Mini Amp -- Tube Cricket

Skrik · April 27th, 2008, 02:01 PM

Ever since I saw the Z-Vex Nano Head for the first time, I have wanted a miniature tube amp. My wallet (and, let's face it, the missus) tells me that the $500 price tag is too much.

What to do?

Trawl the Web, that's what!

I found the Tube Cricket, a kit that will do much the same as the boutique box above, and it costs a much more reasonable $135 + shipping.

Soldering and painting is no sweat compared with the money I'll save.

Does anyone else have one of these mini tube amps? If so, what's the performance really like?

Skrik · April 28th, 2008, 02:23 PM

Bumpity bump

unclearty · April 28th, 2008, 02:47 PM

Oooo..that looks like something I need!!

GuitarJunkie84 · April 28th, 2008, 04:07 PM

I already shot a few emails to the guys who mail the kits and make the kits. Figured I'd get some information on them. I'll let ya know what they tell me.

scooteraz · April 28th, 2008, 05:16 PM

Another seriously cool little amp. I purchased a nano when they just first came out, and did not spend 500, but it was pretty close to 400. My wife would have shot me if she didn't like the fact it was so quiet vs. the other amps. So, I am still here.

Another option would be the Firefly, schematic here
http://ax84.com/media/ax84_m276.gif
Haven't tried this one, but it looks pretty cool.

ruger9 · April 28th, 2008, 06:28 PM

If I could BUY a completed Tube Cricket, I would. I don't have the time to build one. I had a solid state Cricket that was very cool. But I'd love to get a tube cricket & build it into a little 1x10" cab.

April 27th, 2008, 02:01 PM	#1 (permalink)
Skrik Tele-Meister Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Norway Age: 38 Posts: 425	Mini Amp -- Tube Cricket Ever since I saw the Z-Vex Nano Head for the first time, I have wanted a miniature tube amp. My wallet (and, let's face it, the missus) tells me that the $500 price tag is too much. What to do? Trawl the Web, that's what! I found the Tube Cricket, a kit that will do much the same as the boutique box above, and it costs a much more reasonable $135 + shipping. Soldering and painting is no sweat compared with the money I'll save. Does anyone else have one of these mini tube amps? If so, what's the performance really like? __________________ "Gary Moore should take his guitar and go home" -- John Lee Hooker

April 28th, 2008, 02:23 PM	#2 (permalink)
Skrik Tele-Meister Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Norway Age: 38 Posts: 425	Bumpity bump __________________ "Gary Moore should take his guitar and go home" -- John Lee Hooker

April 28th, 2008, 02:47 PM	#3 (permalink)
unclearty Tele-Meister Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: South central Mass. Age: 56 Posts: 355 2 Photos	Oooo..that looks like something I need!! __________________ uncle-arty

April 28th, 2008, 06:28 PM	#6 (permalink)
ruger9 Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Hackettstown, NJ Posts: 1,726	If I could BUY a completed Tube Cricket, I would. I don't have the time to build one. I had a solid state Cricket that was very cool. But I'd love to get a tube cricket & build it into a little 1x10" cab. __________________ "I've got callouses, from all those nights, spent playin' a Telecaster, 'till my fingers bled Bud Light" - Travis Tritt

April 28th, 2008, 04:07 PM	#4 (permalink)
GuitarJunkie84 Tele-Meister Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Toledo, Ohio Age: 24 Posts: 249	I already shot a few emails to the guys who mail the kits and make the kits. Figured I'd get some information on them. I'll let ya know what they tell me.

April 28th, 2008, 05:16 PM	#5 (permalink)
scooteraz Tele-Holic Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Peoria, AZ Posts: 783	Another seriously cool little amp. I purchased a nano when they just first came out, and did not spend 500, but it was pretty close to 400. My wife would have shot me if she didn't like the fact it was so quiet vs. the other amps. So, I am still here. Another option would be the Firefly, schematic here http://ax84.com/media/ax84_m276.gif Haven't tried this one, but it looks pretty cool.