Noob....Looking to try to build...

[spaceace1122]

So what would be a good simpler, starter amp (with killer tone) to build to get some basic skills down Structo? Any ideas?

I am still excited to try this. Figured I might see if my library has any books on the subject too, all this reading on the computer is killing me.

[JamesO]

Try one of trinityamps.com 5E3 deluxe kits. They're simple and right in your price range. I encourage you to try.

[stevlech]

edit:

[Structo]

Yes that would be a good kit and would be a step above a simple Champ.

[spaceace1122]

so if i am reading the page right, the 5E3 is complete....every single part i need to create a fully functioning amp is included?

this amp be comparable to a Fender type I guess?

( i don't know much about tube amps either, just bought my first one earlier this year, played solid state for 8 years)

[Structo]

The Deluxe comes from the Tweed era of Fender amps.
These amps usually break into pretty good power tube distortion as you turn them up.
Here's some sound clips of the 5E3
Clean http://www.trinityamps.com/clips/sample ... _strat.mp3

Dirty http://www.trinityamps.com/clips/sample ... 0strat.mp3

Medium SG http://www.trinityamps.com/clips/sample ... ain_sg.mp3

If you want more of a Marshall tone, the 18 watt kit would be the way to go.

Looks like it comes with everything including a 65 page assembly guide.
Be aware that this does not come with a cabinet. Looks like Trinity can build that as well, but if you know how to work with wood you could make your own.
You will have to supply the solder and a good soldering iron is a must.

I bought one of these a while back and it is the best I have used, especially for the price.

http://www.howardelectronics.com/xytronic/379.html

[Bob-I]

Excuse me Bob, sorry for everyone I have insulted or offended with my inferior knowledge of amp building.

Wow ask a question and get jumped on.

Well yes, you ask about duplicating an amp that sells on ebay for $40,000 by buying odds and ends at Radio shack. I am offended, my 5 years of college to get an engineering degree and years of working on electronic equipment was degraded to odds an ends at radio shack. Sorry, but yes I'm offended.

Why not head off the ax84.com where they cater to beginners. That is not meant to tell you to scram, but to give you a place where you can learn.

[JamesO]

You would still need a cabinet and speaker. We can help with the speaker choices, but you can easily do this for $600.

It's a tweed Fender Deluxe.[/i]

[Bob-I]

Again, I apologize for my prior posts.

Ok, I didn't mean to bring ego into it. I usually try to encourage folks but suggesting that expensive boutique amps can be duplicated with odds and ends struck me the wrong way.

Back on topic. If you're interested in building, great. Start with a simple amp like the P1 at ax84.com. Read this document and ask question on their forum http://ax84.com/p1/P1_Theory_Document.zip . This doc steps you through all the stages of the amp. Once you have the basics, come on back and learn the more complex amps.

[M Fowler]

spaceace1122

I just finshed up the Ken Watts Matchless Spitfire and is a great sounding amp. Ken has those complete kits available for $465 no tubes or cab at
http://www.turretboards.com This is a 15 watt amp with a more of a VOX sound. I did not go with the kit since I had many parts in stock.

Look under amp kits to find this one.

[drz400]

Excuse me Bob, sorry for everyone I have insulted or offended with my inferior knowledge of amp building.

Wow ask a question and get jumped on.

I wasn't trying to "offend" anyone, just trying to get ideas for this, I come here with no knowledge of anything with this field. I have nothing but respect for those who do know how to build an amp, that rocks.

I was looking for a project since I am bored, stumbled on the amp, and figured why not try. It's the same thing from when I built my first guitar, was bored figured, why not. Surprisingly it turned out playable, since it's too cold to build another guitar in my garage thought an amp might be a nice subject to study in.

Again, I apologize for my prior posts.

You can build an amp with simple parts but nothing you will find at Radio Shack these days. But when it comes to building a refined amp it is a labor of love and not for the faint of heart or for people who do not learn about the technical side on what they are doing unless you dont mind shocking your heart and perhaps stopping it by doing something careless. High voltage tube guitar amps are really dangerous if you dont know what you are doing. Hey does anyone know what amp burned up the GC in CA?
http://cbs13.com/local/guitar.center.fire.2.887004.html

[JimiB]

I suggest you order this
http://store.bnamp.com/basickit.html
It's a reasonable first build.
Its within your expected price point.
it will be a fun amp to build and play.

[lexluthier]

If you are serious about building one, why not sit back and absorb all the info first that is already posted here? That is my approach. I've been wanting to build a D clone for nearly 10 years, so I figured I would mainly stay in the background and study what is here until I feel confident enough in my knowledge to fire up the soldering iron.

[Normster]

Bob, you of all people should know that it's possible to build a great sounding Dumble-style amp for low bucks.
(Just kidding, Bob. I know how much knowledge and experience it takes to ferret out bargain donors and actually figure out how to transform them.)

Back on topic. Spaceace (if you're still with us) the hard part is not putting all the pieces together, it's getting them to work. Even VERY experienced amp builders still have troubleshooting and tweaking to do when the last connection is soldered. The more complex the amp, the more it tests your troubleshooting skills. In terms of guitar amps, Dumble style amps are pretty darned high on the complexity scale.

I've never built a P1, but both the 5E3 and 18watt Lite 2b circuits are relatively simple, well documented, and produce some extraordinary tones. IOW, they're keepers even if you decide to build a Dumble-style amp later.

Also, unless you are willing to invest an aweful lot of time hunting down the right parts, I highly recommend buying a kit. I've said this before in other posts, but I literally have hundreds of dollars worth of useless parts from my early days of figuring out what I needed to order.

Lastly, bear in mind that building an amp will not save you money. You can buy a Fender Pro Jr for about $350 new. That's probably less than you'll spend building an 18watt or 5E3. However, once you get bitten by the bug, you'll appreciate knowing how to tweak YOUR amp to get YOUR tone. In fact, many of us here consider amp building as a very expensive addiction.

[spaceace1122]

yeah Normster, I'm still here...

looking into the 5e3 kit...i dig fender amps so i figure it would be cool.

now with the tube amp...is it the tube or the circuit that predominately sets the tone of the amp?

i wouldn't mind knowing how to modify my amp, it is a cool amp, and looks great, i just don't really dig the sound of it...in the powertube tube section does anyone know why it isn't wise to swap tubes with a different type? i have 4 el84 tubes and i dunno if it is just me or the type of tube but i just can't seem to get a good full, round tone out of it.