Hoffman or Weber Kit?

Drippy

Joined: Oct 10, 2009
Posts: 6

Posted on Oct 10 2009 02:25 PM

I'm planning on building a tank first of next year. Any thoughts about what route to go? I can build the cab and get the chassis, but what about the components?

Weber - Heard that the components aren't the best and need to be replaced. Not a cheap option either.

Hoffman - Can get a pre-built board. What other parts do I need?

Thanks,

-Drippy

PS-Looked at Uncle Spot as well, but I like the smell of solder in the morning...want to build it and save some $.

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tonetti

Joined: Aug 20, 2008
Posts: 654
California

Posted on Oct 10 2009 03:27 PM

If you get the hoffman board, you will still need tube sockets, retainers, pots, knobs, jacks, wire, switch, tubes, pilot light assy, transformers: OT,PT,Choke, reverb pan,rca cables, thats all I can think of at the moment. For me the actual circiut board is the easiest, and cheapest part of the whole thing, I dont know how cheaply you can get a hoffman board for, but the one I saw was $175 you could diy one for under $40 easily probably much cheaper. I am not knocking the hoffman board, it looks great, and quality components are used, I just cant justify the price, when I know I could do it much cheaper.

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PhatTele

Joined: Jun 05, 2006
Posts: 445

Posted on Oct 10 2009 03:45 PM

The Hoffman path is a true scratch build path where you need to come up w/the list of parts yourself. I've built a bunch of amps using his layout diagrams and using his site for sourcing parts. You can't go wrong with his stuff.

The Weber path is a kit build. I've built a bunch of their amps (and reverb units) too. Their layouts and parts are fine too. Sure, you might substitute a component here or there, but that's the case w/pretty much any kit I've run across whether it be Weber, GDS, Marsh, Mojo, etc. The advantage of the kit is everything has been thought out for you....a nice option if you've never built or repaired an amp before.

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tonetti

Joined: Aug 20, 2008
Posts: 654
California

Posted on Oct 10 2009 03:53 PM

PhatTele
The Hoffman path is a true scratch build path where you need to come up w/the list of parts yourself. I've built a bunch of amps using his layout diagrams and using his site for sourcing parts. You can't go wrong with his stuff.

The Weber path is a kit build. I've built a bunch of their amps (and reverb units) too. Their layouts and parts are fine too. Sure, you might substitute a component here or there, but that's the case w/pretty much any kit I've run across whether it be Weber, GDS, Marsh, Mojo, etc. The advantage of the kit is everything has been thought out for you....a nice option if you've never built or repaired an amp before.

Yes the Hoffman site is an excellent source of information, use it! The kit route would definately be the easy route, you wont have find out the hard way that you need a part you had omited from the parts list, and be held up for a week waiting on parts.

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Drippy

Joined: Oct 10, 2009
Posts: 6

Posted on Oct 10 2009 05:38 PM

Thanks very much for the info. I think you saved me some cash too. It'd be a great project to learn on and keep me relaxed on the weekends.

Cheers!

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FritzCat

Joined: Sep 11, 2007
Posts: 685
Sonoma, CA
9 Security Pins

Posted on Oct 10 2009 06:06 PM

Just saw this here the other day http://store.triodestore.com/diy-fender-g15-reverb-k15.html

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tonetti

Joined: Aug 20, 2008
Posts: 654
California

Posted on Oct 10 2009 07:15 PM

FritzCat
Just saw this here the other day http://store.triodestore.com/diy-fender-g15-reverb-k15.html

This triode kit looks to be a really good kit, the transformers are great, and it looks like mallory 150s and sprague caps. Plus you get everything in one place. Something to look out for is extra shipping charges for mis ordered parts, it can kill your project if you are working on a budget.

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crumble

Joined: Sep 09, 2008
Posts: 3158
Guildford England
United Kingdom

Posted on Oct 10 2009 07:59 PM

I think the one thing the Hoffman site lacks is photographs of completed work. In fact there isn't one single shot of a completed Hoffman 6G15 on the net that i can find. Also the manual that i received for my Revolver fully populated board is just a general purpose booklet, it's quite confusing for the first time novice when you have to imagine how things are laid out and wired together.

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FritzCat

Joined: Sep 11, 2007
Posts: 685
Sonoma, CA
9 Security Pins

Posted on Oct 10 2009 08:03 PM

There are lots of places that sell completed Hoffman boards, and some of them have pics. Here is one example http://www.theairtightgarage.com/images/6g15.jpg This may or may not be helpful.

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crumble

Joined: Sep 09, 2008
Posts: 3158
Guildford England
United Kingdom

Posted on Oct 11 2009 04:44 AM

FritzCat
There are lots of places that sell completed Hoffman boards, and some of them have pics. Here is one example http://www.theairtightgarage.com/images/6g15.jpg This may or may not be helpful.

Thanks, i guess it's me that isn't explaining myself well enough. Here's a completed project, i know it isn't a Hoffman board but it will do for the purpose of explaining. With a photo like this i can visually see how things are assembled. I think pictures like this gives the novice builder a bit of confidence.

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Drippy

Joined: Oct 10, 2009
Posts: 6

Posted on Oct 11 2009 09:26 AM

http://store.triodestore.com/diy-fender-g15-reverb-k15.html

What a find!!! Thanks! I've been pouring over the "Internets" and have been stuck with the usual sources. This looks like a good value. A buddy of mine at the local music store will help me with the build. I thought I'd take a day of vacation and learn.

Top

Drippy

Joined: Oct 10, 2009
Posts: 6

Posted on Oct 11 2009 09:28 AM

Also, my neighbor has two vintage units and we can look over for reference. I'd buy one, but yikes the cost of my left lung is too steep.

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crumble

Joined: Sep 09, 2008
Posts: 3158
Guildford England
United Kingdom

Posted on Oct 11 2009 10:08 AM

Drippy
http://store.triodestore.com/diy-fender-g15-reverb-k15.htmlWhat a find!!! Thanks! I've been pouring over the "Internets" and have been stuck with the usual sources. This looks like a good value. A buddy of mine at the local music store will help me with the build. I thought I'd take a day of vacation and learn.

Triode sell a lot of stuff on ebay worldwide, i wrote them an email asking if they sold european standard transformers and got a reply saying they'd be doing them next year (2010). I think you save quite a bit on shipping costs if you buy a kit too.

