Shopping & Learning: starting DIY on guitar amps

[tribi9]

Nevermind on the multimeter. Just re-read the manual and you're right.

Im  going in the amp right now since I'm already all pumped.

Wish me luck...

Cheers brother.

[CS]

I'm late on this one but that picture of your cat reminded me of this...

[Maggieo]

I'm late on this one but that picture of your cat reminded me of this...

[zhivago]

someone should photoshop Godzilla in that pic!

[technicolor]

I just completed my first amp project, a Metroamp JTM45. Man, was it fun! George really puts together a nice kit and the instructions are extremely easy to follow. I had no previous electronics experience. I practiced with a Shin-Ei Companion Fuzz clone from General Guitar Gadgets (also a fun kit) and dove right in.

I'm curious how some of the other kit makers compare to Metro's offerings. I'm already itching to build something else. Crazy addictive.

Here are a couple of pics:

[øøøøøøø]

You did a nice job!  Congrats!!

You are right about it being addictive.  How does it sound?

[technicolor]

You did a nice job!  Congrats!!

You are right about it being addictive.  How does it sound?

Thank you. I'm relatively pleased with how it all turned out. I made a few little mistakes, but learned a lot. I know if I were to do another one I'd be better prepared.

It sounds great. Highly recommended. Who knew 30 watts could be so loud?!

[tribi9]

Nice build Technicolor. How long did it take you to build the amp?

[technicolor]

Nice build Technicolor. How long did it take you to build the amp?

Thanks. I completed it in about 4 days. It went quicker than I thought. Once you get into it, you can't stop! Just...one....more....solder....joint. 

[Jay]

Those Metro amp kits are really cool and your build looks awesome.  I'd love to have one myself but its a bit too much amp for me these days I think.

[rugby style]

Newbie question:  I've read the stickied threads here and understand why shorting a preamp tube's  plate to ground through the plate resistor discharges the filter caps.  Practically speaking though, how does one accomplish this?  Isn't sticking a pin into the plate socket a bit dangerous if that's where all the pent up current is?  Do you just wear rubber gloves? 

Sorry if this is a stupid question.  I'd rather not die.

[rugby style]

Just answered my own question, or more correctly, øøøøøøø did:

as long as the standby switch is in the "off" position, the biggest, deadliest caps (the B+ supply) are NOT connected to the others.  When you throw the switch, however, they are free to bleed the power out through the preamp tube's plate load resistor.  Neat, huh?

So I can stick my greasy fingers all pin 1 when my amp is off and I won't get shocked.  I don't have a standby on my amp, so I'm assuming having it switched off (unplugged of course) will have the same effect, yeah?

[nitro cellulite]

Nice Build technicolor! about a week or so ago I was looking at that site for those kits,,,torres and the mojotone site for 5f1 kits...then I came to offset becuase I really have only re-wired strats & pawls etc...but seeing your complete build I am thinking it is worth taking a shot at...how did the -biasing go? I have read the (march PDF instructions?) and that step at the end seems like it is the hardest...what do you do when you fire it up and things arent to spec on the multimeter? just curios! that seemed to be the biggest challenge...

[Slow-Pop]

This ones for the nerds 

Here is a link to out of print tube circuit books in downloadable pdf formats.  I found this because I was interested in the book 'Inside The Vacuum Tube' which they have.

http://www.pmillett.com/tecnical_books_online.htm

Enjoy! 

[tribi9]

This ones for the nerds 

Here is a link to out of print tube circuit books in downloadable pdf formats.  I found this because I was interested in the book 'Inside The Vacuum Tube' which they have.

http://www.pmillett.com/tecnical_books_online.htm

Enjoy! 

That's an awesome link. Thx Slow-pop.