weber amp kits , questions

cbnutt · September 4th, 2007, 03:57 AM

iam thinking of latter building a amp kit, i think weber had a princeton and a deluxe kit, have a deluxe so mabe thinking on a princeton, when they show a kit on there site such as the deluxe priced at 600.00 is that "everthing" you need for the complete build ?? do the amps turn out to be prety good from there parts usaly ? thanks.......:)

PhatTele · September 4th, 2007, 09:35 AM

You can build a really nice amp using the parts supplied in the Weber kits. Everything should be there. There are always options to substitute your own selection of brands or parts to augment the kit. However, that would just be due to personal preference. Like I said, the parts that are in the kits will give you a nice sounding, gig worthy amp.

Wayne Alexander · September 4th, 2007, 09:57 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.

TelZilla · September 4th, 2007, 11:14 AM

Search. There are several threads about this topic. And tons of varying opinions about the question.

RomanS · September 4th, 2007, 11:53 AM

As the others have said - yes, everything is included, but upgrading pots, switches and jacks would be a good idea. And while indeed there is no documentation included with the kit, the GREAT kitbuilding forum on the Weber site has lots of patient and knowledgeable people that will help you along until you have your amp up and running!

DavidP · September 4th, 2007, 12:01 PM

I'd upgrade the switches and input jacks for sure. Ted has Carling switches listed in his parts page and you can delete the stock ones from the kit, but you'll have to look elsewhere for the switching jacks. I've been happy with his pots.

graphs · September 4th, 2007, 12:06 PM

what sort of prerequisite knowledge would one require prior to tackling an amp build?

September 4th, 2007, 03:57 AM	#1 (permalink)
cbnutt Tele-Meister Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: lebanon missouri Posts: 445	weber amp kits , questions iam thinking of latter building a amp kit, i think weber had a princeton and a deluxe kit, have a deluxe so mabe thinking on a princeton, when they show a kit on there site such as the deluxe priced at 600.00 is that "everthing" you need for the complete build ?? do the amps turn out to be prety good from there parts usaly ? thanks.......:) __________________ shoot low sheriff, hes ridin a shetland..........

September 4th, 2007, 11:14 AM	#4 (permalink)
TelZilla Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Cleveburg, USA Age: 38 Posts: 1,836 6 Photos	Search. There are several threads about this topic. And tons of varying opinions about the question. __________________ Thanks,Nick Nec Aspera Terrent

September 4th, 2007, 11:53 AM	#5 (permalink)
RomanS Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Vienna, Austria Age: 36 Posts: 2,710 14 Photos	As the others have said - yes, everything is included, but upgrading pots, switches and jacks would be a good idea. And while indeed there is no documentation included with the kit, the GREAT kitbuilding forum on the Weber site has lots of patient and knowledgeable people that will help you along until you have your amp up and running! __________________ http://www.pbase.com/romans http://www.myspace.com/romans212

September 4th, 2007, 12:01 PM	#6 (permalink)
DavidP Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 521	What Roman S said... I'd upgrade the switches and input jacks for sure. Ted has Carling switches listed in his parts page and you can delete the stock ones from the kit, but you'll have to look elsewhere for the switching jacks. I've been happy with his pots. __________________ barely in tune and teetering on the brink of oblivion...

September 4th, 2007, 09:35 AM	#2 (permalink)
PhatTele Tele-Holic Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 707	You can build a really nice amp using the parts supplied in the Weber kits. Everything should be there. There are always options to substitute your own selection of brands or parts to augment the kit. However, that would just be due to personal preference. Like I said, the parts that are in the kits will give you a nice sounding, gig worthy amp.

September 4th, 2007, 09:57 AM	#3 (permalink)
Wayne Alexander Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Los Angeles, CA, USA Posts: 1,017	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, 12:06 PM	#7 (permalink)
graphs Tele-Holic Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toronto Posts: 667	what sort of prerequisite knowledge would one require prior to tackling an amp build?