Ok.. so i've never built an amp before.. but i've done alot of diy effects projects.. and i think i want to get in to this diy amp stuff. I'll probably start off with a build kit....
I currently have a mesa nomad 45.. which i love... i think for my first project i'll want something with some type of tremelo.
This 18 watt looks very interested to me...
my question is.. is this a good place to start ? or is there something else you would reccomend to start with ?
also where do i get basic info on the build kits ?
Thanks
chris Richardson
Donations
Where to start ?
Moderators: colossal, zaphod_phil, CurtissRobin, Daviedawg, Graydon
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MarkB
Check out ax84.com for a starter project and lots of help online. Bruce at Mission amps has a tweed deluxe kit that's a good first build, and he's very helpful - and also provides a message board for builders. STF has a Champ kit - probably the easiest to start with.
Go to the Ampage amp site and read all the linked info pages, and the P1 theory article on the ax84 site. For books, check out TUT1 and TUT3 at londonpower.com. Not cheap, but full of good stuff. Needless to say, this site provides a huge amount of help for 18 watt builders.
Many people do advise to forget about building your "favorite" amp on a first build, and just try a simple amp for the experience.
Mark
Go to the Ampage amp site and read all the linked info pages, and the P1 theory article on the ax84 site. For books, check out TUT1 and TUT3 at londonpower.com. Not cheap, but full of good stuff. Needless to say, this site provides a huge amount of help for 18 watt builders.
Many people do advise to forget about building your "favorite" amp on a first build, and just try a simple amp for the experience.
Mark
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Graydon
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You could try GDS...
I have a kit for the 18W that can be purchased. Details at my site... www.gdsamps.com
Many beginners who never held a soldering iron before have successfully built my kit.
Many beginners who never held a soldering iron before have successfully built my kit.
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strumer
I was checking out the tweed deluxe kit from mission.. it seams rather expensive compared to graydon's 18 watt kit. This is kinda confusing for a newbie.. considering the 150$+ price difference.
I would expect some price difference for the different parts.. but whoa.
am i missing something here ?
Chris
I would expect some price difference for the different parts.. but whoa.
am i missing something here ?
Chris
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fred
deluxe kit
I believe that the deluxe kit from mission amps includes everything you need except the cab & speakers. Graydons kit has the chassis, transformers, and console panels
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strumer
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Aaron
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when i got into this amp, i'd only built one effects box before, and a pretty simple one at that - a rat. youve definitely got more experience than me with this so i think you could jump right in and do it. especially with graydon's kit. most of the work involved preparing the chassis. with that set and all the parts ready for you, you're golden. also, i would take an unfinished chassis from graydon over the complete package from mission amps. this 18W is just TOO good to pass up. once you build it you will be surprised at how good it sounds "out of the box". i will of course suggest the "Jason PI mod" too.
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Graydon
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Strumer,
Just to clarify a little bit...
I have a complete kit that includes everything except cabinet and speakers.
I also sell a bare chassis (including the plexi panel(s) ) if someone has their own parts, and I sell the Heyboer trannys as well. Those are all laid out on my parts buying page on my website.
Just as a reminder too, I have AC30 tag strips, and single tube socket mounting brackets for you DIYers who have other amp projects. They're at the bottom of the parts buying page... http://elektro.cmhnet.org/~graydon/18wattbuyparts.html
Just to clarify a little bit...
I have a complete kit that includes everything except cabinet and speakers.
I also sell a bare chassis (including the plexi panel(s) ) if someone has their own parts, and I sell the Heyboer trannys as well. Those are all laid out on my parts buying page on my website.
Just as a reminder too, I have AC30 tag strips, and single tube socket mounting brackets for you DIYers who have other amp projects. They're at the bottom of the parts buying page... http://elektro.cmhnet.org/~graydon/18wattbuyparts.html
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Jason
Strumer,
You defintely can't go wrong with Graydon's kit or even the 18 Watt design as well
. His price is very fair--especially considering the extra nice quality and efforts involved with the whole experience. Plus, you have all of us here to help out if you get in a bind.
Bruce's 5E3 looks killer, the price is right, and the 5E3 page is also very good. Bruce [like Graydon] likes to hang out at Ampage and is also very helpful + super knowledgable. Unfortunately, I didn't buy Bruce's kit--I sourced my own parts, but I have bought from him before--and like Graydon, his service is excellent.
Cost wise, the 18 Watt will run you around $800 or a bit more depending on your parts selection and your cabinet cost. Still a lot less expensive than a custom boutique amp that has more extra great sound and quality--better than pretty much anything you could buy "pre-made". I wound up using Armadillo cabinets for mine--Will did a great job on the cabinet--but I did have to wait for over 2 months. I would also give Jeff Swanson a shot on my next 18 Watt build--and see how the 2 compare. Jeff's work looks impeccable and also fairly priced. These cabinets are a bit more $$ than a standard Fender style cabinet, but notice that they are also a lot more complex with regards to construction.
Cost wise, the 5E3 is also a huge winner--about $700-800 gets you a sweeet
little amp that's loud enough to gig with [small gigs!], record, or just bum around the house with. I love mine to death. Also, far better than almost anythign you could buy "pre-made".
Now, which tone do you prefer? The Deluxe is not as loud or crunchy, but it is a friendly and sweet amp. The 18 Watt is more of a firebreather.
Jason
You defintely can't go wrong with Graydon's kit or even the 18 Watt design as well
. His price is very fair--especially considering the extra nice quality and efforts involved with the whole experience. Plus, you have all of us here to help out if you get in a bind.Bruce's 5E3 looks killer, the price is right, and the 5E3 page is also very good. Bruce [like Graydon] likes to hang out at Ampage and is also very helpful + super knowledgable. Unfortunately, I didn't buy Bruce's kit--I sourced my own parts, but I have bought from him before--and like Graydon, his service is excellent.
Cost wise, the 18 Watt will run you around $800 or a bit more depending on your parts selection and your cabinet cost. Still a lot less expensive than a custom boutique amp that has more extra great sound and quality--better than pretty much anything you could buy "pre-made". I wound up using Armadillo cabinets for mine--Will did a great job on the cabinet--but I did have to wait for over 2 months. I would also give Jeff Swanson a shot on my next 18 Watt build--and see how the 2 compare. Jeff's work looks impeccable and also fairly priced. These cabinets are a bit more $$ than a standard Fender style cabinet, but notice that they are also a lot more complex with regards to construction.
Cost wise, the 5E3 is also a huge winner--about $700-800 gets you a sweeet
little amp that's loud enough to gig with [small gigs!], record, or just bum around the house with. I love mine to death. Also, far better than almost anythign you could buy "pre-made". Now, which tone do you prefer? The Deluxe is not as loud or crunchy, but it is a friendly and sweet amp. The 18 Watt is more of a firebreather.
Jason
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