Top

Drippy Joined: Oct 10, 2009 Posts: 6	Posted on Oct 10 2009 02:25 PM I'm planning on building a tank first of next year. Any thoughts about what route to go? I can build the cab and get the chassis, but what about the components? Weber - Heard that the components aren't the best and need to be replaced. Not a cheap option either. Hoffman - Can get a pre-built board. What other parts do I need? Thanks, -Drippy PS-Looked at Uncle Spot as well, but I like the smell of solder in the morning...want to build it and save some $. Top
tonetti Joined: Aug 20, 2008 Posts: 654 California	Posted on Oct 10 2009 03:27 PM If you get the hoffman board, you will still need tube sockets, retainers, pots, knobs, jacks, wire, switch, tubes, pilot light assy, transformers: OT,PT,Choke, reverb pan,rca cables, thats all I can think of at the moment. For me the actual circiut board is the easiest, and cheapest part of the whole thing, I dont know how cheaply you can get a hoffman board for, but the one I saw was $175 you could diy one for under $40 easily probably much cheaper. I am not knocking the hoffman board, it looks great, and quality components are used, I just cant justify the price, when I know I could do it much cheaper. Top
PhatTele Joined: Jun 05, 2006 Posts: 445	Posted on Oct 10 2009 03:45 PM The Hoffman path is a true scratch build path where you need to come up w/the list of parts yourself. I've built a bunch of amps using his layout diagrams and using his site for sourcing parts. You can't go wrong with his stuff. The Weber path is a kit build. I've built a bunch of their amps (and reverb units) too. Their layouts and parts are fine too. Sure, you might substitute a component here or there, but that's the case w/pretty much any kit I've run across whether it be Weber, GDS, Marsh, Mojo, etc. The advantage of the kit is everything has been thought out for you....a nice option if you've never built or repaired an amp before. Top
tonetti Joined: Aug 20, 2008 Posts: 654 California	Posted on Oct 10 2009 03:53 PM PhatTele The Hoffman path is a true scratch build path where you need to come up w/the list of parts yourself. I've built a bunch of amps using his layout diagrams and using his site for sourcing parts. You can't go wrong with his stuff. The Weber path is a kit build. I've built a bunch of their amps (and reverb units) too. Their layouts and parts are fine too. Sure, you might substitute a component here or there, but that's the case w/pretty much any kit I've run across whether it be Weber, GDS, Marsh, Mojo, etc. The advantage of the kit is everything has been thought out for you....a nice option if you've never built or repaired an amp before. Yes the Hoffman site is an excellent source of information, use it! The kit route would definately be the easy route, you wont have find out the hard way that you need a part you had omited from the parts list, and be held up for a week waiting on parts. Top
Drippy Joined: Oct 10, 2009 Posts: 6	Posted on Oct 10 2009 05:38 PM Thanks very much for the info. I think you saved me some cash too. It'd be a great project to learn on and keep me relaxed on the weekends. Cheers! Top
FritzCat Joined: Sep 11, 2007 Posts: 685 Sonoma, CA	Posted on Oct 10 2009 06:06 PM Just saw this here the other day http://store.triodestore.com/diy-fender-g15-reverb-k15.html Top
tonetti Joined: Aug 20, 2008 Posts: 654 California	Posted on Oct 10 2009 07:15 PM FritzCat Just saw this here the other day http://store.triodestore.com/diy-fender-g15-reverb-k15.html This triode kit looks to be a really good kit, the transformers are great, and it looks like mallory 150s and sprague caps. Plus you get everything in one place. Something to look out for is extra shipping charges for mis ordered parts, it can kill your project if you are working on a budget. Top
crumble Joined: Sep 09, 2008 Posts: 3158 Guildford England	Posted on Oct 10 2009 07:59 PM I think the one thing the Hoffman site lacks is photographs of completed work. In fact there isn't one single shot of a completed Hoffman 6G15 on the net that i can find. Also the manual that i received for my Revolver fully populated board is just a general purpose booklet, it's quite confusing for the first time novice when you have to imagine how things are laid out and wired together. Top
FritzCat Joined: Sep 11, 2007 Posts: 685 Sonoma, CA	Posted on Oct 10 2009 08:03 PM There are lots of places that sell completed Hoffman boards, and some of them have pics. Here is one example http://www.theairtightgarage.com/images/6g15.jpg This may or may not be helpful. Top
crumble Joined: Sep 09, 2008 Posts: 3158 Guildford England	Posted on Oct 11 2009 04:44 AM FritzCat There are lots of places that sell completed Hoffman boards, and some of them have pics. Here is one example http://www.theairtightgarage.com/images/6g15.jpg This may or may not be helpful. Thanks, i guess it's me that isn't explaining myself well enough. Here's a completed project, i know it isn't a Hoffman board but it will do for the purpose of explaining. With a photo like this i can visually see how things are assembled. I think pictures like this gives the novice builder a bit of confidence. Top
Drippy Joined: Oct 10, 2009 Posts: 6	Posted on Oct 11 2009 09:26 AM http://store.triodestore.com/diy-fender-g15-reverb-k15.html What a find!!! Thanks! I've been pouring over the "Internets" and have been stuck with the usual sources. This looks like a good value. A buddy of mine at the local music store will help me with the build. I thought I'd take a day of vacation and learn. Top
Drippy Joined: Oct 10, 2009 Posts: 6	Posted on Oct 11 2009 09:28 AM Also, my neighbor has two vintage units and we can look over for reference. I'd buy one, but yikes the cost of my left lung is too steep. Top
crumble Joined: Sep 09, 2008 Posts: 3158 Guildford England	Posted on Oct 11 2009 10:08 AM Drippy http://store.triodestore.com/diy-fender-g15-reverb-k15.htmlWhat a find!!! Thanks! I've been pouring over the "Internets" and have been stuck with the usual sources. This looks like a good value. A buddy of mine at the local music store will help me with the build. I thought I'd take a day of vacation and learn. Triode sell a lot of stuff on ebay worldwide, i wrote them an email asking if they sold european standard transformers and got a reply saying they'd be doing them next year (2010). I think you save quite a bit on shipping costs if you buy a kit too. Top

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Hoffman or Weber Kit?