Nisto wrote:Hi All,
After reading a few posts I have been encouraged enough to have a go at my first amp. My first degree was in electronics, although that was 20 years ago and it's been that long since I built up a circuit. I have no real experience of working with valves or audio grade components, so there will be a lot to learn!
I'm based in the UK and looking of a supplier of good quality components in the UK or EU. I had thought I might choose Mercury Magnetics transformers and Sozo caps having heard good things about both companies. I'm hoping I won't need to import them from the US, is there a UK source? I'd like to go for a straight AB763 deluxe build but with good quality components.
Further on down the road, and assuming I get the amp to work, I'll be looking for a deluxe sized combo cab.
I'm interested in any recommendations you can send my way for components and suppliers. I'm sure I'll be asking for a but if help and advice along the way.
Regards
Nick
Hi Nick,
Welcome to the wonderful world of amp building and the forum.
The above quite an ambitious undertaking. I have some suggestions.
Start first with a SE amp, such as a Champ, first. But, I wouldn't just look up an old Fender schematic and layout.
The book that opened my eyes to electronic construction technique, was Kevin O'Connor's The Ultimate Tone, Volume Three. It explained the how's and why's of guitar amp design and contains a variety of amps with layouts, and explanations. The beginning chapters are well worth the price of admission, even if the cost of the book as a tad dear.
Only fault to the book are the illustration weren't as carefully edited as they could have been, occasionally something is omitted in schematic that was in the layout, or vice versa. But building any amp you should always be on the look out for such.
Tino Zottola guitar amp construction books show you to construct stuff, with very good directions. But the books never explained things the way KOC book did. From KOC's books I got ideas how to build better, rather than to just copy.
As an alternative I would suggest some of the projects in Tino Zottola book 1, before going on to a Princeton Reverb, or Fender Twin Reverb in later volumes, if you don't go the kit route.
Frankly there are good and bad kits out there.
I still think the Champ would be a better first project from TUT 3 and a better investment in your education. Build on success.
There are a number of quality components out there. I have used MM, which are good, but pricey. I purchased all but one transformer on ebay auctions at discount. Unless you are going to custom build boutique amps for famous or well-funded musicians, there was enough variation in the old amps that no one will notice if you have a blue-printed MM clone OT in your amp or not, unless you tell them.
If you peruse the list of Fender transformers on the Mercury Magnetic website, you will notice that on many amps (especially the Fender Tweeds), there were many variants or substitutes. So no reason not to substitute with something well built, and preferably local.
On other imported products, I've used Hammonds 1600 series (KOC's influence), but I would equally recommend Edcorusa.com which are currently less expensive, and as well if not better built and better values than Hammond. Magnetic Components make fine transformers, and cost less than MM.
Hopefully, if this is your heart's, you can source these locally.
On importing, UK Customs charges a bloody fortune on stuff sent to the UK. I haven't shipped transformer in flat rate USPS box to the UK (20 lbs equals 9 kilograms), recently but the postage costs $60.00 USD (non flat rate will set you back $100 USD) currently.
I don't believe there are musical instrument part exemptions for Customs duties and local taxes. Unless you can get someone to lie about the value, and say it was a gift or manufacturer sample (and if Customs believes them), expect to pay a king's ransom to get your parcel released from the Royal Post.
KOC in his books said to keep away from Voodoo parts (expensive) and just keep to modern equivalents. Although this is sage advice, I haven't taken it in general.
I have had good experience with NOS USSR caps, Sozos (but Sozo is known to delay shipments at times). I have used Jupiters, NOS Mullard Mustards, Vintage Wima Polystyrene used in the original Vox AC30/4, NOS Mullard tropical fish, etc, and I believe these parts can make a difference, small in some cases, bigger in others.
I purchased these through careful research, and a bit of good luck. But you don't need these to make a great amp.
Some people claim any cap or Metal film resistor works in a circuit and you won't hear a difference.
Maybe to their ears, but not to mine. They might as well state that all speakers sound basically the same and a Chinese 12ax7 sounds no different from a Smooth Plate 1950s Mullard ECC83.
Okay, that's a hyperbole, however differences do exist. Half the fun is finding out which things do make a difference and what works for you and what does not.
But all the expensive parts in the world won't make a sow's ear into a silk purse if wired improperly with poor lead dress. (Tut 3 goes into this) Especially if you have to attempt to correct your mistakes in a lethal voltage environment after the fact.
Try to build with plenty of room, especially the electrical components.
I would build your dream amp (Princeton Reverb) as a head, with the tubes right side up (vintage Marshall style), unless you have your heart on a clone that resembles the original to the Nth degree right down to the Fender Electrical Instrument Company engraved on the front plates. It will last longer, have less issues over time, and be kinder to the tubes. With your eyes closed, either would sound similar. But to my ears, no two amps sound exactly the same.
My two pence worth.
Steve
