See also:
Moonlight Amp - 1 watt tube amp project - I am considering building a tube amp, and I am leaning toward this one. 1 watt (or much lower) is the right range for private amp-cranking without the housemates hearing much. This project is at the AX84 site, where there are several experienced designers to contribute. There will be a parts list for easy ordering of parts. I expect the cost to be low. This is a good way to support the DIY community. Using a DIY approach will help motivate designers at actual companies to dramatically reduce their power level. The guitar-gear industry has not yet come through (with rare exceptions) with a truly, adequately low-power tube amp -- send them a message by boycotting the industry and building your own low-power tube amp.
LXH2 ultra-low-power EL84 tube amp project with speaker simulator
The Parts Connection - Electronic parts for audio hobbyists. ST300B SE 7 watt tube power amp kit: without 300B power tubes, $699. Free catalog.
Guitar amp kits at STF Electronics
Special custom kits are available. Different capacitors and tubes are avaialble. All kits are available assembled.
[emailed Pat Bunn of STF Electronics for more information.]
Includes the parts for the amplifier, except the chassis, tubes, terminal wiring board, speaker, and cabinet. $155.
Mojo Champ Speaker $34
Mojo Champ Chassis and Wiring Board $99
Custom Build Reproduction Cabinet -- $179 Tolex. $204 tweed.
Tubes - $???
======================================
Total for all parts for a working tweed amp: $492 plus the cost of tubes.
[how many watts - 5? what power tube, and other tubes? how much fully assembled including speaker and cab?]
12AX7. [what power tube? how many watts?]
Parts $39.95 [see picture at the URL above]
Assembled Price $59.95
See STF's page.
Torres Engineering. That site contains only a small sampling of their products.
The 5 watt tube amp is described in "Inside Tube Amps" by Dan Torres; that book is available direct from the Torres site for $49.95. The complete kit is $385.
Book: Building a Class A Single-Ended Amplifier. Studio Model. Make a complete high-tech 5 watt 6V6 amp. Includes noise reduction circuitry and 3 preamp designs. $29.95 (book, with parts list).
[need more information. need catalog description and tube complement.]
PT-3TK Prince Tone Jr. Kit - $525. Complete kit to build a 20-watt tube amp, pre-CBS. Reverb, mast vol, gain. All parts, chassis, transformers, speaker, instructions included.
[watts? what tubes?]
LarrySB 1998/10/24 alt.guitar.amps wrote:
>I've designed and built a simple low power tube amp that you can build for well under $80, with all new parts.
I emailed him for an URL.
LarrySB: The Blue Glow in Tubes FAQ
Classic circuit comprising a single-gain-stage plus concertina splitter and push-pull 6V6 output stage. Separate bias controls are provided for each output tube. The output transformer is the same custom shielded Hammond device used in the LONDON POWER Powered Preamps.
The output can be wired for 4-ohm, 8-ohm or 16-ohm. Line-level-input and output jacks are 1/4" Switchcraft open-frame types, while the tube sockets are all PC-mounted. Kit includes a schematic and layout, one 12AX7, two 6V6s and all other passive components. Each 10W Power Amplifier requires a separate power supply of its own - see 48VA Power Supply Kit.
Weight: 2kg
US & International: $100 US - includes Air Mail
This is the same as the 6V6 amp above, but uses EL84s for a British sound.
Each kit contains:
To build a working unit, you separately purchase at this page:
Each kit includes a suggested layout drawing for a circuit card. The required eyelets and staking tool are separate items. The CIRCUIT CARD KIT contains enough material to construct cards for a power amp, preamp and power supply.
Antique Electronics Supply offers low-power tube amp kits, such as a 2x15 watt hi fi amp kit with parts for just $100. Their paper catalog is available, but the Projects page of the site is still under construction and empty.
[need way more information]
Note this kit from them: 2-tube headphone amplifier kit $24.95. Boosts the output of small receivers approximately 7 times (varies with tube selection, output load and B+ voltage). Compatible with other radio kits. Need only a screwdriver, pliers and soldering iron to assemble. Includes instructions and all parts except for tube, headphones and batteries. Uses 1A5, 1C5, 1T5, 3Q5, 1L4, IU4, 1U5, 1S4, 3S4 or 3Q5 tubes (any two in combination (order separately). Operates on 2 - 1.5V "C" size batteries and 45 to 90V battery. 1.0 lb. (Recommended headphone P-A466 or other 2000 ohm headphone, order separately).
