First Amp Build...Project with Ill Grandfather...

[ShortHairedTornado]

Hey guys, long time lurker, first time poster. I have been looking for a project to do with my ill grandfather and we have decided on building an amp. All my life my grandfather and I have built things together. From cars, to guitars for me to play we have built it all. Now he has grown ill with pulmonary fibrosis so our joint projects are limited to things with lower vapors so doing another guitar is out. The amp we want to build is either a Zwreck Clone or any Trainwreck clone. Any suggestions on where I can start looking to gather parts and things need for this journey?

Thanks in advance

Chris.

[ShortHairedTornado]

Or a Dumble clone...My grandfather expressed how much he liked the sound of those....

[xtian]

Super cool. I learned a LOT about electronics and science from my GP, but never got to build an amp with him.

How much experience with electronics do you guys have? High voltages? If you're new, you'll want a "paint by numbers" kit. If more experienced, you can ask for suppliers, and we'll list our favorites. Building a 'wreck or Dumble as your first amp is overambitious, in my opinion.

Cheers!

[mhartman]

Be careful with the solder fumes. [/code]

[ShortHairedTornado]

I'll be doing most of the soldering, And as far as experience, my grandfather has loads (no pun intended...well kinda) I have a little but nothing to write home about. What would you guys suggest?

[HeeBGB]

I would suggest a Rocket OR some 18watt variant! Just my $.02

[ShortHairedTornado]

The Rocket was the favorite of the Trainwrecks.....How hard would a Rocket be?

[Blackburn]

The Rocket was the favorite of the Trainwrecks.....How hard would a Rocket be?

Not super easy because of all the tubes in them, but easier to keep happy than the Express or Liverpool. The TB is my favorite circuit. Take a few listens on YouTube and get a feel for which one you think you may prefer.

[ShortHairedTornado]

TB?

[Blackburn]

Top Boost. The only differences between a Vox AC30TB and a Rocket are the B+ resistor string, B+ voltage and filtering. It's my opinion that these things don't lend to a completely different amp. Like Ken said, "The Rocket is what an AC30 would sound like if it died and went to heaven."

[sliberty]

Go to the Trainwreck Files section on this forum, and you will find the schematic / layout, bill of materials, and instructions on how to build each of the Trainwreck models. I agree that the Rocket is a great choice for your project. You will also find many photos here of amps that others have built, inside and out.

Good luck!

[JoeCon]

Let me second the Rocket build. I just finished a "Fowler" 18 Watt Rocket that was easy to do and sounds great. Real good way to get your feet wet and end up with a nice, nice amp. I even simplified it more with SS recto and no standby switch.

[ShortHairedTornado]

How hard to make a rocket a zwreck build??

[JoeCon]

The Rocket and Z-Wreck are cousins. A few changes and they are the same. Less filtering and some minor circuit changes and either or for amps...

Isn't the Z-Wreck based on the Rocket / Vox Ac30 TB channel anyways??

[ShortHairedTornado]

So where should I start looking to gather parts? I want to make this as top quality as humanly possible.