If you have decided to go ahead and build your own tube guitar amp, please let me share my first projects and error with you to help direction. go in the right But first, make sure you really want to create your own:
- You must be sufficient practice in the electronics already, and aware of the dangers inherent in electronic tubes and high voltage precautions when working on a tube amp
- You should not have the hope that you will save money … unless your time is worth nothing that can probably do better buying a complete amplifier, even among vendors kit, but certainly in the open market, as used
All said, however, A, there is a great source of satisfaction to meet and play an amplifier built himself and have permission to make further changes / change / the voice of his creation to perfection … So let's begin:
Adhering my first project
My first project began as an AM, it was thought that the chassis and most of the components was very suitable for octal base tube Fender Champ-like single-ended amplifier, and I wanted to hear the difference in tone between the tubes and tube amplifier modeling of truth in my Roland Cube … After to study some good books Tube Amp (see Resources) and I decided on a plan:
- I struggled with the old transformer (insulation dust arc son), who serves as tube sockets, potentiometers noisy physical layout and poor (with the chassis of the old radio does not provide the optimal location of the main components of a guitar tube amplifier)
- He discovered that the real point wiring is not the best option for testing
- Could not find a tube microphone pentode not old stock
- The tone of suck … In retrospect, I think the UN is due to disappointing mark, the processor Launch small, but probably will happen again without
- In summary, I have learned many things, but did not answer my fundamental questions about tube pitch, because it ends with an icon as a reference amplifier end of the project
I spent a few frustrating night redesign and rebuild my first attempt and after my second major project I cracked and bought a team that promised a clone of a vintage Grand Champ amplifier. findings include:
- Saving a few cents here and there on the components is not good when finished to invest much time to build the project and aspects of the final result look cheap (eg plastic replacement for a "good driver" jewels of light metal construction) or for worse … slaughter (eg economic electrolytic capacitors)
- I've grown a little Leary of the United Nations marks Chinese processors who can not even have been hi-pot tested and even less for safety agency certification, and who knows what dishes, etc. used in the audio transformer?
- Tiny chassis and cabinets are not the best choice for adding additional features to track stock and very frustrating to work with
- 8 "speaker and small lockers suck tone … this amp sounds great when you connect a speaker right combination and office
Your name DIYA Tube Guitar Amp Project
In previous experiments in mind that it is time to summarize some of the considerations for the first project:
- Simple project, but not in the Heart … something that will be satisfactory and playable
- Physically large for easy access, the simplification and change Assembly Hall
- Well documented, well supported … not necessarily with the manual step, step guide to building, but rather a community with active forums, web documents or detailed, etc.
- A complete kit of parts, nothing wrong with the supply of components
- The pieces of good quality with the ability to upgrade if you want … but the rules Moderation … Overa may want extravagant good value components to minimize your risk if your project is not going well or lose interest.
- A frame format standard for the purchase of furniture, cabinets and readily available in the kit supplier, or a desire, willingness and ability to build (and end) their own cabinets
With due consideration given above was my third time lucky! Â
I recommend finding a reputable supplier of tube amplifier kits, and choose a model that suits both your taste and a satisfactory set of features for its first DIY Guitar Tube Amp!
Mark Roberts blogs on DIY tube electronics at TubeNexus.com. He is avidly involved in guitar electronics as a hobby and dabbles in boutique effects pedals as a business with Cause & Effect Pedals.
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