Telecaster Guitar Forum - View Single Post

Wayne Alexander · September 4th, 2007, 11:57 AM

cbnutt, the Weber kits are all the parts needed to build an amp, but if you need any kind of step-by-step guidance on how to assemble it, don't start with a Weber. Also, certain parts are selected for price rather than performance, I'd suggest at the very least upgrading the switches to Carling, the jacks to Switchcraft. The Weber cabinets and speakers are top-quality (make sure you pick an appropriate speaker for the amp you build), and the filter caps, resistors, pots and tone caps are good enough unless you have tonal preference for other types. The Weber transformers are fine, though you will hear the difference if you upgrade to a Heyboer or Mercury Magnetics output transformer. The stock tubes are functional at best, I'd suggest getting better ones at least after the amp is up and running. If you can't build an amp from scratch on your own without detailed step-by-step instructions, there are several other sellers who do that.

For a Princeton-type amp, look at the Allen Sweet Spot http://www.allenamps.com/v18project.php which costs $949 in a 1x10 format versus the Weber 6A14 which is $550 https://taweber.powweb.com/store/kits_60a.htm#6A14, the price difference is based on Allen giving you first -rate transformers, filter caps, tone caps, resistors, pots and real first-rate tubes, and several thoughtful upgrades in the circuit that make the amp much more versatile (test-jacks and a reachable pot to adjust the bias for instance). If you were to upgrade the Weber kit to match the specs of the Weber the cost would be about the same.

I've built several amps from Weber kits as a basis, and they are fine for an experienced builder.

September 4th, 2007, 11:57 AM	#3 (permalink)
Wayne Alexander Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Los Angeles, CA, USA Posts: 1,052	cbnutt, the Weber kits are all the parts needed to build an amp, but if you need any kind of step-by-step guidance on how to assemble it, don't start with a Weber. Also, certain parts are selected for price rather than performance, I'd suggest at the very least upgrading the switches to Carling, the jacks to Switchcraft. The Weber cabinets and speakers are top-quality (make sure you pick an appropriate speaker for the amp you build), and the filter caps, resistors, pots and tone caps are good enough unless you have tonal preference for other types. The Weber transformers are fine, though you will hear the difference if you upgrade to a Heyboer or Mercury Magnetics output transformer. The stock tubes are functional at best, I'd suggest getting better ones at least after the amp is up and running. If you can't build an amp from scratch on your own without detailed step-by-step instructions, there are several other sellers who do that. For a Princeton-type amp, look at the Allen Sweet Spot http://www.allenamps.com/v18project.php which costs $949 in a 1x10 format versus the Weber 6A14 which is $550 https://taweber.powweb.com/store/kits_60a.htm#6A14, the price difference is based on Allen giving you first -rate transformers, filter caps, tone caps, resistors, pots and real first-rate tubes, and several thoughtful upgrades in the circuit that make the amp much more versatile (test-jacks and a reachable pot to adjust the bias for instance). If you were to upgrade the Weber kit to match the specs of the Weber the cost would be about the same. I've built several amps from Weber kits as a basis, and they are fine for an experienced builder.