Weber kits

[morroben]

I know that many of the folks on this forum build their own amps, some from kits and some from scratch. I was wondering.. does anyone have experience with the Weber Natalie or 6A14HP kits? I'd like to build a kit but it's hard to decide which one since I can't go to the local shop and try them out.

[JohnnyCrash]

Originally Posted by morroben

I know that many of the folks on this forum build their own amps, some from kits and some from scratch. I was wondering.. does anyone have experience with the Weber Natalie or 6A14HP kits? I'd like to build a kit but it's hard to decide which one since I can't go to the local shop and try them out.

getbent recently finished a Weber kit build.

Maybe you could PM him to get his thoughts on it.

I personally had trouble with parts from Weber and his customer service was ridiculous... so my experience may be different than others here (everybody else here loves his products).

[Johnny Caster]

I absolutely agree with Johnny Crash. I ordered a kit September 24th and I still have yet to recieve all the parts. They kept screwing up the order, sending wrong parts, not remember what they're supposed to send, etc. I have to say that the cabinet, speaker & chassis is look very good, though.

[Larry F]

After reading in this forum users' experiences with kits, I decided to go with Marsh, rather than Weber, for my first project, a 5f1. I ordered it 3 weeks ago and have been notified that it will arrive Nov. 28.

[DrewB]

Originally Posted by Larry F

After reading in this forum users' experiences with kits, I decided to go with Marsh, rather than Weber, for my first project, a 5f1. I ordered it 3 weeks ago and have been notified that it will arrive Nov. 28.

Three weeks?! Good grief!

Beware the instructions in the kit; he tells you he made an error but doesn't tell you what it is. You have to compare the Fender layout to his pictures to find it. I photocopied the layout and used a highlighter to find it. My suggestion: follow the Fender layout.

He suggests a couple of mods for reducing noise. You'll want to do the virtual center tap of the filament windings from the PT, trust me! Having built his 5F1 kit and not being impressed with the instructions too much (or his "support"), if you don't know what you're doing (I kinda did), you'll need help. I'm an e-mail away if you run into trouble.

[Larry F]

Thanks a million, Drew. I'll keep you posted.

[getbent]

I hesitated after Johnny C's experience... but, I did quite a bit of research and there are a bunch of really great companies doing kits... I ended up choosing a weber largely because A) I was not in a hurry B) It was inexpensive comparatively C) In reading Ted's board there are a bunch of people who could help if I mucked it up...

Things that scared me: 1) No directions other than layout and schematic (and I read schematics about as well as I read music) thank god the layout is the rough equivalent of tablature!

I had a couple of issues and Johnny Crash helped me in each instance and the kit has worked great. I love the amp and it is beautiful sounding and looking. I know that many people question the quality of the parts in the kit.... 2 things: 1) I believe them, but I also saw how many people are happy with their kits that for a living room amp (I have a fancy amp for playing out) it doesn't have to be overengineered. I can always replace the parts over time... when I want to tweak (and I'm already starting to think about building another amp! it is really scary and really fun!)

Johnny always says he is retarded and can do it... trust me, I'm his really really challenged mutant brother and I pulled it off.... take the risk it is worth it....

All of the kits are worth it and like amps, money matters... the mojotone kits are cool, as are allen and mission and etc etc etc you just have to check the budget (oh yeah the ceriatones are amazing too) and see what you can afford. for your first build set your ambitions appropriately...

Also, Fiddlin Jim made his amp and it is *****en! as is Big Dog Kev... both were major inspirations to me with Johnny being the biggest encourager... I have major thanks to him for his help... Also, if you aren't sure you can do it... I did a BYOC pedal to test skilss and bought Terry Downs soldering dvd and it was hugely helpful (even if it was just for the tips of what to buy!)

Anyway, sorry for the long post.... but don't sit on the fence too long... just get after it!

[JohnnyCrash]

Originally Posted by getbent

Anyway, sorry for the long post.... but don't sit on the fence too long... just get after it!

+1

Just do it.

I am the worst guy to be building - and I made it through. You can easily do it.

There are so many guys here that are more than willing to help you... don't listen to getbent, he's a hella lot smarter than he let's on - he didn't need any of my "help" - I probably need his help!

Go for it, it's fun and is the best thing a guitar player can do for himself.

[morroben]

Thanks for the encouragement guys. I'm not really that concerned about being able to do it. I'm pretty handy, can read a schematic and a multimeter. Plus I have a friend who's an amp guru that can help me out if I get stuck on something. My bigger concern is knowing what I'm going to end up with when I'm done. Basically what I want is this... single channel, 6V6, reverb, trem, 2X10s (one alnico, one ceramic). I don't want it to break up too early, I want a little clean headroom.
It's frustrating because I can't plug into a few finished kits to see what they sound like.

[getbent]

Yep. I hear what you are saying. I built the 5F2A so they are different animals... you might try on Ted's board for some sound clips.

[morroben]

Yeah, I've been to the Weber board. Not much success finding clips of these partilar kits. I guess I'm afraid to spend $600 on an amp I've never heard. I don't want to spend the money just for the experience of building an amp, I want a nice sounding amp when I'm done. It probably wouldn't be too easy to sell the thing if I don't like it.

[petebradt]

Originally Posted by DrewB

Three weeks?! Good grief!

Beware the instructions in the kit; he tells you he made an error but doesn't tell you what it is. You have to compare the Fender layout to his pictures to find it. I photocopied the layout and used a highlighter to find it. My suggestion: follow the Fender layout.

He suggests a couple of mods for reducing noise. You'll want to do the virtual center tap of the filament windings from the PT, trust me! Having built his 5F1 kit and not being impressed with the instructions too much (or his "support"), if you don't know what you're doing (I kinda did), you'll need help. I'm an e-mail away if you run into trouble.

