I wanna build an amp, but i need some suggestions/help

ntasca · March 25th, 2006, 01:44 AM

Hi guys, i've built a few partscasters, now its time for something a little different - i wanna try an amp!.

What do i want? I'm not too sure. The main focus though is something that is relatively simple (ie straightforward) to build. I don't have a huge knowledge of electronics etc, but i'm a school teacher, so i can probably lean on some fellow staff members to help me out (and u guys!) should the need arise.

I'm only after something 'smallish' - maybe 30watts? But i'm not really sure where to go from there and could do with some pointers in a few different directions from you guys.

The other thing i have to consider is that fact that i am in Australia (like Trev in his similar post) so buying complete cabinets etc is very cost prohibitive.

So guys, can ya help? Whaddya thunk?

Cheers
Nathan.

petebradt · March 25th, 2006, 03:20 AM

Tweed Champ. That's what I'm doing.

simonc · March 25th, 2006, 05:55 AM

www.ax84.com is a good resource.

The only amp I ever Helped build was from a schematic in a book called "electric circuit handbook" by a guy with a surname "markus"...was a great sounding amp, if I remember correctly the text accompanying it mentioned it was from an old mullard design.
I would get the diagram/copy of the circuit for you but Ive since had a falling out with that friend.
I have incidentally searched everywhere for that book too, great circuit ideas for just about anything in it.
anyway, hope the above website serves you well.

JohnnyCrash · March 25th, 2006, 06:11 AM

The Tweed Champ is always a good "starter amp".

Once you get started, you'll be hooked... and happy you're hooked. All of the sudden you can afford your dream amps - some assembly required, of course.

Currently, I'm building a few amps from AX84's site, plus a "low watt" Tweed Twin, and a JCM800 50watt.

I just recently finished a Fender Reverb Unit clone that was a bit cramped in the chassis, but fun and the best sounding reverb on the planet.

simonc · March 25th, 2006, 06:26 AM

GuideBook of electronic circuits ( over 3600 modern electronic circuits) - John Markus
Uh, yeah, seeing as though It was published in 74' we'll see how "modern" they are ;)
Jeez, Amazon is gettin alot of business from me these days! 8)

David Barnett · March 25th, 2006, 03:06 PM

Tweed Champ is the logical starting place if you have no previous experience, but stepping up from a Champ to a 5E3 Deluxe isn't that much more of an ordeal.

Since you're in Australia, shipping from Malaysia shouldn't be too bad, so look at www.ceriatone.com for some nifty kits.

I built one of their Marshall 18-watt clone kits, and it's a blast.

ntasca · March 25th, 2006, 11:13 PM

Thanks for the heads up guys, i've done a bit of searching and found some kits by Torres Engineering, and the Ceria Tone one looks interesting too. TIme t sit down and read all the details etc

Thanks guys!

Paul B · March 26th, 2006, 12:18 AM

Hello

I use the following web sites for parts

Hoffman
http://www.hoffmanamps.com/index.html

Antique Electronic
https://secure.tubesandmore.com/

Retro Sound
http://www.retrosound.com.au/

Check out this Australian builder
http://www.reynolds-valveart.com.au/

I do not have a web page or sell any thing I just create amps that have tone to the bone bro !

Schematics can easily be found on the net a Schematics heaven.

I hope this helps

Regards

Paul

CancerLeoCam · March 26th, 2006, 02:44 AM

...a Gomez "G Reverb" clone. I hear they suck. I hear even Goodwill won't accept them. They have it on the list of non-acceptable charitable items -right next to heavily used underwear, lingerie and toothbrushes.

March 25th, 2006, 01:44 AM	#1 (permalink)
ntasca Tele-Meister Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Victoria, Australia Posts: 114	I wanna build an amp, but i need some suggestions/help Hi guys, i've built a few partscasters, now its time for something a little different - i wanna try an amp!. What do i want? I'm not too sure. The main focus though is something that is relatively simple (ie straightforward) to build. I don't have a huge knowledge of electronics etc, but i'm a school teacher, so i can probably lean on some fellow staff members to help me out (and u guys!) should the need arise. I'm only after something 'smallish' - maybe 30watts? But i'm not really sure where to go from there and could do with some pointers in a few different directions from you guys. The other thing i have to consider is that fact that i am in Australia (like Trev in his similar post) so buying complete cabinets etc is very cost prohibitive. So guys, can ya help? Whaddya thunk? Cheers Nathan.

March 25th, 2006, 05:55 AM	#3 (permalink)
simonc Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Perth Western Australia Age: 29 Posts: 1,571 4 Photos	www.ax84.com is a good resource. The only amp I ever Helped build was from a schematic in a book called "electric circuit handbook" by a guy with a surname "markus"...was a great sounding amp, if I remember correctly the text accompanying it mentioned it was from an old mullard design. I would get the diagram/copy of the circuit for you but Ive since had a falling out with that friend. I have incidentally searched everywhere for that book too, great circuit ideas for just about anything in it. anyway, hope the above website serves you well. __________________ Never, EVER, stop in the middle of a hoe-down" -Homer Simpson

March 25th, 2006, 06:26 AM	#5 (permalink)
simonc Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Perth Western Australia Age: 29 Posts: 1,571 4 Photos	GuideBook of electronic circuits ( over 3600 modern electronic circuits) - John Markus Uh, yeah, seeing as though It was published in 74' we'll see how "modern" they are ;) Jeez, Amazon is gettin alot of business from me these days! 8) __________________ Never, EVER, stop in the middle of a hoe-down" -Homer Simpson

March 26th, 2006, 12:18 AM	#8 (permalink)
Paul B Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Australia Posts: 274	Parts Hello I use the following web sites for parts Hoffman http://www.hoffmanamps.com/index.html Antique Electronic https://secure.tubesandmore.com/ Retro Sound http://www.retrosound.com.au/ Check out this Australian builder http://www.reynolds-valveart.com.au/ I do not have a web page or sell any thing I just create amps that have tone to the bone bro ! Schematics can easily be found on the net a Schematics heaven. I hope this helps Regards Paul __________________ Hipbluesman

March 26th, 2006, 02:44 AM	#9 (permalink)
CancerLeoCam Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Mule Deer-Mt. Lion Safari, CA Posts: 1,692 5 Photos	Don't build... ...a Gomez "G Reverb" clone. I hear they suck. I hear even Goodwill won't accept them. They have it on the list of non-acceptable charitable items -right next to heavily used underwear, lingerie and toothbrushes. __________________ Everyone's your "buddy" or "friend" when they want you or something from you. If you're not willing to work for free why should somebody else?

March 25th, 2006, 03:20 AM	#2 (permalink)
petebradt Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Niner Country Posts: 3,519 12 Photos	Tweed Champ. That's what I'm doing.

March 25th, 2006, 06:11 AM	#4 (permalink)
JohnnyCrash Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Lost Angeles and Orange County Posts: 7,128	The Tweed Champ is always a good "starter amp". Once you get started, you'll be hooked... and happy you're hooked. All of the sudden you can afford your dream amps - some assembly required, of course. Currently, I'm building a few amps from AX84's site, plus a "low watt" Tweed Twin, and a JCM800 50watt. I just recently finished a Fender Reverb Unit clone that was a bit cramped in the chassis, but fun and the best sounding reverb on the planet.

March 25th, 2006, 03:06 PM	#6 (permalink)
David Barnett Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: LIttle Rock, AR Age: 52 Posts: 5,491	Tweed Champ is the logical starting place if you have no previous experience, but stepping up from a Champ to a 5E3 Deluxe isn't that much more of an ordeal. Since you're in Australia, shipping from Malaysia shouldn't be too bad, so look at www.ceriatone.com for some nifty kits. I built one of their Marshall 18-watt clone kits, and it's a blast.

March 25th, 2006, 11:13 PM	#7 (permalink)
ntasca Tele-Meister Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Victoria, Australia Posts: 114	Thanks for the heads up guys, i've done a bit of searching and found some kits by Torres Engineering, and the Ceria Tone one looks interesting too. TIme t sit down and read all the details etc Thanks guys!