I'm feeling brave ... building an AmpMaker kit

TTony

Just ordered one of these
https://www.ampmaker.com/shop/n5x-british-overdrive-amplifier/

I read through the build manual, then read through it again, and then a third time.  It all looks perfectly do-able.  I think.

I'm going to make on of those little light-bulb current testers too though, just as a little bit of extra protection.

I'd looked at these kits a few years ago, but at the time I think he'd taken a break from the business so I couldn't order one.  Then I forgot about amp-building and/or got busy and/or [insert excuse of choice here]. 

Until now.  Just shifted a load of old stuff on eBay and certainly don't need any more guitars, but do fancy a new home-use-only amp.  And I've got a spare Marshall cab here looking for a purpose.

Wish me luck!

TTony

Just realised - I'll have to make a cab for the head to go in too.  

2 projects for the price of 1.  Bargain.

paulnb57

I built the Ampmaker WF55 ages ago, the instructions were superb, I still have to make a cab for it....

elstoof

Ooh he’s got his P1800 back in stock, very tempted

Devil#20

TTony said:

Just realised - I'll have to make a cab for the head to go in too.  

2 projects for the price of 1.  Bargain.

I was about to ask this question after I read your first post but you pre-empted it. I've fancied making an amp for a while. I'd probably house it in an already made cab though. There's a few companies do this sort of thing (ie. amp builds and amp cabs or combo cabs). Getting hold of some of the valve options seems to be an issue.  

TTony

elstoof said:

Ooh he’s got his P1800 back in stock, very tempted

You know you want to @elstoof - better get it ordered before they go out of stock (again)

thermionic

I have built an N5X and a P1800, both great amps.

elstoof

TTony said:

elstoof said:

Ooh he’s got his P1800 back in stock, very tempted

You know you want to @elstoof - better get it ordered before they go out of stock (again)

You know I did

It’ll have to get shoved in a cupboard for a while as I’ve only just finished an amp 2 days ago, with a few cabs still to build for other projects. Got amps coming out of my ears at the moment but sounds like this is the last chance for a P1800

elstoof

Would definitely recommend a light bulb limiter, safety first and all that

TTony

^^^
That's my first task @elstoof and I like your practical build 

Kalimna

Enjoy Building your own amp is a fabulous thing to do, and I cant give @Modulus_Amps enough credit and thanks for all the help he's given me during my builds.
A cradle to hold the chassis is quite useful too, along with the bulb limiter
And if you're not aware of it, RobRobinette's site is a superb resource : 
https://robrobinette.com/How_To_Build_a_Tube_Amp.htm

Firing it up for the first time is very rewarding, though discovering positive feedback from a 50W Marshall circuit through a 4x12 in an enclosed space? Not so much

LastMantra

Looking forward to the build thread 

I'm quite interested in something like this. It would be good to hear how it works as a home amp also as that's how I'd be using it. 

Modulus_Amps

Kalimna said:

Firing it up for the first time is very rewarding,

When it works first time 

When I built my first amp back in 2004 and got it up and running it was the realisation that I could now go build just about any amp I wanted to that was really exciting, only problem was the lack of finances to do so ha ha

Good luck with the build TTony.

@Devil#20 There are still a good number of new production valve options available, it is just the price of them that can be scary.

Sporky

TTony said:

^^^
That's my first task @elstoof and I like your practical build 

The ice-cream tub used affects the tone. 

Viennetta gives a more layered sound, but Kelly's is a lot creamier. 

TTony

And Mr FedEx delivered a parcel this morning.

Should be done by lunchtime.

normula1

It's always been the cabinet that put me off building one.

DartmoorHedgehog

normula1 said:

It's always been the cabinet that put me off building one.

They will all have resigned by next week anyway

elstoof

Sporky said:

TTony said:

^^^
That's my first task @elstoof and I like your practical build 

The ice-cream tub used affects the tone. 

Viennetta gives a more layered sound, but Kelly's is a lot creamier. 

I was going for the Wall’s of sound 

Sporky

elstoof said:

Sporky said:

TTony said:

^^^
That's my first task @elstoof and I like your practical build 

The ice-cream tub used affects the tone. 

Viennetta gives a more layered sound, but Kelly's is a lot creamier. 

I was going for the Wall’s of sound 

Superb! 

TTony

normula1 said:

It's always been the cabinet that put me off building one.

It was actually someone (@slimbert) asking whether I could make a speaker cab that reminded me I'd thought about making an amp, coinciding with having some spare cash, spare time and Ampmaker having the kits available ...

Making a cab for the head should be fun, it won't involve tolex though.

Corvus

Nice one Tony. I like my P1800 a lot, Barry's instructions were always good but I think he re-did them some time after I got mine so probs even better.