Is modding amps hard?

[Rocknburn]

Question is simple.I dont have any experience on modding amps.If i find some
Info at web do you think can i do it?I have got a cheap lil night train amp can i mod it?

[Kyle76]

I'm sure it depends on the amp. I'm getting ready to do the Billm mods on my Blues Junior. I hope it won't be too difficult. I haven't soldered any electronics since making a Heathkit digital clock about 30 years ago, but if I didn't think I could handle it, I wouldn't try it. I did buy a nice thermostat-controlled soldering iron to hopefully not fry my amp.

[Batman]

If you can follow directions, amp modding is not very difficult. Soldering is actually quite easy with a little practice and a good iron.

The hard part is understanding the theory behind what you are doing and learning how to work safely with the potentially lethal voltages that are present in amplifiers.

Before you start, you need to know how to drain the filter caps and use a DMM.

[V2]

If you learn safety, then yes, you can mod amps. Working on PTP circuits is probably going to be easier than PCB stuff, although I understand that the BillM mods are pretty simple.

Having said that, it is much more fun when you know the basics of amplification. There are some good books on tube amp design out there (and some not-so-good ones).

[River]

Can you solder? Can you discharge caps? Can you follow directions, meticulously? Do you have steady hands and the patience of a stalking cat?

[TOMMYTHUNDERS]

ignore the above advice.

modding amps is super easy! just flip that sucker over and start poking around with a screwdriver! something awesome will happen!

[Syrus]

How about, building a Fender Champ clone?

They come in kits and its a good way to learn which component does what and the whole amp as machine sort of.

Kits do tend do come with clear instructions and while I know its not a mod, it is the perfect way to getting to know an amp. Which in turn makes future modding a piece of cake.

[Gryphon]

I did most of the Billm mods to my Blues Jr. It wasn't easy, as no matter how careful you are, the PCB traces are easily broken and then you are into trace repair, which will test your soldering skills. For those determined to do it anyway, tips are:

1) Soldering iron tip size has to be small - a 'screwdriver' sized tip (the stock ones) isnt going to work out
2) Practice removing and replacing components with an old receiver , or something that uses a PCB
3) Get some sharp, small clippers to cut components off the PCB so you only have to try and de-solder the component stubs - DONT try to extract the component in one piece or you will bust a PCB trace sooner or later

And of course, when working on the amp, unplug it (!) then let it stand for 10 minutes or so, before opening it up and testing for DC volts between the + side of the biggest capacitors in there, and ground. Dont forget to do this, as 450v stored in a set of caps can kill you. DC is much worse than AC in that regard. The stored charge needs to be gone before you start work.

[Cygnus X1]

Originally Posted by TOMMYTHUNDERS

ignore the above advice.

modding amps is super easy! just flip that sucker over and start poking around with a screwdriver! something awesome will happen!

Sure, funny, but not all know how to take this.
Some will actually do it!



I'll stay out of it, other than to say...READ, and read the safety warnings first and take them seriously.
We are flooded with idiotic warnings all the time ("Do Not Use this Device as a Hammer"...which is an actual tag I have from a brand new hammer...)
But the advice for safety with tube amps is REAL.
And deadly if done wrong.

[Nigel T.]

If you want to check out whether it is something for you or not, why not get a kit from Ceriatone (or another kit builder) and build one yourself? Granted, I may be full of it, as I tend to stay away from anything solderiron like so I never did it. But simple logic says you'd get a feel of what it means.

[Syrus]

Sure.

It is impossible to go wrong with amps.
Going wrong in the sense to understand what you did wrong.
Can't happen. You'll be dead.


Muwhahahha


Boohoo

If you don't know what you are doing and you are a bit unsure. Well, you shouldn't touch em.

[TOMMYTHUNDERS]

Originally Posted by Syrus

Going wrong in the sense to understand what you did wrong.
Can't happen. You'll be dead.

whoa.... mind = blown.
if you are not alive to see that you were incorrect about something, then you cannot truly perceive that you are incorrect, rendering the fact that you were incorrect totally irrelevant. As far as you are aware you were 100% right, and our perception is all that matters because it's all that we personally experience.

whoa.

[Deed J]

Originally Posted by Rocknburn

Question is simple.I dont have any experience on modding amps.If i find some
Info at web do you think can i do it?I have got a cheap lil night train amp can i mod it?

You can start by reading some books about amps to understand how they work for instance. After that the sun is rising

[rickym]

Is modding amps hard?

Only if you don't know what you're doing. Or what you want to get out of it.

[jfwund]

Blah blah blah safety don't shock yourself be careful, etc.

The important question is,

Cygnus X1, what were you supposed to use the hammer for?

[Cygnus X1]

Originally Posted by jfwund

Blah blah blah safety don't shock yourself be careful, etc.

The important question is,

Cygnus X1, what were you supposed to use the hammer for?

I need to scan a picture of that hang-tag.
It's true!