Amp Builds... the many clones...

  • Thread starter Thread starter MatchBook_Notes
  • Start date Start date
stevieb said:
Now, here's something about amp building that I don't understand: Why, really, do you need to know anything about electronics to build one from a kit? Well, okay, you need to know how to read color codes on resistors and decode the other stuff on caps, transformers, etc., but couldn't you get by just fine without the rest of the knowledge? The people in China, or any where else for that matter, don't know ANY of the theory, and that includes reading resistor color codes- they just take a part out of a bin, solder it where they are told it goes, and repeat. If you know just a little, I would think you could basically "be" the first worker on the assembly line, then the next, etc. etc. till the amp is built. If you can follow directions TO THE LETTER, you don't need to know the theory- right?

And, if you wanted to build the amp from parts, I'd think that would be only a little harder- the only additional thing you need to know is how to read the schematic. So, if I am correct, you could build ANY amp from parts by knowing:
1. How to read the codes on parts like resistors, caps, etc.
2. How to read schematics, and
3. How to follow directions, exactly.
No theory needed.

What say you, ladies and gentlemen?

My interest in this is I've been thinking of building the amps my son would "need" for his business, and along the way build a Princeton Reverb for myself. Along the way, I get efficient at building them, and I can then build others and legitimately call them "hand built."

And really, what's the difference between a Matchless and a careful home-brew, and (for that matter) a Dumble, except the name on the front of the amp? Oh, sure, I don't work and live in a honest-to-gosh castle, dress like a troll and glare at my money-paying customers, but I would THINK that I could put together the right components as well as Eric...
Click to expand...

I can't see why you could not assemble a kit with this perspective.

I enjoy learning, and I have found [albeit fairly late in life] a recent interest in electronics and I am a person who enjoys to study in my spare time [for fun], to the point where I am actually thinking about starting a degree in electronics next year.

So my approach is different to this.

Different strokes for different folks.

Have a go. Just don't put 400 volts across your heart.

I am not a professional so this may or may not be true, hopefully a electronics person will correct me if i am wrong, but from what i have read; if you source the parts yourself rather than from a kit the main thing that can degrade the quality of the build is buying cheap transformers, more so than any of the other parts.
 
I don't build amps but I do work in an electronics oriented electrical field. Sure you can be an assembly worker and just put shit where someone tells you but what happens when it fails or doesn't fire up from the get go? You have no knowledge to troubleshoot or attempt to understand what has caused it to fail. Maybe that isn't so bad for some people?
 
Don't be afraid to learn a little theory. If you start small, it's pretty easy. A 5F1 champ only has about 25 components total. A simple amp like that is a great learning platform, and will certainly make your next, more difficult project come out much better. A little confidence, and familiarity go a long way.

I'm always on the lookout for old gear of any kind that I can modify, or rebuild into a guitar amp. If you know what to look for, There's a vast supply of vintage components out there that can be had for cheap. I've got a backlog of projects that could last me for a long time.

Here's an example of what's possible for less than twenty bucks. This is a Newcomb R-R from the early 60's. 2X 12Ax7, 6BQ5, 6X4. James tonestack. I've got it wired as a two channel with a guitar input, and a high z mic input for harp. It's an absolute little f'kn firebreather. Total investment $16. $10 for the tape deck, $5 for the used speaker, and $1 for the grill. I did use a couple pots out of my parts bucket, and a few other components, but I'm sure I still came in under $20. Old gear like this can also be a treasure trove of vintage tubes. In this one the 6BQ5 was a Bugle Boy, and the 12AX7's were IEC/Mullard.:eek:
 

Attachments

  • newcomb1.webp
    newcomb1.webp
    39.7 KB · Views: 61
  • newcomb2.webp
    newcomb2.webp
    32.2 KB · Views: 64
stevieb said:
Now, here's something about amp building that I don't understand: Why, really, do you need to know anything about electronics to build one from a kit? Well, okay, you need to know how to read color codes on resistors and decode the other stuff on caps, transformers, etc., but couldn't you get by just fine without the rest of the knowledge? The people in China, or any where else for that matter, don't know ANY of the theory, and that includes reading resistor color codes- they just take a part out of a bin, solder it where they are told it goes, and repeat. If you know just a little, I would think you could basically "be" the first worker on the assembly line, then the next, etc. etc. till the amp is built. If you can follow directions TO THE LETTER, you don't need to know the theory- right?

And, if you wanted to build the amp from parts, I'd think that would be only a little harder- the only additional thing you need to know is how to read the schematic. So, if I am correct, you could build ANY amp from parts by knowing:
1. How to read the codes on parts like resistors, caps, etc.
2. How to read schematics, and
3. How to follow directions, exactly.
No theory needed.

What say you, ladies and gentlemen?

My interest in this is I've been thinking of building the amps my son would "need" for his business, and along the way build a Princeton Reverb for myself. Along the way, I get efficient at building them, and I can then build others and legitimately call them "hand built."

And really, what's the difference between a Matchless and a careful home-brew, and (for that matter) a Dumble, except the name on the front of the amp? Oh, sure, I don't work and live in a honest-to-gosh castle, dress like a troll and glare at my money-paying customers, but I would THINK that I could put together the right components as well as Eric...
Click to expand...

Be sure and use a "death cap" for death metal sounds, and always use a two-prong cord.

:rolleyes:
 
Oh yeah, always wear a diaper while assembling amps to reduce bathroom breaks.

That's how the Chinese assembly-line workers do it.
 
Weber sells a 100 watt Orange clone.

True, you can build an amp with just being able read a layout, but that lack of knowledge will come back and bite you in the ass if you have to do any trouble shooting. And you probably will. It's worth it to do at least a little reading up on the subject.

If you're thinking of a JTM45, take a look at Weber's site. They sell a complete kit, chassis and cabinet for under $500. I'm about 7/8 of the way through building a 1987 Lead clone. The kit overall is pretty nice. Alpha pots, Carling switches, good looking components all around.
 
check this score, at least i think its a score so far... the tube amp from a hammond organ... 3 6b5q's, 12ax7, and a 5Y3 recto... you think this is a decent chassis for making-modding into a guitar amp? the only corrosoin is on the exterior, and on the exterior of the big output transformer... the tube pots seem to be pretty good.
there's two tiny lightbulbs in it too.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_2942.webp
    IMG_2942.webp
    32.9 KB · Views: 51
Very cool. While I'd hate to butcher up a Hammond amp (I have a Hammond), I bet you could cobble together a great amp around those trannies.
 
You can cobble a great amp, but then you'd need to know theory and some 'advanced' theory about layout and shielding. I still say a kit is a great place to start. Expensive, but consider what college would cost. This is better, and trust me; you won't be selling your 'books' even after you flunk with a 1.0 average.
 
Track Rat said:
Very cool. While I'd hate to butcher up a Hammond amp (I have a Hammond), I bet you could cobble together a great amp around those trannies.
Click to expand...
Hell that thing's doing nobody any good the shape that its in. Judging from the corrosion the organ that it came out of is long gone. If the iron's good that could become a nice 18w. That's definitely not a project for beginners though.

ranjam said:
You can cobble a great amp, but then you'd need to know theory and some 'advanced' theory about layout and shielding. I still say a kit is a great place to start. Expensive, but consider what college would cost. This is better, and trust me; you won't be selling your 'books' even after you flunk with a 1.0 average.
Click to expand...
Words of wisdom, ranjam speaks the truth here. If you want to play around with an old amp, you're much better off if you start with something that's working.
Triode Electronics has good kit prices too. Triode Electronics Tube Amp Kits Transformers Tubes Dynaco Upgrades and Parts
 
I've never been one for easy! I was thinking of swaping it all out except for the tubes, and the sockets, it probably needs a new cap can too... If y'all got any suggested reading, I'd appreciate it. :)
 
and yeah aside from the outside corrosion, the rest of it seems utterly immaculate.
it either sat collecting dust before my friend let it collect dust, or it well was well taken care of.
 
oh, a 12ax7 can be put into a el84 socket and wired properly right?
 
ty... Do you think it'd be possible for me to figure out how to wire up a circuit similar to the traynor guitar mate 2? That amp has sentimental value to me... I just absolutely love it.
 
It could be done, but for the same investment you could probably buy a real YGM 2.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top