Low cost DIY alternatives to amp kits

[CS Jones]

None of these cost me more than $50 (not counting shipping). It's been awhile since I've checked the market though.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v223/ClayJones/Lowcostamps.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v223/ClayJones/lowcostamps2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v223/ClayJones/PTP1.jpg

If you want to get away from the kit route check these out.
These are a little like self contained kits accept you've got to take them apart and patch them together based on what you want within their capabilities. Just about everything you'll need for a conversion is already sitting in them.

There are some real sleepers here.

When I opened this one it had just about everything I needed to build an 18 watt Marshall clone. It came with Dutch EL84s.
It's called a Signet 22.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v223/ClayJones/Signet22.jpg

I haven't reworked this one yet but the one I did before just smoked (in the good way). 6L6s. It's a Newcomb A-15.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v223/ClayJones/newcomba15.jpg


Newcomb Pathfinders. EL84 based 20 watters. Great DIY build platform.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v223/ClayJones/newcombpathfinders.jpg

Stromberg Carlson. I'll have to check the model # again. 6L6s. Another great build platform.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v223/ClayJones/StromCarlson.jpg


This little amp was the biggest sleeper of the lot. I didn't really know what I was going to get when I picked it up. It uses 6BM8 tubes which contain a triode/pentode configuration in the same tube. It was a no named Chinese "PA System". All 7 watts of PA power (?). I drew out the original schematic of it and then entirely reworked it as a guitar practice amp and it's just the perfect amp for low volumes to me. The tubes were Mullards. Cost was $38.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v223/ClayJones/6bm8top.jpg


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v223/ClayJones/6bm8inside.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v223/ClayJones/6bm8tubes.jpg

Take some time maybe and look for these if you get the chance. Maybe you'll find something even more usuable and cost effective. Congratulations on your new site, guys. I wish you success and all the best.

Clay

[bcjames]

I got my first amp kit, a P1, from Ceriatone, at around £150. I built my next amp from Maplins Electronics, and the parts came to about £60. Its so much fun, very addictive!

Some cool amps you have there!

This DIY section is cool, I only just saw it had appeared.

:thu:

[dan-o-guitar]

Where to look-i.e. are these ebay scores or dumpster diving?

Also, have you tried 12AT7's in the cat?

Thanks for the awesome pix.

[AMZ-FX]

Great pictures, Clay! Glad you could stop by.

regards, Jack

[CS Jones]

bcj, you've got to love good cheap gear, huh? That's a little over 100 USD then?

dano, yeah... a little of both. Yard sales, flea markets and ebay. I'm not sure what the ebay prices on the amp stuff are anymore.
I spend most of my ebay time buying up old and new DOD pedals.
:eek: My boundaries for the "cheap and cheezy" have no limit : )
If you can snag a Signet 22 for cheap JUMP ON IT. It's "silk purse from a sow's ear" kind of find.
I had a pm to you kicked back to me. I'll get it out again. Keep up the great work dano, it's nice to get to know you. That cat, though slowing with age, still rates a gain factor of at least one 12AX7 :)

Jack, maybe you can show us all a step by step of your tweed deluxe build. Look forward to seeing it when you're done. All the best to you here, Jack.

[guitarcapo]

I tried one of those but ended up dumping it back on Ebay. It just didn't sound that good. Sort of sterile... and I didn't know enough about amps to modify the tone stack or whatever to get a good sound.

I'm sure you didn't pick up an amp loaded with Mullards on Ebay for under 50 bucks. It just ain't possible.


I also have to wonder how the filter caps are on all of those amps? Aren't they worn out?

Looks like a fun hobby though. Are you an electrical engineer or something?
I'm looking for someone to repair a
1980's Fender Concert II amp that just hums like crazy. I think it might need new caps or something.

[Bruce Bennett]

Yeah thats is a very good way to build yourself an amp without haveing to buy all the most expensive parts individually..

But as guitarcapo just pointed out, many of the first timers don't have the knowledge ( and the determination) to keep on working with it until they get what they want out of it..

Most of these have excellent quality componants in them. most of them are better than todays stuff, especially transformers.

and yeah. I have gotten some of them myself with Mullards, Genelux, Mazdas, Etc.
it's just the luck of the draw. these amps are always little surprize packages. some good some bad.. and some AWESOME!

Thats Signet 22 is one KILLER amp..
if you decide to sell it....:rolleyes: