Beginner here!

[j2the-immy]

Hey everyone! I'm sure I'm not the first to post this, but just searching on my own is rather overwhelming. I have done some basic amp mods and kits, but I decided to buy an ODS chassis from Amplified Nation and really dig in. If someone could point me to a good starting point I would appreciate it. This forum is definitely a wealth of information and I would appreciate it if someone could help me drink from a garden hose instead of a fire hose. Any help is appreciated!

[pompeiisneaks]

I think the tricky part is that you've not defined clearly what you do know, and what you might need help understanding.

There are not a ton of resources out there on more advanced amp building techniques, instead you often have to do something wrong, learn from it, and go from there. I would guess, though, that if you start asking specific questions about a specific issue you're not quite getting, you'd get great answers.

I can't easily answer the question "Make me an amp builder, I know very little" I could end up giving you 30 links and have 29 of them be things you already known and then I spent a ton of time for nothing.

I do have amp build videos where I show the steps in my build, show my errors, etc, and that 'might' help if you're a more visual learner:

youtube.com/frenchiefilms

but that may be very bad too. I might make it more confusing lol.

~Phil

[Vertigo]

The hardest part is deciding which amp to build.

There are so many great build threads here and that's actually part of the problem, there are SO MANY search results that turn up. I had less experience than you when I started the amps I built and admit that I benefitted from a little hand holding when it came time to troubleshoot.

What helped me, but won't necessarily benefit everyone, was to use a combination of available schematics and layouts to make my own layout. Making the layout was such a tedious process but it helped me get more familiar with the components that were being used, as well as made it more clear which wires were carrying which currents. It will also help you realize before you're up to your elbows in wiring that you might not be able to make out some terminations on the available layouts. That way, you can ask questions before you warm up your iron.

Best of luck. Looking forward to seeing what you build.

[j2the-immy]

Thanks both of you! And you're right, I really need to decide what type of ODS (build) I want to do. I'm definitely going to go through your YouTube channel. I'll definitely do more research and study some schematics. And just ask questions along the way. That was a very broad question to open so I'll see where I can take it from here. Will keep y'all updated on what I can get done.

[pompeiisneaks]

It may even be better if you specify what tone you're striving for, I'm not the best at it, but many here can say if you want a specific tone "Oh you need to build a XXX" so I'd recommend explaining more about what exactly you want from the amp.

~Phil

[ijedouglas]

I would recommend using either of the #0124/#0102/#0183 layouts and building as close as possible to the layout. Once you have that under your belt, you may love it and never revisit it again.....or you may, like many others here on the forum, start tweaking and changing the amp to suite your taste. This is where the true learning come in to play and where I have found the most enjoyment (other than flipping the switch for the first time and getting a sound out of it). This will also give you a good platform to change between different configurations and hopefully settle on something that gives you the sound you have in your head.

I hope this helps and good luck on your quest!

[Chris Brown]

I am by no means an expert builder but over the years I've gained an understanding of how these (and other) amps work from lurking here and trying stuff on my own.

I started with 124 and then converted it to high plate values... it's a great amp and I still play it. Next I built 102 and I instantly loved it... 102 sounded more like the Dumble sound in my head than the 124. More recently I built a 50watt 102 with a few tiny personal tweaks and it sounds fantastic. I suppose I need to do 183 next lol... the point is they all sound great.

For your first D style build the best approach is to pick one and follow the known layout as closely as possible. That gives you the highest chance of success and it also sets you up to easily get help here if something goes wrong.

As for general amp building knowledge, read and watch everything you can find. Sort the forum here by date and work through it lol seriously. Also.. I watched the tube amp DVD's with Gerald Weber way back in the day but now you can just binge-watch Uncle Doug for the same knowledge.

[norburybrook]

I am by no means an expert builder but over the years I've gained an understanding of how these (and other) amps work from lurking here and trying stuff on my own.

I started with 124 and then converted it to high plate values... it's a great amp and I still play it. Next I built 102 and I instantly loved it... 102 sounded more like the Dumble sound in my head than the 124. More recently I built a 50watt 102 with a few tiny personal tweaks and it sounds fantastic. I suppose I need to do 183 next lol... the point is they all sound great.

For your first D style build the best approach is to pick one and follow the known layout as closely as possible. That gives you the highest chance of success and it also sets you up to easily get help here if something goes wrong.

As for general amp building knowledge, read and watch everything you can find. Sort the forum here by date and work through it lol seriously. Also.. I watched the tube amp DVD's with Gerald Weber way back in the day but now you can just binge-watch Uncle Doug for the same knowledge.

I think #102 is a great place to start. It's still my favourite all round ODS amp all things considered. It has the perfect balance of the evolution of the ODS across the range.


M