How many of you have built your own amp?

Joshtruction · #1 02-23-2011, 02:10 AM

So how many of you guys have built your own amps? I am on the search for a new amp and I am really digging the weber 200 kit and its features. I know its out of stock right now and giving me time to think about this. I have built pedals before but never have I taken on a job this big. My buddy is an electronics tech and said if I want to build it he will check it out in the end and make sure it's all right/trouble shoot it for me.

So what have you guys built? Pics? Advice? Clips?

T-Bird · #2 02-23-2011, 02:45 AM

Hi.

A couple of my early amps were either home made or made from RS kits.

There was also those converted from recievers and such.

Then it was a few very simple low power tube amps.

Then I grew up and realized that it's not actually very bright thing to be making very expensive, unreliable, ugly death traps that I can't sell or even let someone else use (legally that is).

This is not to discourage You in any way, it's a fine hobby and I still do it (repairs mostly), but in reality it's really hard to justify why would one have the need to build an amp from ground up (or from a kit).

Regards
Sam

Jools4001 · #3 02-23-2011, 03:01 AM

There's a shop in the UK called Maplin that used to sell Mosfet power amp kits, and I built a few of those to use for monitor systems and PA slaves. However, these were easy kits to put together and could be done by anybody with a bit of electronics backround, the ability to follow a schematic and reasonable soldering techniques.

The Weber kits look like a much more fearsome proposition.

From their own web site...

"Please Read: The complexity of Weber kits ranges from very simple to extremely complex. We do not recommend anyone attempting to build any of our kits that are rated at 3 or higher on our complexity gauge unless you have the assistance of a qualified amp builder or electronics technician. Because of the sensitivities to wire placement, grounding schemes, and other parts related issues, troubleshooting the potential malfunctions and noises can be very frustrating without the experience and knowledge.

All Weber amplifier kits have lethal voltages that are present even after power is removed. You must exercise extreme caution when working with high voltages."

I had an electronics background - largely forgotten now after 25 years doing a completely different job and to be honest I wouldn't build one of these

BassmanPaul · #4 02-23-2011, 12:10 PM

I have built many both tube and SS. I agree with Sam's post wholeheartedly. If the reason you wish to build an amp is to save money, trust me you never will.

Starting your learning process attempting to build a 200W tube amp that runs on lethal voltages is simply not a good idea. Please start with a lower class amp that runs at a less lethal voltage.

dincz · #5 02-23-2011, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BassmanPaul

a less lethal voltage.

MAMMOTHvolume · #6 02-23-2011, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BassmanPaul

I have built many both tube and SS. I agree with Sam's post wholeheartedly. If the reason you wish to build an amp is to save money, trust me you never will.

Starting your learning process attempting to build a 200W tube amp that runs on lethal voltages is simply not a good idea. Please start with a lower class amp that runs at a less lethal voltage.

worked out cheaper for me!

bb5000 · #7 02-24-2011, 01:57 AM

Before you take the big step, I would recommend that you check out forums that discuss amp building, read about safety, troubleshooting, design, theory etc...

a few links:

http://music-electronics-forum.com/f10/
http://www.weberorders.com/forum/index.php (you must register for access here)
http://ampgarage.com/forum/
http://www.el34world.com/Forum/index.php

I spent 1 1/2 months reading up on the subject, waiting for my kit to arrive. (which is the Weber AB200)

Jhtjon · #8 02-24-2011, 07:56 AM

I've built over fifty amps in the past ten years. I can tell you by looking at the kit in question that it is not for a beginner.

If you are interested in building a good solid tube bass amp I would look at a Sunn 200s. This amp is very simple in design. If you can read schematics you should have no issues using google to find some gut shots and "blueprinting" the amp for construction.

All the components for this amp are available commercially as well.

If you need help PM me

AwkwardLoudness · #9 02-24-2011, 08:03 AM

I've built a tube amp from a kit. The build was less expensive than the vintage amp of the same circuit.

okcrum · #10 02-25-2011, 01:53 PM

I've built tube and SS amps, and gutted and rebuilt a few others. The only thing I'm playing with (as in building) now is a tiny little tube amp in the 5-10W class.

Are the Weber kits back in stock finally? It seems like they've been out since the first production run.

bb5000 · #11 02-26-2011, 02:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by okcrum

I've built tube and SS amps, and gutted and rebuilt a few others. The only thing I'm playing with (as in building) now is a tiny little tube amp in the 5-10W class.

Are the Weber kits back in stock finally? It seems like they've been out since the first production run.

No, they are still out of stock, still waiting for transformers. Last word was that the OT was available but not the PT. They are also looking for a supplier for the transformers from the US instead of getting them from Asia.

fdeck · #12 02-26-2011, 07:54 AM

I've built my own amps -- only solid state. This includes a complete combo amp, a Class-D power amp from a kit, a number of preamps, and various odds and ends.

Right now I see no reason to build a solid state power amp. The state of the art -- Class D -- has moved beyond what mere mortals can successfully design and build without just copying an existing design. Even for conventional power amps, finding a design online that contains all of the necessary protections for live performance use is next to impossible.

Much as I love electronics, I decided that while on stage, I'd focus on music and not on my gadgets.

JGR · #13 02-26-2011, 08:23 AM

The Weber trannies have been out of stock forever now.

You build because you love doing it, and/or have a certain design goal in mind. It is a labor of love. You don't do it to save money. If you have never built an amp before, I would not start out with a high powered bass amp. There are a lot of good books available - start by reading those before you pick up an iron. Tube electrics can be very dangerous, so you need to know what you are doing.

I started out modding Marshalls before I got into building from scratch which was a good primer.

KramerBassFan · #14 02-26-2011, 11:22 AM

IMHO the webers are always out of stuck cause amp builders snatch up those 200w trannys for such a "low cost" any time they are for sale.

JGR · #15 02-26-2011, 02:16 PM

Maybe, but I think they had some problems with sourcing at some point... I'm sure they are decent, but if you are going to go to all the trouble of building a beast like this, I would use something from Hammond, Heyboer, and/or Fliptops.