Results 1 to 22 of 22

Thread: Amp builders unite!

  1. #1
    Forum Member 95strat's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    Southern Indiana
    Posts
    632

    Amp builders unite!

    So I want to build an amp, but I'm admittedly I'm total and complete dumbass. I'm sure a kit is the way to go. So I'm asking you guys that know what book(s)/video would you recommend to a total beginner and what kit is a realistic build (good instructions, parts, etc.)
    "I don't play no cords."
    -B.B. King

  2. #2
    Forum Member Guitar_Mc's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Location
    Columbus, Ohio
    Posts
    2,128

    Re: Amp builders unite!

    STF champ head kit. Good instructions come with it.
    Music will always find its way to us, with or without business, politics, religion, or any other bull$hit attached. - E.C.

  3. #3
    Forum Member Kap'n's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2002
    Location
    Where phony hippies meet
    Posts
    19,769

    Re: Amp builders unite!

    Do you know how to solder?

    Do you know how to read a schematic?

    Do you know anything about electrical safety?

    Those are things I'd want to know before building an amp.

    Here's a good place to start.
    Several guitars in different colors
    Things to make them fuzzy
    Things to make them louder
    orange picks

  4. #4
    Forum Member 95strat's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    Southern Indiana
    Posts
    632

    Re: Amp builders unite!

    Excellent questions Kap'n. I do not want to kill myself so I want to read first. That's why I asked about books.

    I do know how to solder. I have a local builder who is willing to help me on the electrical safety and schematic. Plus my father is an electrical engineer...can always give him a call. But I'm willing to learn before I build. I'm in no hurry.

    Thanks for the link!
    "I don't play no cords."
    -B.B. King

  5. #5
    Forum Member
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Posts
    53

    Re: Amp builders unite!

    The Guitar Amp Handbook by Dave Hunter is a book I found very helpful. Not a how to solder book but more a look at how tube amps work and how the different stages/components function. Dave gives a lot of info and presents it in a way that is not the least bit dry. I couldn't put it down. I picked it off the shelf at Barnes and Noble.

    Good Luck

  6. #6
    Forum Member blackonblack's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    point of reason between tacky and tasteless
    Posts
    1,263

    Re: Amp builders unite!

    As far as a 1st build, if it is for home playing - how about a Gilmore Jr? Rich has really good support to help you through the build.

  7. #7
    Forum Member 95strat's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    Southern Indiana
    Posts
    632

    Re: Amp builders unite!

    Thanks Safari...I've read reviews of that book...I'll make a trip to Barnes today.

    BonB, I'll do a google search...I'm sure I'll find something on the Gilmore.

    What about Mission amps? Would the 5E3 be a good first build?
    "I don't play no cords."
    -B.B. King

  8. #8
    Forum Member blackonblack's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    point of reason between tacky and tasteless
    Posts
    1,263

    Re: Amp builders unite!

    Quote Originally Posted by 95strat
    Thanks Safari...I've read reviews of that book...I'll make a trip to Barnes today.

    BonB, I'll do a google search...I'm sure I'll find something on the Gilmore.

    What about Mission amps? Would the 5E3 be a good first build?
    Here's the Gilmore link

    http://www.guytronix.com/index.html

  9. #9
    Forum Member
    Join Date
    Jul 2006
    Posts
    48

    Re: Amp builders unite!

    A 5E3 kit would be a great place to start. Check out WeberVST.com. They are priced right, and in my experience, good quality. Their Kitbuilding forum is a great place to turn if you run into trouble.

    That said... Please make sure that you know how to safely discharge capacitors and generally know how to respect electricity. The voltages/amperages in amplifiers is easily enough to kill you.

    We really want you alive to tell us how kick ass it sounds when you are done!

    Have fun!

  10. #10
    Forum Member Kap'n's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2002
    Location
    Where phony hippies meet
    Posts
    19,769

    Re: Amp builders unite!

    Quote Originally Posted by jedi77
    A 5E3 kit would be a great place to start. Check out WeberVST.com.
    As a first time builder, you might be better off with a Mission Amps 5E3. Instructions and tech support can be very helpful if you're not really sure of what you're doing.
    Several guitars in different colors
    Things to make them fuzzy
    Things to make them louder
    orange picks

  11. #11
    Forum Member Guitar_Mc's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Location
    Columbus, Ohio
    Posts
    2,128

    Re: Amp builders unite!

    Quote Originally Posted by Kap'n
    As a first time builder, you might be better off with a Mission Amps 5E3. Instructions and tech support can be very helpful if you're not really sure of what you're doing.
    +1

    Whatever you start with, make sure you have instructions.
    Music will always find its way to us, with or without business, politics, religion, or any other bull$hit attached. - E.C.

  12. #12
    Forum Member 95strat's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    Southern Indiana
    Posts
    632

    Re: Amp builders unite!