One mistake FENDER made in the 5F1 wiring diagram is omitting the electrolytic cap on the cathode bypass circuit (goes in the same holes as the far right resistor). The 5E1 circuit calls for 22 0r 25uf (I forget which) but that didn't brighten it up near enough for me. Without the cap in that spot, the damn thing was extremely dark, like the speaker cone was stuffed with cotton balls.

I have a 2uf cap in mine and I'd like to find a .05 and a .01 electrolytic to rty there, just to brighten it up some more. I can always use the tone knob on the guitar to make it darker but bright has to be there in an amp that doesn't have a tone controil.

[petebradt]

Originally Posted by morroben

Yeah, I've been to the Weber board. Not much success finding clips of these partilar kits. I guess I'm afraid to spend $600 on an amp I've never heard. I don't want to spend the money just for the experience of building an amp, I want a nice sounding amp when I'm done. It probably wouldn't be too easy to sell the thing if I don't like it.

Marsh Tweed Champ sound clip - Solos are the Champ. All Rhythm is my Clay Hullett Deluxe.

Heartbreak
Walk Stumble Crawl
Rock Until They Roll me Away

[Telenator]

I built an Allen Accomplice kit which is essentially a Deluxe Reverb type amp with a master volume and a tweed circuit built right in. It is among the most difficult kits too build in complexity but the instructions provided were excellent and the phone support was great too. David Allen is a stand up guy who sells very thorough, well thought out kits that most people can build without too much difficulty.

[tazzboy]

Here is another good web site that has loaded of tech on it:
http://www.firebottle.com/ampage/

[DrewB]

Originally Posted by JohnnyCrash

Go for it, it's fun and is the best thing a guitar player can do for himself.

WORD!

[DrewB]

Originally Posted by petebradt

One mistake FENDER made in the 5F1 wiring diagram is omitting the electrolytic cap on the cathode bypass circuit (goes in the same holes as the far right resistor). The 5E1 circuit calls for 22 0r 25uf (I forget which) but that didn't brighten it up near enough for me. Without the cap in that spot, the damn thing was extremely dark, like the speaker cone was stuffed with cotton balls.

I have a 2uf cap in mine and I'd like to find a .05 and a .01 electrolytic to rty there, just to brighten it up some more. I can always use the tone knob on the guitar to make it darker but bright has to be there in an amp that doesn't have a tone controil.

Apparently they did that to cut the gain back a bit and save a component. The 5E1 used a choke and less filtering to the 5Y3, but had the 25uf bypass cap on the 12AX7 cathode resistor, so they had two less components in the amp with the 5F1 circuit. I agree that the amp needs more going on in the top end. Until you turn the volume to 3 o'clock, the highs are lacking and the amp feels sluggish. I just turn it all the way up and goose it with a Blues Driver that adds a tiny bit of grit and narrows the frequency response a little. That solves the problem with my Les Paul.

[getbent]

Morroben, I hear ya about spending 6 bills... otoh, if, after you build it you don't like certain aspects, you can adjust them yourself, much like what Pete is referencing.... if you start with a kit that is very much a deluxe style amp, you'll be able to do basic tweaks that will get you where you want to go... I agree that resale is a problem with kit amps... in my case I built it to play and play with, I am not counting on this amp to be my gigging amp but I did sell my champ(s) once I got it working and I love the sound... after all it is just a princeton (did I actually write 'just')

If you check out the fender schematic and the kit schematic... I think you'll find that your risk is minimal if you like the original.

[angerboy]

Originally Posted by DrewB

Three weeks?! Good grief!

Beware the instructions in the kit; he tells you he made an error but doesn't tell you what it is. You have to compare the Fender layout to his pictures to find it. I photocopied the layout and used a highlighter to find it. My suggestion: follow the Fender layout.

He suggests a couple of mods for reducing noise. You'll want to do the virtual center tap of the filament windings from the PT, trust me! Having built his 5F1 kit and not being impressed with the instructions too much (or his "support"), if you don't know what you're doing (I kinda did), you'll need help. I'm an e-mail away if you run into trouble.

I bought a 5F1 kit from Mike Marsh. He was very easy to deal with. It was my first kit kit. He answered a multitude of questions. He helped me solve a couple of problems via e-mail. He shipped the kit a week after I ordered it. UPS ground from his place to mine was five days.

The instructions weren't great, but I found them helpful. After I figured out what the error was in the layout, I e-mailed him to verify that I was correct.

I am really happy with my purchase. I'd buy from him again.

[petebradt]

Originally Posted by angerboy

I bought a 5F1 kit from Mike Marsh. He was very easy to deal with. It was my first kit kit. He answered a multitude of questions. He helped me solve a couple of problems via e-mail. He shipped the kit a week after I ordered it. UPS ground from his place to mine was five days.

The instructions weren't great, but I found them helpful. After I figured out what the error was in the layout, I e-mailed him to verify that I was correct.

I am really happy with my purchase. I'd buy from him again.

If i do another amp (A 5F4 Super may be in the offing) I'll source the parts, mostly from Hoffman and other suppliers as necessary. Need a place to get a chassis, as Weber isn't an option for me. I already have the speakers.

Maybe from Clay, yeah, that's the ticket!

[David Barnett]

Originally Posted by petebradt

If i do another amp (A 5F4 Super may be in the offing) I'll source the parts, mostly from Hoffman and other suppliers as necessary. Need a place to get a chassis, as Weber isn't an option for me. I already have the speakers.

Maybe from Clay, yeah, that's the ticket!

Mojo has chassis too.