Amp building?

[happiass]

I just started building a Metro Kit. For reference, on a good day, I can change a light bulb. I'll keep ya posted.

Please do keep us posted. I've sort of on the fence right now. I really want a Metroamp, but I'm not entirely confident that I have the ability to actually assemble one ( a working one anyway). I'm kind of debating whether or not just to pay the extra cash and have them build it for me. Thanks .

[1bottlerocket]

Go for it!

[dandude]

Just to encourage you
I built a deluxe 5e3 almost parrot fashion,and my electrical skills are not great
The build looks a little messy,but sounds great
It can be a struggle,but with the kits,you'll learn a hell of a lot doing it,and I'm sure you'll get there
Do check out Torres
They do a whole range of complete kits,from marshall clones to fenders
They include transformers,valves,components,chassis,and a cab to put it in
I mean,look at my messy build
Do it!

[faustone]

I've been toying with the idea of building a tube amp from a kit, probably one of the lesser complicated Weber kits, an 18 watt Marshall or tweed Deluxe copy perhaps. Does anyone here also do amp work? I know amp building is quite a bit different than pedal building, but is it much more difficult? What are the biggest difference other than having to be aware of higher voltages? Are there any decent books with tips about proper techniques for wiring and such?

SonicVI,

I have plenty of experience building amps, our paths go in opposite directions, I started building amps but now I'm making more and more pedals, that's how I found this fantastic forum.

I've built some clones but a few months ago I finally decided to make my own model: it's called the "Dirty Teen", it's an 18W amp with EF86 preamp which sounds great in my opinion. Kind of a Marshall/Vox/Matchless/Dr Z hybrid with some tweaks. You can see it here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/faustoneamps

If you need anything regarding amp kits, schematics of a particular classic amp, wiring techniques, books, etc. send me a PM, I'll be glad to help.

[tatter]

I bought my brother an amp kit for xmas from this dude.
http://www.astonelectronics.co.uk/ampkits.html
I got him the 5 watt 6v6 with volume tone and master volume, only being a relatively cheap kit i didn't expect it to sound that good but it sound's great
I'm sure my bro will chime in on this one and tell you the full story

Yep this is a really good kit to start off with, i was fairly nervous about putting it together cos i've only built pedals before now and there's no risk of major damage! But i just took it slow, followed the diagram and it worked perfectly first time. I'll try and take some photos soon.

Also Geoff Pugh who makes these kits responds very quickly to emails and seems very helpful.

[Jim Goad]

I bought my brother an amp kit for xmas from this dude.
http://www.astonelectronics.co.uk/ampkits.html
I got him the 5 watt 6v6 with volume tone and master volume, only being a relatively cheap kit i didn't expect it to sound that good but it sound's great
I'm sure my bro will chime in on this one and tell you the full story

Yep this is a really good kit to start off with, i was fairly nervous about putting it together cos i've only built pedals before now and there's no risk of major damage! But i just took it slow, followed the diagram and it worked perfectly first time. I'll try and take some photos soon.

Also Geoff Pugh who makes these kits responds very quickly to emails and seems very helpful.

Geoff's serviced & repaired an amp for me & I highly recommend his work.

[noelgrassy]

I've been toying with the idea of building a tube amp from a kit, probably one of the lesser complicated Weber kits, an 18 watt Marshall or tweed Deluxe copy perhaps. Does anyone here also do amp work? I know amp building is quite a bit different than pedal building, but is it much more difficult? What are the biggest difference other than having to be aware of higher voltages? Are there any decent books with tips about proper techniques for wiring and such?

SonicVI,

I have plenty of experience building amps, our paths go in opposite directions, I started building amps but now I'm making more and more pedals, that's how I found this fantastic forum.

I've built some clones but a few months ago I finally decided to make my own model: it's called the "Dirty Teen", it's an 18W amp with EF86 preamp which sounds great in my opinion. Kind of a Marshall/Vox/Matchless/Dr Z hybrid with some tweaks. You can see it here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/faustoneamps

If you need anything regarding amp kits, schematics of a particular classic amp, wiring techniques, books, etc. send me a PM, I'll be glad to help.

Faustone, That's one hot little bitch you built. Top drawer parts selection [those pots will out live us!] sano execution and tidy Tolexing skills and it looks like you've brought a "proper" amp to market! Did you have custom iron made for these as well? Which impedance did you choose for the OT? Do those "bands" around the EF86 tame microphonics substantially? I've yet to find one that was totally free from
microphonic sorcery. Can we hear some clips anytime soon?

Great job on this amp!

[faustone]

Faustone, That's one hot little bitch you built. Top drawer parts selection [those pots will out live us!] sano execution and tidy Tolexing skills and it looks like you've brought a "proper" amp to market! Did you have custom iron made for these as well? Which impedance did you choose for the OT? Do those "bands" around the EF86 tame microphonics substantially? I've yet to find one that was totally free from
microphonic sorcery. Can we hear some clips anytime soon?
Great job on this amp!

Thanks!

The PEC pots I use in my Dirty Teen are rated at 2W, military specs. At 15€ a piece, they cost ten times what a regular pot costs, but I think it's worth the effort. Their taper is also different, it has a wider range and it's more subtle, which in my opinion is a must with EF86s. With other pots, one you pass 2-3 on the dial the sound is pretty much the same, with these pots you can dial the exact amount of gain until 6-7.

I buy the transformers directly from TDS, the Matchless and Divided by 13 OEM supplier, to my specs. Their construction is the same as the vintage Albions used by Vox, paper interleaved and way overbuilt. The OT primary impedance depends on what I feel like when I order them, the last batch is 8K but I've also built them with 4K primaries, à la Matchless.

The tube dampeners help a little, but not much. But they look great in the pictures, don't they?

I don't have any clips, but the dirty teen is a 18W power amp with an EF86 preamp and some tweaks. Search for 65amps London on youtube, my amp sounds very similar to their Vox-ish channel.

[RabbitPunch]

That's a really nice looking amp Faustone! Excellent and tidy work there in the chassis. I envy your skills!

[1bottlerocket]

+1 on that. Did you see that Sozo is coming out with repro blue Capacitors like those used in early models? I read a great interview with the founder and they also supposedly reproduced the vintage mustard sound in their new line of true vintage caps.