StewMac Amp kits

[mefgames]

Did not know this until now.
Just got an email this AM. StewMac is selling Amp kits with fully detailed instructions. PR, DR, and Tweed. You can download the instructions to check it out.

(link removed)

 

[D_W_PGH]

Saw that this morning, too. The problem with the kits is that they're unbranded and in the case of the tweed at least (didn't check the princeton), cost more than some of the boutique makers' finished amps. I don't trust SM at this point to put all top quality components in the kit without checking each, either.

I'm a new buyer's club member (stew max?) and starting to resent the way they market things, claiming an introductory sale on something by making the "regular price" sky high. Sort of like shopping for a housewares item that's double the market price at kohls so that you can use a 30% coupon on it.

edit : Just checked the actual price of a new princeton from fender - it's lower than S-M's supposed regular price.

The parts do generally look like brand name parts, but information is lacking "jensen speaker" (which one?), "top quality tubes" (meaning what, who makes the tubes?).

Tweed kit is $240 more than tube depots, why?

 

[D_W_PGH]

duplicate post

 

[Mister_Hand]

Interesting! If I ever decide to build a Princeton clone, this will be on the short list.

 

[Urshurak776]

There have been a couple posts about these kits. Seems to be some issues with the instructions (in the Tweed Deluxe 5E3 and 5F1 kits.) In one case I think they have neutral and hot backwards and the grounding scheme, )though not technically incorrect, has more chance of noise. Green ground cable is too short (should be the longest cable so it disconnects LAST, etc. YMMV.

See this posting: http://www.tdpri.com/threads/stewmac-5f1-and-5e3-kits.860328/

 

[archetype]

Prior threads, for your entertainment.

http://www.tdpri.com/threads/stewmac-selling-amp-kits-now.860275/

http://www.tdpri.com/threads/stewmac-5f1-and-5e3-kits.860328/

These seem to be Mojotone kits with newly written instructions by Stew Mac. Accumulated from the threads about the 5F1 and 5E3 kits, it appears the Stew Mac instructions have some problems with wiring, component layout, power cable hot/neutral phasing incorrect, and transformer grounding.

None of these would be show-stoppers if you wire and build correctly, and take advantage of the special TDPRI build-hand-holding service available in the Glowing Bottle Tube Amp Forum, here. There are many build threads, there, and many successful amps.

 

[mefgames]

I was just kind of surprised they would actually let you download the parts list and instructions without having to buy the kit. Mojo tone only shows a layout and schematic, no instructions.

 

[clydethecat]

I was just kind of surprised they would actually let you download the parts list and instructions without having to buy the kit. Mojo tone only shows a layout and schematic, no instructions.

That's all you get with Mojo's kit too...

 

[mefgames]

That's all you get with Mojo's kit too...

StewMac provides step by step instructions. I never got that with my 5f6a kit from Mojo when I built mine a couple years back.. Do they provide those now ?

 

[clydethecat]

StewMac provides step by step instructions. I never got that with my 5f6a kit from Mojo when I built mine a couple years back.. Do they provide those now ?

No, I was saying that a diagram and a schematic is all you get with a Mojo kit.

 

[Tonetele]

I have just that amp albeit not hand wired.
No label but we all know that cheats can buy decals on Fleabay and other places. Price seems too high IMHO.
Got an email on my phone just this morning of that very item.
BTW I love my real Fender PRRI.

 

[lammie200]

Stewmac stuff is usually pretty good. Problem is that it is also usually overpriced.