What amp should I build?

[matmonster58]

It's about time I get around to building my first amp. I don't really play guitar so I could use some suggestions.

What I want from this amp:

-A platform to test pedals with. I don't it to be a super clean pedal platform amp though. I want to be able to feel the interaction between pedal and amp.

-A recording amp/ amp for people to use when they come over to jam.

-Something that inspires me to practice guitar more.

I typically shoot for nice clean or lightly driven tones when I do play guitar. I don't need much volume and I'm trying to keep cost relatively low so something single ended is probably best.

Right now i've narrowed down to a modded out blackface champ w/ reverb and a 10in speaker.

Would this be a good amp for what im after of should I check out some different styles?

I'm not looking for any kits but cab and chassis recommendations would be greatly appreciated. I'll probably end up repurposing some cheap solid state beater if I cant find any affordable cabs

 

[mason]

One of my favorite amps I ever built was a AA764 vibro-champ. Great sounding cleans but low powered enough to get some break up at relatively low volumes. It's a perfect pedal platform but I also really enjoyed playing it straight up. So yeah, I think building one of those would be a great idea, but swap the tremolo for a one tube reverb and add a mid control that slowly lifts the tonestack as you turn it all the way up, giving you more gain if you want it.

 

[jimilee]

5F6A is the way to go.

 

[ThatDude]

The timing on your question about chassis recommendations is impeccable. I am in the process of building a Micro Bassman Amp from Rob Robinette's design. I botched the Hammond brand chassis I had originally bought, so I bought a BUD Industries brand chassis because it would get here fast (bought from Amazon). The quality between these two feels like night and day. The Hammond chassis cuts with my step bits and the aluminum composition feels way more rigid. The BUD industries chassis bent and deformed more than cut. It's almost impossible to de-burr the edges of the BUD chassis since the metal is so soft and gummy. Both the Hammond and BUD chassis are listed as the same gauge aluminum. I've used Hammond chassis a lot for amp and pre amp builds, and going forward its Hammond or bust for me, or at least not BUD Industries. You can also consider custom built chassis that people sell. Custom is a good option if you want a thicker gauge material or different metal.

If you don't mind me asking, why are you not considering kits?

 

[matmonster58]

If you don't mind me asking, why are you not considering kits?

I have enough experience to roll my own parts and there are mods I want that aren't standard so there's no reason for me to grab a kit. I'm also shopping for second hand transformers to save some costs.

I think I could probably fit a champ into a 1590dd and have tayda do the drilling. I have a bad habit of undersizing my enclosures making things harder for myself. I always prefer a cnc drilled enclosure though when I can

 

[ThatDude]

I think I could probably fit a champ into a 1590dd and have tayda do the drilling. I have a bad habit of undersizing my enclosures making things harder for myself. I always prefer a cnc drilled enclosure though when I can

A 1590dd would be very compact for a Champ circuit. Please do a build report for us when you complete this. I like seeing other folks amp builds.

 

[lcipher3]

1590dd would be doable but tight. Theres a guy that sells one based on a Hammond 7x5x2 steel box.

I just started a small amp design myself based on champ/princeton 5FA2 with parts I have sitting around. Dont want a whole Champ / Princeton amp - have enough cabs already so its a naked "head" type.
3/8" wood sides and bent aluminum (7.25x5.25x2")

I may or may not use the choke. I a ton more cap than the champ and it's pretty dead quiet in the breadboard.

 

[GAStan]

For an unfinished cabinet I can't recommend TRM Cabinets highly enough. I've bought several cabinets from Tim and will continue to do business with him. He's easy to work with and has always accommodated my custom requests. He only checks his emails in the evening so be patient.

A good resource if you're not already familiar with it is The Amp Garage. You can post any questions you might have in the Technical section if it doesnt fit in the others, and you'll most likely get plenty of help. There is a LOT of experience on that forum.

 

[Feral Feline]

I'm surprised that 1590DD has been referenced, but 1590D has not.

1590DD 188 x 119.5 x 33
1590D 187.5 x 119.5 x 56

If I was squeezing an amp into 188x119 — I'd definitely at least go for the taller enclosure.


Maybe consider the 1550 series:
1550G 1550GBK 1550WG 1550WGBK 8.74 5.75 2.01 / 222 146 51
1550N 1550NBK 1550WN 1550WNBK 9.85 9.85 3.82 / 250 250 97
1550J 1550JBK 1550WJ 1550WJBK 10.83 6.89 2.46 / 275 175 62 ✔︎

 

[lcipher3]

The 2" makes things easier for sure, and the "depth" can be an issue with the top real estate (~4" would be tight). This pic is NOT mine (there's a guy on reverb that sells them) but this is the Hammond steel box 7x5x2. P-H1441-12X His is "backwards" in my opinion with the power and inputs swapped. But anyway you can see the tubes and transformers take up a bit. These all assume you dont use the rectifier tube of course.

The "lip" on these types of boxes can be a pain - they get in the way of access. Thats why I went with a bent aluminum and wood type chassis. TBD if it turns out what I think it will lol.




.

 

[matmonster58]

1590dd would be doable but tight. Theres a guy that sells one based on a Hammond 7x5x2 steel box.

I just started a small amp design myself based on champ/princeton 5FA2 with parts I have sitting around. Dont want a whole Champ / Princeton amp - have enough cabs already so its a naked "head" type.
3/8" wood sides and bent aluminum (7.25x5.25x2")

I may or may not use the choke. I a ton more cap than the champ and it's pretty dead quiet in the breadboard.


View attachment 89901

I love the raw head look. The only reason I wouldn't do one just like this is because I want a spring reverb.

A speakon cable that connects the speaker and the reverb tank would be an interesting solution

 

[matmonster58]

I'm surprised that 1590DD has been referenced, but 1590D has not.

1590DD 188 x 119.5 x 33
1590D 187.5 x 119.5 x 56

If I was squeezing an amp into 188x119 — I'd definitely at least go for the taller enclosure.


Maybe consider the 1550 series:
1550G 1550GBK 1550WG 1550WGBK 8.74 5.75 2.01 / 222 146 51
1550N 1550NBK 1550WN 1550WNBK 9.85 9.85 3.82 / 250 250 97
1550J 1550JBK 1550WJ 1550WJBK 10.83 6.89 2.46 / 275 175 62 ✔︎

1590dd is the biggest size tayda sells i think. The only reason I would go with something that small is for the cheap drilling tayda does