Author Topic: Bulding your own amp (Read 13867 times)

magma · « **Reply #15 on:** November 01, 2005, 07:36:44 PM »

Check out the Harmony Central reviews for Torres Amp kits, last time I checked the general consensus was that they were not good.

Bainzy · « **Reply #16 on:** November 01, 2005, 09:04:25 PM »

www.metroamp.com - absolutely fantastic kits, and even cheaper to obtain than the Marshall reissues if you're outside the UK.

a tweed champ should be a great starter amp, it's not complex so there's not as many places to make errors, and it won't take as much time as say, a 100w Marshall SuperLead. my first tube amp was a plexi reissue I gutted and rebuilt with much better (and more vintage) components the first night after I got it - by doing that I learnt not only how to build amps, but how they work, how to bias them, and how different values of components make tonal differences.

HJM · « **Reply #17 on:** November 01, 2005, 09:18:09 PM »

I second that...I've done a Super Reverb and a JMP50 using turret board kits. Great way to learn (just don't do the super as a first attempt!!)

I'm not convinced about a lot of mod kits, you're kind of turd polishing with a lot of amps.....best to rip it out and go point to point. I reckon Bainzy's PTPcircuits is about the first UK site.....hope it takes off!

Bainzy · « **Reply #18 on:** November 01, 2005, 09:35:08 PM »

cheers :D

I think there's one guy in the UK that sells parts for PTP style amp builds, but there's no information or forum on that site, it's just a small shop. I'll have to get cracking on this site soon, I just haven't had any time at all for it for the last few weeks, and I only set it up last month.

willo · « **Reply #19 on:** November 01, 2005, 10:04:12 PM »

www.metroamp.com

Just checked that out. I did electronics until Year 10 at school...not great I know, but I know how to solder and read a circuit diagram. It looks like there is, what, 70 components in the average board?

Am I over-simplifying it, or is actually pretty straightforward/easy?

HJM · « **Reply #20 on:** November 01, 2005, 10:42:00 PM »

yep......building transistor amps is where it gets complicated.... :lol:

willo · « **Reply #21 on:** November 01, 2005, 11:10:32 PM »

so, in-theory, as long as I have patience and know how to solder correctly, I could make one of these without much difficulty?

HJM · « **Reply #22 on:** November 02, 2005, 07:09:20 AM »

Yep......just be careful with the high voltage!

The biggest problem is getting the chassis and transformers if you're scratch building. ANd the hardest thing is covering the box..... :lol: