Could I build a 36 watt?

[brain_wreck]

I've been reading, lurking, and searching for a while on all things "tube amp". I've been learning electronics from the net and from the book "Electricity and Electronics". I'm also reading "The Guitar Amp Handbook" and miserably trying to read "Dave Funk's Tube Amp Workbook". I understand everything that I've read from the first couple of chapters of "Electricity and Electronics" and "The Guitar Amp Handbook" but the Dave Funk book is a hard read for me. It does'nt seem like it was written in any particular order.

I understand what all the components are in a tube amp and how to identify them. I mostly understand the function of all the components and how different types of components can have an impact on circuits but I still have alot to learn about electronics. I have soldered cables and basic diy pc board circuits. I know how to read a schematic.

I came across this site quite a while ago and just heard Richie's sound clips about a month ago. I think I read in a post or two that the "Richies" clips are of a 36 watt. I really like the sounds from the "Richies" sound clips and from Mark Huss's site of the 6v6 Plexi. That is definately the sound I'm looking for but I also need something with enough volume and enough clean headroom for gigging.

I know some guys will say that I should just buy something already built but I honestly can't afford $1000+ for an amp. Everything that I've tried in my price range does'nt come close to the sound I want. The only tube amp that I've owned was a dual rectifier and it was light years away from my sound. That was years ago and I got my money back out of it, thank god. I've tried alot of tube amps in my price range but the only one that I really liked was an old fender twin, for blues lead only. I could'nt use it for classic rock tones or harder stuff (not heavy). The only amp that has come close to my sound, a line6 amp, is a little sterile and does'nt respond to pick attack like a tube amp. It works for recording but I don't really enjoy playing it. I could drop $400-500 on an old Traynor YBA-1 or Sound City head, figure out how to mod it, and hope that it turns out ok but I really don't know if I would like the results.

I see that there is a schematic and bom for the 18 watt and not the 36 watt. I also read here that the 36 watt is basically the 18 watt with more power. It kind of seems like there may be some secrets to the 36 watt or am I missing something? I do understand that alot of guys build these amps to sell and that sharing every little detail might be a bad idea between competition. I'm not an amp builder or looking to make money on some one else's amp design. I just want to build my self one bad ass sounding tube amp. I'm starving for that sound! I could play Hendrix, SRV, The Black Crowes, ZZ Top, etc. with that sound as well as my own stuff.

I'm looking for any help to get started on a 36 watt that will sound like Richie's and Mark Huss's sound clips. I've listened to all the clips over at ax84 and the only one that sounded like my sound was Mark Huss's 6v6 plexi. I know that ax84 has some good beginner builds but none of them are for me from what I've heard. I really, really like the sounds from Richie's clips. If someone thinks I would be capable and would be willing to point me in the right direction to get started, I would really like to build one these. Thanks.

[krash]

There is an up-to-date layout drawing and schematic for the Richie-36W in the downloads section.

You can get a BOM with Mouser part numbers for the regular 18W and most of the components are the same or similar. With a little effort you can certainly get a BOM. I have one for my amp but it's incomplete.

Easiest to just go through the layout a component at a time and fill them into a spreadsheet, match them to the 18W and look up the part numbers on an 18W BOM, call Mouser and order. Sourcing the parts is really the tough part on getting started.

I might suggest you build a Lite IIb or something like that first, with Heyboer iron. You can get the 36W transformers from GDS amps and likely elsewhere. If you only need one channel then the Lite is the way to go. Otherwise if you really want the "Richie" sound that's mostly TMB and it's at least considerably more challenging and may raise more questions than answers.

[krash]

I'm sorry, I completely forgot to suggest, just buy a kit!!

You can get a 36W TMB kit from various sources.

[NitroLiq]

Just to clarify. The "Richamp" clips are the 36 TMB. The "Richies" set of clips is an 18 watt tmb. Check out the "midatlantic ampfest" clips if you want hear more clips of the standard tmb, including a ceriatone kit build which was the favorite at the fest. There aren't any kits out there based on the latest layout in the available downloads section but both GDS and Ceriatone make their own versions....I haven't heard either so not sure how similar in sound they are.

With all that being said, I'm in the middle of my first build, which is the 36 watter based on the current layout...I will say that that a kit that does a bit of hand-holding or has instructions would be helpful for a first build but if you have the tenacity for it and take your time, keep it safe, and ask alot of questions, you could build one.

[Oldschooltone]

Hi brain_wreck,

Do it.

I just finished my first amp today and it was from Richie's Layout of the 36watt. The amp sounds "unreal" even as I am typing this there is a slight amount of drool coming out the side of my mouth, and yes I have a problem with melodrama.

