Newbie Builder

[manofgod4life]

I have been doing a lot of reading ahead of trying to plan and start my first build, a vox ac15. I'm trying to make sure I pick out the correct power and input transformers and choke. I've seen a couple of different ones. How do I know which ones will work for this circuit?  Any help would be greatly appreciated. Don't want to screw up

[pompeiisneaks]

One of the forum members, Sluckey did an AC15, here's his detail: http://www.sluckeyamps.com/VAC15/ac15.htm you may need to look around a bit, but he may have a source.  If you're doing the AC30, then Doug sells the transformers needed for that here, but I don't see one for the AC15 exactly.  I've built Hoffmans AC30 and I'm building another AC30/4 based on Sluckey's AC15.  Here's a site that seems to have hte whole set for the Power, Output and choke: http://www.classictone.net/Vox-AC15-Vintage-Style-Transformers.html

Edit:  had wrong URL, that was for the choke only, this shows links for all three.

~Phil

[manofgod4life]

Thanks Phil. I'm still doing my homework before I start. I've been playing guitar for years
 and it's time for a new tube amp and I would really like to build one myself.

[sluckey]

Building my AC-15 will be a huge challenge for a first project. But if you're up to the challenge, the pdf file at the bottom of my webpage contains all the info you need, including the transformers I used.

[manofgod4life]

Thanks Steve. I checked it out. A question though- your small parts list differs a little from the list on Hoffmanamps.com. Is there any chance that is because of mods? They are missing a few tubes also on that other list.

[sluckey]

I don't know what 'other' list you're talking about.

[pompeiisneaks]

The hoffman AC30 (not sure if he has an AC15) has only one channel, and the Sluckey version has the tremolo, two channel version, that's 3 preamp tubes vs 5, so yes there's a major difference.  The question is 'Do you want to build a clone of the AC15 circuit? Or do you want to just build a basic AC15 single channel Amp?"  If its the former, then follow Sluckey's build, if it's the latter, follow the Hoffman one.  I started my AC30 with the Hoffman one and loved it, but am now almost done with an AC30/4 that is basically Sluckeys with two extra power tubes (15 vs 30 watts output).

~Phil

[manofgod4life]

Thanks Phil. On the reply from Steve, his small part list and the list from Hoffman amps were a little different. Hoffmann list of Sluckeys build has 2 less tubes and a couple different resisters. They both were listed as the same ac15 build, so I got a little confused

[sluckey]

My small parts list only contains resistors and capacitors. I don't remember if every resistor and cap is on the list, but I think so. Bottom line though... Every component is on my schematic so use that to make your own parts list. If you're gonna build an amp like one of the one's I have on my website, I highly recommend you use my documents and don't compare with some other document.

[manofgod4life]

Thanks Steve.

[manofgod4life]

I also found a wiring diagram for the Brown Note Foxy 18.
It is supposed to be a mix of vox and matchless. A heard a few clips
and it sounds real good plus seems to be an easier build and stripped down
AC15. Anybody have any schematics on this one or any parts list. The one
Wiring diagram I have found is a little fuzzy. Thanks

[sluckey]

Take a look at this...

     http://sluckeyamps.com/dual_lite/dual_lite.htm

It's a Vox AC-15 Lite (EF86 preamp as found in my AC-15). And with the flip of a switch it's a Marshall 18 Watt Lite II-B.

Very simple, straight forward amp that's easy to build and well documented.