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Recommended reading for learning how to build my own amplifiers?

#21
While both have merits. both have pitfalls is my point. If you have never chased a lead dress induced fault on an otherwise fully functional unit you are one lucky person.
If you unknowingly create a lead dress problem, learning is stifled and frustration results. Is that relevant?
 
#22
B-string said:
While both have merits. both have pitfalls is my point. If you have never chased a lead dress induced fault on an otherwise fully functional unit you are one lucky person.
If you unknowingly create a lead dress problem, learning is stifled and frustration results. Is that relevant?
Click to expand...

Having a camera to document before and after is a big plus. I still hand draw layouts and take detailed notes. Having the images helps.
 
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#24
What I did was seek out an old boy who had been in electronic repair, man and boy and was just about to retire and helped him out free of charge whenever I could.
Poor old boys eyesight was going, so I actually got to do some of the fiddly stuff for him and made gallons of tea.:)
Getting a simple kit to work on is a very good plan too.:)
Oh and bring biscuits.:)
PS Oh yeah then I went to college and was able take an interest in girls and guitars for a whole year before the rest of the class caught up.:)
 
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#26
kintrap said:
I have a very limited understanding of both amplifiers and the internet. So it has proven difficult for me to educate myself on building amplifiers. If anyone knows of some really thorough, detailed videos or articles or threads, any help is appreciated.
Click to expand...

Just so you know, it will most likely cost you more to build your own amplifier than it would to buy one. Quite possibly a lot more.

That isn't meant to discourage you from doing it other than if your motives are economic.
 
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#29
seamonkey said:
SS or tube start with ltspice
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I'm surprised to see so many people getting into things like Spice and PCB design programs such as Eagle. Both have stiff learning curves but, like anything computer based, kids manage. A lot better than me.

There are many web sites where people describe their circuits and have boards manufactured. Sparkfun is a good place to start. They have a lot of interesting things on their web site.
 
#30
ggunn said:
Just so you know, it will most likely cost you more to build your own amplifier than it would to buy one. Quite possibly a lot more.
Click to expand...

Starting out with a junky old amp that works and restoring it is also a good place to start and it doesn't have to cost as much as starting from scratch. It's usually less expensive to build a guitar amp. Pre-amps as Charlie mentioned cost about the same. But a pedal is the least expensive. It is safer and the fundamentals are there if you want to learn about the theory.
 
#31
I'm just lurking here, but I wanna thank everyone for their knowledge here!! After playing for 20 years, I really want to learn how to repair amps, all the ins and outs, maybe build eventually,, I love tinkering with stuff, just lack knowledge and skills, but I think the "flipster" pedal might be a good start!!
 
#32
hintz said:
I'm just lurking here, but I wanna thank everyone for their knowledge here!! After playing for 20 years, I really want to learn how to repair amps, all the ins and outs, maybe build eventually,, I love tinkering with stuff, just lack knowledge and skills, but I think the "flipster" pedal might be a good start!!
Click to expand...

It makes sense to know how to maintain your instrument and amp. At least the basic stuff.

Pedals are fun to get into. Nothing like building something then tweaking it to see how it affects the sound.
 
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#33
beans-on-toast said:
It makes sense to know how to maintain your instrument and amp. At least the basic stuff.

Pedals are fun to get into. Nothing like building something then tweaking it to see how it affects the sound.
Click to expand...

I have to admit, I only got comfortable enough to do my own setups a few years ago as I had a couple bad experiences before, but I am good with my hands so I'm thinking of starting small(pedal kits, electronics,etc) with the ultimate goal of cloning my fender ps300(when I'm real good that is, I know they can be dangerous!!), thanks all, great info!!
 
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#35
kintrap said:
I have a very limited understanding of both amplifiers and the internet. So it has proven difficult for me to educate myself on building amplifiers. If anyone knows of some really thorough, detailed videos or articles or threads, any help is appreciated.
Click to expand...

It would be a good thing if you let us know what kind of amp you want to build.

Solid State or Tube?

If tube, how much power?
5 Watts? (Fender champ)
18 Watts? (Marshall)
50 Watts?

If SS, do you want bipolar transistors?
MOSFETs?
Class D?

Amplifiers are a big field. Answers would help narrow things down a bit and focus the recommendations.
 
#37
A weber 6S100 kit is where I started and it makes a great sounding bass amp. The Merlin Bencowe books are great too, for me I had to read and re read each chapter 4-6 times to really sink in and he does not appear to do a lot covering output stages if you are interested in all tube. The weber forum has great helpful guys. Also for first timer / well explained basics search youtube for 'uncle Doug' I think he is great! Easy to listen to and well explained.
 
#40
I built my first (and so far only) amp based on the p1x schematic and layout from ax84.com. The community provided some help and support, but I wound up connecting with a guy via another board who made a world of difference. He was tied in with Swamp Amps (or Swamp Works Amps, cannot remember exactly; this was maybe seven or eight years ago) and just had a wealth of knowledge and insight that he was willing to share for the small fee of providing timely and detailed updates of my progress.

The first time I powered that thing on I was scared to death. It worked from the get-go, though and I still have it. A little too 'ice pick in the ear' for me, and the gain is definitely into metal territory, but it was a helluva learning experience.
 

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