Amp Kits

[cemusky]

I would like to build a fender Deluxe Reverb clone. Who is producing the best kits?

[martin manning]

Define best.

[cemusky]

By best I mean quality of components.

[Leo_Gnardo]

No "best" answer yet but you will want to avoid the black-cardboard material similar to what Fender used. Too many cases of black card being partially and randomly conductive, resulting in noises you do not want to hear in your amp. The black pigment is carbon, that's why they behave so. TAG correspondent Randall went thru hell with his Deluxe, ended up rebuilding the circuitry on glass-epoxy turret board. What a hassle. I've had to troubleshoot new builds with these boards. Bad enough they're in old Fenders.

[cemusky]

Thanks for the input, I'll keep searching. All the kits I've found so far have the black fiber board.

[Smokebreak]

You could get a kit from Mojo: http://www.mojotone.com/amp-parts/amp-k ... wLpKmt5mK0
And get a premade turret board from Watts:http://www.turretboards.com/TURRET_EYEL ... DELUXE.htm(bottom of page)
I've had good experiences with both. Looks like the Watts layout follows the original, as does the Mojo.

[RWood]

No "best" answer yet but you will want to avoid the black-cardboard material similar to what Fender used.

+1 on that. I built a 5f1 that I finally just gave up on until I got a red board.
The tweed disease will drive you bonkers trying to troubleshoot. It'd be OK and all of the sudden crackling and popping. I completely reflowed every joint 3 times to no avail. Got a red board and it was perfect right out of the gate, with no problems since.

[ampmike]

Allen amps,nice stuff,foolproof instuctables.Guy always answers the phone.USA made,That being said Mojo is good too,just get a better board.
Good Luck,Have fun,Mikey

[cemusky]

Thanks for the information, very helpful.

[Cantplay]

You might have to buy it in pieces to put together what you think is best

Get the transformers you like, red board, and populate it with the brands of resistors and caps you prefer.

I like 1/8" Teflon board myself. High voltage resistance, can't crack, and good mechanical damping.

John

[dcribbs1412]

+1 on Allen amps
also check out the Sweet Spot kit
http://www.allenamps.com/sweetspot.php

Darin

[Zippy]

The "Sweet Spot" is a Princeton Reverb.

"Design is loosely based on the Fender Princeton Reverb™ but with many enhancements such as a standby switch, middle control, bright switch, choke filtered power supply, filter capacitor bank, fixed bias phase inverter, deeper vibrato, adjustable power tube bias and bias measurement jacks."

If you're looking for a Deluxe Reverb, check out the Accomplice:

http://www.allenamps.com/accomplice.php

"Design is loosely based on the blackface Fender Deluxe Reverb™ but without a normal channel or vibrato function. Design is enhanced with Bright switch, middle control, RAW control, Reverb TONE control, master volume, impedance switch, and bias measurement jacks."

[lord preset]

I am mystified why kit suppliers continue to supply black fiberboard in these kits. If authenticity is so important why not supply two prong power cords too?

[Leo_Gnardo]

I am mystified why kit suppliers continue to supply black fiberboard in these kits. If authenticity is so important why not supply two prong power cords too?

Roger that! And a set of RCA 6L6GC black plate would make any of 'em worth the price of admission.

Must be a lot of disappointed kit builders with black fiber board. Maybe it's a way of bringing about a sort of amp builder Darwinism. "My first amp sucks. I won't build another."

Grey/tan fiberboard - hasn't had any problems I've encountered. Kit suppliers could use that. Traynors 40-45 years old with grey/tan, no leaky noises.