The DIY Tube Head Thread

[insomniac2295]

The Tube Amp Doctor (TAD) out of Germany has a 150W kit:

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thats so expensive!

 

[Loudthud]

does anyone make like 200-300 watt bass head kits?

In his Sept 27, 2008 News column Ted says he's got the iron for an SVT like 200W amp. He's calling it the AB200 and is doing an 8x10 cab with new speakers.

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[T-Bird]

Hi.

Great work IronRadio, those are beauties.

thats so expensive!

If You don't mind me asking, compared with what?

To me those kits seem to be quite reasonably priced, all is included after all, no additional parts to purchase/construct.

One option would to mod Ashton/Eden/Fame "300W" amp to suit Your needs, but the head alone costs about that. I have a hunch that the iron in those T.A.D kits is superior to those in the Chinese amps.

Regards
Sam

 

[IronRadio]

Cool. I was looking into doing a DR 201- looks relatively simple for a 200w tube. Any ideas on which would be good replacements for the Partridge transformers?

Heyboer makes great Partridge replacements

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They'll custom make anything for a reasonable price. Their largest dealer for off-the-shelf transformers is:

http://www.mojomusicalsupply.com/transformers.asp?id=45008

 

[dean owens]

By Phase transformer I assume you mean interstage, replacing the phase splitter. As a matter of interest why did you go that route? The only musical instrument amp I know of that went this route was Kevin O'Connor's design in one of his books.

Paul

fender Invalid Link Removed bass amp

 

[insomniac2295]

I just heard that Weber is working on a prototype 200 watt Ampeg-like bass head!

Here's the link to my sources-
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[Energy]

I think this is the place to share this with you:

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I didn't make the amp. I just thought it's so impressive I have to post it here. Found it on the german Invalid Link Removed board.
The builder says, the 2 russian GU81M output tubes are good for 950 watts.

 

[tombowlus]

I do not normally see those Toroidal PT in a tube head. I see them in SS Power Amps all the time. But then again I am more accustomed to looking at guitar amps. What is the advantage to those type of PT?
Thanks

Here are some other examples of toroidal transformers in tube bass heads:

Eden VT-300A (designed by Dolf Koch):

Sadowsky SA200 (which was also designed by Dolf Koch):

Aguilar DB359:

 

[tombowlus]

True to my word, I'm starting on another amp inspired by the HIWATT DR405. It will be an incredible beast. 450W of ground shattering power.

Okay, put me down for one.

Seriously, IR, very nice job! You have some obvious skills, and I thank you for sharing your knowledge with us!

Tom.

 

[IronRadio]

Hi Tom,

I think you're the guy I bought a Sound City amp from...

Anyway, you want one of my 450W ground pounders? I'm currently constructing the first one now. I might get 600W out of it! It'll be my DB455 model.

But my DB1, the amp that inspired this thread, is ready for your audition now!! But it's only 250W....

If anyone else wants to audition the DB1, PM me...

 

[tombowlus]

Hi Tom,

I think you're the guy I bought a Sound City amp from...

Anyway, you want one of my 450W ground pounders? I'm currently constructing the first one now. I might get 600W out of it! It'll be my DB455 model.

But my DB1, the amp that inspired this thread, is ready for your audition now!! But it's only 250W....

If anyone else wants to audition the DB1, PM me...

I'd love to check that amp out, if you are seriously offering!

 

[IronRadio]

Sure I'm serious

I would just need a sizable deposit - in case you decided to keep it!

 

[Stu L.]

Posting to subscribe. I've been thinking of Hiwatts. Ceriatone is doing a clone now...

 

[IronRadio]

Just got the iron on my second Bass Head build. This will be my DB455 model, DB for my initials and 455 for the theoretical watts.

 

[IronRadio]

Here's my DB1 putting out a nice 80vp-p sine wave over 8 ohms which I make to be 225W RMS:

Input voltage was .25Vp-p from which I get an overall amplification factor of 320.

It heated up my 300W resistor quite a bit...

Not to shabby!

 

[RH434]

Those are some incredibly beautiful amps you are building. Congrats on the successful earlier designs. You really should consider posting a youtube video when you get this latest monster fired up.

 

[NoHomework81]

Subscribed!
Looking to start my first Weber build next month. Probably won't do it in the bathroom, though! (not enough countertop )

 

[SwitchGear]

I wish an amplifier company would mass produce a simple, powerful all tube head like the posters above build for the masses. We don't need all the extra bells and whistles the big companies include on their products! C'mon...

Oh, and build it in the US at a reasonable cost please.

 

[IronRadio]

I wish an amplifier company would mass produce a simple, powerful all tube head like the posters above build for the masses. We don't need all the extra bells and whistles the big companies include on their products! C'mon...

Oh, and build it in the US at a reasonable cost please.

Well, just so you know, my break-even price on the above amp is about $1000. I compared it with the YBA200 and let's just say the YBA's output sine wave wasn't nice and smooth like mine.

 

[kraigo]

I'm an especially big fan of the lack of tone shaping on the amp. I have a tone control on my P-Bass...

KO