Time to Blow: My First Tube Amp Project...

[Coda]

I want to build a 5F1 Tweed Champ. I want to do it as a replica, essentially. This will be my first tube build. I am not worried. I know how it is, building electronics, I know its high voltage, I get that. I am taking it 110% serious. I have been watching Lyle on Youtube for a while now and have learned enough that I think I am ready. Now, I know that there are quite a few amp builders around these parts, so I have a few starter questions.
1) kit vs part-it-out?
2) if no kit, where cab from?
3) 8 or 10 inch speaker?

Thank you. And now, for your appreciation, I now present Mr. Tobias Hoffman...

 

[jimilee]

First amp? Kit, in my opinion. Mojotone has great cabinets.

 

[Asdrael]

I would definitely start with a kit (including chassis) but build my own enclosure really.

Also, 12"

 

[ThatDude]

Howdy. I recently completed my first tube amp a few months ago. I didn't go with a kit because there isn't a kit for the amp I wanted to build. I noticed while pricing out the cost of the build that you might save some money not going with it kit, but the money you'll save by not getting a kit you'll spend in time equity shopping around for the best price parts or hard to find parts. Not to mention, it is kind of nice to know there is some form of support from most places you'd buy a kit. If you have questions or need troubleshooting help most vendors know their own kits inside and out. There are lots of 5F1 kits available from different vendors and with Black Friday coming up, maybe some will go on sale.

I built the head and speaker cabs for my amp build because cabs are pretty expensive and I was already down the rabbit hole. What was one more side mission?

 

[jcpst]

If you don’t mind finishing the cab, rawcabs are pretty great

Items for sale by pineguitarspeakercabinetbuilder | eBay

Shop eBay for great deals from pineguitarspeakercabinetbuilder!

www.ebay.com

 

[owlexifry]

1) kit vs part-it-out?

do you enjoy scouring the internet for parts?
do you know exactly what parts you need?
are you a mad thrifty demon at saving on shipping charges? (although probably a moot point if you're in the US)

if no to any of the above, a kit is the way to go for a beginner.
+1 mojotone is excellent.

not that sourcing your own parts is a bad idea, it's just a lot more futzing around and usually more expensive (if that even matters - sometimes you just want certain resistors, caps, etc. and you grab what exactly what you want for the build - mouser is the bomb for this - they have all the hammond iron the world)

3) 8 or 10 inch speaker?

10" (12" will be even better)

 

[PunchySunshine]

+1 ALL OF THIS!

 

[Coda]

Does anyone know if the StewMac kit is any good? I imagine it’s just the Mojotone kit. That may be a good option, combined with BF sales…

 

[jimilee]

Does anyone know if the StewMac kit is any good? I imagine it’s just the Mojotone kit. That may be a good option, combined with BF sales…

I’ve seen one assembled on you tube. Looks like good stuff. You’re probably right, they probably are mojotone kits.

 

[owlexifry]

Does anyone know if the StewMac kit is any good? I imagine it’s just the Mojotone kit. That may be a good option, combined with BF sales…

yep, StewMac kits are mojotone kits.
just as good.
my first amp build was from them (2204 JCM800 - unfortunately they don't offer this one anymore))