My Les Paul Forums - The Squawk Box

18 watt DIY amp kits - which one?

eddy999 — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:14:25 GMT

Hi all.

i'm in the market for an 18 watt Marshall clone, and planning to build myself (most likely from a kit rather than sourcing parts etc).

As i'm in the UK i've been looking at these two:

The PP-18 from AmpMaker.com AK03 - PP-18 18W guitar amp kit

The 18 Watt 'Cage' from ValvePower.co.uk Build your own boutique valve guitar amp

i'm currently leaning towards the ValvePower due to the variable power and the fact that the head is complete and doesn't require a head cab (like the pp18 kit does).. Both kits are about the same price - about �245 delivered ($400).

Are there any other kits that people suggest? ideally from the UK to keep the costs down, but i will look abroad depending on the prices. I've had a look at the ceriatone 18 watt kits however they are already more expensive and that doesn't include the greater shipping and import/tax charges..

Thanks.

Eddy

Choosing a new EL34 - do you have a favorite?

Quill — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:37:00 GMT

Hello! I'm bottle-shopping, and I'm bewildered. Thought I'd ask if anyone who uses EL34s or an equivalent has any experience with a good new tube. NOS is not out of the question - just out of the budget! They'll be for a 40w Alessandro Working Dog. Here's the guts:

(I've only just uploaded the photos to my MLP album - might not show up in the thread right away ...)

Not much of a photo but still - you can see the construction, which is amazing as they are quite affordable, even brand new (mine was second-hand, and there ain't gonna be no third hand, lemmetellya). This is one of those amps that is set up to be a bit more reactive to volume control changes at the guitar; all tube amps do that of course but there are some that are more "trainwrecky" than others.

Here's the bias adjustment:

And just for fun, the Ruby/GTs that have to go:

Anyway - the tubes I'm looking at are at The Tube Store, and the links are to their website. Of course I want to try them all but really can only afford one matched pair. I need good bass response and some clean headroom, but not too much. The descriptions only go so far. Through all this, maybe someone else will find a good tube to try for their amp, too.

(Do you ever have to sit your musical self down and give him/her a good talking to? Mine is such a freakin' prima donna. The rest of my self really suffers to make that damn spoiled brat happy, sometimes. Pain in the ass. "I need new pickups!" "I want a better patch cord!" "I need new tubes!" He needs to start earning his keep! The rest of us are workin' overtime and he's not helping with the rent ... but I guess it'll shut him up for a while if we buy him the damn tubes ... (sigh) ... at least it'll confuse him into being quiet for a while.)

The tube that gets the best performance ratings for microphonics, mechanical noise, detail and harmonics is the Tungsol EL34, which is described as a "bit crunchy like a 6L6" at lower levels but is said to "bloom into that singing EL34 tone" when it's pushed. About $50 for a matched pair. But if we're going to blur the boundaries between the 6L6 and the EL34, there's the Gold Lion KT77, which is said to "deliver all the mid punch you would expect in an EL34 but also has a top end that is more open and bright ... a bit of a 6L6 designed into it." About $100/pair.

Looking at it from a bit different angle, there's the Svetlana EL34, under $40/pair: "The bottom end response is not the best, but in a guitar amp it becomes a moot point" I don't know if the bottom end in a guitar amp is a moot point. These are going in a 1x12 combo, it needs all the bottom end help it can get. Also it's said to have a "strident midrange" compared to the Mullard EL34 reissue, which is about $50, same as the Tungsol.

Whew. What to do? Is it between the Tungsol and the Mullard, do you think? How about that KT77?

I thank everyone already for all their previous posts and threads from which I've learned so much. Any help with this'd really just be icing!

Any other Genz Benz Black Pearl owners here?

G Man — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:02:31 GMT

I just got a great deal on a Black Pearl head. Haven't had a chance to really put it through its paces yet, but the little I have played it I am very impressed with. Super versatile. Pentode/Triode switch, 2/4 tube switch, which basically allows 30w/15w/8w options. Voicing switch with 5 modes seems like it will make it so I can get a good sound regardless of the guitar I am playing. Very usable mid, nice reverb. Can't wait to get a proper cab for this thing, as right now I have to plug it in through the speaker on my BJr, (Cannabis Rex). I ordered a 1x12 Coyote Cab taht I will be putting the CR into when it gets here. Its the only cab I found online that was wide enough for the BP30. It will be a few weeks before I get the cab, what with the holiday next week, can't wait. I'll post pics when the whole set up is together.

Anywhoo, who else has one and how do you like it?

LP sounds best through Marshall or Fender?

