self intro

[rodney]

Hello everyone,

I've decided to take the dive. I've had the itch to put together a 30W tube for a few years. I've just started buying the parts. This looks like a cool place to hang out and close the gap on my ignorance while I do so. The basic principles of electricity, circuits, and semiconductors are familiar to me. However, larger concepts such as circuit design are challenging. I have a good understanding of the PT and getting DC from it. I also understand what the output tubes are doing and how the power is sent to the speaker. The area between (from the point of smooth DC to the output tubes) is still mess for me. One area that would help me along would be understanding the differences of the knobs used and how they are selected and wired.

I have purchased a 16ohm 30W 12" speaker. I'll get the appropriate OT soon. I've also bought a gz34, but I'm not entirely certain I'll use it. I may just go with diodes. Other than that, I seem to favor the performance of 12ax7's and el84/34's which is what I'll use for the power and output sections.

Feel free to message me. I'll be documenting my project here as I get things accomplished.

Rodney

[Phil_S]

...I seem to favor the performance of 12ax7's and el84/34's which is what I'll use for the power and output sections.

Hello. welcome, and you should be warned that you can check out but you can never leave. Amp building is highly addictive.

There is a big difference between EL84's and EL34's. If you need to become more familiar, here is a good link: http://tubedata.itchurch.org/index.html

[rodney]

This is going to take a while. I'm just going to go with the 84's. I know I like those.

[M Fowler]

Are you thinking 30w-36w amp with four EL84's or 18w amp with two EL84's.

Something Vox, Something Marshall, Trainwreck Rocket or Liverpool, Matchless, BadCat, etc.

Mark

[rodney]

30W, 4 el84's; Peavey Classic 30

[cbass]

build the rocket!

[LeftyStrat]

build the rocket!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fwdzjJHD2BM

[M Fowler]

30W, 4 el84's; Peavey Classic 30

Will all the bells and whistles too? Ambitious project

Mark

[vibratoking]

Welcome to TAG. Great place to hang out and learn.

There are so many great amps to build. With all due respect, I can't imagine why you would choose that one. I occasionally play in a band with another guitar player that uses the Classic 30. I just can't see slaving away and coming out the other end with that amp. It sounds like a transistor radio. Anyone else have an opinion of that amp?

[alvarezh]

I friend of mine got rid of his Low Power Twin Tweed I built him, bought a Classic 30. He was all hyped until I heard him play a gig. I told him how he sounded.

What did I tell him? Your high notes sound like the squeal of a pig while it's been knifed!

I think he confirmed my observation when he went home and watched the video he had someone record on his camera.

He's selling it!

Cheers.

[JoeCon]

Rodney

Like yourself I've been wanting to build an amp for awhile and found the help and info here to give me the confidence to go for it. I'm working on an 18 Watt Rocket based on Mark Fowlers build. Started with a blank chassis and drilled and punched all the holes too.

Keeping it simple for the first build is key. And even then there is a ton of stuff to do, as I'm finding out.

Getting a book helps alot too. Merlin Blencowe's book on preamp design is awesome. So is his website The Valve Wizard.

Learning the terminology makes it not so scarey too. Coupling cap, bypass cap, plate load resistor, cathode follower, long tail phase inverter ( still working thru that one) knowing these gives you a better understing of just what's going on in the signal path. And endless variations to tailor that signal to your liking.

Both the Rocket and Liverpool are EL84 amps you should check them out. I bet they can give you what you want. And the guys here know them inside out so helps just a key click away!

Enjoy....

[cbass]

Nothing against the classic 30 b ut you can buy one for less than $4OO no way you are gonna build it for that

[cbass]

build the rocket!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fwdzjJHD2BM

Wrong thread you neede that in the worst song ever thread.[IMG:29:36]http://www.sherv.net/cm/emoticons/sick/barfing.gif[/img]

[vibratoking]

Mark, I just noticed in another thread that you have a Classic 30 in your shop and you like the tone? Interesting. These things must vary widely cause the one I have heard is pitiful. I mean not even close to anything I would call worth listening to. Thin, shrill, no bass, icepick in your ear, no mids... huh

[M Fowler]

Mark, I just noticed in another thread that you have a Classic 30 in your shop and you like the tone? Interesting. These things must vary widely cause the one I have heard is pitiful. I mean not even close to anything I would call worth listening to. Thin, shrill, no bass, icepick in your ear, no mids... huh

Believe me I had no idea how much I would like the Peavey Classic 30 until I retubed the amp and took it for a test drive with my Les Paul. It had everything I want from a tube amp, I really like it. The guy is coming over tomorrow.

Mark