OK guys, where to start?

[Edoardo]

hi guys,

NOW I would like to get into this world but don't know how to.

I cannot "read" an amp schematic at all. I've soldered a couple of cables successfully though.

What do I need to know?
What to I need to get? Solder and...?
Where or how can I start?

How will it be easy to harm myself?

Some "starting project" for dummies? Are there any "tutorials" around?

[xtian]

Start here!

http://ampgarage.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=9023

[sliberty]

Welcome!

Others will offer their opinions too, but here is mine.

First, plan on building a very simple amp for your first try. A Fender Champ (Tweed, Black Face or Silver Face - your choice) would be a good first build. There are fewer possible problems, so you are more likely to be encouraged by the experience and then move on to bigger and more interesting amps.

It can also be helpful the first time out to buy everything as a kit. There is a lot to be learned when selecting and buying all of the parts, but it can also be a distraction for a beginner. Mission Amps, MojoTone, and others would be good choices for buying a complete kit.

Last, is read everything you can get your hands on. There are some beginner books - I used the Dan Torres book (Inside Tube Amps) to get me started. It is not a perfect book but it is at the right level for a beginner.

If you are like the rest of us, this new world you are entering will become a huge part of your life. You will spend every waking minute thinking about amps, you will spend all of your play money on parts and tools, and your wife will start to really hate your new hobby But it's worth it.

Good luck, and ask for help here - most of this crowd loves to help and some are even smart enough to be useful

[Edoardo]

Welcome!

Others will offer their opinions too, but here is mine.

First, plan on building a very simple amp for your first try. A Fender Champ (Tweed, Black Face or Silver Face - your choice) would be a good first build. There are fewer possible problems, so you are more likely to be encouraged by the experience and then move on to bigger and more interesting amps.

It can also be helpful the first time out to buy everything as a kit. There is a lot to be learned when selecting and buying all of the parts, but it can also be a distraction for a beginner. Mission Amps, MojoTone, and others would be good choices for buying a complete kit.

Last, is read everything you can get your hands on. There are some beginner books - I used the Dan Torres book (Inside Tube Amps) to get me started. It is not a perfect book but it is at the right level for a beginner.

If you are like the rest of us, this new world you are entering will become a huge part of your life. You will spend every waking minute thinking about amps, you will spend all of your play money on parts and tools, and your wife will start to really hate your new hobby But it's worth it.

Good luck, and ask for help here - most of this crowd loves to help and some are even smart enough to be useful

So a champ kit, scheme and a soldering tool will be everything I need to start?

Actually I've come here in order to have fun and SAVE some money


What does make the champ so simple? Low wattage, few components?

Low wattage as less dangerous? LOL


thanks a lot

[martin manning]

It is surprising how expensive it is to build a complete authentic Champ... easily over $100/Watt! They are a very simple amp with few parts, though, and that is why they are recommended for beginners. Any tube amp will have high voltages present so they are all equally dangerous in that regard. You will be less likely to make a mistake with a simple build, though. If you have a guitar cab already you can build an amp chassis, delaying the purchase of a head box or a combo cab and speaker. That way you can be playing through an amp you have built for a minimum investment.

[Colossal]

How will it be easy to harm myself?

It is easy enough to kill yourself if you make a careless mistake or you don't know what you are doing. Don't get cavalier or underestimate the consequences of working with high voltages. Whether an amp is 5W or 100W, the voltages inside are high enough to stop your heart. Throughout the course and continuum of your learning curve, there is a high probability that you will get shocked. Most of us have experienced this one or more times. Doesn't mean it will be fatal (if you are lucky) but it can and does happen. This can happen even when you know what you are doing. The best thing you can do before you start is do a lot of searching (see the Search button at the top of this page) and a lot of reading. I studied for well over a year before starting my first project and my ideas and plans evolved many times throughout that time. Read, read, read.

Be safe and have fun.

[pops]

Amp building is fun and challenging as you think of new things to do or mods to make. One thing to always remember SAFETY SAFETY SAFETY Others have said it, but it can't be said enough. If you get a shock from AC it goes to zero 120 times a second so you can get free. DC on the other hand never goes to zero and really hurts, could also hold onto you. Building is relatively safe as nothing is plugged in. Testing and trouble shooting are where it gets a little more involved. Don't be put off by the danger part, just do some research and be careful and have fun.

[Edoardo]

I guess I'll read some books to soak my curiosity then... I'm not careless but my heart is anything but strong

can you tell me if there are many enough users from UK/EU here, I'd keep looking at the "for sale" section

Thanks a lot guys!

[sliberty]

Building is relatively safe as nothing is plugged in. Testing and trouble shooting are where it gets a little more involved.

+1 great point.

Building an amp is essentially a totally safe activity (unless you burn yourself with the soldering iron, or cut your hands on the chassis). The real "danger" comes into play when you turn the amp on for the first time. If you reach into an amp that is turned on, you better know what is safe to do, and what is not.

And, when an amp is not working properly, you will have to reach into the amp while it is on in some manner. There are safe, and safer ways to do it, and you will learn those over time.

But while building, there is really nothing to be concerned with.

[Edoardo]

Building is relatively safe as nothing is plugged in. Testing and trouble shooting are where it gets a little more involved.

+1 great point.

Building an amp is essentially a totally safe activity (unless you burn yourself with the soldering iron, or cut your hands on the chassis). The real "danger" comes into play when you turn the amp on for the first time. If you reach into an amp that is turned on, you better know what is safe to do, and what is not.

And, when an amp is not working properly, you will have to reach into the amp while it is on in some manner. There are safe, and safer ways to do it, and you will learn those over time.

But while building, there is really nothing to be concerned with.

I guessed an unplugged amp cannot electrocute you but really, if there will be the need of checking anything while the amp is working, I have less than one error at my disposal. "learn over time" is not an option, LOL. Thanks a lot.

[drew]

I guess I'll read some books to soak my curiosity then... I'm not careless but my heart is anything but strong

Great compendium of stuff to read here:
http://www.el34world.com/Forum/index.php?topic=3273.0

BTW: you mentioned "saving money" - assuming you haven't inherited your grandfather's stockpile of tubes, transformers and other electrical components from the 1960's, you're really not going to save much, if any, money building amps versus buying them.

[eniam rognab]

light bulb limiter, getcher incandescents while you can

also solder some clip leads to a big sandfill resistor to drain your caps after you do power it up while light bulb limited on a rubber mat with both hands in your pockets

[The New Steve H]

I would say pick an amp you actually like and buy a kit for it. You will make more mistakes with a bigger amp than you will with a Champ, but if you don't want a Champ, that's not much comfort. Why build something you don't want? You'll be stuck with an amp you never play, and you'll be out $500. As long as you start with a kit and ask plenty of questions, you'll eventually get it built, even if you screw up a lot.

I built a couple of little amps I never use, and then I built my bizarre version of a Bassman, which sounds wonderful. It would have been better to start with a Bassman kit or JTM45 kit.

That being said, a friend of mine built a Champ on his first try, and it's a great amp. For people who like that sound.

[Tillydog]

I guessed an unplugged amp cannot electrocute you

Why yes it can!

Learn how to discharge capacitors safely...

[Edoardo]

I guessed an unplugged amp cannot electrocute you

Why yes it can!

I guess I am doomed then LOL.