    I've heard Misson Amps' instructions are easy to follow for first timers. I believe he color codes?

    My goal is to eventually build something Voxish (ac30 w/o trem), but understand that's far to complicated for a starter.

    Thanks for the help guys. I'll let you know which way I go. Probably going to have to wait till Christmas time. Just found out my wife is expecting...may have to wait even longer, but having a kid is worth it....right;-)

    At least that gives me time to do plenty of reading before playing with electricity!
    "I don't play no cords."
    -B.B. King

  13. #13
    Forum Member Kap'n's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2002
    Location
    Where phony hippies meet
    Posts
    19,769

    Re: Amp builders unite!

    Quote Originally Posted by 95strat
    My goal is to eventually build something Voxish (ac30 w/o trem), but understand that's far to complicated for a starter.!
    People have built amps more complex than a 5E3 as a first build successfully, but I wouldn't recommend it. If nothing else, troubleshooting a complex amp is difficult, if it doesn't work when you fire it up.

    Making an AC30 without the trem is roughly as hard as making a 5E6A Bassman. Making it with the trem is about as difficult as making two of them.
    Several guitars in different colors
    Things to make them fuzzy
    Things to make them louder
    orange picks

  14. #14
    Forum Member 95strat's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    Southern Indiana
    Posts
    632

    Re: Amp builders unite!

    Thanks for the insight Kap'n. I noticed Hoffman has a AC30 board. However, there are no instructions or complete kit so I would be screwed.

    I'm guessing a DRRI would be far to difficult as a first build as well. I have a Blues Dlx and would like to build more of a BF Fender.
    "I don't play no cords."
    -B.B. King

  15. #15
    Forum Member
    Join Date
    Oct 2003
    Posts
    24

    Re: Amp builders unite!

    Congratulations on the baby.Email me about the AC30.I may have some information that interests you.

  16. #16
    Forum Member 95strat's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    Southern Indiana
    Posts
    632

    Re: Amp builders unite!

    Thanks TZ. Our first so I'm a little freaked, but it's good. I drop you a line.
    "I don't play no cords."
    -B.B. King

  17. #17
    Forum Member stratcat55's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    King of Prussia Pa.
    Posts
    1,654

    Re: Amp builders unite!

    Hey Kap'n,
    Did you ever actually hear a Mission 5E3 kit amp? This thing really has the gears turning in my head. The price seems right too for the whole kit.

  18. #18
    Forum Member Kap'n's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2002
    Location
    Where phony hippies meet
    Posts
    19,769

    Re: Amp builders unite!

    Quote Originally Posted by stratcat55
    Hey Kap'n,
    Did you ever actually hear a Mission 5E3 kit amp?
    No. Mine's a Weber with a Mercury Magnetics OT. Fezz' is a Weber with all Mercury Magnetics iron.

    However, I know that Bruce had some input on the Weber kit. All of Bruce's components are at least as high quality, if not better than the Weber parts. Plus you've got Bruce's experience. He personally had put together over 100 of these amps, I'm sure, plus took all the tech responsibility for hundreds more of the kits. I'd bet there isn't anybody out there that knows 5E3's better than Bruce.

    IMHO, the components that make the most difference in the tonal quality of a 5E3 are the coupling capacitors, output transformer and tubes. All of the other components may make a difference from a construction/durability/appearance standpoint, but not much in the sound.
    Several guitars in different colors
    Things to make them fuzzy
    Things to make them louder
    orange picks

  19. #19
    Forum Member detuned's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2003
    Location
    Halloweentown, MA
    Posts
    698

    Re: Amp builders unite!

    Quote Originally Posted by 95strat
    Thanks for the help guys. I'll let you know which way I go. Probably going to have to wait till Christmas time. Just found out my wife is expecting...may have to wait even longer, but having a kid is worth it....right;-)
    Congratulations man!

    Rest up while you can...

    :-)
    Master of Disaster on the Stratocaster

  20. #20
    Forum Member stratcat55's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    King of Prussia Pa.
    Posts
    1,654

    Re: Amp builders unite!

    As always, thanks for the reply Kap'n

  21. #21
    Forum Member 95strat's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    Southern Indiana
    Posts
    632

    Re: Amp builders unite!

    Thanks detuned. Ahh, rest would be nice.

    If I learn to build amps maybe I can build my kid one for a birthday or something.

    Hey Stratcat, are you going to go for the Mission 5E3? Let me know...would love to hear what you thinking is behind the purchase, and how the build goes.
    "I don't play no cords."
    -B.B. King

  22. #22
    Forum Member 95strat's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    Southern Indiana
    Posts
    632

    Re: Amp builders unite!

    Hey Tonezone, tried your e-mail address, but it keeps bouncing back. Do you have a different address?
    "I don't play no cords."
    -B.B. King

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •