to...lay...z....n....eeed...mo..ti...va.tion..

[capnkid]

I have an 18 watt clone in my basement that has been sitting there unfinished for a year. I got into it thinking I could handle the soldering and whatnot, but the plans it came with are somewhat confusing and it is 99% finished and when I first plugged it in there was no light or sound. So It has been sitting on my workbench for a year and I have been avoiding it. I'll go down to do laundry and look over at this blanket-covered-unfinished-box and hold my head down and run upstairs as fast as I can. I wish I knew troubleshooting better, can someone help me here? I am too embarassed to go to 18watt.com.

 

[soundchaser59]

Best you can do without special tools is go back over the instructions step by step and double and triple verify that each step was done correctly. I've built several kits in my time, and that is the only way I've ever found my mistakes and got the stuff to work the second or third time I plug it in.

Or shell out the cash to have 18watt diagnose and repair for you. Nothing to be ashamed of, even the factories screw up sometimes..... just tell them that you tried to stay up too late one night and someone secretly switched to decaf without your knowledge, you woke up with your face mashed against the capacitors and melted solder all over the floor.... they'll understand.

 

[Easto]

I am too embarassed to go to 18watt.com.

Get your ass over there! I've never seen a more friendly bunch who know their stuff. I hang out there quite often (thinking of doing a 18watter myself). Those guys live for this kind of thing.

Honestly, get over there. That's what the whole forum scene is about. You need help / people give it.

 

[Mindcore]

it is 99% finished and when I first plugged it in there was no light or sound.

I'd probably shoot for 100% finished before I checked to see if it worked.

 

[pikingrin]

Alright, having been intrigued with the prospect of builidng my own amp, I wen tot 18watt.com... Cool info, but where do you go to purchase the amp kits? Is that what this thread is about???

 

[capnkid]

Alright, having been intrigued with the prospect of builidng my own amp, I wen tot 18watt.com... Cool info, but where do you go to purchase the amp kits? Is that what this thread is about???

there is a place for cheap kits, when I remember it I will post for you.

ceriatione.com for the kit, and reason amps for the cab, seems to be the cheapest way to go. I found this out after a lot of research.

 

[andyhix]

there is a place for cheap kits, when I remember it I will post for you.

ceriatione.com for the kit, and reason amps for the cab, seems to be the cheapest way to go. I found this out after a lot of research.

That's ceriatone.com, btw. God this whole post is dangerous. I desperately need a new tube amp, as I'm playing on SS, right now, and would love to upgrade, but can't afford it. So I actually started thinking about this option...is it really much cheaper though? Oh, not to mention that electronics class was the only class in HS I got a D in.

If I had good step by step instructions, I could do it, but I'm guessing the schematics available are just that and only that. Intriging..someone tell me more - how hard is it really? I can handle a solder iron, but I'm a but rusty. How much does it cost, really? How long would it take?