Where to start?

[edo]

Hello everyone, as i said in another post, i'm new to this world and i find it very fascinating. I want to find out more and build my own head (in a year?).
Where to start? Is there any good book about the electronics of guitar amps? Or some good materials on the web that covers the basis you could point at?
I made the wiring of my tele but i just followed a 50's wiring scheme i found, i know little about theory.
Considering building an amp seems like totally different thing, i want to learn as mush as i can doing this.

Thank you very much!

Have a nice day.
Edo

[thetragichero]

i would HIGHLY suggest starting off with a couple pedal kits before getting into amp building. fuzz face is a popular first project, then maybe something a bit more advanced. in my viewpoint, learn on the low voltage stuff (guitar wiring is a good first step) as if you screw up you are not likely kill yourself or burn the house down. once you're comfortable with schematics and some of the theory behind what's going on you can move to a simple kit amp (5e3 or champ are good first projects)

i am indebted to those that came before me on many internet forums and sites (this one, el34world, fsb/diysb, guitarnuts, etc). when a friend asked me a similar question, my suggestion was a lot of reading (forums, geofex, amz, valvewizard, etc). there's a great pdf set of NEETS electronics correspondence courses that gets into the absolute bare bones of electronics that helped supplement my physical experiments (the 'why' of it). i find even reading troubleshooting threads very helpful

in my opinion there is no reason to fear the high voltages in an amp but having a healthy respect for it is an absolute must (i feel the same way about power tools and automobiles: fear can be just as dangerous as carelessness)

for pedals specifically there are some good books by brian wampler and of course electronics projects for musicians. i like how the electrosmash breaks down 'classic' pedals into circuit blocks so that one can start noticing parts in different schematics and getting an idea of what the pedal does. once you've learned the theory behind things find yourself some good online calculators (parallel resistor/series capacitor, rc filter, cathode bypass capacitor calculator, etc)

so yeah, read, learn, don't be afraid to experiment as long as you're keeping safety in mind, and don't forget to have fun!

[Phil_S]

Start with the sticky post at the top of this section of the forum, Reading Material on Steroids.

There is disagreement as to the most appropriate kind of first project. I want to suggest a kit amp of some sort and not overly complicated. There are several benefits to getting a kit. I think the most important one is that all the parts you need will come in one package. This convenience should not be overlooked.

[ViperDoc]

A Trinity 5E3 wouldn’t be a bad place to start.

[edo]

Hello everyone and thank you for taking the time to read and answer!
I don't use any pedals! Ahahah
I just play straight the guitar into the amp. The only pedal i'm using it's a wah that i'm gonna mod a bit in the next weeks beside upgrading the electronics of a chinese Les Paul.

My idea is to make a 6g2; but i didn't find any kit online and also - living in Italy - kits are not so easy to find.
I mean on the web, from the little i've searched, they're easier to find in US then in Europe; so the prices raise for customs (and in Europe, UK seems like the easiest country where you can find those, but thanks to Brexit now there's customs there too).

If you think 6g2 it's too much as a first step i would consider the 5e3 (i don't really need the tremolo, i love the Princeton brownfaced sound!) as from my ignorance i see there are some similarities.
Or considering the sound i'm after i should look for something else?

Anyway, it seems like a long and interesting journey.
So far and again, thank you!

Have a nice day.

Edit: to answer my first question, for everyone who may need: http://www.tubebooks.org/technical_books_online.htm

Also: http://aikenamps.com/index.php/white-papers

[thetragichero]

hmmm tubetown.de doesn't deliver to italy? weird (just pulled up their site)

[edo]

Seems like it doesn't. Anyway the Reading Material on Steroids thread is awesome, thank you!

What do you think is the simplest circuit that's similar to that 6g2 (i like the princeton brownface sound and i don't mind the tremolo)?

Thank you and have a nice day.

[Phil_S]

Maybe you can find a 5F1 Champ kit? This is close to the 6G2, but no tremolo.

Or you might find a AA764 Vibro Champ kit, which is very similar to the 6G2. After you build it and get comfortable with what needs to be done, you might modify it to match the 6G2.

The 6G2 documents (schematic and layout) are freely available. If you are adventurous, you can make a bill of materials and order the individual parts. Probably the biggest challenge will be the chassis. Are you up to drilling your own chassis? People do it. However, without experience, you are likely to make some mistakes in parts selection and that could cost you extra money to place a second and a third order to get what you really meant to order. This why I suggest a kit.

Good luck!

[martin manning]

What do you think is the simplest circuit that's similar to that 6g2 (i like the princeton brownface sound and i don't mind the tremolo)?

A 6G2 would be fine for a beginner, but unfortunately it is not a common circuit like 5E3. There is one kit available in US (Allen "Hot Fudge"), but it's not shipped internationally. Tube Amp Doctor in Germany makes a 6G3 Brown Deluxe kit that looks nice: https://www.tubeampdoctor.com/en/tad-am ... -kit?c=154 Compared to 6G2, 6G3 is a two-channel amp, has a GZ34 vs. 5Y3 rectifier tube, and a LTP phase inverter vs. 6G2's cathodyne. It will have more output power, and is a more complex amp to build.

Maybe you can find a 5F1 Champ kit? This is close to the 6G2, but no tremolo.

No, 5F1 is single-ended, where 6G2 is 2x 6V6. You're thinking of the 5F2 Tweed Princeton.

[Phil_S]

No, 5F1 is single-ended, where 6G2 is 2x 6V6. You're thinking of the 5F2 Tweed Princeton.

Yes, I was. Mind reader Martin!

[edo]

Thank you guys!
I'm studying the basis right now and i don't know why but the idea of building it entirely (chassis and the head) thrills me.
I think it will take time so i'll look for the components as i walk this path.
I'm planning to make a 6g2 with a nfb switch and i'm wondering, if i remove the tremolo can i make a boost with that half-unused valve? (If i got what i'm reading these days right).

Again, thanks and i hope i'll feed this thread with materials of this project taking shape in not so long.

Have a nice day.

[martin manning]

Power stage bias-varying tremolo, as in the original 6g2, is a nice effect, and following the original schematic and layout keeps things simple. The eyelet boards can probably be made directly from the Fender layout, and maybe there is someone local who can fabricate a chassis for you?

[Brebar]

Get a small amp kit, like a Fender 5f1 from Weber. It's a easy yet rewarding build. Then read everything on Rob Robinettes web site, watch every utube vid that Uncle Doug and D=Lab put out. No need for an Electrical Engineering degree to build an amp, go for it and have fun.

[edo]

Thank you! As i'm reading and getting to know new things i'm thinking too of a more simple project like 5f1, as you suggested, in order to get some experience. Also, economic wise, feels more like a first project (in case of damage/not-so-good work).
Anyway we'll see, i'm at the alphabet right now.

Thank you and good day everyone!

[edo]

Look at what i found!
Can you tell by these pics if there's something good for me?

Thanks and have a nice day.