hello and well help with amps

[astro932]

ok so i have decided i want to build an amp something around 50 watt doesnt need any internal effects i have a good pedal board for that any thought ideas or any thing? ill give ya a bit of my background ,i build guitars i do a lot of basic car wiring and stereos and such i do quite a bit of carpentry as well but i have not not really any big projects with tubes and im now wanting to step out and build so i want something straight forward and good sounding and really kind of some good places to start and well just some help
Thanks

[TIMBO]

Welcome astro, I don't think you can go too wrong to build a Marshall 50w. Doug's got schems in his library. Good luck 

[TubeGeek]

I'd recommend looking into a kit for your first build unless you want to really DIY. If yes, then decide what you want to build and then begin putting a parts list together and a plan to go with it. Step by step.

[astro932]

ya i had thought about kits 1. i cant find really what im looking for 2. im not a kit person the way i learn is not by following step by step instructions. also marshall does make good amp just build one i have heard probably would be best im looking at this http://www.el34world.com/charts/Schematics/files/marshall/jcm800_50w_4010.pdf right now and problem i am not the greatest at duplicating schematics soo this really could be tricky if i can find a lay out of it that might help

[sluckey]

That 4010 schematic you linked to is a combo amp. The chassis is identical to the JCM-800 2204 amp. Info, schematics, layouts, parts, and kits are available for the 2204 all over the net. This should get you started...

http://www.ceriatone.com/productSubPages/BSJCM800_2204/BSJCM800_2204Kits.htm
http://www.ceriatone.com/images/layoutPic/marshallLayout/JCM800_2204Ceriatone.jpg

http://www.triodeelectronics.com/50wmarshkit.html
http://site.triodestore.com/JCM8002204Stock.pdf
http://www.triodeelectronics.com/50wmarshkitv2.html
http://site.triodestore.com/JCM8002204V.2NEWlayout.pdf
http://site.triodestore.com/JCM80022044018033V.2.pdf

http://www.mhuss.com/MyJCM/index.html

[TubeGeek]

Kits still provide plenty of opportunity to educate yourself.  None that I am aware of offer step by step instructions, they just offer all needed parts and it's up to you to follow either a schematic or layout of the circuit you're building.


Sometimes what I do is follow a layout I like and order parts from a couple different sources.  I highly recommend purchasing from our host, as his parts are good quality and he has everything you'll need to build a 50W 2204...plexi50W...etc

[SILVERGUN]

Yup..... 2204 

It's a classic.....was my first as well

The guy I built it for thanks me every time I see him....takes pedals like a dream

The best part about it is that all of the hard work has been done for you......layouts, bill of materials,,,it's all there

Just follow the yellow brick road

Here's the one I did: http://www.dreamtone.org/

I agree with the Geek Meister....the toughest part when you're starting out is gathering ALL of the parts on your own

Good luck and let us know how it goes

[astro932]

is there any where out there that just has a full parts list i have found a few layouts that look right but them parts lists would make it easier

[sluckey]

im not a kit person the way i learn is not by following step by step instructions.

is there any where out there that just has a full parts list i have found a few layouts that look right but them parts lists would make it easier

If you will not buy a ready made parts kit, I recommend you pick out a schematic/layout you want and stick to it. Make your own parts list from that schematic/layout. Yes, it's extra work, but you will learn a lot about the amp building process and may even learn something about how an amp works. You may also learn that buying a kit has advantages and still provides a lot of room for learning. Many of these kits do not come with 'hold your hand' step by step instructions and will require you to work from a schematic/layout that is available for the particular kit. It will probably cost you a lot more if you source parts from several vendors using your own BOM.

I've never bought a kit, but I have a strong electronics background and a nice workshop. I also have a fairly good bench stock of common parts as well as tube sockets, hardware, etc. And I enjoy the planning/drawing board phase of the amp building process just as much as the actual building process. I love working from a schematic (my original or not) to develop a board layout. Then actually building the board, punching the chassis, final assembly, adjustment, tweaking, etc. It's all just one big project to me. If I didn't have a good bench stock, or didn't enjoy drawing, or board building, or punching chassis, I'd just buy a kit. Or, if my only objective was to build an amp, I'd buy a kit.
 

[SILVERGUN]

is there any where out there that just has a full parts list i have found a few layouts that look right but them parts lists would make it easier

Sluckey makes a great point....you have to work for it
Parts list = Bill of materials= B.O.M
If you look around on that site I listed above, I promise you you'll find the B.O.M.

Or I could just give you the link,,,,,but then you wouldn't learn anything

The guys that came here before us had to work for everything (imagine NO INTERNET  ) and if there's a couple things I've noticed in my short time here:
1) they are not here to hold our hand and give us every answer...they like to promote independant thinking
2) they dont like to have to repeat themselves,,,,even though they probably have to do it 10 times everyday
3) they want to see effort on your part......i.e. stop back tomorrow and tell us how you found your BOM (or created one) and that you ordered all of the parts from Hoffman (because he has them all, sure makes it easy)

If you think this will be the only amp you'll ever want to build, just get the exact # of parts to finish the job (barring any accidents),,,
BUT, if you think this might be a long term hobby, you will want to start creating your own bench stock......asst. pots, jacks, resistor kit, cap assortment, wire of different types, board making material, tube sockets, etc., etc., .....you make the rules

I got so frustrated with ordering parts that I just started looking for common values on different schematics and ordered larger quantities of each....no one told me to do that...It has worked out well, and I was even able to wake up one day and decide I was going to build a Champ,,,,and didn't have to order any parts at all.....it was done 2 days later.......and I'm no great builder....that was fun
http://www.el34world.com/Forum/index.php?topic=14765.0

So it's your choice: one and done or a lifetime of fun?

[smackoj]

re: kits vs. source it yourself. I think the kit idea is the best to start because there are lots of parts, some familiar and others not so much to try and gather. And, as stated above, you will probably spend more money and you'll definitely take longer getting ready to build sourcing your own parts. Shipping costs have gone way up lately and that will eat your budget up. Beware though, again, as stated earlier here, most kits have a pretty large component of DIY. I have personnaly talked with a few of the kit suppliers and they usually are amp builders also. So, when they are busy building or repairing amps, they don't like constant phone calls from beginners that ask lots of questions. Might be the wrong attitude, I don't judge, but it is what it is. Luckily for you, any problems you might have could be easily sorted out with the help of the xperts on this blog....so go for it.

Here are a couple kit producers that I know will treat you as good as can be xpected:
Trinity Amps in Canada
Tube Depot
Kendrick Amps
Triode Store

prob have to google the names to get the exact web address

 

[TubeGeek]

Some very good advice from the guys here.

I didn't buy a kit with my first amp build project (AA763 twin reverb).  Heck I didn't even know this forum existed until half way through that project!  I just looked at a schematic and layout until it made enough sense to put together my own parts list. I was just out of college at that time so I had a little knowledge from my electronics engineering studies. Of course I learned a ton by doing this and this hobby blew up into what I call a "hyper-hobby".

If you're in this for one amp build then go with a kit.  If you plan on building more down the road like most of us, then begin building up an inventory of parts.  It's taken me years to get the inventory I have in stock, I may have even started hoarding the stuff  I think I have enough parts to last me 10 amp builds