Amp kit opinions

[Ash Telecaster]

I really just started playing around with putting together some home made pedals and am getting myself psyched up to do an amp. I'm still very novice but I have a few bucks on the paypal account and thought I'd blow it on a reasonably priced, $200-$300, amp kit while I've got the resources.

A couple options I found are MOD amp like this one...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/120834287132...84.m1423.l2649

or this 5E3 kit seems like a pretty good deal...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/130688857994...84.m1423.l2649


Seems like the 5e3 kit is the more logical way to go, more bang for the buck and a more practicle and usable amp, but I am trying to avoid unexpected gotchas.

Thanks! Thanks! Thanks!

[caferacer]

the MOD kit includes the transformer (expensive part!)
where as the boothill kit DOES NOT include the transformers, so you will be looking at buying them separately for a good bit of $$$$

[Ash Telecaster]

I just noticed that Cafe, so the next move is to figure out how much those will cost.

From you post it sounds like that may push the project cost out of range.

[Keyser Soze]

Cabinet, Speaker, Tubes and Transformers are NOT included.

You can live without a cabinet and/or speaker (especially if you already have one.). But you will not have a functioning amp without transformers and tubes (which also happen to be the most expensive components of an amp.)

So be sure to factor those into your budget.

A good option for transformers are the ClassicTone series from Magnetic Components.

http://www.classictone.net/Fender-St...ml#anchor_1752

About $68.00 plus shipping.

[hackworth1]

That ebay 5E3 kit is one of mine. I am offering that kit for $175 plus shipping to TDPRI members. You can pay phone orders by credit card or I will send you a paypal invoice.

Even considering the separate purchase of xformers, my kit is less expensive than anything else out there. It is also a good quality kit. I offer personal phone and email support.

If it is your first amp build, I recommend the 5F1 Champ kit.

There are fewer parts, fewer connections and fewer things to go wrong. They are easier to troubleshoot.

If, after phone and email support, you cannot get your amp kit working, you can send it back to me and I will rebuild it or fix it for a reasonable fee. (Happened just once so far).

Xformers add a lot of weight to the kit. Everybody around here knows what they cost. I can't get any better price than you can because I am not a major buyer. Ergo, if I have xformers shipped to me. I pay for shipping. Then I ship them again to you. Where's the mark up? The shipping ate it. Then, what if you have transformer issues?

Any case, a transformer set with shipping runs about $90 or just under. There are several suppliers that are good. www.TriodeElectronics.com has Classic Tone. There's Weber. They carry Heyboer, Weber Brand, and MM. There's Antique Electronics Supply. There's Mojotone. There's Tube Depot. All good outfits.

From these vendors, it is easy to identify the transformers required for the 5E3. They are called Tweed Deluxe or Deluxe and/or 5E3. The bolt holes (mounting centers) of the power transformer are typically identified as 2 1/4" x 2 13/16" Be careful that you check these dimensions as some PT's are different. Though, most PT's are the size indicated here.

It is worth mentioning that you can build 80 percent of your 5E3 amp kit without having the transformers present.

This helps with budgeting concerns. Get your kit. Start building it.

Order your Classictone or Antique Electronic Supply transformers a week or so later.

IME, these two companies have great products AND very fast shipping with no delays.

[Ash Telecaster]

Thanks Hack,

I appreciate the response and the discount!!!

I understand the 5F1 concept, and won't argue the logic, but thought I would be more interested in owning and using the 5E3 and am even interested in the Prodeluxe upgrade. Luckily I do have friends I can lean on for support although I am kind of stubborn and will try to handle it all myself.

Just can't wait to burn the garage down!

I do appreciate the email or phone support too.

I can stretch to $300 so I will be ok with the amp and transformers and will get the tubes later.

I have started on a cab and was planning on loading it with a Celestion Greenback unless you would recommend something different.

I have the $ on my Paypal account and would like to buy it today. I'll call and place an order.

