How to Build a Tube Amp

[Mutthead]

I'm toying with the idea of building my own tube amp. Aside from doing some minor pedal mods, I haven't done much electronic work. Any tips, advice, etc.?

[r9player]

Well there are some great kits out there, so that is where I'd start.
I did an STF kit and it had great directions as well as explanations of the workings of the amp.

[bob-i]

Also check out ax84.com . read the theory of operations document on the P1 project and talk to the guys on the board.

[TheAmpNerd]

I'm toying with the idea of building my own tube amp. Aside from doing some minor pedal mods, I haven't done much electronic work. Any tips, advice, etc.?

Start here you can't go wrong.

http://www.guytronix.com/

Then go for the more complicated stuff
and play your first amp while you do the next project.

[BBQLS1]

18 watt is back up and has a family of other sites to go with it.

Start small (5E3 champ, Lite IIb, P1, P1 extreme) and don't zap yourself.

[hasserl]

Also check out ax84.com . read the theory of operations document on the P1 project and talk to the guys on the board.

I think this is the best advice, AX84.com is a great site where you can get a lot of help, and the P1 amps sound great. The theory of operations document is a great read, do one of these and you will learn more than any other kit.

[Mutthead]

Thanks a lot guys. Looks like I have a lot of reading to do :c)

[Jason Carter]

Mutthead,

I was in your shoes this past December. I would start with the following info to bring you up to speed on what is going on inside of a tube amplifier circuit:

http://www.zianet.com/nmamars/downloads/neets.htm

If you want more info on Tube Amplification try one of the following books:

http://www.aikenamps.com/Bibliography.html

Here are some good sites for tube amp building

http://www.brownnote.net/forum/
http://ampgarage.com/forum/

And a master reference page for suppliers and places to check out

http://www.diyguitaramp.com/parts.html

I just completed my first build!

http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q59/resophonic72/100_0733.jpg

Hope this info helps.

[TheAmpNerd]

Mutthead,

I was in your shoes this past December.

I just completed my first build!

http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q59/resophonic72/100_0733.jpg

Hope this info helps.

Jason, this is really great for a first time build.

Man oh man, and you knew nothing about
electronics going in 'cept a couple of pedal mods?

Took you about a day perhaps two to knock it out?

Dude you've got one nice career in front of ya!

[Richard Guy]

Jason,

I like your external bias test points :AOK

[Jason Carter]

Guys,

Let me clarify something. The amplifier I built was designed by our very own Normster and Brownnote. It was a limited run kit based on a D*umble ODS offered by Brownnote Amplifiers. The Brownnote Gang and Normster made a dream of mine to build a tube amp a reality. I can not recommend a product by Brownnote enough. With my current knowledge, I could have never Designed/Prototyped/Developed an amplifier of this quality. I would highly recommend seeking out a turn key kit for your first build. This was an extremely rewarding project that has fueled my fire for electronics.

[Mutthead]

Well, I'm hoping that my first project could be an amp that would be gigworthy (50 watts or over, two channels). Is this basically an impossible dream? Do I need to build a few smaller models to get the basics first?

[Jason Carter]

Mutthead,

I don't think you need to build smaller kits first. If you have a grasp on soldering and a general understanding of lead dress then you should go for what ever project you want to tackle. The D'lite was my first amp build and some of the mini toggle switches were a challenge. I'm not sure who offers a 50 watt two channel amp kit that is channel switching. If your a marshall guy I hear Metro Amps is the way to go for a good marshall kit. Keep us posted on what you decide to build.

[Jason Carter]

Mutthead,

I don't think you need to build smaller kits first. If you have a grasp on soldering and a general understanding of lead dress then you should go for what ever project you want to tackle. The D'lite was my first amp build and some of the mini toggle switches were a challenge. I'm not sure who offers a 50 watt two channel amp kit that is channel switching. If your a marshall guy I hear Metro Amps is the way to go for a good marshall kit. Keep us posted on what you decide to build.

[Mutthead]

I will definitely keep you guys posted on what I'm going to do. And I'm not too keen on the "Marshall sound". I think what I'd like more is something along the lines of a highish gain Fender like the Pro Tube version of the Twin or something along those lines. I really like the Fender gain sound (I've been playing a Stage 112SE for several years) and I love the sound of the Supersonic so I'm thinking something along those lines.

[amp boy]

Mutthead,
here ya go.
https://taweber.powweb.com/store/kits.htm
it's like everything you could ever want or need, as a complete amp, or base to mod to. Great people, Speakers, and fair prices.
done deal for me once i have the savings and the knowledge.
- amp boy.

[BBQLS1]

Well, I'm hoping that my first project could be an amp that would be gigworthy (50 watts or over, two channels). Is this basically an impossible dream? Do I need to build a few smaller models to get the basics first?

Do you really need 50W? What kind of amp are you gigging now? I find that with most places my 5W with a good 2X12 is good in some blues jams, my 18W is plenty for most other gigs that don't require "LOUD" rock. 50W can be too much unless you are just wanting clean and even then many times you might not be able to get the "good" cleans out of it.

Ideally, I think the best all purpose tube amp for professional gigging is probably around 30W.

There won't be a big difference in the complexity of an amp based on wattage. Usually it requires the wiring of a couple more tube sockets. the main thing is if you go to big tubes like a EL34, 6L6 or KT88 they will draw more current and usually have alot more juice on tap to hurt yourself with. Just be careful.

Complexity comes from the circuit and features like channel switching, reverb, vibrato, separate controls for channels etc. A blackface reverb has alot more going on than a plexi for instance.

I did a brown note Lite before the dlites came out and his kits are great. Get the super deluxe kit, it comes with alot of extra little features. Trinity Amps, GDS amplification, and Ceriatone all make good quality kits.

Mutthead,
here ya go.
https://taweber.powweb.com/store/kits.htm
it's like everything you could ever want or need, as a complete amp, or base to mod to. Great people, Speakers, and fair prices.
done deal for me once i have the savings and the knowledge.
- amp boy.

The prices are good, and I think if it's a tweed, it's probably a decent kit. The transformers are nice and the cab was ok. I did a JTM45 clone that I've decided to cannibalize for other projects. I wouldn't do another Marshall style kit and there isn't alot of support for the beginner here. I'd probably start off with one of the other kit makers.

[Mutthead]

Do you really need 50W? What kind of amp are you gigging now? I find that with most places my 5W with a good 2X12 is good in some blues jams, my 18W is plenty for most other gigs that don't require "LOUD" rock. 50W can be too much unless you are just wanting clean and even then many times you might not be able to get the "good" cleans out of it.

Ideally, I think the best all purpose tube amp for professional gigging is probably around 30W.


Right now I'm gigging with a Fender Stage 112se. With the style of music I play, the most important features for me are: channel switching from a very bright sounding clean to a thick, midrangy/bassy distortion that isn't super high gain, but can still melt some faces. I play mostly rhythm. I'm strongly considering buying a Fender Twin or a Fender Supersonic, but I think it would be a lot more fun to have a homemade amp.

[trumpus]

I wanted to bump this thread....

...i'm in the same boat as Mutthead - I've done a bunch of pedal mods, some buids from scratch, and some other small projects, but have yet to venture into amp modding or building.

I am really interested in some of the kits mentioned above - but am nervous that once I spend the money, and get started, if I get into trouble i'll basically be stuck with a $300+ kit and no support.

Do any of the kit manufacturers also provide support? Also, to reiterate the question, do any of these kits standout as the "best" build for the first time amp builder?

Are there any books or other resources that you'd recommend for someone with NO knowledge of amps, but a desire to build one?

Thanks!

Brian

[r9player]

I got very good support from STF but then again the Champ kit was 'dead' easy to make.

[phsyconoodler]

Well,if you are playing a fender 112 solid state amp now and you actually LIKE the tone,you are in for a real treat when you build your first tube amp.
A good 10-18 watt tube amp will eat your fender and spit out the bones.The 18 watt marshall kills it dead for tone and the distortion is more organic and far more pleasing to the ears.The 18 watt is much louder than your '65 watt' fender.It doesn't do the diode rizzy distorted sounds you are probably used to by now,but it does fabulous power tube distortion that will make you sound like Zeppellin and AC/DC.
You don't need a 50 watt amp 'cause it will blow your eardrums.Tube watts and solid state 'girly watts' are two different things.

[Doug H]

Do not pass go or collect $200. Go straight to ax84.com, read the material, ask questions...

[LowellH]

trumpus: if you're interested in building a tweed, Bruce at Mission Amps makes a great 5E3 kit. I built my first amp, a 5E3, about a month ago. I got the chassis, eyelet board, and transformers from Bruce - all excellent quality. I sourced the rest of the parts myself, but let me say that it sounds incredible.

Also, from his website: "If after making an honest effort to build your 5E3 amp kit you cannot seem to get it to work, we offer a flat $75.00 service fee to check the kit out, repair any building errors, replace defective parts and guarantee the amp to work correctly after that point."

[KevinOConnor]

Hi Guys

You can either get a kit which might result in a working amplifier, or get some books to learn about how things work and what options you have. Check out our book page <www.londonpower.com>

If you are real eager to get building and do not read schematics 100%, you can jump into the TUT-series at Volume-3. This one has layouts as well as schematics, and discusses all the basic points about layout, formats, point-to-point forms, wire selection, transformer/tube placement. TUT3 uses iconic amps - ones that as a player you know the sound and as a tech you know the circuit - with improvements. All parts are widely avaialble.