New guy with a new AX84 low wattage build

[Mr.Miele]

Hello guys! My name is Roman, I'm from California.

Diside to build P1-eXtreme amp along with my guitar kit project.
This is my design, ducted port cabinet. Since this is my first build any comments, suggestions and tips are welcome.
Thanks!

[TWANG]

beauty!

[JakeM]

That looks cool...can't wait to see this

[Cygnus X1]

Hmmm.
Home building, or are you using a Doberman kit?

[Mr.Miele]

Doberman kit and custom cabinet.
Will post pictures of progress.

[eddy999]

looks slightly odd with corner protectors on the bottom but not on top.. The top corners are more likely to be bashed anyway as the feet will provide some protection to the bottom etc.

Also you aren't supposed to use the AX84 logo/trademark or any of the project names on your amp - think up a name for yourself and use that. See the following from the AX84 faq:

May I use AX84 or the project names on my amps?
Chris Hurley owns the AX84 trademark; the various project names belong to a variety of people. Here's Chris's response to a question regarding the use of the AX84 name on an amp:

``It is my intent that there are no finished AX84 amps. To be consistent, Doberman [Chris's amp kit company -Miles] doesn't sell AX84 branded amps either, or any AX84 logo'd items at all- no faceplates, no chassis, no t-shirts.

``People say "well, this amp is just for me, so whats the harm?" The harm is that it is extremely rare that any amp stays with its original owner forever.

``Please folks- don't use the trademarks on your amps. Make up a cool name for your amp. You probably did something cool and unique when you built it- put your own cool brand on the amp.''

For more information, please check out the following page: AX84.com - The Cooperative Tube Guitar Amp Project.

Other than that it looks good. Looking forward to seeing your build pics.

[Mr.Miele]

Thanks eddy,
I just redesigned cabinet, it will look more like Vox amps. With Vox US Fawn covering and brown diamond grill cloth and NO ax84 logo.

[Cygnus X1]

It can be difficult, I ended up going off on my own by learning from other sources.
But I have to warn the AX84 original circuits can sound like rubbish as printed....if you can figure out what is the right value, and what goes where.

Although I appreciate the efforts and they make it difficult to figure out what is what, and where.

Good stuff for the experienced but be careful if you're not.

[hipofutura]

Originally Posted by Cygnus X1

It can be difficult, I ended up going off on my own by learning from other sources.
But I have to warn the AX84 original circuits can sound like rubbish as printed....if you can figure out what is the right value, and what goes where.

Although I appreciate the efforts and they make it difficult to figure out what is what, and where.

Good stuff for the experienced but be careful if you're not.

Agreed. I took a look at their schematic, upon your recommendation. As you say, there were too many errors. I didn't even try to use it.

[Cygnus X1]

Originally Posted by hipofutura

Agreed. I took a look at their schematic, upon your recommendation. As you say, there were too many errors. I didn't even try to use it.

Sorry Don, didn't mean to lead your hungry mare down the wrong trail to get the needed feed.

We're all learning together, and that is one thing AX84 does well...make one learn the hard way!

[hipofutura]

No need to apologize! I appreciate you taking the time to help me out and sharing you're expertise.

The AX84 is a great idea and looks so tempting. One just has to be careful with it.

[Mr.Miele]

Thank you guys for your input. This is my second tube project.
Here is first one

Dynaco ST70

Dynaco ST70

Hope I can build AX84 too.
Thanks for your help guys!

[kysrsoze]

Hi Roman,

That Dynaco build looks great. Nice looking initial cabinet design, but I'd do covers on all corners myself. Also make sure you build your amp, or at least have your kit in-hand and the layout nailed down, before you decide what you want to do for the faceplate. I noticed you had "ax84" right where the power and standby switches normally are. The Doberman kit's chassis has a lot of holes you need to be wary of.

If you do a lot of research on the ax84 site and take the time to understand what you're building, you'll do just fine. A good exercise is to do a comparison between the layout drawing and the schematic drawing. Merlin Blencoe's book on designing preamps helps as well. There's nothing wrong with that Doberman kit or the latest schematics and plans on ax84.com. They have come a long way and if you ask the questions on that site, you'll get a ton of good advice.

I just finished my Hi-Octane build, and it sounds awesome - low noise (only noise comes at the absolute highest gain) and no oscillation. I A/B'd it against my Tweaker, and in some ways, it sounds better, with a brighter sound and more sensitivity to picking and the geetar's volume control. Now I'm getting ready to build my cabinet. I'm going to do the standard head/speak cab design from the site.

If you need photos, or have any questions, let me know. I've got oodles of information I've assembled from dozens of sources.

[Mr.Miele]

Thanks kysrsoze!
What speaker you can recommend for P1extreme amp?
I read lots good reviews of Celestion Alnico Blue G12

[kysrsoze]

Originally Posted by Mr.Miele

Thanks kysrsoze!
What speaker you can recommend for P1extreme amp?
I read lots good reviews of Celestion Alnico Blue G12

Yeah, from what I've read, that's considered pretty much the holy grail for vintage sounding speakers. I haven't heard one, but I've heard nothing but good about them. For the P1, I would think it's a good choice. If you want to spend less, Eminence, Weber and Warehouse Guitar Speakers are good options too. I wanted a 2x12 and the price of the Celestion Blues was a little steep for me, so I went with Eminence speakers.

[klohiq]

Looks good so far.

I've been considering the build, but I think I like my fender champ 600 too much to have another small tuber. At first I hated it, but since I swapped out the grill for better looks and more importantly better tone it is becoming my favorite amp ever.



Keep us posted though, you might change my mind.