E3P

[DavidJNichols]

I believe Boot Hill amps is reselling Weber amp kits.

Weber amps has the same kit. https://taweber.powweb.com/store/kits_50a.htm#5E3P

I did see those Weber kits. Are they the same kits? Boothill sells for much cheaper than Weber. The Weber Proluxe kits are $350 once you deduct tubes, transformers, and cab from the original price of $495 (head-only version). The Boothill ones are $204.

[Structo]

I hate to mention it because they aren't that well liked here but at Ceriatone, you can buy as much of a "kit" as you want.

You can buy just the chassis or add to it.
Since they ship from Malaysia, the shipping can be high if
you include transformers (the heaviest item) or source your transformers
stateside. ( that is what a lot of people do)
You can spend as little or as much for a full kit as you like.

Here is the 5X3 which is a 6L6 Deluxe.

[img956]http://www.ceriatone.com/images/layoutP ... iatone.jpg[/img]

http://www.ceriatone.com/productSubPage ... /AC5X3.htm

Or Pro, Bassman, Twin, etc.
They also offer variants of British amps as well.

Or if you would rather invest in American companies, Weber, Marsh, Mojotone, Watts Audio, Allen, MissionAmps, to name a few.

Here is a brief review of kit makers.
http://guitarkitbuilder.com/content/amp ... -directory

Don't consider Brown Note Amplifiers, they are undependable.

The reason I would suggest a kit is that sourcing components requires certain knowledge that has to be learned about different components in an amp before you can intelligently order them.

For instance, what is an axial capacitor compared to a radial capacitor.
What is the difference between a carbon composition resistor and a carbon film resistors or a metal film resistor for that matter.
When is a two watt resistor a better choice than a one watt resistor.

By building a kit, those choices and selection have been made for you and you can touch and feel them to gain familiarity as you build the amp.

I had previous experience and schooling in electronics, but I still started with a kit.

A good primer book is Dave Hunter's "Guitar Amplifier Handbook - Understanding Tube Amplifiers and Getting Great Sounds"

It is written in an easy to understand style and he goes through every stage of a tube amp.

http://www.amazon.com/Guitar-Amplifier- ... ave+hunter

Please learn about the dangers of working on a tube amp and the lethal voltages that are inside.
Before you do that you should not build or work on a tube amp.

[DavidJNichols]

I hate to mention it because they aren't that well liked here but at Ceriatone, you can buy as much of a "kit" as you want.

You can buy just the chassis or add to it.
Since they ship from Malaysia, the shipping can be high if
you include transformers (the heaviest item) or source your transformers
stateside. ( that is what a lot of people do)
You can spend as little or as much for a full kit as you like.

Here is the 5X3 which is a 6L6 Deluxe.

[img956]http://www.ceriatone.com/images/layoutP ... iatone.jpg[/img]

http://www.ceriatone.com/productSubPage ... /AC5X3.htm

Or Pro, Bassman, Twin, etc.
They also offer variants of British amps as well.

Or if you would rather invest in American companies, Weber, Marsh, Mojotone, Watts Audio, Allen, MissionAmps, to name a few.

Here is a brief review of kit makers.
http://guitarkitbuilder.com/content/amp ... -directory

Don't consider Brown Note Amplifiers, they are undependable.

The reason I would suggest a kit is that sourcing components requires certain knowledge that has to be learned about different components in an amp before you can intelligently order them.

For instance, what is an axial capacitor compared to a radial capacitor.
What is the difference between a carbon composition resistor and a carbon film resistors or a metal film resistor for that matter.
When is a two watt resistor a better choice than a one watt resistor.

By building a kit, those choices and selection have been made for you and you can touch and feel them to gain familiarity as you build the amp.

I had previous experience and schooling in electronics, but I still started with a kit.

A good primer book is Dave Hunter's "Guitar Amplifier Handbook - Understanding Tube Amplifiers and Getting Great Sounds"

It is written in an easy to understand style and he goes through every stage of a tube amp.

http://www.amazon.com/Guitar-Amplifier- ... ave+hunter

Please learn about the dangers of working on a tube amp and the lethal voltages that are inside.
Before you do that you should not build or work on a tube amp.

Hey thanks a lot, Tom. That's a lot of useful info. I noticed a few other people mentioning that book. I'll have to get a copy. Also, from what I've been reading and learning, it might be best for me to start with a kit rather than source all the parts myself. It doesn't make me any less of an amp builder! I think the Ceriatone kit would be a little out of my price range after shipping costs. I am looking at these two right now:

https://taweber.powweb.com/store/kits_50a.htm#5E3P
http://www.boothillamps.com/5E3_Kits.html

The Boothill one is quite a bit cheaper than the Weber one, but it does not come with transformers and tubes. I believe I could find quality tubes and transformers cheaper than the difference in price of the two kits. However, I want to make a head rather than a combo, and the Boothill only advertises a combo-style chassis (knobs on top, tubes hang below). I'm sure I could fit that into a head cabinet, but it may be deep and sit awkwardly atop a speaker cab. Do you have an opinion on the two kits?