First amp build maybe?

Mattlee0037 · Post by **Mattlee0037** » Wed Sep 25, 2013 7:58 pm

Hey guys, I am on the horizon of possibly aquiring a speaker cabinet, and wanted to build and amp for it. I have attached the schematic, but before I even acquire the speaker cabinet I was wondering what an estimate of the cost of this build beforehand? Probably would just want to use medium quality iron, basic hammond enclosure etc... Anything would be helpful I just don't want to go get this cab, if I won't be able to afford to put a head with it.

Thanks guys!

Structo · Post by **Structo** » Wed Sep 25, 2013 8:42 pm

Interesting, usually guys build the amp then choose the speaker and cab.

But no worries.
Of course the more you can do for yourself the cheaper it will be.
Like building your own head cab, etc.

I think you can plan on the build to cost at least $250-300.
Transformers are the most expensive component.

This being a single ended amp, the output transformer will be the key here.

Mattlee0037 · Post by **Mattlee0037** » Wed Sep 25, 2013 9:00 pm

Ok I figured that would be my biggest splurge. I would normally want to do the head first, but I had planned on going combo, but I may be getting a good deal on a 212 with celestion golds, so I figured maybe who knows. Is there a good resource for building a headcab? I have no qualms with leaving it in the hammond for a while either. And good resources to source these parts from?

Firestorm · Post by **Firestorm** » Wed Sep 25, 2013 9:37 pm

I think you'll be happier in the long run if you don't limit yourself to only the EL84. With octal sockets, you can switch between 6V6, 6L6, EL34, etc. (You can also parallel a socket for the EL84 to have that option, too.) Since you're starting from the cab (and its impedance), the impedance taps (and maybe you should put them on a selector rather than separate jacks) become a way to optimize the impedance for the different tube types.
You'll need a somewhat more expensive OT and PT, but if it's going to cost $250+ anyway, spring for the extra $50 or so.

IMO.

Mattlee0037 · Post by **Mattlee0037** » Wed Sep 25, 2013 9:52 pm

Hmm I like the idea of a selector for the impedances. The cab is 8ohm I believe. I want to make it sound pretty good, and be pretty versatile for relatively cheap. The main reason I'd be making this is to get the cab I would sell my current amp, and I want something quick easy and somewhat cheap to play with until I've saved enough to put together a Matchless Spitfire. Anyone got some good links to sourcing parts/anyone selling any of the stuff I may need?

ampgeek · Post by **ampgeek** » Wed Sep 25, 2013 11:33 pm

I have used basic Hammond enclosures and tube cages for my last handful of amp head builds with excellent results. Don't forget the base plate if you end up going this route.

Angela Instruments seems to have the best selection of sizes but there might be better options out there that I am not aware of.

http://angela.com/chassis.aspx

I design my face/back plates in Corel Draw and use BNP Lasers to stamp those out as it is their native format.

Cheers,
Dave O.

Mattlee0037 · Post by **Mattlee0037** » Thu Sep 26, 2013 6:17 am

Ok, so here's another question. How much would a spitfire build cost me? If it was going to be 400ish or so I might just consider building that instead of an amp I know I would sell later to build the spitfire. I can't remember where I pulled this from (maybe here) but here's the schematic for cost estimating.

rock_mumbles · Post by **rock_mumbles** » Thu Sep 26, 2013 8:47 am

The cost for transformers and chassis for the two amps will be very similar
the Spitfire needs two more tube sockets and two more tubes and a few more resistors and caps ... probably about $100 more than the mini-cat

If you know you want a Spitfire then that's what I'd build ...

M Fowler · Post by **M Fowler** » Thu Sep 26, 2013 2:12 pm

The spitfire is a great little amp and I've used my home built for bar gigs not mic'd. I did the Ken Watt's version from www.turretboards.com stock no value changes.

Mark

Mattlee0037 · Post by **Mattlee0037** » Thu Sep 26, 2013 4:26 pm

Yeah, you guys are right. Pending getting this cab I'll use the cash from the trade and sell my old amp to start sourcing parts. Mark, where did you get your transformers from? I may get my turret board from Ken. Anyone have favorite places to source the parts from or is that website a pretty good stop for everything? I saw a 'TDS' page on ebay it looks like the sets sell for 210 for power, output, choke, just not sure if the guy is legit....

YouTube · Post by **xtian** » Thu Sep 26, 2013 4:50 pm

Hey, Mark, wondering about that cat bypass switch on V1. I thought 1K5/25uF was already fully bypassed. Does adding a second 25uF with the switch actually give a boost?

M Fowler · Post by **M Fowler** » Thu Sep 26, 2013 6:00 pm

xtian wrote:Hey, Mark, wondering about that cat bypass switch on V1. I thought 1K5/25uF was already fully bypassed. Does adding a second 25uF with the switch actually give a boost?

Yes that would give a boost but very slight.

M Fowler · Post by **M Fowler** » Thu Sep 26, 2013 6:03 pm

Mattlee0037 wrote:Yeah, you guys are right. Pending getting this cab I'll use the cash from the trade and sell my old amp to start sourcing parts. Mark, where did you get your transformers from? I may get my turret board from Ken. Anyone have favorite places to source the parts from or is that website a pretty good stop for everything? I saw a 'TDS' page on ebay it looks like the sets sell for 210 for power, output, choke, just not sure if the guy is legit....

TDS make great transformers I have a 18w Marshall set in my 20w bass head.

I got my chassis from Ken Watts on ebay many years ago and then got the board and standup 18w Marshall transformer set from ken. Now he doesn't carry that PT anymore. Magnetic Components from www.triodestore.com has a 18w Marshall bundle set for $110.
http://www.triodestore.com/trbufor18wma.html but for the standup PT http://www.triodestore.com/40-18056.html you would have to order PT and OT seperately not as a bundle set.

Mark

Mattlee0037 · Post by **Mattlee0037** » Thu Sep 26, 2013 7:39 pm

Wow, I love those prices. Ok may be subjective, but what would be the difference between the Mercury Upright, OT, and choke (100ma Vox one I'm assuming?) and the TDS or Heyboer sets (both quoted me 210 for OT,PT,CH)

And is turretboard.com pretty good as far as prices for tube sockets, passives, etc. I can throw a Hammond chassis in from mouser on my next order, so that's not a big deal.

M Fowler · Post by **M Fowler** » Fri Sep 27, 2013 1:14 am

Yeah one can spend lots of money on transformers. Mercury are more expensive and the TDS are apparently the original transformers as used by Matchless for the Spitfire and cost is higher but maybe quality is too I don't know.

If your only building one for a keeper you can splurge more on the transformers but I have had good results with the cheaper priced MC from triode, Edcor transformers, etc.

If you don't have dealer pricing then you may have to shop around for parts and a lot of times you can't get all the parts from one vendor.

www.triodestore.com
www.turretboards.com
www.tubesandmore.com
www.tubedepot.com
www.ceriatone.com
www.apexjr.com
http://www.hoffmanamps.com/
https://taweber.powweb.com/store/kits.htm

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First amp build maybe?

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