See also Cool links: hardware parts suppliers.
5-watt tube amps will work well with a speaker isolation cabinet to get very professional tone at very low room noise levels. Some small-room reverb would be helpful to smooth out the mic'd signal.
Any other kits? I am interested in low-frills barebone amps for around $100.
I know there must be some cool tube power amps out there, similar to the old Heathkit models. I'm going to have to buy an old radio or something, but really I want a commodity that anyone can buy.
Different packaging:
o Large footpedal with 1 knob
o Guitar amp head
o Combo amp
o Rackmount
o Hi-fi
I know some such amps are in development. There is a definite trend -- look at the recent attention to small amps. It's growing rapidly.
Prediction (and predictions from me are almost always right):
There will soon be many varieties of products designed to give genuine power tube distortion, and even genuine speaker stress, at low room-noise levels. There will be a great interest in these products. Many people will buy them. They will be prominently reviewed. They will be at least as big a trend as rack mount has been so far. I hope they stay on the market this time and are not discontinued due to lack of awareness.
If anyone can truly package this gear to make genuine cranked-amp tones ergonomically effortless to obtain and manage, many more people will play electric guitar, and the guitar equipment industry will boom much more than it has.
http://indigo.ie/~andre/Recommendedtubekits2.html - some 15 watt audiophile tube amp kits are mentioned here.
Messages 1-66 of exactly 66 matches for search "amp kit":
Date Scr Subject Newsgroup Author
1. 98/10/20 048 Re: block diagram/schematic alt.guitar.amps L'Entarteur
2. 98/04/19 038 Re: Make Amps? alt.guitar.amps John Kelley Bro
3. 98/02/25 038 WTB Amp Kit alt.guitar.amps Rockrink
4. 98/04/18 037 Re: Make Amps? alt.guitar.amps dlm
5. 98/02/19 037 Re: amp kits and/or plans alt.guitar.amps Teleologist
6. 98/02/25 036 Re: WTB Amp Kit alt.guitar.amps Steve Selvia
7. 98/02/20 036 Re: amp kits and/or plans alt.guitar.amps Andrew McWhirte
8. 97/12/08 036 Torres Prince jr. kit alt.guitar.amps jdearman
9. 97/11/20 036 amp kit builders in Europe alt.guitar.amps Jan Swevers
10. 97/10/16 036 Amp Kit Addresses alt.guitar.amps Tokaitele
11. 98/02/19 035 Re: amp kits and/or plans alt.guitar.amps Jonathan Krogh
12. 98/02/19 035 Re: amp kits and/or plans alt.guitar.amps Teleologist
13. 97/11/18 035 110V/60Hz to 220V/50Hz modif alt.guitar.amps Jan Swevers
14. 97/12/09 034 Re: Torres Prince jr. kit alt.guitar.amps George C. Kasch
15. 97/12/09 034 Re: Torres Prince jr. kit alt.guitar.amps Kamchak Tuchuk
16. 97/12/09 034 Re: Torres Prince jr. kit alt.guitar.amps Danny Russell
17. 97/12/09 034 Re: Torres Prince jr. kit alt.guitar.amps jeffjean
18. 97/11/19 034 110V/60Hz to 220V/50Hz modif alt.guitar.amps Jan Swevers
19. 97/11/18 034 110V/60Hz to 220V/50HZ modif alt.guitar.amps Jan Swevers
20. 97/11/18 034 110V/60Hz to 220V/50Hz modif alt.guitar.amps Jan Swevers
21. 97/10/08 034 Tube Amp Kits, Tubes , Speak alt.guitar.amps Pat Bunn
22. 97/10/06 034 Re: amp kits!!!? alt.guitar.amps S. Hart
23. 97/10/05 034 Re: amp kits!!!? alt.guitar.amps Patrick McClear
24. 97/09/09 034 Re: DR.Z EL-34 Amp Kit alt.guitar.amps MZaite
25. 97/08/26 034 DR.Z EL-34 Amp Kit alt.guitar.amps MZaite
26. 97/07/13 034 Re: BUILDING MY OWN TUBE AMP alt.guitar.amps MZaite
27. 96/11/15 034 Re: Looking for tube power a alt.guitar.amps Michael
28. 97/10/06 033 Re: amp kits!!!? alt.guitar.amps James Andrews
29. 97/10/05 033 Re: amp kits!!!? alt.guitar.amps LOTECH
30. 97/08/27 033 Re: DR.Z EL-34 Amp Kit alt.guitar.amps patrick.f.colem
31. 97/08/17 033 Re: Amp Kits alt.guitar.amps Jim Kroger
32. 97/07/14 033 Re: BUILDING MY OWN TUBE AMP alt.guitar.amps Kerry Smith
33. 98/09/12 032 Re: SS vs tube..vs DSP? #1/3 alt.guitar.amps Ned Carlson
34. 97/10/07 032 Re: amp kits!!!? alt.guitar.amps SEFSTRAT
35. 97/10/03 032 Re: amp kits!!!? alt.guitar.amps SEFSTRAT
36. 97/10/03 032 Re: amp kits!!!? alt.guitar.amps IceHouse
37. 97/10/02 032 Re: amp kits!!!? alt.guitar.amps SEFSTRAT
38. 97/10/02 032 Re: amp kits!!!? alt.guitar.amps Jeff Ford
39. 97/09/09 032 Re: Guitar Amplifier circuit alt.guitar.amps Thomas C. Clanc
40. 97/09/08 032 Re: Guitar Amplifier circuit alt.guitar.amps Mark Garvin
41. 97/09/08 032 Re: Guitar Amplifier circuit alt.guitar.amps John Kelley Bro
42. 97/07/13 032 Re: BUILDING MY OWN TUBE AMP alt.guitar.amps Doug
43. 96/01/02 032 3X10 Tweed Bandmaster Kit in alt.guitar.amps Nick Schepis
44. 98/02/15 031 Re: Fender Japan Tweed Champ alt.guitar.amps Jim Kroger
45. 97/10/12 031 Re: What about Guitar kits?? alt.guitar.amps cbailey
46. 97/10/06 031 Re: amp kits!!!? alt.guitar.amps Jeff Vineburg
47. 97/09/26 031 Re: Tube Amp Kits? alt.guitar Teleologist
48. 97/08/28 031 Re: DR.Z please look here!! alt.guitar.amps MZaite
49. 97/07/14 031 Re: BUILDING MY OWN TUBE AMP alt.guitar.amps Lee MacMillan
50. 97/10/07 030 Re: What about Guitar kits?? alt.guitar.amps Mark Swanson
51. 97/10/03 030 Re: amp kits!!!? alt.guitar.amps Ned Carlson
52. 97/10/02 030 Re: amp kits!!!? alt.guitar.amps Scott A Warren
53. 97/09/25 030 Fender Champ models? alt.guitar.amps Joe Ferguson
54. 97/09/27 029 Re: Fender Champ models? alt.guitar.amps Jon Vanover
55. 97/09/26 029 Re: Fender Champ models? alt.guitar.amps Robert Fries
56. 97/09/25 029 Re: Fender Champ models? alt.guitar.amps Lee MacMillan
57. 96/06/07 029 Re: anyone have plans to bui alt.guitar.amps Mr Bungle
58. 96/02/27 029 Re: Headphone amps advice re alt.guitar Vic Mala
59. 97/09/27 028 Re: Fender Champ models? alt.guitar.amps David Kieltyka
60. 96/10/16 028 Re: 7 Approaches to Quie#2/4 alt.guitar.amps J.R. Elswick
61. 96/06/12 028 Re: anyone have plans to bui alt.guitar.amps Stuart Thompson
62. 96/01/03 028 Re: 3X10 Tweed Bandmaster Ki alt.guitar.amps Robert Fries
63. 97/09/28 027 Re: Fender Champ models? alt.guitar.amps Lektrkblus
64. 96/11/09 027 Interview Questions for #1/3 alt.guitar.amps monadyne
65. 96/10/16 027 7 Approaches to Quiet Po#1/2 alt.guitar.amps Michael
66. 95/07/14 023 Re: Paia Tube preamps rec.music.makers.guit Barry Houtchen
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