amp heads

Posted on Feb 11, 2009 12:53 pm
Mickey
Member Since: Jan 11, 2009

This is probably going to sound a little odd but here it goes.

I'm recording at home, I want to mic a half-stack for my guitar.

And here's the dilemma. I dont have a head for the cab. Now I've been doing some amp and guitar building over the last few months, mainly using exsisting components and making frankinstien like combos. (one 15 watt practice amp using a First Act head unit and an old record player speaker box. As well as a 60 watt bass amp using a PA attached to a cab containing a 15", a 12" and a horn style tweeter.)

I want to built a head from scratch, does anyone know of a good site, or inexpensive book that would help me along. Step by step would be nice. But if not then I can use just about any help I can get.

Thanks all,
Mickey

[ Back to Top ]

Rob Stemple
The Czar of BS
Member
Since: Dec 31, 2007

Feb 11, 2009 01:05 pm

There are a few sites that have kits that you can customize to your liking.

See if anything at this site meets your criteria diyaudioprojects.com/Tubes/tubes.htm

pjk
Prince CZAR-ming
Member
Since: Apr 08, 2004

Feb 11, 2009 02:08 pm

Tube or solid state?

For tube kits, there's a few places that will give you the parts, and you build them yourself.

Here's one: shop.dobermanamps.com/category-s/3.htm
He runs the ax84 site:
www.ax84.com/
which helps people build their own tube amps.

AX84 is probably a great place for you to start researching, as building an amp isn't just like pluggin in parts. It can be very trying, difficult, and expensive.

There's tedweber.com, his kits are pretty nice, though you need to know what you're doing on those. They don't supply a step-by-step sheet.

Here's one from Angela Instruments:
www.angela.com/catalog/how-to/Single.6V6.html

My first build was a steve angela 2x6V6. It didn't work out so well, but it did work. I've since gutted if for subsequent projects.

As far as solid state, i'm not sure, as I haven't built any =). I already have a hartke2000 bass amp that works as a SS amp for me.

hth.

Tadpui
I am not a crook's head
Member
Since: Mar 14, 2003

Feb 11, 2009 02:13 pm

18watt.com is a great site dedicated to the 18-watt Marshall design.

www.18watt.com/

If you decide on a tube head, I wouldn't exceed 18 watts as far as power goes. If you're wanting to mic a tube amp, you're going to want it to be cranked all the way up, or close to it. Even 5 watts can be very loud when cranked and sent through a 4x12 (which is what I would guess your cabinet is). The lower the wattage, the more tolerable it will be when cranked.

Mickey
Member
Since: Jan 11, 2009

Feb 11, 2009 02:23 pm

Awsome! thanks for the tips I should be able to use these fairly easily to create my own 'perfect' amp someday soon.

Mickey