[mahkook]

It has been years (20 to be exact) since I took an electronics class. I want to build a small custom amp for $$$ reasons, but don't feel my skills are up to snuff to solder together a circuit. What I am good at though is wood work as I am a woodshop teacher and I want to build a custom cabinet to house a beautiful tube amp. Where can I find a good premade tube amp all ready to go minus case (and say jacks, tubes, etc... simple to add items)? I saw one on ebay from China, but I have my reservations about ordering one from there.

Any pointers anyone? It would be greatly appreciated! (I would even consider doing a collaboration with a builder... say they do 2 amp circuits and I build 2 custom exotic wood cabinets then we each have one complete amp!)

Thanks much!
Ryan

 

[dBel84]

I would strongly recommend option 2 , choose an amp that you like the idea of, even better if you can get to hear one. I suspect we will try and get a Portland session lined up in the spring again, but if you have a narrower time line just do a ton of reading and ask as many questions as necessary. I think that getting one built will better serve your cost/ build quality for the expense..dB

ps ygpm

 

[Negatron]

An option would be to go over to diytube.com :: Index and look into the ST35. Shannon has done a suberb job of re-implimenting the Dynaco ST-35 and the process is as simple as it gets. I am a big fan of wood chassis DIY classics, it eats up a great deal of my time. The forum there can help you.

You can probably do a bit more E work than you give yourself credit for,
$10 garage sale recievers are great solder practice.
But I would bet you would have no problem trading raw boards, parts or transformers for pre-build work to put into your own chassis. If you want to go a bit deeper, the ST-70 is also a fully available build that lends itself to a wood chassis, and again Shannons board designs are first rate.

Properly implimented, both amps will directly compete sound wise with amps costing in the 4 figure range, not Asian low $ knock-offs either .

There are also very nice steel chassis available from Soundtastic that can easily be encased in woodwork greatly simplifying your task. Check it out.