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Post by ijustwannastrat on Oct 13, 2011 17:21:05 GMT -5
So, I've recently decided that I've given up on all amp manufacturers, and that I would have to build my own. Having said that, I'm so lost. ;D
I know I want to make an all tube amp. I want it to be low in watts (think below 5), I want full control over tone, and multiple channels.
Now, does anybody know a good place to get started? I'm more of a visual learner, but I'll take anything at this point. I know I can learn by breaking things into module components easier than anything else, but I really can't find a website that explains the parts of an amp completely.
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Post by newey on Oct 13, 2011 20:10:26 GMT -5
You may want to build your own. But you don't need to design your own, too, and there's no value in trying to do so. There are numerous designs out on the webs. For the most part, these will have been designed by an engineer with some familiarity in the field (i.e., more familiarity than you!). Their design will, more than likely, be superior to anything you would come up with. Certainly, once you get a basic amp up and running, you might find that, down the road, you'd like to modify it in some fashion. That's fine, but at least you've got a working amp to start from at that point. Using an existing design also allows you to tap into a user base of other builders who can help out a newbie builder. Some designs have been made up into complete kits, another convenience for a first time builder. Our Links page has links to most of the boutique tube amp builders, and to most of the kit manufacturers, as well as links to building resources. One ongoing project, with many successful builds, is at the AX84.com forums. |
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Post by ijustwannastrat on Oct 13, 2011 23:26:07 GMT -5
Once again, I get advice that I need, rather than want. Thank you, I think I will go that rout. I think I was just being stubborn in trying to do it myself.
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Post by 1150lefty on Oct 14, 2011 14:44:28 GMT -5
Oooo, been there, done that, have a local guy, but he doesn't work for beer. My attempts (research anyway) have resulted in paying more for DIY.
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Post by ijustwannastrat on Oct 14, 2011 17:02:48 GMT -5
I figure if I can break down the schematic and understand what's what, I can mix and match my way to the top. Of course, maybe I'm crazy. I am in the nutzhouse, afterall...
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Post by sumgai on Oct 15, 2011 4:08:07 GMT -5
I am in the nutzhouse, afterall... Hmmmm, first time I've heard this joint called The Garden Of Eden. Then again, even after 44 years, that piece will just pop outta the woodwork and trigger a flashback.... Man, I don't know who was more wasted that day, the VC or me.....   Seriously, you could do a helluva lot worse than to give www.ax84.com a whirl...... But if you're willin' to take it slow and easy, we'll hold yer hand during the learning curve.  sumgai |
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Post by ijustwannastrat on Oct 15, 2011 14:00:20 GMT -5
Hmmmm, first time I've heard this joint called The Garden Of Eden. Then again, even after 44 years, that piece will just pop outta the woodwork and trigger a flashback.... Man, I don't know who was more wasted that day, the VC or me..... Whoa, I lost you somewhere in there. But I was actually looking at one of the schematics on ax84.com. It's actually the October Amp that I am looking at. More specifically, the "Club Birthday Edition" Does anybody know how I would go about getting the schematic's verified? If I brought it into my local electronics guru, would he be willing to check it out (paid, obviously), or is that kind of like asking a dentist to show you how to clean your own teeth? |
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Post by sumgai on Oct 16, 2011 1:30:43 GMT -5
Hmmmm, first time I've heard this joint called The Garden Of Eden. Then again, even after 44 years, that piece will just pop outta the woodwork and trigger a flashback.... Man, I don't know who was more wasted that day, the VC or me.....
Whoa, I lost you somewhere in there.Take another look at what your fingers typed in for your location.... they probably did it while you were out back during a "smoke" break............... Or do we need to call in the Historians for a one-hour block of instruction?  Oh, you mean "VC and such". Well, that refers to a time in my life when it was "kill or be killed". Take it with a large grain of salt, and carry on. No need to go that far, I'll tell ya right now that what you see is what will work, gar-own-teed. Although in your case, I'd start off with the most simple version, good for 2 watts or so. Cheap, easy to troubleshoot, and quite versatile - should suit most players just fine, IMO. Like I said, if something doesn't make sense, ask them - they're the ones doing all the down-and-dirty work, they outta know. And then if it helps you to sleep better for having a second opinion, ask us here too. HTH sumgai |
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Post by ijustwannastrat on Oct 16, 2011 17:17:11 GMT -5
Wow, I forgot about my location. Everything just snapped back into the real world now.
If you vouch for ax84.com, then I feel confident in trusting them.
When you say the simplest project, 2 Watt or so, would you say the October Studio (labeled as 2Watt) is a good start?
ACTUALLY, when I looked at the schematics for the two, the 20Watt Club seems to look simpler than the 2Watt Studio. I'm not sure if you guys have downloaded the PDF's, but I'm getting confused by this...
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Post by jcgss77 on Oct 29, 2011 11:45:05 GMT -5
I will second Sumgai here-definitely start with the P-1, or the P-1 Extreme. By far the simplest amp builds on the site. The beauty of those is that their layouts are designed to allow you to modify later for bigger whatever you want it to do. If you even want bigger. The October is much more complicated than it looks on paper.
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