Getting started building tube amps - looking for resources

[DaveNJ]

Hi all, I’m just looking to get started building tube amps and would love to find the resources that you all would recommend. I haven’t studied anything with electronics since I was in high school and that was a long time ago so I would need to start with the basics. After brushing up on that, i’m thinking of starting with a champ build. I recently found the uncle Doug videos on YouTube which seem to be great source of information.

[DaveNJ]

Just searched a bit more and found the reading resources thread - need to dig through those links now...

[tubeswell]

This one is good for starters:

https://www.diystompboxes.com/pedals/tubedummy.html


Merlin Blencowe's Valve Wizard site is indispensable:

http://www.valvewizard.co.uk


Richard Kuehnel's amp-books site has handy calculators (like this cathode bypass calculator)

https://www.ampbooks.com/mobile/amplifi ... capacitor/


R.G. Keen's site is full of tube amp building FAQs:

http://www.geofex.com


Frank Philipse's site is handy source for many tube data sheets:

http://tubedata.milbert.com/index.html


Pete MiIlet's site has heaps of tube book links:

http://www.pmillett.com


Jack Darr's book is a classic

https://awacinser.firebaseapp.com/bs403 ... 208482.pdf

[pompeiisneaks]

Plus if you'r building a champ, I've done one on video where I had my wife build it. To show that even someone new to amps can build a champ, they're great fun, fast, and easy to build:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=P ... 8jtn33BhHu

~Phil

[labb]

Take a look at this http://www.ax84.com/p1.html Look at the documents listed under "Current Materials"

[thejaf]

Basic fundementals of electronics is a must. I recommend taking a first semester basic electronics course (i.e. electronics 101) at your local community college; audit it but buy the books. Invaluable.

[arjepsen]

Take a look at this http://www.ax84.com/p1.html Look at the documents listed under "Current Materials"

+1

[DaveNJ]

Thanks everyone - haven't been on here in a while, but looking to get started this fall!

[MakerDP]

Take a look at this http://www.ax84.com/p1.html Look at the documents listed under "Current Materials"

+1

+2.

The P1eX Theory Document is an excellent first read. It walks your through a schematic of a fantastic "first build" and describes what each component does and why the values are what they are. Even if it is not your first build it is a fantastic primer.

Kevin O'Connor at London Power also has a book called "Ready Set Go" which is intended as a basic introduction to the electronics required for tube amp stuff.

[wpaulvogel]

Plus if you'r building a champ, I've done one on video where I had my wife build it. To show that even someone new to amps can build a champ, they're great fun, fast, and easy to build:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=P ... 8jtn33BhHu

~Phil

Phil, the video is great! I have to get Wendy (my wife) to assemble the board on my new MetroAmp 1969 100 watt. Your wife is talented!

[pompeiisneaks]

Plus if you'r building a champ, I've done one on video where I had my wife build it. To show that even someone new to amps can build a champ, they're great fun, fast, and easy to build:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=P ... 8jtn33BhHu

~Phil

Phil, the video is great! I have to get Wendy (my wife) to assemble the board on my new MetroAmp 1969 100 watt. Your wife is talented!

Glad you liked it! She's always up for anything new and challenging. Plus I've had to have her solder a few other things for me as well, my vision's getting pretty bad, as are my fingers, so fine work becomes harder for me

Pretty sad when I'm still knocking on 50's door this year, but being in the army did a number on me, and my mom's genetics with arthritis doesn't help

~Phil

[wpaulvogel]

I’m not far behind you. I’ve worn glasses since I was a kid. I’m near sighted and here lately I have to raise my glasses when looking at smaller stuff. I’m getting old.