Any opinions or suggestions on a 18 watt Marshall clone build?

[DOGMA Dunn]

I have been planning to build a Marshall 18 watt clone with the 1974x circuit for the past 8 months. I have seen the youtube videos and have been browsing the web for as moch info as I can get. I have also played a Ceriatone and unknown 18 watt clone in the past. They seem to be the only EL84 powered amps that have a tweedish old school sound that I like. Both were the versions with the vibrato, not TBM or master gain models.

So, what are your experiences with these kits? What would you recommend for a good kit? Any suggestions on the build and any problems with these amps?

Thanks.

[tjk3052]

Here's a link to a lot of files from the 18Watt forum. I tried joining there recently and the site isn't working (or isn't allowing new registrations).

http://rh-tech.org/public/

I'm planning on building an 18 watt with a plexi preamp sometime soon.

[Travst]

I built an 18-watt for my first amp using Ian's vintage layout from 18watt.com. Mine is a trem version in a 212 configuration. I purchased all the parts from various sources, but buying a good kit might be a better option. I picked up a Mojo chassis with faceplates cheap on Ebay and built the amp around that and an unfinished cab that I bought for $150 from a forum mate. I used Heyboer trannies in the build. Green tolex and gold trim... yum, yum.

I'm still very happy with the amp after two years. Paired with a Weber MiniMass, it's my favorite amp. I can get that "London Blues" era tone very easily.

There are a lot of kits out there. Graydon's (gdsamps.com) is a very accurate reproduction and he has a great reputation. If this is your first amp, focus on having good instructions with the kit. A lot of the kits don't supply detailed instructions with the parts. I recommend doing a LOT of reading at 18watt.com before you build. The guys there are great, and they've discussed every aspect of this amp.

[Wayne Alexander]

I'd suggest buying the kit from Graydon Stuckey http://gdsamps.com/?page_id=6

Graydon hosts the 18watt.com forum, and is one of the primary sources of the revival of this circuit. His kit comes with A+ level transformers (very important), switches, caps, chassis, resistors, and, very importantly, comprhensive step by step build instructions.

[Tele-Monster]

I can't speak for the quality of Ceriatone, but I have heard they are not very good components (from a very reputable, well respected boutique builder). I do know my cousin built a Trinity kit and said the components were top notch and he loves it. Doesn't Weber offer kits as well? They are a nice american company to deal with.

[muchxs]

A GDS kit (Graydon D. Stuckey) is the original and the best. Everyone else jumped on the bandwagon after Graydon and a few others did all the work to make the 18 watt revival happen.

[viivian23]

Originally Posted by DOGMA Dunn

I have been planning to build a Marshall 18 watt clone with the 1974x circuit for the past 8 months. I have seen the youtube videos and have been browsing the web for as moch info as I can get. I have also played a Ceriatone and unknown 18 watt clone in the past. They seem to be the only EL84 powered amps that have a tweedish old school sound that I like. Both were the versions with the vibrato, not TBM or master gain models.

So, what are your experiences with these kits? What would you recommend for a good kit? Any suggestions on the build and any problems with these amps?

Thanks.

Get the Trinity 18 watt: good mix of price quality and tone look up their samples