RichCI Posted January 4, 2009 Share Posted January 4, 2009 Any of you guys do that? I was toying with the idea several years ago and even bought some books; I'm great with logic but suck at math. There's a web site called AX84 that has lots of projects rated by skill level, even for the total beginner. The AX84 P1-eXtreme Tube Guitar Amplifier looks like a great one to start with and something I can actually make good use of at home after it's put together. Thing is, I live in an apartment with not a lot of extra space and I don't think I'll have the room to work on something like this for a few weeks without inconveniencing my girlfriend. Any apartment dwellers ever take on one of these projects? Any tips or general advice that I could use? Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dem00n Posted January 4, 2009 Share Posted January 4, 2009 Dont reley on the websites that much stick to the books. bout 2 years ago i started buidling robots from this website i was looking at it and i found out it was all wrong. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djroge1 Posted January 4, 2009 Share Posted January 4, 2009 I'm in the planning process for building an amp now. There are a few different web sites that sell kits and have forums where the guys are willing to help you. Here are a few links - but there are more out there, these are the ones I've heard have great amp kits and support via the owners and forums CeriaTone I'm considering the OverTone Special kit Brown Note Amps I'm considering the Dlite 22 Mission Amps This one is close to my home and a copy of the 5E3 Fender Delux is easier than the two above (both copies of Dumble overdrive special) so this may be the place for a newbie to start GabKits This is a site for cabinets, but also check out the Amp Garage link. Gabi has posted YouTube videos of building an amp that is extremely helpful. Forums: All of these are helpful!! Brown Note Forum CeriaTone Forum This one below is limited to building Train Wrecks and Dumble clones, but helpful to read what they have to say no matter what type of amp you build. The Amp Garage The most important thing - Amps contain parts with LETHAL voltages so be very careful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
surfpup Posted January 4, 2009 Share Posted January 4, 2009 I haven't because I'm too lazy and high voltages frighten me - but I have a buddy who has soldered up his own amps and has helped me mod some of mine. I think the single ended EL84 amp would be the easiest way to start. Plus it makes for a nice low wattage apartment amp as you mentioned. I have seem some other designs that use one 6V6 or EL34. A bit louder I am sure, but nice small screamers. Check out sewatt.com - there are a lot of amp builder types there willing to share designs and advice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Californiaman Posted January 4, 2009 Share Posted January 4, 2009 RichCI, a lot of the how to is out there for you to get. You could buy kits and go from there. There's so much information out there, and you admit that you already have some books on the subject. You can do it. At TDPRI Forum there's an "Amp Central" forum with all kinds of info and demonstrations of modifications and what not. I leaned you might need to buy radio chasis punch sets, a soldering iron, a good volt-ohm meter, and of course the electronic components and hardware. As far as the math goes, much of that is Ohm's Law, and that's simple mathematics. When I was doing the research before I bought my Gibson Goldtone Les Paul Jr. Amplifier, I learned a lot about Class-A amps. As you know much of the classic sounding amps were built on these designs. I guess what I'm saying is you could do if you have the time, resources and dedication. I say go for it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djroge1 Posted January 4, 2009 Share Posted January 4, 2009 I haven't because I'm too lazy and high voltages frighten me - but I have a buddy who has soldered up his own amps and has helped me mod some of mine. I think the single ended EL84 amp would be the easiest way to start. Plus it makes for a nice low wattage apartment amp as you mentioned. I have seem some other designs that use one 6V6 or EL34. A bit louder I am sure' date=' but nice small screamers. Check out sewatt.com - there are a lot of amp builder types there willing to share designs and advice. yeah for apt you want something small. I've not checked out sewatt.com. You would probably want to start with a 5watt champ like the 5F1 tweed or a BF amp as these are easier to build and lower volume. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Californiaman Posted January 4, 2009 Share Posted January 4, 2009 The Gibson GA-5 is also a good circuit to try to tackle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elantric Posted January 4, 2009 Share Posted January 4, 2009 http://www.pacificrecone.com/JackDarrBook.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dynadude Posted January 4, 2009 Share Posted January 4, 2009 Any of you guys do that? I was toying with the idea several years ago and even bought some books; I'm great with logic but suck at math. There's a web site called AX84 that has lots of projects rated by skill level' date=' even for the total beginner. The AX84 P1-eXtreme Tube Guitar Amplifier looks like a great one to start with and something I can actually make good use of at home after it's put together. Thing is, I live in an apartment with not a lot of extra space and I don't think I'll have the room to work on something like this for a few weeks without inconveniencing my girlfriend. Any apartment dwellers ever take on one of these projects? Any tips or general advice that I could use? Thanks! I don't see the lack of space being that much of an issue, as long as you don't drag out the process too long. If you just want to build a head, it should go pretty quickly. Just make sure you have all your parts on hand before starting the build. In other words, have your plan together, then get the work done without too much screwing around during the build. I don't think your girl will mind, especially when you explain how much money you are saving by doing it yourself. ;) I live in a condo with my wife, her daughter and the SIL, so space is an issue here too, but I always manage to make room for some projects. Amp and guitar mods, that kind of stuff. They know the mess will be short lived, so they don't mind. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Riffster Posted January 4, 2009 Share Posted January 4, 2009 Buying a complete kit with high quality components would be a must for me. Still I stuck to modyfing my Epiphone Valve Junior and my Fender Champ. It is a lot less work. I saw a GA-5 for sale this weekend $250. I was tempted but I do not need another amp. If I personally was going to take on building an amp it would be a Marshall 20 watt head, they sell the kit on several places. Those Marshall clone kits Metropoulos have for sale look great but that is a big *** project IMO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djroge1 Posted January 4, 2009 Share Posted January 4, 2009 I don't see the lack of space being that much of an issue' date=' as long as you don't drag out the process too long. If you just want to build a head, it should go pretty quickly. Just make sure you have all your parts on hand before starting the build. In other words, have your plan together, then get the work done without too much screwing around during the build. I don't think your girl will mind, especially when you explain how much money you are saving by doing it yourself. ;) I live in a condo with my wife, her daughter and the SIL, so space is an issue here too, but I always manage to make room for some projects. Amp and guitar mods, that kind of stuff. They know the mess will be short lived, so they don't mind. [/quote'] +1 for most of this You definately want a plan and have all of the parts prior to beginning. If you don't buy a kit that means you have to source the items yourself and for a lot of amps (with more components - caps, resistors etc...) all the parts may not be sold in one place - you may have to buy from multiple sources. therefore you will rack up a lot of shipping charges. So you may or may not save that much money. On the other hand for example, I want a Dumble amp but those amps cost around $40,000 so to buy a kit that sounds similar for around $1000 would be saving money. Then again, buying a Champ already built will probably be cheaper. This build is for the satisfaction of building. I'm not sure what the 18watt Marshalls go for, but Ceriatone has a kit that you can build and my guess is it would probably be about the same, perhaps cheaper to build with the kit. Sourcing the parts yourself would probably cost you more. Oh and building the head is the same process and components including the chassis as building a combo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichCI Posted January 4, 2009 Author Share Posted January 4, 2009 Thanks, guys, especially for the links. I might just give this a try. There are some kits that can be bought from a site endorsed by AX84 that includes everything except a cabinet to put it in so that might be the way to go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Homz Posted January 4, 2009 Share Posted January 4, 2009 I know you've seen me post this before, but this is a good book and on Amazon it looks like there is a newly revised version. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CAPS LOCK Posted January 4, 2009 Share Posted January 4, 2009 Thing is' date=' I live in an apartment with not a lot of extra space and I don't think I'll have the room to work on something like this for a few weeks without inconveniencing my girlfriend. Any apartment dwellers ever take on one of these projects? Any tips or general advice that I could use? Thanks![/quote'] GREAT ADVICE, DON'T TRY BUILDING YOUR OWN IF YOU'RE WORRIED ABOUT INCONVENIENCE WITH YOUR GIRLFRIEND, WITHOUT FIRST PURCHASING HER A STANDBY BUTTON. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichCI Posted January 4, 2009 Author Share Posted January 4, 2009 OMG! My spleen! Please stop! You are so witty! *yawn* Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CAPS LOCK Posted January 4, 2009 Share Posted January 4, 2009 OMG! My spleen! Please stop! You are so witty! *yawn* I WASN'T MAKING A JOKE. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichCI Posted January 4, 2009 Author Share Posted January 4, 2009 I WASN'T MAKING A JOKE. Then you are seriously lacking in a fundamental familiarity of the female anatomy if you think I can purchase her a standby switch. But why should I be surprised by that lack of familiarity? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CAPS LOCK Posted January 4, 2009 Share Posted January 4, 2009 Then you are seriously lacking in a fundamental familiarity of the female anatomy if you think I can purchase her a standby switch. But why should I be surprised by that lack of familiarity? I thought you were asking about tips making your girlfriend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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