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SurfGuitar101 Forums » Gear »

Permalink My AA1164 Princeton Reverb build

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hi everybody,

Inspired by other amp build posts, I thought I would share my experience building my first tube amp.

During lockdown I found time to finally dive into something I always have been interested in; how tube amps work. I wanted to learn this for a long time and build my own amp, but only if i really fully understood the technology behind it, and had enough skills / bravery to build an amp I would actually want to use a lot (IE not a little 1 watt amp starter kit).

So I spent hours watching mostly all of Uncle Dougs videos on youtube which are incredible ánd very entertaining. Finally, after many, many hours of study I ordered a Princeton Reverb kit from Uraltone (I am in Europe) which are reviewed very well. Pretty scary, for me a complicated circuit with the reverb and tremolo.

And then I started on my project.. working veeeeery slowly... but I finished it and made it work! With thanks to Uncle Doug, and the people at Uraltone.

The amp worked right away. I had to do some trouble shooting, specifically on the tremolo leaking a bit into the clean channel - if that makes sense - and moving and optimizing some wires. Also, finding one crappy solder in the whole thing.. Anyway, this thing now works and sounds great!!

Next up the cabinet, and I made a cabinet that is more 50s than 60s (like the amp circuit), I know, but I always loved this style, inspired by an old Gretsch model. And, inspired by Benson amps, covered in a printed cloth, not tolex. I think that looks pretty snazzy.

Very happy with it! It's an experience I would recommend, just take your time.

i have a little sound clip on my instagram (not to lure anybody to that site, don't know if that's allowed sorry) from testing a lot of reverb and tremolo, on low volume level (late at night)

image
image
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Very cool! Your amp looks and sounds fantastic! Congrats and enjoy! Cool

The doofus formerly known as Snorre
Surfysonic on YouTube
World Famous Philistines: 2014 - 2015
K39: 2013 - 2014
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gv9JADQ4ukw

Great build. Very ambitious. Congratulations!

If I'd stop buying old guitars to fix, I might actually learn to play.
Bringing instruments back to life since 2013.

That looks amazing, Pieter! I love the mid-century modern look you’ve achieved. Where’d you get that printed cloth? Thanks!

It really takes a lot of skill and patience to build an amp like that. Congratulations... It looks great, and I bet it sounds nice as well.

MooreLoud.com - A tribute to Dick Dale.

great job! wiring looks pretty dang good. should look lovely next to the tone king and the hallmark.

Last edited: Nov 29, 2021 21:19:20

Awesome work! I love the sound and the look, so cool!

Thanks everybody!

SoCalJim wrote:

Where’d you get that printed cloth? Thanks!

I ordered some online.. cant remember where specifically, if you want to know I can dive into my emails. But there are a lot of these where you can select the fabric and print and have it sent in a small batch to your house.

Wow!

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