I think it would be a good ideal if you purchased a chassis kit at least, I think you can find one for about $100.00 pre drilled, turret board & face plates.

I had a friend make a chassis for me, 16 gauge STAINLESS steel, "won't do that again" drilling that thing was a nightmare.

Most of the people on this site are so awesome at helping, if you have a problem there are plenty of people to help........
Tomorrow I start No. 2 an 18watt Lite IIa build

oh yeah, if Bill Weedapple responds to any of your questions do not listen, he likes goat milk.

good luck

THANK AGAIN, Richie

[str82hvn]

I would suggest building a Fender Champ from a kit as your first project. When you are done, you can sell it on Ebay to recoup some/all your cost. I bet you'll keep it though!

Here's some of my reasons:

1. It's a fast & easy education
2. It's cheap
3. It sounds great
4. You'll develop your building technique
5. You'll be more likely to build a 36Watt that will be awesome
6. The Champ is a great test bed for 6V6 & preamp tubes
7. The Champ is fantastic for recording & quiet practice.

Best of luck!
str82hvn

BTW - Amp building is addicting stop now! You have been warned!

If not, welcome to the club.

[Chubsman]

the 36W is a 18w with double the output el84's. They sound very close to one and other, just the 18 w will break up and hit it's sweet spot at lower volumes than a 36...

I built a 36 and it's loud.... VERY LOUD!!! I have never gone past 2 at a jam and 0.5 in my house... Ok I tested it at 5-6-7 and I swear this thing takes the paint off a wall...

So depending on your usage of the amp I suggest you thing about this before choosing... AND a 18w would be a little simpler to build as a first.. a little cheaper too... A few of us have been trying to find the best way to impliment a 1/2 power switch for reasons I explained above... just having voltage probs...

[brain_wreck]

Thanks for the responses guys.

Krash, I see the 36 watt layout but I can't find the schematic. Can you point me in the right direction?

Oldschooltone, you're making me drool with all your drooling. You built your 36 watt from the Richies layout without a schematic? Or, you pretty much followed the 18 watt schematic?

For you guys that are making your own chassis, how are you cutting the holes for the tubes? I work at a place with alot of metal working machinery and could get aluminum free or very cheap. Hole saw? Punch? I don't think we have any punches that big.

Str82hvn, I think I really would like a champ too. Funds are limited though. If I build a champ then I'll have to spring for some thing else to gig with for now to get by. I'm kind of between a rock and a hard place. I'm currently ampless but have a not so good sounding solid state loner for gigging at the moment that I'd really like to get away from. We have a couple of pretty good gigs coming up in July and I hate the thought of having to use the loner amp. I suppose that I could get something more toneful for gigging, build a champ, and sell them both before building the 36 watt. That may work.

Chubsman, do you have a ball park figure in the price difference of building a 18 and a 36? Maybe $100? I saw your post saying that someone figured out the 1/2 power idea. Very cool.

I need something with enough power for gigging medium size bars to outside parties. Does the 18 watt have enough power and enough headroom for clean playing in my situation? If so, I'd be all for it.

Thanks guys.

[Chubsman]

Price difference is:
Smaller PT and OT
2 Less tubes, sockets, a bit less wire but that is abou it... I guess you can do the 1/2 power thing... of the power scaling thing with pots...

[Oldschooltone]

If your looking for an amp for Gigging I would say this would be a good way to go, and with a good sized chassis you could leave room for the 36w/18w switch deal for in the future.
I agree with Chubsman, this amp is very loud, I just purchased a (((50w Sammy speaker))) <<<<sales reason>>>>go get a couple from Greg, I purchased the 50w speaker for the 18watt I am "now" building, break,
so I am testing my NEW 36watt through the 1x12 cab and it is loud, VERY loud and sounds GREAT, if you are using a 4x12 cab in the band room I do not think you will get the amp to it's true TONE level "sweet spot" without leaving the other players in your wake of loudness unless you are practicing in a 3,000sq.ft. warehouse.
So to sum up what I am trying to say, "and this is my opinion only"........

1. 36watt "Very loud".
2. 36w/18w switch deal later.
3. Get a chassis package, it is not worth the sanity it will cost you for your first build.
4. Find out size of holes for tubes, I like Belton sockets and they are a little odd in size.
5. I do not think an 18watt will make it for what I "hear" you wanting.
6. I would like to see Heyboer make a special Tranformer for 3 power tubes for the NEW "27watt" clone, ok enough with the fantasy thinking.
7. Don't drink goat milk.