This may be an old thread, but it was still very helpful.
Thanks!
For the new builders
Moderators: pompeiisneaks, Colossal
Re: For the new builders
+1, I am building my first two guitars, solid bodies but not the necks, they won't be perfect:shock:, I keep changing the design. I want to build amps also and know next to nothing so this thread is very helpful. Will get Ultimate Tone.mr_hankey wrote:This may be an old thread, but it was still very helpful.
Thanks!
And I can work on tweaking my Overtone.
Thanks for the great helpful site.
Burnie
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RJ Guitars
- Posts: 2663
- Joined: Tue Nov 14, 2006 3:49 am
- Location: Los Alamos, New Mexico
- Contact:
Re: For the new builders
Hello All,
I finished my first ODS this past winter... well as much as you ever finish one of these anyway. I wanted to learn as much as possible about the amp construction business so I made or had made all the parts I could. Chassis, circuit boards, faceplates, etc..
I've been building amps for the last 5 or 6 years, but have been fixing them for the last 30. I find building them much more gratifying than fixing them.
I followed the D'Lite layout and guidelines and I think that for the less experienced builder, the D'Lite kit or at least using it as a roadmap will let you build a way better amp than you might achieve otherwise.
Out of a couple dozen amp builds in my lifetime, the ODS is by far the best one. I put about $700 into it and it sounds really good and has been trouble free.
I wouldn't say the ODS is for advanced builders only, but probably too much for a first time unless you've got lots of help.
I've been wondering if there is another "Golden Tone" amp that this forum might take on in addition to the Trainwrecks and Dumbles? Is there a really simple awesome tone amp that we could clone? The brain power available here could actually design an amp that might just be something special... just thinking out loud a bit.
rj
I finished my first ODS this past winter... well as much as you ever finish one of these anyway. I wanted to learn as much as possible about the amp construction business so I made or had made all the parts I could. Chassis, circuit boards, faceplates, etc..
I've been building amps for the last 5 or 6 years, but have been fixing them for the last 30. I find building them much more gratifying than fixing them.
I followed the D'Lite layout and guidelines and I think that for the less experienced builder, the D'Lite kit or at least using it as a roadmap will let you build a way better amp than you might achieve otherwise.
Out of a couple dozen amp builds in my lifetime, the ODS is by far the best one. I put about $700 into it and it sounds really good and has been trouble free.
I wouldn't say the ODS is for advanced builders only, but probably too much for a first time unless you've got lots of help.
I've been wondering if there is another "Golden Tone" amp that this forum might take on in addition to the Trainwrecks and Dumbles? Is there a really simple awesome tone amp that we could clone? The brain power available here could actually design an amp that might just be something special... just thinking out loud a bit.
rj
Good, Fast, or Cheap -- Pick two...
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http://www.rjaudioresearch.com/
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Re: For the new builders
I've been wondering if there is another "Golden Tone" amp that this forum might take on in addition to the Trainwrecks and Dumbles? Is there a really simple awesome tone amp that we could clone? The brain power available here could actually design an amp that might just be something special... just thinking out loud a bit.
rj[/quote]
I'd LOVE to build a clone of a Jim Kelley amp. Back in 1980 my brother had a original Dumble ODR and his friend a Jim Kelley FACS. Totally different animal but GREAT (think of Mark Knopflers Intro on 'Money for nothing'). IMHO a real 'Golden Tone' amp. Simple but unique concept + wonderful fendery cleans + amazing 6V6 overdrive + switchable power soak, what more do we need ? Schematics and pics are out there and Jim is still open for questions and (maybe) support. Here is his page:
http://ps.uci.edu/~jwkelley/home.htm
rj[/quote]
I'd LOVE to build a clone of a Jim Kelley amp. Back in 1980 my brother had a original Dumble ODR and his friend a Jim Kelley FACS. Totally different animal but GREAT (think of Mark Knopflers Intro on 'Money for nothing'). IMHO a real 'Golden Tone' amp. Simple but unique concept + wonderful fendery cleans + amazing 6V6 overdrive + switchable power soak, what more do we need ? Schematics and pics are out there and Jim is still open for questions and (maybe) support. Here is his page:
http://ps.uci.edu/~jwkelley/home.htm
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Luthierwnc
- Posts: 998
- Joined: Sat Feb 18, 2006 10:59 am
- Location: Asheville, NC
Re: For the new builders
Hi RJ,
This keeps getting resurrected. When it was written, there wasn't the profusion of kits available -- including some killer graphics. I've always rolled my own -- usually out of donor parts and one-off layouts. Figuring out how to do something original and cheap is part of the allure.
Nowadays, I need to temper my opinion a little. With exact layouts, chassis and BOM's, There is a much better chance of novices getting it right. I have noticed that the newer, by-the-numbers builders tend to need to catch-up on theory and have a harder time troubleshooting. That is to be expected and shouldn't detract from their enjoyment in making something they can use. With the ability to get exactly spec'ed iron and board components, you don't have to depend on a happy accident. It is also nice that some of our best contributors can make a little coin in partial compensation for some excellent advice.
Put my feet to the fire and I still think that someone brand new should make a Bassman or Spitfire or something on that level. The reason is that it is easier to understand what parts do what and how to chase down gremlins. When you have a wicked ground-loop or one of those elusive parasitics, it is tough to appreciate the nuances of one of the master builders in this field.
sh
This keeps getting resurrected. When it was written, there wasn't the profusion of kits available -- including some killer graphics. I've always rolled my own -- usually out of donor parts and one-off layouts. Figuring out how to do something original and cheap is part of the allure.
Nowadays, I need to temper my opinion a little. With exact layouts, chassis and BOM's, There is a much better chance of novices getting it right. I have noticed that the newer, by-the-numbers builders tend to need to catch-up on theory and have a harder time troubleshooting. That is to be expected and shouldn't detract from their enjoyment in making something they can use. With the ability to get exactly spec'ed iron and board components, you don't have to depend on a happy accident. It is also nice that some of our best contributors can make a little coin in partial compensation for some excellent advice.
Put my feet to the fire and I still think that someone brand new should make a Bassman or Spitfire or something on that level. The reason is that it is easier to understand what parts do what and how to chase down gremlins. When you have a wicked ground-loop or one of those elusive parasitics, it is tough to appreciate the nuances of one of the master builders in this field.
sh