Built Another 18 Watt Amp

[Brewmaster]

I finished another 18 watt head this week to replace the one I lost when I loaned it out and due to some circumstances beyond anyones control I could not get it back.

Well I can't begin to describe how I feel about this amp, close to being a proud Papa again. Through experimentation I changed the values of some of the caps and came up with an absolute classic rock and blues monster. I even have it tweaked for a little more gain for the younger folks of the gain is tone mindset. For those who don't like EL-84 based amps, this one will change your mind. I tried it out with JJ's, EI, TAD current production EL-84 tubes and NOS Tesla, Saratovs, GE, Philips minwatt, RFT, BEL, Mullards, and they all sounded killer.

I put the same changes into my combo and demo'd it down at the local privately owned music store and it received rave reviews.

I need to get Matt over to help me put some mp3's together to give folks an idea of what this thing can do.

I AM FRIGGIN STOKED!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Guest pirateflynn]

Way to go! This should be over on the Main Board.

[Turdus]

Good deal..... did you buy a kit, or source the parts yourself? I'd like to do the same, but some of the kits are more then you can buy a used, assembled, one for. Matter of fact, I just sold a real nice 18 watter... Mercury transformers, Scumback speaker.... $750.

I'd like to build a head... thus my question.

[Brewmaster]

Good deal..... did you buy a kit, or source the parts yourself? I'd like to do the same, but some of the kits are more then you can buy a used, assembled, one for. Matter of fact, I just sold a real nice 18 watter... Mercury transformers, Scumback speaker.... $750.

I'd like to build a head... thus my question.

My first build was a Ceriatone kit, the second a GDS kit.

This one I sourced my parts from Mojo, Great Bear, Heyboer once I knew for sure what I needed. Cabs I got from Trinity and Reason Amps. For a first crack the GDS kit is excellent with the directions and the labeling of parts. The Trinity kit is quite good as well. It includes Sozo caps and Heyboer trannies for around $500.00.

Go for it!

[BubbaVO]

This sounds like a pretty kick-butt amp? Is it for sale?

[seeker]

Congrats Brewman!

Amp building can indeed be addictive. Maybe I need to put that one on my build list. What schematic did you go by?

(For me, so far, it's been Ken Fischer's creations)

[Brewmaster]

The schematic and layouts I used were from the Ceriatone and Trinity sites BUT like I said I made a few changes. Is it for sale, NO!!!.

[Matt Mattson]

I just saw this amp today, and it is incredible what he's built.

PS: Mods, if that's a jock strap under my picture, please reverse it. It's on backwards. Thanks.

[tbabinec]

Brewmaster-congrats on your latest amp. EL84-based 18 watters should be part of everyone's stable. Once you hear one cranked or play through one, you understand.

[Thundernotes]

THIS THREAD IS USELESS WITHOUT PICTURES!!!!!!!!

[sw686blue]

No pictures = no amp

Seems a little elusive like getting that Dumble tone.

[Blueshound]

Pics and clips!!!! Pics and clips!!!! Pics and clips!!!! Pics and clips!!!!

I'll bet she sounds great. Congrats.

Lee

[FunkyE9th]

Yes, definitely pics and clips. I'm working on my 1st amp build, so I'm very interested in your build.

[Matt Mattson]

When I left Brewie (I'm in North Carolina now), he was hard at work figuring out "Garageband" . . . Anyway that thing would blow my 60 a Roland out of the water for sure.