Building an amp (not a jazz amp though)

[doveman]

Under the heading of "miscellaneous cool things" ...

I noticed someone talking about building a guitar and tracking progress over time. One of the coolest things I've ever done was build an amp. It wasn't an easy build either ... really complex ... internal switching ... Dumble-ish sort of amp. I only built one ... but it worked the first time I turned it on and has very minimal tweaking. Playing an amp that you built yourself is an awesome feeling. I've attached a link to a 3 minute video that covers the entire build ... over a track with the amp playing ... one of my home recordings over a backing track. If interested ... give it a view ... pretty cool process.

YouTube Video

I only did it once though ... been there ... done that!

[augusjazz]

Congratulations !!!!!!

[voxwerx]

Sounds r e a l l y good. Nice tone, with a hint of break up. Want to share any particulars? Where did you get kit/parts?- etc.

[doveman]

It's a Brown Note D'Lite 22/33 ...

• Front end preamps ... like a Dumble-ish pre-amp with footswitching
• Runs Vibrolux sized Output Transformer. Designed to run either 6V6 (sweeter @ 22watts) or 6L6 (beefier @ 33 watts). I like gigging with 6L6s. Just have to throw the switch while amp is off and rebias the tubes after changing them. Biasing points are right on the back of the amp.
• I put in a loop ... since reverb & delay don't really sound good in front of an amp that gets it dirt from the pre-amp
• I play the amp with no pedals ... it likes humbuckers best. My LP and Yamaha SA2000 semi-hollow body are the guitars of choice. It does love P90s though ... just too much hum for me. That slide part in the recording is on a set of Lollar P90s.
• 4-8-16 ohm options ... so lots of speaker options. I run an efficient EVM12L 1x12 when gigging although I have a 2x12 G1265/Scumback cab that sounds real nice too.

Caution: The kits are great but there are a lot of stories out there about people not getting their amp kits for a long while after paying. I bought mine four years ago and it took about a month to get mine. I hear the waiting has gotten worse. While the product is great, their business model and service I cannot personally vouch for right now ... just sayin'. But I'm glad I have mine.

I kept a thread detailing the whole build process. It's a sticky on the Brown Note site. More than you would want to know but you did ask.

Brown Note Forum • View topic - D'Lite 22 1st Time Build Notes (Heavy Pix Warning)

I am so glad that I went through the process. That first day I played it after bringing it up was a proud day. I love the amp.

[jcayer]

Great built !!! Very clean work, congrats !!! great tone, great song

I've built a couple of audio preamps and amps, guitar tube amps, effects...
The first sound is always a grrreat feeling !!!

Have fun !!!

[Jazzpunk]

Sounds good. Nice work!

[M-ster]

Very interesting, and I enjoyed the link to the build thread. This stuff always looks like magic to me, and I'm impressed with the accomplishment. Sounds good, too!

[doveman]

Thanks to all ... it's outside the jazz realm a bit but I think just about any guitar player might find the subject fascinating. I know it was for me. Just thought I'd share it.