beginner amp kit

TeleDood · December 26th, 2009, 06:52 PM

hey guys

i was wondering if anyone could reccomend me an extremely simple guitar amp kit or something.

i know absolutely nothing about this kinda stuff but i would like to start somewhere on something i am interested in.

i just know how to solder and thats about it... just a bag of components and schematics would not do me so i would need something that tells me what to do.

also are there any tips or precautions or anything that you could tell me about?

Groovey Records · December 26th, 2009, 07:00 PM

www.allenamps.com

best quality

step by step instructions

email tech support

Fender Blackface era with some great Mods

Jazzydave · December 26th, 2009, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Groovey Records

www.allenamplification.com

best quality

step by step instructions

email tech support

Fender Blackface era with some great Mods

I've heard some great things about Allen as well. I didn't get to try it exclusively, but a guy I bought a Ceriatone Plexi clone had a Bassman style Allen and the tone was great from what I heard. It definitely made me pay more attention to them when they pop up!

Groovey - sent my guitar yet? I'm still waiting!

backalleyblues · December 26th, 2009, 07:59 PM

Considering your level of confidence, I'd say a Mission kit might be another good option for you-plenty of clear pictures and instructions, and a good quality kit from all the reports I've read here. If you were better at reading schematics, I'd say a Weber (swap in better trannys if you want), but as it says on the website, "these ain't no Lego sets"...

You probably want to try a Champ (5F1) or Princeton (5F2) for your first build-they don't get simpler than that!!!

Franc Robert (who will build a 5E3 someday soon!!!)

JohnnyCrash · December 27th, 2009, 03:36 AM

5F1 tweed Champ kits seem to top the "first kit" lists. 5E3 tweed Deluxes are just about as easy. Tweed Princetons are the same as Champs and have a bit more flexibility. 18 watt Marshalls are slightly more (parts and soldering) than a 5E3 Deluxe, but have a good rockin' tone and tremolo.

Fixed bias amps (none of the amps I've suggested) require you to have the amp on (high voltages and all) so that you can adjust the bias, so safety always seems to be a concern there... when in serious doubt, pedal builds can be safer and easier.

nibbsysdad · December 27th, 2009, 05:31 AM

Hi Teledood
this one seems to be a well regarded UK company which apparently has excellent customer service, I'm in a similar position to yourself and I'm tempted by the se5 kit
ggo luck
http://www.ampmaker.com/index.asp

whodatpat · December 27th, 2009, 09:06 AM

I agree with Crash. Build a pedal or two first. Even one of the Solid State 9volt or 12volt builds would be a simple and cheaper way to get the hang of the soldering and production in general. I just posted a 9 volt amp i made in the Show Us Your Home Brew Amps thread. If you want to make the "Little Gem" 9v 1/2 watt amp, I can send you a PCB for it. The rest of the parts are at Radio Shack!

Like Hartley Peavey I think I am better at building gadgets than at actually playing but they both feed the soul.

Patrick

Cattytown · January 1st, 2010, 05:40 PM

What sort of sound are you after? What styles do you play? That can make quite a difference.

I have just (as in it still stinks of glue!) built a WF55 from ampmaker (UK based) and electronically the biggest issue was that the input jack was a little dirty and didn't short the input to ground, so unplugged it was noisy.

The full build instructions are available before you buy on the web site.

See http://cattytown.blogspot.com/ for my not quite complete build info.

December 26th, 2009, 06:52 PM	#1 (permalink)
TeleDood NEW MEMBER! Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Ratoath, Co. Meath, Ireland Age: 15 Posts: 3	beginner amp kit hey guys i was wondering if anyone could reccomend me an extremely simple guitar amp kit or something. i know absolutely nothing about this kinda stuff but i would like to start somewhere on something i am interested in. i just know how to solder and thats about it... just a bag of components and schematics would not do me so i would need something that tells me what to do. also are there any tips or precautions or anything that you could tell me about? __________________ guitars: gibson sg faded hwy 1 tele (sold) soon going to buy CV 50's tele squier showmaster amps:vox valvetronix 30w

December 26th, 2009, 07:59 PM	#4 (permalink)
backalleyblues Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Tampa Bay, FL, USA Age: 47 Posts: 1,298	Considering your level of confidence, I'd say a Mission kit might be another good option for you-plenty of clear pictures and instructions, and a good quality kit from all the reports I've read here. If you were better at reading schematics, I'd say a Weber (swap in better trannys if you want), but as it says on the website, "these ain't no Lego sets"... You probably want to try a Champ (5F1) or Princeton (5F2) for your first build-they don't get simpler than that!!! Franc Robert (who will build a 5E3 someday soon!!!) __________________ When Will The Blues get YOU?!?!? www.francrobert.com The Delta Aces http://www.myspace.com/francrobert

December 27th, 2009, 03:36 AM	#5 (permalink)
JohnnyCrash Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Fullerton, CA Posts: 9,644	5F1 tweed Champ kits seem to top the "first kit" lists. 5E3 tweed Deluxes are just about as easy. Tweed Princetons are the same as Champs and have a bit more flexibility. 18 watt Marshalls are slightly more (parts and soldering) than a 5E3 Deluxe, but have a good rockin' tone and tremolo. Fixed bias amps (none of the amps I've suggested) require you to have the amp on (high voltages and all) so that you can adjust the bias, so safety always seems to be a concern there... when in serious doubt, pedal builds can be safer and easier. __________________ - 3 Gibsons, 5 Teles, assorted other guitars, about a dozen amps, about two dozen pedals, and a Smith & Wesson SW40VE = too many toys, no money, carpal tunnel, and a serious hearing problem.

December 27th, 2009, 09:06 AM	#7 (permalink)
whodatpat Tele-Meister Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: College Park MD Age: 38 Posts: 298	I agree with Crash. Build a pedal or two first. Even one of the Solid State 9volt or 12volt builds would be a simple and cheaper way to get the hang of the soldering and production in general. I just posted a 9 volt amp i made in the Show Us Your Home Brew Amps thread. If you want to make the "Little Gem" 9v 1/2 watt amp, I can send you a PCB for it. The rest of the parts are at Radio Shack! Like Hartley Peavey I think I am better at building gadgets than at actually playing but they both feed the soul. Patrick __________________ 2VooDooDolls@gmail.com [color="Red"][b]

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December 26th, 2009, 07:00 PM	#2 (permalink)
Groovey Records Friend of Leo's Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Desolation Row Posts: 2,389	www.allenamps.com best quality step by step instructions email tech support Fender Blackface era with some great Mods

December 27th, 2009, 05:31 AM	#6 (permalink)
nibbsysdad TDPRI Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Plymouth, UK Posts: 49	Hi Teledood this one seems to be a well regarded UK company which apparently has excellent customer service, I'm in a similar position to yourself and I'm tempted by the se5 kit ggo luck http://www.ampmaker.com/index.asp

January 1st, 2010, 05:40 PM	#8 (permalink)
Cattytown TDPRI Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Bolton, England Age: 44 Posts: 20	What sort of sound are you after? What styles do you play? That can make quite a difference. I have just (as in it still stinks of glue!) built a WF55 from ampmaker (UK based) and electronically the biggest issue was that the input jack was a little dirty and didn't short the input to ground, so unplugged it was noisy. The full build instructions are available before you buy on the web site. See http://cattytown.blogspot.com/ for my not quite complete build info.

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