Thanks

James

[t-luxe]

For the best bang for the buck, I'd recommend Triode's Classic Tone transformers. They have some great kits and other parts as well.
http://store.triodestore.com/classictone.html

[Ash Telecaster]

Thanks T-luxe!

[Ash Telecaster]

I thought I should post regarding my experience so far with Dave from Boot Hill amps.

First, with a name like Boot Hill amps, like the barbeque sauce commercial, I would have expected them to be in Texas. But I won't hold that against them!

Dave helped helped me out on his day off, the presence of kids making it, um....a little more challenging for him. But he answered my questions, took my order, and put my questions regarding the right OT and PT into an email so I would be certain to get the right parts. I've already recieved a shipping notification.

So far I can say his service has been above and beyond.

Thanks Dave!

[Keyser Soze]

Originally Posted by hackworth1

...
Xformers add a lot of weight to the kit. Everybody around here knows what they cost. I can't get any better price than you can because I am not a major buyer. Ergo, if I have xformers shipped to me. I pay for shipping. Then I ship them again to you. Where's the mark up? The shipping ate it. Then, what if you have transformer issues?

Any case, a transformer set with shipping runs about $90 or just under. There are several suppliers that are good. www.TriodeElectronics.com has Classic Tone. There's Weber. They carry Heyboer, Weber Brand, and MM. There's Antique Electronics Supply. There's Mojotone. There's Tube Depot. All good outfits.

From these vendors, it is easy to identify the transformers required for the 5E3. They are called Tweed Deluxe or Deluxe and/or 5E3. The bolt holes (mounting centers) of the power transformer are typically identified as 2 1/4" x 2 13/16" Be careful that you check these dimensions as some PT's are different. Though, most PT's are the size indicated here.

It is worth mentioning that you can build 80 percent of your 5E3 amp kit without having the transformers present.

This helps with budgeting concerns. Get your kit. Start building it.

Order your Classictone or Antique Electronic Supply transformers a week or so later.

IME, these two companies have great products AND very fast shipping with no delays.

That sounds like a very honest and straightforward explanation that makes good sense. Even if you did get a volume break on iron it would have to be significant to make up for the double shipping expense.

IMO you might want to add something like that as a statement in your ebay listings. Maybe as a FAQ, and include a list of suggested tranformers/sellers in the kit.

[spangler41]

Originally Posted by Ash Telecaster

I really just started playing around with putting together some home made pedals and am getting myself psyched up to do an amp. I'm still very novice but I have a few bucks on the paypal account and thought I'd blow it on a reasonably priced, $200-$300, amp kit while I've got the resources.

A couple options I found are MOD amp like this one...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/120834287132...84.m1423.l2649

or this 5E3 kit seems like a pretty good deal...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/130688857994...84.m1423.l2649


Seems like the 5e3 kit is the more logical way to go, more bang for the buck and a more practicle and usable amp, but I am trying to avoid unexpected gotchas.

Thanks! Thanks! Thanks!

I bought one of these kits and then spent another $100+ to get the transformers. I already had tubes on hand. I didn't like the tube sockets, so ordered them as well.

Here's a suggestion if you are gigging: Look at the Weber kits, specifically the 5E3X2. It is a 5E3 but has another pair of 6V6s for 30-40W, depending on what rectifier used. I built one and upgraded the power supply capacitors per the Gerald Weber suggestion. I'm gigging with this amp and it is loud, clean and warm. I use a Boss GT10 in front of it for reverb, delay, other effects, compression and volume pedal. I use a pair of Jensen neo 12" 4-ohm speakers in series. Here's a link:
https://taweber.powweb.com/store/kits_50a.htm#5E3X2

[Ash Telecaster]

Thanks Spangler,

I really appreciate the input. At this point I have already bought the kit and am just waiting for the transformers to arrive.

I don't expect this to be my last project, only my first.

I do not plan on gigging with this amp. I am going to put it in a nice wood box for show off value. I'll drag the oem amps to gigs and let them take the wear and tear.

