software

Why are they so much cheaper than the comparable ones from say Mojo or Doberman?

Weber uses Chinese transformers and other Chinese parts. For the most part, they still sound pretty good from the one I heard. The cabs are made in teh US, as are the speakers. Since they make their own speakers, they can eliminate the middle man profit on that item as well.

If you get one, go ahead and go out and get some better switches, jacks and pots. Their pots have no tension on them to speak of. No feel if you understand what I'm talking about. They just turn way too freely for my tactile senses.

I know a lot of guys that use the transformers. As one friend says, iron is iron, wire is wire. Truth be told, making a transformer isn't exactly rocket science.

I've got one of their cherry hardwood small box marshall heads heading my way. I'll be happy to report back on how good the quality is.

I've been thiking of getting an amp kit oneday..... do these kits come with a diagram to help a beginer like me get thru it?

Thanks Scott, I've been mulling the idea of building an amp for a while now especialy after watching the progression on your first 5e3 way back when. How skilled would you have rated yourself when you did your first build? Would you recommend another specific circuit kit other than the 5e3 as a first build?
Originally Posted by Scott_FWeber uses Chinese transformers and other Chinese parts. For the most part, they still sound pretty good from the one I heard. The cabs are made in teh US, as are the speakers. Since they make their own speakers, they can eliminate the middle man profit on that item as well.
If you get one, go ahead and go out and get some better switches, jacks and pots. Their pots have no tension on them to speak of. No feel if you understand what I'm talking about. They just turn way too freely for my tactile senses.
I know a lot of guys that use the transformers. As one friend says, iron is iron, wire is wire. Truth be told, making a transformer isn't exactly rocket science.
I've got one of their cherry hardwood small box marshall heads heading my way. I'll be happy to report back on how good the quality is.
Bump for ScottF

Well, what tone are you going for? The 5E3 is fairly straight forward, that's why a lot of guys make it their first kit.

An 18 watt Marshall or a JTM45 is not a difficult build, but there is more that can go wrong.

You might think about starting with AX84.com . I think Doberman sells a kit.

The biggest thing is attention to detail. One mis-soldered wire and you might end up frying a transformer. It's like putting together a puzzle. If you're good at Jig-saw puzzles, this might be something right up your alley.

There are a few tricks that you learn over time in terms of all sorts of stuff, a lot of it centers on keeping the amp quiet. Email me with what you are trying to do and I'll try to throw some advice.

I'd recommend the 5E3 that Bruce sells -- for the extra money, you get quality parts, but more importantly, excellent support from Bruce - pics, diagram - and there are a bunch of people over on the 5E3 forum that have built their own

Thanks guys, I've been lurking over at the 5e3 and 18watt forums a bit and it seems to me that the vibe at the 5e3 is quite abit more friendly. As far a Bruce's kit goes, you are quite right Gary. Much better componants and Bruce is on the 5e3 forum all of the time. I do want to build more than one amp, but the 5e3 looks like a good place to start. I do have a long background in complex fabrications and rebuilds of various kinds so the 18 watter doesn't scare me.....much! LOL! Seriously though, the 5e3 along with the 18w Marshall, and JTM 45 are just a few of the amps that I would love to own.


Originally Posted by CurlyI'd recommend the 5E3 that Bruce sells -- for the extra money, you get quality parts, but more importantly, excellent support from Bruce - pics, diagram - and there are a bunch of people over on the 5E3 forum that have built their own
1,000,000

You tend to get what you pay for in this world.



You speak the truth oh tall one!

Originally Posted by Scott_FYou tend to get what you pay for in this world.
so do amp kits come with good instructions for a first timer?


Originally Posted by WhoFanso do amp kits come with good instructions for a first timer?

Weber kits have no instructions, All you get is what you can find to download. Schematics and layout diagrams. No step-by-step instructions. Not hard to build an amp with a good layout.

I'm in the same boat as you guys. the most important thing to me besides good quality is some kind of simple step by step to follow for me and the couple people that are helping me with more experience.Cause looking at schematics is like chinese to me. Its also very hard to learn how a tube amp works and what each component does because everything I read that covers that subject seems to be geared towards people who already have an understanding for it. I don't know anybody personally that can teach me. I just know guys that can solder electronics well and are a little more sensible than me.

Anyways building a 5e3 sounds like a lot of fun, though. I'm saving for one of those kits.

Bruce provides a lot of excellent pictures to go with his kit. When I built my MIssion kit, there were no written instructions.

Here is a good link for NooBs. I still use it Normally when you get a kit. It's just a bag full of resistors and caps. This will help you sort out your resistors. I still meter them to be sure. from : localhost/www.mindhertz.com/Resistor.php


Originally Posted by kmcguitarsHere is a good link for NooBs. I still use it Normally when you get a kit. It's just a bag full of resistors and caps. This will help you sort out your resistors. I still meter them to be sure. from : localhost/meter every resistor that goes into one of my amps. Also, if you decide to build one, try and match the values where there are pairs. Tolerances are pretty decent on resistors (but I still meter them), but don't ask me about capacitor tolerances of /- 20%! Yikes!

Scott,
Where can I find info on building an 18 W Marshall ? That would be totally awesome, and worth the effort imo.
Thanks.


Originally Posted by MVIScott,
Where can I find info on building an 18 W Marshall ? That would be totally awesome, and worth the effort imo.
Thanks.

Googled and answered my own question.
from : localhost/www.mojomusicalsupply.com/cgi...e/5550009.html

You can buy a Weber 18 watt kit, a GDS 18 watt kit, a Mojo 18 watt kit.

The Mojo uses better quality parts (incl. transformers) than the Weber's do, but you pay more. If you're on a budget, the Weber kit is way attractive. Support is pretty low on either of them though.