First time builder

I've decided I'd like to have a go at building an amp myself. I have very little experience in this area, specifically in electronics/wiring (swapping out pickups is as far as my soldering experience goes) so am looking for an easy start.

How do you rate the stuff from ampmaker.com in terms of simplicity? I'm thinking of a SE-5a build. My woodworking skills are OK so building the cabinet will be no problem. All those other bits though.....

I'd appreciate any info,tips, pointers for a first-time builder.

Nice looking website, and from the gallery it would appear that there are people who have successfully built from their products. It would also appear that at least some of them are also highly skilled craftsmen.

As a first time builder, with minimal experience -if your goal is a functional amp, not an educational journey - then what you want is a proven, well known circuit (basically a clone, or near clone of a production amp, this will help others assist you in troubleshooting) and good quality instructions.

If the instructions are accurate, intelligible, and complete, assembling an amp kit is solder by numbers for anyone but the most mechanically inept.

Ideally those instructions should include a well drawn out schematic and chassis layout.

Stuff like this

http://www.ampmaker.com/wf-55-construction-manual-842-0.html

is about as good as it gets.

SE-5a was my first build, and a tough amp to beat for tone...it's killer. Barry is very helpful, so just take your time, do your research and try and understand what bit does what. You'll get there.

Infinite. Did you decide on the se5? That has great features for such a small amp. I think I can use my spare Akai M8 transformers for that. Just seeing if you've dived into it or not, as I may take the plunge with you (though, i'll need to source the parts). That looks like a fantastic first build, and I like Telenut's recommendation.

Thanks folks. I'm going to go for a SE-5a build and pop it in a nice natural finish wooden combo. Not sure which speaker yet though.