joelorigo
Well-known member
What is the GT120? Is than an Orange amp?
Deciding on first amp build
- Thread starter jcpst
- Start date
joelorigo
Well-known member
I will link these videos that I watched recently here, for everyone, just for some basic safety.
Harry Klippton
Well-known member
Matamp. I priced that hilbish build for a friend and you could almost buy a matamp for what it would cost
Passinwind
Well-known member
joelorigo
Well-known member
Ah right. That's another thing for the OP that other threads here have pointed out, that unlike pedals, building your own amp won't be saving any money.
Also, when I started looking into this I compared the cost of a kit to sourcing everything by myself. The price was similar.
Harry Klippton
Well-known member
Most of the time, I'd rather build something than buy one. But a matamp is cool enough, I'd kinda rather just have a real one
fontoponto
Well-known member
Tube town has some nice amps kits https://www.tubetown.net/ttstore/en/kits/tube-amp-kits/
But the shipping woul dbe an issue I guess... (Germany -> USA)
But the shipping woul dbe an issue I guess... (Germany -> USA)
Thank you all tor sharing your collective knowledge. Man I love this forum. It is my social media!
I watched both the safety videos btw. I picked up the hand-in-pocket and chopstick tricks from the tech at the studio I used to work at, but hadn’t had a need to discharge filter caps yet, so that was my TIL.
@andrewsrea touched on a configuration that crossed my mind- the 5F2 with the 1x12. I really like that idea, and think that’s the build I’ll do first.
I like the idea of learning on something minimal, and also having an amp that’s minimal. I can dime it in my house situation no problem.
I watched both the safety videos btw. I picked up the hand-in-pocket and chopstick tricks from the tech at the studio I used to work at, but hadn’t had a need to discharge filter caps yet, so that was my TIL.
@andrewsrea touched on a configuration that crossed my mind- the 5F2 with the 1x12. I really like that idea, and think that’s the build I’ll do first.
I like the idea of learning on something minimal, and also having an amp that’s minimal. I can dime it in my house situation no problem.
drgonzo1969
Well-known member
Ya Matamp is another bucket list amp for me. I have always been in love with the look of their amps with the 3D logo. Definitely an amp I would want to buy rather than build. They are reasonably priced as well.
Harry Klippton
Well-known member
I haven't looked at them in several years but I heavily considered one when I bought my rockerverb
After looking at the orange schematics, they really are quite simple. Only weirdness is the FAC tone control and the cathodyne (I think?) PI — more like a tweed fender PI. I think you can build it!
Phil hodson
Well-known member
Trinity have been very good to me but I’m not sure if they have much in stock. Maybe worth dropping them an email and seeing when they will be up and running again.
I got an 18w from them and they made an amazing head box and speaker cab too.
I also got a soldano clone PCB from:
www.aaelectronicspcb.com
Harder to build as no instructions or guidance in anything other than a layout and schematic but I managed to find a good chassis and extras.
I got an 18w from them and they made an amazing head box and speaker cab too.
I also got a soldano clone PCB from:
The best PCBs for guitar amps | AA Electronics PCB, London - UK
AA Electronics manufactures and sells high quality printed circuit boards. We proudly supply the best vacuum tube PCBs around, for the hobbyists and for the pros. Whether you want to build a Dumble, Fender or Marshall clone, we got you covered!
www.aaelectronicspcb.com
Harder to build as no instructions or guidance in anything other than a layout and schematic but I managed to find a good chassis and extras.
Attachments
The Robot Devil
Member
I'm in the same boat as @jcpst where I'm thinking about making an amp.
Logically, I know that the 5F1 would be the place to start. However, I already own a clone of that amp.
Knowing that the Classic British 18W is a more difficult circuit, realistically, how much more difficult would it be for a first timer? Especially considering they have step by step instructions?
Logically, I know that the 5F1 would be the place to start. However, I already own a clone of that amp.
Knowing that the Classic British 18W is a more difficult circuit, realistically, how much more difficult would it be for a first timer? Especially considering they have step by step instructions?
Feral Feline
Well-known member
Depends on the person.
Some are able to bite off and chew-chew-chew, and others bite off more than they can chew — I'm in the latter category so I built a 5F2 for someone else and then for myself a 5E3. I'll be building a 5F2 for myself as my 5W TREND amp I refurbed already can annoy neighbours.
As others have pointed out, no point in building something you won't use, BUT — you can sell it (for nowhere near what you put into it, but chalk that up to learning) or gift it to somebody who will use it. No sense in trying to build a Marshall Super Lead as your first amp if you don't know what you're doing yet and are going to potentially make a costly mistake or kill yourself.
Then again, if you build the Brownout 1000 that Passinwind mentioned in post #25,
just think of all the $$$ you'll save by buying tubes in BULK!
Harry Klippton
Well-known member
Amps aren't any harder than pedals imo. If you can build a decent pedal and you're not surprised that it works when it's done, you can build an amp. Build what you want the first time, but you'll want to build another one anyway
RetiredUnit1
Well-known member
You should start simple. Tremolo and Reverb can be tricky to get running. The 5F2 is a simple build and has great sound. I started with 5e3, which has more connections and takes longer. This was around 2003-ish. Mojotone is a USA seller, generally has better quality components than Weber, and has instructions. Not sure if Weber has started including instructions, but 20 years ago the site read
"These are not erector sets kiddies, there are no instructions and it is assumed you know how to work with high voltage".
Or something to that effect. In addition their cabinets are made with very thin wood, whereas Mojotone is known for some of the best cabinets in the industry.
Tweed Princeton® 5F2-A Style Guitar Tube Amp Kit
Amp Kit Difficulty Level Easy Hard If this kit shows as out of stock please check here for more information.Please read our article 'Mojotone Amp Kit Building Primer' along with our amp kit disclaimer located in the Specs tab before buying this kit. Mojotone’s Tweed Princeton Style Amp is based...
www.mojotone.com
Ou, the alarm is going off. My soup is ready! Later!!
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I think I’d like to get a mojotone kit, but would prefer a 12” speaker. That’s why I considered the Weber. The mojotone 5F2 chassis is 3/4” narrower than the 5E3. So not sure if it will fit. But if it’s worth it to go mojotone, I’d rather get the 5E3 if that’s what fits in the 1x12 cab.
RetiredUnit1
Well-known member
Well the tweed deluxe is a great sounding amp. Neil Young, ZZ Top.... the list goes on. It's a bit more work, but not a whole lot more. The cabs from Mojo come fully assembled, the cabs from Weber are not, and they don't have *any* instructions. zip, nada, null set, and they are not void free baltic birch.
The one I bought had so many holes filled with green poly filler that it looked polka dotted..... I WAS going to finish it naturally until I saw that. I literally put it on the shelf and it's still there from about 18 years ago. That's when I said screw it and bought a 10" 2.5 hp Grizzly table saw with router table (over 400 pounds!), a couple routers a dovetail jig and made my own.
I came upon this a few days ago, kinda on subject. An incredibly well built 2x12 with speakers, for $265-ish free shipping. It's four dollars more on Amazon; has 5.0 rating!!! I've never seen any reviews that were 100% positive.
Sound Town 2 x 12" Guitar Speaker Cabinet, Birch Plywood, Black Tolex (GUC212BK) | eBay
The Sound Town GUC212BK is a 2 x 12“ guitar cabinet with 130W power handling capability. Its mono/stereo jack plate is set at the common 4/16-ohm mono and 8-ohm stereo, making connection a breeze. Model GUC212BK.
www.ebay.com
But of course you'd need a head cab to go with that
Rawcabs 5E3 PINE HEAD CABINET 16-3/8”wide x 7-1/2”tall x 10” deep | eBay
5E3 chassis pine head cabinet. Leather handle, chassis and speaker cabinet not. These are photos very similar to the cabinet you will receive. The front panel is permanently installed and sets back 3/8".
www.ebay.com
A lot less than the Mojo head cab
Fender Tweed Deluxe Style Head Guitar Amp Cabinet
Allows you to transfer your amplifier from the original combo into a head shell, and easily be able to try your favorite tweed deluxe amplifier with multiple speakers and configurations. The shell is made out of solid pine with handmade ¼" finger joints. The baffle board and backpanels are made...
www.mojotone.com
drgonzo1969
Well-known member
I have an extra copy of The Guitar Amp Handbook by Dave Hunter. If anyone is interested I would like to pass it along to anyone interested. It sparked my interest in building amps way back when I was in college. I bought a newer edition just cuz i was curious if there was anything new in it.
It has the basics of tube amp circuitry with a strong focus on early fender stuff. It has details in the back of the book to build DIY amp. PM if you are interested. free of charge. I really enjoyed the shit out of this book and would love to pass my extra copy along so if anyone wants it just PM me.
edit: claimed
It has the basics of tube amp circuitry with a strong focus on early fender stuff. It has details in the back of the book to build DIY amp. PM if you are interested. free of charge. I really enjoyed the shit out of this book and would love to pass my extra copy along so if anyone wants it just PM me.
edit: claimed
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The Robot Devil
Member
PM sent