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Merge Diamond Member
Joined: 02 Jan 2007 Posts: 1023 Location: Frostburg, Md.
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Posted: Monday Mar 11, 2013 |
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Have any of you fine folks out there tried building an amp, either from a kit or from scratch?? I'd like to build one, I've been considering it for quite some time.. If anyone out there has attempted it, where did you start and how did it turn out?? _________________ Pour me another one, cause I'll never find the silver lining in this cloud. |
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StumbleFingers Gold Member
Joined: 26 Apr 2012 Posts: 311 Location: Altoona
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Posted: Tuesday Mar 12, 2013 |
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I've built a few little solid state practice amps and a tube amp. If you have some basic soldering skills, building a tube amp is pretty easy. Most of my soldering experience is wiring guitars and building/modding stompboxes. A tube amp gives you more room to work with and the components are bigger.
Mine was built from a kit, which was a blessing and a curse. The instructions were quite good, except that there were a few errors in the schematic. I couldn't figure out the problem on my own and had to have an experienced amp tech look at it. He spotted the ****ed up bits pretty quickly!
The end result is a pretty sweet little amp. It's a super simple Vox-y thing and it sounds like a boutique amp. Rich three-dimensional chime. _________________ Back in black, I need a snack... |
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Merge Diamond Member
Joined: 02 Jan 2007 Posts: 1023 Location: Frostburg, Md.
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Posted: Tuesday Mar 12, 2013 |
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Cool, glad to hear that it's not like brain surgery, lol. I'm thinking of going with a kit, I couldn't do it from scratch. If I can do a few kits, then maybe I could try one from scratch. Where did you order your kit from?? _________________ Pour me another one, cause I'll never find the silver lining in this cloud. |
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StumbleFingers Gold Member
Joined: 26 Apr 2012 Posts: 311 Location: Altoona
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Posted: Saturday Mar 16, 2013 |
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It was a Guytronix kit. Not a bad little amp in the end, but as mentioned it had some design flaws. What kind of an amp are you thinking of building? Mojo has a kit for everything, but they're kind of aimed at experienced builders and don't have detailed instructions. There are some really good options for Tweed Deluxe/5e3 kits. Mission Amps has a good reputation. BYOC has a cool Champ/Deluxe hybrid kit, and their instructions and forum are top notch. _________________ Back in black, I need a snack... |
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Merge Diamond Member
Joined: 02 Jan 2007 Posts: 1023 Location: Frostburg, Md.
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Posted: Sunday Mar 17, 2013 |
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I was planning on building something with some gain in it, but I've read that building a high gain amp isn't something a beginner should take on. I've decided I should start with something basic. I'll look into the ones that you've mentioned. _________________ Pour me another one, cause I'll never find the silver lining in this cloud. |
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Merge Diamond Member
Joined: 02 Jan 2007 Posts: 1023 Location: Frostburg, Md.
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Posted: Tuesday Mar 19, 2013 |
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Anyone else feel like chiming in?? Any information or advice would be appreciated. _________________ Pour me another one, cause I'll never find the silver lining in this cloud. |
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HurricaneBob AA Member
Joined: 09 Dec 2002 Posts: 2790 Location: /root/2/pub
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Posted: Tuesday Mar 19, 2013 |
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Look up Roy Corle in Bedford PA, he's been building his own for years.
Barker amps. Best ive seen and heard in our area. |
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Merge Diamond Member
Joined: 02 Jan 2007 Posts: 1023 Location: Frostburg, Md.
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Posted: Wednesday Mar 20, 2013 |
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Thanks, Hurricane. _________________ Pour me another one, cause I'll never find the silver lining in this cloud. |
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hicksjd9 Platinum Member
Joined: 26 Jun 2005 Posts: 740
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Posted: Saturday Mar 23, 2013 |
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I've build a few tube amps and repaired a few. You can save a bunch of dough by sourcing your own parts. Amplified parts and watts tube audio are both great sites. It's a great hobby. In amp building, ground loops are your worst nightmare, but once you get past them, it's smooth sailing. _________________ Computer problems? Need a silent recording PC? Call 814.506.2891, PM, or visit me at www.pceasy4me.com or on Facebook at www.tinyurl.com/pceasy |
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Merge Diamond Member
Joined: 02 Jan 2007 Posts: 1023 Location: Frostburg, Md.
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Posted: Sunday Mar 24, 2013 |
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Thanks for the advice, hicksjd9. I'm going to get a few books, and do some reading before I attempt one. I've seen a few online that look good, but if anyone has any recommendations, I'm all ears. If not, I appreciate all the input that everyone has provided. _________________ Pour me another one, cause I'll never find the silver lining in this cloud. |
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