> am assuimg then this means that really it's the power section that defines the characteristics and tonality of an amp?
Nah, it's a pretty equal partnership. The preamp is where your sound and tonality is shaped, and where your gain is generated. The power amp section adds its own flavor to things, depending on how much your amp is turned up. 12AX7 are the most common preamp tube because they have the most gain, but AT and AU7's are also common in the lower gain older Fenders. Then each poweramp tube has a distinctive "spin" that it puts on the sound. EL34's are the "classic" Marshall sound, while
EL84's are the more British "Vox" sound. 6V6 and 6L6 are other very common power amp tubes. But it's not as much the tubes as how they're all configured that makes the sound. For example, a 5150 and a Blackface Bassman each use 12AX7 and 6L6 tubes, but they don't sound anything alike.
> I'm not really after that vintage Fender kinda sound... more a modern hi-gain sound.
I wasn't suggesting the Champ for its tone, but more because it's easier to learn on.
The problem with your project is that high gain amps are even more critical when it comes to circuit design, component layout, (and ESPECIALLY) lead dress. Any tiny flaw in one of these areas will produce oscillations that will sap your tone and cause uncontrollable, howling feedback from inside the amp.
Building a tube amp is no easy task, and a lot of it falls more into the "art" category" rather than the "science" category. That's why everyone doesn't do it themselves.
But I expect you'll find out for yourself soon enough!
> How cool would it be to have someone come up to you and say "Great tone - what amp are using?" and to tell them it's something you threw together from some bits and pieces
www.hoffmanamps.com has a section that outlines every part you'll need to build an amp. Sort of a checklist of everything you'll need from transformers, chokes, and tube sockets to resistors, pots and knobs. It's a good thing to check out.
>maybe I'm seeing things in a fairly simplistic manner, but if I've got a diagram to follow I don't see where the problem will be.
Heh. Famous last words.
My advice to you is still to start with a Bassman or
Bassman 100 and modify it from there. I built a four-gain stage, two channel Marshall clone into one of mine, and the changes to make a Mesa Boogie, or Randall, or whatever you're after would be a lot less work than building from scratch.
But any way you take on the project, you'll learn a lot and have a lot of fun. I find soldering really theraputic.
[This message has been edited by CharlesThomas (edited 05-31-2000).]
[This message has been edited by CharlesThomas (edited 05-31-2000).]