I intend on adding a tube reverb as well at some point....and a spectrum analyzer....and waving flags with fireworks....and, and , and...

Ok seriously, I bought a Celestion Greenback for the speaker. It may be herresy to put a British speaker with a classic American amp but I love the way that speaker sounds in my Vox ac15c1 so I thought I would go with it.

I am using the "Proluxe" design, so it will be a more powerful amp. I like having enough clean headroom.

[hackworth1]

Proluxe has lots of power. It is cheaper to operate (and build) than a four-power-tube 5E3. Fewer tubes.

No doubt though, the four-6v6 5e3 is a very fine amplifier, indeed.

The Greenback is a great choice for the Proluxe.

That amp is going to kick arse.

[spangler41]

Originally Posted by Ash Telecaster

Thanks Spangler,

I really appreciate the input. At this point I have already bought the kit and am just waiting for the transformers to arrive.

I don't expect this to be my last project, only my first.

I do not plan on gigging with this amp. I am going to put it in a nice wood box for show off value. I'll drag the oem amps to gigs and let them take the wear and tear.

I intend on adding a tube reverb as well at some point....and a spectrum analyzer....and waving flags with fireworks....and, and , and...

Ok seriously, I bought a Celestion Greenback for the speaker. It may be herresy to put a British speaker with a classic American amp but I love the way that speaker sounds in my Vox ac15c1 so I thought I would go with it.

I am using the "Proluxe" design, so it will be a more powerful amp. I like having enough clean headroom.

Proluxe looks like an excellent choice! I hope to hear how it works for you because I may want to build one. It will be interesting to learn how it compares to the 5E3X2 since the latter has cathode bias. Mine has so much gain that, in order to tame it a little and improve the clean headroom, I was advised to use a 5751 in V1 instead of a 12AX7..that was a great suggestion. If/when I build one, I will request a 5E3X2 cab sans speakers as I really like the Jensen Neo 12s. In the bias circuit, I like to add a second 220K and 50K pot so each power tube can be biased independently. I did this in my 5F6A and 6A40 kits, using the 6A40 bias schematic but with the additional resistor and pot.

[Ash Telecaster]

-Hi Dave, can't wait to start on it. Just made some room on my work bench and bought a new iron.

------
Hi Spangler,

I'll post a clip when it's done.

[spangler41]

Originally Posted by Ash Telecaster

-Hi Dave, can't wait to start on it. Just made some room on my work bench and bought a new iron.

------
Hi Spangler,

I'll post a clip when it's done.

Well, I'm interested in how the project is coming along.

[Ash Telecaster]

Hi Spangler, I just started it last night and it is going well. Sorry for the bad cell phone image. I brought it in to work today to show some friends who are into the same kind of thing and just took the pic.

It went much smoother and quicker than I anticipated considering it's my first. The kit only included the layout from the Weber site which is pretty good actually. There were some bad capacitors in the kit which I replaced but most the components were okay. I also added a couple posts to the turret board to get a little nicer outcome.

Thats as far as I got so far. I won't have time to work on it again till next Wed or Thurs. At this point I am anticipating it will take more time and effort to build the head and speaker cab than the amp.

[adkima00]

Which caps were bad and how did you test them?

Sent from my iPhone using TDPRI

[Ash Telecaster]

Hi Adkima,

They were the 0.1uf.

First I tested them on my own multimeter. One was barely in spec, one was way off spec and the third was dead. Then I had a friend of mine test them, he is an electrical Engineer for NASA and has some pretty high end test gear. He validated my findings.

While it was a little inconvenient I don't really consider it a big deal. Luckily my friend had some on hand which I will replace. I replaced all four just to be safe.

I'm really glad I took the time to test all the parts before mounting them.

The kit is a pretty good price.

[hackworth1]

Shocking.

They were Mallory, right? I got them from here:
www.tubesandmore.com