Glass tube or circuit DIY amp?

GeorgeEllefson · #1 11-09-2011, 12:53 PM

Hello there I'm George and I've been playing bass for quite a while.I hadn't any good bass amps,only a Harley Benton for guitar and I think it's the time to build one of my own.My father is an electrician(I don't know if i said it right)so he knows a lot about circuits and glass tubes.He used to make radio stations with glass tubes.Anyways I would like to make an amp(probably cabinet)and I want your help on which is better,circuit or glass tube,and help on how building it.I currently own a J&D bass and I'm getting a 5-string ibanez soon.All comments are welcome and sorry if I had any grammar mistakes.

BassmanPaul · #2 11-09-2011, 01:02 PM

I assume from your post that perhaps English is not your first language. A location in your profile would help.

You would be much better served buying from the used market. Tube amps are dangerous beasts, which I'm sure your father will confirm. Please understand that building a tube amp is not a way to get an amplifier for cheap. Quite the reverse actually.

BurningSkies · #3 11-09-2011, 01:19 PM

Mr. Foxen · #4 11-09-2011, 01:25 PM

A kit from one would be a good start, but they aren't usually bass sort of power.

GeorgeEllefson · #5 11-09-2011, 01:54 PM

@Paul yes I'm from Greece.As for the glass tubes I know they're dangerous and they need high electricity input but I believe they sound better.As for the price,when you say expensive what do you mean exactly?I can get some parts really cheap because of my father's job.@BurningSkies what are you trying to say? And @Mr.Foxen with saying kit you mean a used bass amp or a bass amp from a shop?

Mr. Foxen · #6 11-09-2011, 01:56 PM

I mean a pile of parts sold for assembly, a kit form amp, so you put the labour in, you just get the parts.

bassgod0dmw · #7 11-09-2011, 02:00 PM

I'm not trying to belittle you at all, but if you have to ask a question like this you probably should not be assembling your own amp yet. Tube amps have lethal voltages that can kill you.

Do some research first, find out what you want, price the whole thing out, then decide.

Mr. Foxen · #8 11-09-2011, 02:10 PM

The limitations on his first post are language not not technical, he's got a sparky to oversee him.

GeorgeEllefson · #9 11-09-2011, 02:13 PM

My father just informed me that he has a 200 watt amp without a speaker.He told about the dangers of glass tubes though I already knew them so don't post anything more about the dangers of glass tubes.I know you guys are concerned but I know the dangers of electricity

GeorgeEllefson · #10 11-09-2011, 02:18 PM

Sorry for double posting.My english are very good.In fact I have a profficiency degree but I don't have someone in particular that I can speak with and as a result I forget some and make some mistakes.

Mr. Foxen · #11 11-09-2011, 02:21 PM

A 200w valve amp is a pretty desirable item. I'm always looking out for them.

GeorgeEllefson · #12 11-09-2011, 02:28 PM

The tubes are wasted but I can find new ones.What speaker do you recommend?And could I find it online?(The amp weights 70+kg)

Mr. Foxen · #13 11-09-2011, 02:36 PM

Speaker depends heavily on what you want to sound like. If you are making a speaker cabinet to go with, that is a whole different game. 70kg sounds a lot, a big 200w valve PA weighs about 40kg, are you sure that is right? Tell me more ab out the amp or post pics.

GeorgeEllefson · #14 11-09-2011, 02:40 PM

I currently don't have the amp in my house but I will show you some pictures tomorrow.Yes I'm completely sure it weighs about 70kg.Now for the speaker.What do you recommend?A speaker cabinet?And if so what speaker should I get,what case should I put it in and how much will it approximately cost?

BassmanPaul · #15 11-09-2011, 02:49 PM

George, if I may be blunt, your english pretty much does get your meaning across. It's way better than my Greek!

Thing is that your profile is very sparsely filled out. We don't know if you are 15 or 50. You say that you have been playing "for quite a while" yet you don't have any kind of a bass amp. This puts up red flags for us and we are very much concerned for your safety. If sometime we seem a little rude it's only because of that concern.

Now, your Dad has a 200W tube/valve amp. Can you post some pictures so we can see what exactly you are talking about. We'll all then have some common ground from which to offer advice.

GeorgeEllefson · #16 11-09-2011, 02:57 PM

Sorry for not filling out my information right away.I registered couple of hours ago,had some studying to do and I forgot it.Anyways,I don't mind being concerned about my safety but I grew up in circuits and valves so I know the dangers since I was very little.As I said before I can't post any right now cause it's in my father's shop so tomorrow I'll have some pictures posted.Now could you recommend any speakers or you need the pictures?

Mr. Foxen · #17 11-09-2011, 03:07 PM

Still need to tell us what you want to sound like before we can recommend a speaker cabinet. And whether you are making the cabinet yourself. You definitely need one. But how much of one depends on the sound and volume requirements.

GeorgeEllefson · #18 11-09-2011, 03:11 PM

Oh yes sorry totally forgot that.I play in a heavy/groove metal band and I was thinking about an amp that would give David Ellefson like tone and be able to play some jazz in the same time,with slaps and pops.As for the volume I'll use it in my house.When I play gigs there's usually a supplier that rents guitar and bass amps.What is the better making my own cabinet or buying one?

Mr. Foxen · #19 11-09-2011, 03:18 PM

Ah, totally no need for a 200w amp in the house. Dave Ellefson tone is driven Ampeg I think, better off with a Sansamp VT bass pedal to go there. I use a 150w valve amp and a 2x15 to upset metallers with volume in small venues without PA support, so a 70kg amp is really gonna be overkill, must have massive iron or something..

GeorgeEllefson · #20 11-09-2011, 03:20 PM

Hahaha so this is going to be like a small murder one?And yes David has a driven ampeg.