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)