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But mostly tube amps...

NEW from Tubemodules.com: A small practice amp, assembled.

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This unique amp is a small practice amp with about 4-8 Watts of output. There is a built-in Sony Neodynium 5-1/2", 15 Watt HiFi speaker for practice use, or perhaps recording.
The simple design is a two-tube design reminiscent of the early practice amps. A 12AX7 provides the preamp section and a single 6V6 provides the output stage. It is hand-wired, point-to-point on terminal strips, using good-quality components. The tone stack is standard, and the tone controls consist of a Bass and Treble. There is a single Volume control. It is a good-sounding amp, capable of respectable volume.
The internal speaker can be unplugged, and an external cab can be plugged in its place.

$359 when bought from this site!

Listen to the Sound Clip Here! The first half is with the internal speaker, second half is with an external speaker.
Demo by Dennis O'Docharty, and he did a wonderful job!

DIY Amp Kit - $225

The core chassis of this amp is also available as a DIY kit amp, with enhanced instructions for my modifications to the original design and other possible variations.
This is also a good chance to learn tube theory through the reading of my tutorial "How It Works" included with the enhanced kit. In it I follow the power supply route and the signal path from start to end.

Article: Tube Kits for Guitar Amps
Copyright webmaster@TubeModules.com 2012

Here are a few things I've found while looking around. By no means is this list complete.
Making a guitar amp from a kit is pretty involved. I would start first by assembling a stompbox or pedal kit. If it works and stays working then MAYBE you are ready. But a whole amp is a complex job.
You might first try a single-ended amp, as they are MUCH easier to make.

CeriaTone has an impressive selection of amp models, some of which are clones of popular British and American designs, and some of their own designs that look impressive. They come in kit form and semi-kit forms. they will even ship the kit minus the tubes and transformers to save shipping, since they are in Malaysia. Whew! Long way away, but there's plenty of technical help available around the world.

Antique Electronics has the MOD101 and the MOD102 kits. They are interesting head-only configurations.
The MOD101 is a 60W Push-Pull model that offers 32 variations of construction to achieve the sound you want. Comes with two 6L6's, two EL34's, one 12AX7 and one 12AT7.
The MOD102 is a 5W Single-Ended Class-A amp with an EL84 and a 12AX7.
.

Weber Amp Kits has a mind-boggling variety of amp designs. Some are clones and some are original designs. Combos and heads are both available.
Youtube video Weber Amp

Tube Depot sells kits modelled after the Fender Tweed, Fender Blackface Deluxe, Fender Bassman and Marshall JTM 45.

Mission Amps offers two starting models of all tube guitar amps, the Aurora and the Aurora Reverb, that are configurable to suit your tastes. The Aurora is available in 10, 18, or 28 watt models, and the Aurora Reverb comes in 25, 35, or 50 watt models.

Torres Engineering features a line of amplifier kits include the 3 watt Boogie Mite, the British Invasion Matchless Killer amps, and a Tweed Deluxe on Steroids.

The Doberman Music Products website works AX84. Find the building information on AX84 and buy your parts from Doberman.

STF-Electronics has the Combo Super Champ and the Champ Head. Worth a look-see.

DIY Tube Guitar Amp is a great source for parts, tubes, kits, stompboxes, etc. Really, really informative.

Not a true "amp kit" like what I started with, but still, its a small amp for headphone practice, as well as a kit.

These were real popular a short while back... and an interesting concept. Choose your own box. I want one in a Whitman Chocolates Sampler box!

And finally, two bread-board amps in the old style... even comes with the wooden board to mount them on!
8 Watt mono amplifier kit: . 8 Watt stereo amplifier kit:

If you want an experienced amp-builder to build your amp for you, give me a call or drop me an email. I'll charge according to how much time the project takes.
And, of course, if what you built yourself is not working, call me and we'll see what can be done.

Call me, my name and phone number graphic

(after 11AM, please).
Send a message:

Be safe! Observe published safety rules about measuring high voltages, which CAN absolutely kill you or at least ruin your day.

Here is a list of things you need to have if you are going to work on amplifiers.

Contact cleaner for cleaning controls and jacks. This is the stuff I use, It has Silicone in it, and it cleans the contacts and leaves a thin film to prevent future corrosion:
Screwdriver - this is a 6-in-One and pretty handy. Most amps use the #2 Philips bit. If all you are going to get is one, get one like this:
Needle-nosed pliers for various things. I use sockets for nuts and hemostats for holding wires. But for only occasional use, this will do both:
Wire cutters to cut wires, etc. I also use one to strip insulation, but you might want a stripper, too:
Digital Meter for testing things, checking voltages, etc. You can survive with just a screwdriver, a meter, and a soldering iron:
Clip Leads for hooking things up temporarily:
And, if you are actually going to do something about what you find in there, you need... Soldering Iron for permanent connections. Avoid cheap dollar-store irons (with the holes in the barrel) as they get way too hot. But you don't need a $400 one, either. I use a $65 temperature-controlled one every day:
...and some solder. I use 60/40 or 63/38 rosin core solder. They want us all to use lead-free solder, but its harder to make a good connection with that kind. But eventually they may get the formula right, and it will work as well as tin/lead solder does:
A few good books: Basic Electronics:
... but I always learned a lot from Forrest Mimms III when he wrote for Popular Electronics:
Reading Schematic Diagrams:
Tube and Guitar Amp Books:
Gerald Weber's DVD - expensive, but worth it, from reading the reviews:

You can go crazy with books, just like anything else. The thing that I have learned is that first you need to understand electronics, that is, learn how electrons behave and how to tame them. Then you have to learn the skills and practices that make it safe and effective to work on stuff in general. Then you need to learn about the particular type of product that you are interested in.

See how much a custom amp will cost with Amp Cost Estimator. I hadn't thought of it before, but I can also make your amp a kit or semi-kit. We can discuss that if you email me. (If that link does not work for you, use webmaster@tubemodules.com as the address, subject "AmpKit".)

Select the features you want and hit the button, and get an immediate estimate according to the features you have chosen.
If you include your email address or phone number, I can send you a detailed description and an invoice for a down payment to start work on your amp.
But nothing will happen if you don't send me a payment, so don't worry that you might accidentally order something.

My main site is Tubemodules.com
Join the search for tone at AmpTone.net
Need parts? I'll help you find them. Use my Amp Parts link.
Its a page that helps you select parts you might have trouble finding. I don't make anything off of it, but it doesn't take long to answer, so I do it for free. You CAN drop some change in the TIP JAR. Thanks, if you do.

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A word about our sponsors: I buy a lot of stuff from Parts Express. I've never received any bad parts or junk. Try them out at the link nearer the bottom of the page.
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My friend Cathy does wonderful costume work for your act, and sets for shows... See Cathy's Theatrical Costumes for any purpose.

One-Electron.com - Pro Audio Equipment

AmpsLab.com - Vintage Tube Amplifier Schematics - AmpsLab

DrTube.com - Amp Info and Schematics

The Carvin Museum - Technical Documents

CliftonLaboratories.com

GeoFeX Circuits

BonaVolta.com - Audio Electronics Page

Schematicx.com - Schematics, Circuit Diagrams Sharing & Download

Tonepad.com -- fx projects

Analogguru Schematics

Vintage German modules (Neumann, Siemens, TAB, IRT, Lawo, ANT, Eckmiller, Adis, Monitora and Telefunken modules and Braunbuch scans)

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A guide to replacement guitar amp speakers from Loudspeakers Plus is here.
(Look for the small links just under the title that lead to separate Eminence and Jensen replacement charts, too.)

There are lots of schematic and technical information links on my Technical Links and Ads Page.

Choosing Speaker Wattage and Ohms to maximize Sound Output and minimize burnt speakers and amps! A techish article from Antique Electronics and tubesandmore.com!
Speakers and Power Explained

Off-page article: How to repair circuit board problems, by billm. I use these methods as well. Good dude.

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Mike's Vintage Tube Amp Repair! Experienced vintage amp repair. www.tubemodules.com

Tube Amp Debug Page R.G. Keen. This page is designed to lead you through debugging a problem with a tube-type guitar amp.
Prowess Amplifiers has a large collection of guitar amp schematics.
Instructables.com - Building your own Tube Guitar Amp
eHow.com - Troubleshooting Tube Guitar Amps
DIYGuitarist.com Amp Stuff
DrTube.com - Tube Amp Schematics
Fender.com - Fender Schematics
Schematic Heaven. Where All Good Amp & Effect Designs Await Resurrection... (down right now, might come back up!) Use Prowess Amplifiers
TDSL DuncanAmps.com Schematic Links
Poland site - Amp and Stomp Box Schematics Google-Translated English Version
The Free Information Society - Audio Electronic Circuit Schematics
Tubes - Angelfire
VoxAmps.co.uk - VOX VINTAGE CIRCUIT DIAGRAMS
Mesa Boogie Schematics
Electroconducive DIY Audio - Schematics
MarshallSchematics.com
BlueGuitar.com - Index of /new/schem
SolderingPoint.com - The Site for Electronics, Microcontroller, Tubes, Forum, PCB, Circuits, Onlineshop
CoolCircuit.com - Electronic Circuits
WhatCircuits.com - Electronic circuits
Discovercircuits.com - Electronic Circuits

Great amp-building video from Tube Depot! If this is too much work, I'll build your kit for you. Priced according to difficulty.

ePanamorama.net Vast array of references, resources, nearly everything!

Electronics Hobbyist Web Site GREAT Links! Don't pass this one by! Electronic references, circuits, data, repair info.

Schematic Sources and Other Electronic Information Links:

Got to my Ad and Tech Links Page!
Large collection of tested sites with actual useful data!

Entire site Copyrighted - don't snag! Leave email with suggestions or requests at:
webmaster@tubemodules.com (If that link does not work for you, use webmaster@tubemodules.com as the address, subject "AmpKit".



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