Texas Joe — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:51:49 GMT

I know this all boils down to personal preference, but in general I was curious to see everyone's opinion and why... feel free to include specific rigs and set-ups.

New Epiphone Valve Jr--Hot Rod

brianugly — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 02:31:59 GMT

I couldn't find any threads, so here it is:

Buy Epiphone Valve Junior Hot Rod 5W Tube Guitar Amp Head | Tube Amp Heads | Musician's Friend

Looks pretty nice!

good marshall?

mil182 — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:33:31 GMT

to me it sounds pretty good, i found a used jcm 2000 100 dsl for $750. i want to upgrade from a solid state marshall. i hate distortion pedals so i figured this thing can kick out the gain i need. also i will probably pick up the vintage style 1960 cab (100 watt) but if not at least the regular 1960.

the clean on this seems, cleaner than the jcm 800. and eventually i might get a twin reverb and a/b/y it.

thanks

Soldano ROS amp reduced to 799 at GC

gilmourjunkie — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:45:42 GMT

Any tube snob who was looking for a great blues amp, this is a hell of a deal. Go online to GC and look under used Soldanos. These go for about 1200-1500. My dad owns one and its a great amp. Blows away his Fender Blues Deluxe reissue. I'd buy it, but I alerady have a Soldano and I'm holding out for the Lucky 13 on there.

JCM2000 and 4x12 for bedroom use: British example

silverfrost1 — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 13:57:46 GMT

JCM2000 and 4x12 for bedroom use: British example, wherein Steve Tones shows us how to play "Pretty Vacant" by the Sex Pistols, using a Gibson Les Paul. I love this sound, especially near the end.

You Tube

Valve vs Silicone rectifier. Want to reduce sag

p90rules — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 09:29:53 GMT

I have a cathode-Pro Tweed based 22w combo & I'd like to reduce some of the sag & tighten the sound up a bit. I heard that this could be done by swapping out my Rectifier valve to a Silicone one.
Not being much of a techy type, I wondered if this would make any significant difference.

JCM900 SLX problems, cutting out. HELP, already had it repaired.

Paul — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 04:16:40 GMT

My beauty, my SLX head I got for under a grand and had it repaired is now having problems, I start her up, play for around half an hour and then the volume cuts out, it sounds like someone had rolled the volume down very quickly, and I get no response out of her until I turn her off and start her up again.

New tubes, JJ power and sovtek pre-amp

fully repaired, a few damaged parts replaced.

all done by a qualified tech.

running it on high output through a behringer cab set to 8 ohms with the head on 8 ohms.

I've tried multiple leads and guitars with no change.

I had a look just now and a 500ma fuse has blown, I'm off to get a replacement, but I don't want to run this thing if it keeps happening, to my knowledge these are the same fuses that this thing has been running for about 12 years.

curcuit board vs point to point

ghost driver — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 04:03:22 GMT

I'm getting ready to purchase a new amp and I'm leaning twards the Dr Z. Probably a Mini or a Carmen Ghia (think thats how to spell it). My problem is there are a few other amps that I like in the same price range. These are the Mesa Express, Fender Deluxe Reverb, and may be the Marshall Hase 15w head. I know the Dr Z is a hand wired amp but I think the rest have curcuit boards in them (feel free to correct me). I guess my question is other the build quality is there really a tone difference between the curcuit board and point to point amps?

I like my Celestion Heritage G12-65

SlyStrat — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 03:00:25 GMT

I traded a G12H-30 Anniversary for it and just tryed it today. Through my Marshall JTM45 RI with KT66's it has great tone.
I'm comparing it to a Scumback H75, and so far the Heritage is winning.

Valve Bimbo ?

JLH — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 21:42:41 GMT

Any one had a chance to plug into the Series 105 Bimbo? It is killin me, EL34 GAS.
Premiere Guitar review was not anything exciting.:slash:

Fender Vintage Reissue '59 Bassman vs Peavey Classic 50

GibsonByBirth — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 18:26:57 GMT

I have a Peavey Classic 50 4 x10. I been proposed a deal through CL that will net me a Fender Vintage Reissue '59 Bassman. Though this is more expensive than my Peavey, is it any better or different. They have similar stats. Before you say try it out, he's a long drive away. No, I don't have time in the next couple of days to go to music stores looking for one. Any helpful info will be accepted gladly.

Opinions on - MARSHALL JCM 2000 DSL 401 COMBO

Jimbo — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:53:13 GMT

I was just in my local shop and played a cheapo Burny chinese lp (felt nice actually) through a lovely brand new MARSHALL JCM 2000 DSL 401 COMBO. Sounded great! and the best thing is it is only �350!! bargain? over the road it goes for �599

Whats peoples opinions on this amp?