Author Topic: Bulding your own amp (Read 13847 times)

rinse_master · « **on:** June 23, 2005, 11:49:01 AM »

I was thinking of building an amp for myself, planning on a fairly simple ciruit like a tweed champ style.

Is it particularly difficult?, one vol, one tone and a couple of tubes shouldn't be too hard right?

Does anyone know of any places that sell kits of some type for this sorta thing?

Thanks.

Chris · « **Reply #1 on:** June 23, 2005, 12:29:38 PM »

Torres amps sell kits (www.torresamps.com). I don't know whether they're any good but I'm thinking about doing the same thing and I've been looking at these.

HJM · « **Reply #2 on:** June 23, 2005, 12:49:03 PM »

I wouldn't recommend the Torres kits.

I had one that Nick Guppy (guitarist) built for review. Texas something.

It was worse than shite.....a £200 Laney LC15 sounds better! ANd according to Nick it sounded worse before he tweaked some cap values....

Webervst makes good chassis parts, transformers and bits. Also Tube Amp Doctor make some kits, I've heard better things about these kits. Matamp can make you a box to put it in.

Another option is to try and get a production valve amp, gut it and install a Hoffman or Thundertweak circuit board, that's what I did as my first project. It's much easier than a total scratch build!

smarchy · « **Reply #3 on:** June 23, 2005, 03:41:00 PM »

http://www.diyguitaramp.com/
This site has some info on amp schematics and parts suppliers etc.

Miracle Man Matt · « **Reply #4 on:** June 23, 2005, 05:46:02 PM »

yea i was thinking of doing the same. Im looking at the plans for a Mesa boogie dual recto solo head. Any ideas to the sanity of this??

Sean · « **Reply #5 on:** June 23, 2005, 06:31:07 PM »

I wouldn't try making my own amp mainly because I know I'll screw it up.

HJM · « **Reply #6 on:** June 23, 2005, 09:06:14 PM »

Quote from: Miracle Man Matt

yea i was thinking of doing the same. Im looking at the plans for a Mesa boogie dual recto solo head. Any ideas to the sanity of this??

That's a challenge...especially as Boogie often put out circuits that have errors on them...

rinse_master · « **Reply #7 on:** June 24, 2005, 09:59:18 AM »

Quote from: HJM

Quote from: Miracle Man Matt
yea i was thinking of doing the same. Im looking at the plans for a Mesa boogie dual recto solo head. Any ideas to the sanity of this??

That's a challenge...especially as Boogie often put out circuits that have errors on them...

Challenge, yes, there's gonna be at least 2 channels and a lot of switches/options, if I do it I'm sticking with simple. :crzy: I don't really want to blow myself up!

dpmasunder · « **Reply #8 on:** June 24, 2005, 10:25:34 AM »

try http://www.ax84.com/

balde · « **Reply #9 on:** June 26, 2005, 10:31:56 PM »

www.missionamps.com
They have a very nice tweed kit over there, plus lots of stuff with good reviews.

rinse_master · « **Reply #10 on:** June 30, 2005, 12:30:25 PM »

Thanks for those two, I have heard lots of good things about Mission Amps and their kits, the guy (I think it's Bruce) who runs it is the brother of the dealer I brought my SD's from over in the US.

maxingwell · « **Reply #11 on:** July 08, 2005, 02:31:22 PM »

If you've got the patience and ability to do it, go for it. A guy I know built his own amp and its sound amazing. Looks like cr4p but has the nicest sound!!
Let us all know how it sound too when you've finished it.

Kilby · « **Reply #12 on:** September 13, 2005, 10:23:37 PM »

I was in the process of building my own valve amp before having to relocate myself to London (and have no space to build anything now).

Try the following http://home.cfl.rr.com/dbhammond/doug.htm

Doug Hammond is a nice guy, helpful and knows what he is talking about (which is a nice change in the DIY amp community).

Check out the Firezog

His Highway 89 pedal is an absolute gem too.

Kilby...

willo · « **Reply #13 on:** September 13, 2005, 10:40:43 PM »

The Torres kit:

Quote from: HJM

It was worse than shitee.....a £200 Laney LC15 sounds better! ANd according to Nick it sounded worse before he tweaked some cap values....

But didn't Guitarist give it 4/5 stars? :?

HJM · « **Reply #14 on:** September 14, 2005, 07:46:46 AM »

Can't post, PM!