Dilemna

[fusionbear]

I need some advice. Funds have been pretty low for me lately and I was going to buy a Hot Rodded Marshall style amp from a great builder, but I am having second thoughts due to the cash outlay.

I am thinking about building it myself. I have a Weber 6S100 that I could use as a donor amp as it already has Marshall spec OT and PT transformers, it has 4 preamp and 4 power tube holes. Removing the existing circuitry would be very easy as it is a simple circuit.

The caveat is that I like the tone of the said builder alot and I would hate to be on an endless tone chase to make mine sound like it. I know I could do it, but I have limited time too...

The specs are simple:
JCM800 influenced, 25-40% more gain, Decent MV, loss-less/buffered effects loop of some kind. 100 Watts. Just a single channel of rock!


What would you do?

[dynaman]

Well, that all depends on much said builder is asking for his services. Do you have the ability and confidence to make your own board/circuit and flip the switch?

[fusionbear]

The builders price is very reasonable. 1.5 K

I have built quite a few amps myself, ODS clones, Express clones, Fender clones, Vox clones, the Weber 6S100, etc...

But, I also want to support guys who do it for a living...

[fusionbear]

decided I'm going to build it out of my 6S100. I will post the deconstruction/reconstruction...

[soma_hero]

I probably wouldn't pay someone to build something I could build.

Actually I'll probably never buy another amp, unless i find it on craigslist for too cheap to pass up.

Sounds like you've already got the donor iron and chassis. Now you're looking at cheap parts costs. You should do it yourself, you'll get the results for cheap.

As far as getting the same tone goes.... Could you objectively think your tone was as good as his or are you already decided that his amp would be better sounding?

Say you spend $100 on new caps and pots, that leaves you $1400 for an upgrade in the output transformer. I've never seen anyone use a $1400 output transformer in a guitar amp.

Go for it man! Make up a basic design, take a 2203 and add a tube buffered effects loop in there. Try out a PPIMV along with the standard MV and see if you like it better. Then ask for ideas on how to tweak part values to get the tone you're looking for... DO IT!

[fusionbear]

Well, I sourced a an Express chassis, head box and a Marshall power transformer for a reasonable price. I will use it instead of tearing my Weber down. I hope to start this coming week. I'll post as I go along...

[M Fowler]

So your not building a 100w amp then I guess if you are using an Express chassis!

Mark

[fusionbear]

So your not building a 100w amp then I guess if you are using an Express chassis!

Mark

Well, close. I will be using KT88's or 6550's.

Probably, about 80 watts, but with big iron feel...