[kat_]

I'm thinking about ordering the kit to build this - http://www.ax84.com/?pg=legacyprojects&project_id=p1

I haven't done anything like this yet, but I've already ordered a distortion/boost pedal kit, and if that goes well I'm planning to do a couple more pedals and then an amp.

Has anyone here built this kit before? Or played through one? Are there other small amp kits you'd recommend instead? Any speaker recommendations? Advice? Encouragement? Discouragement?

 

[Ti-Ron]

Ask to jcayer, he builds is own amp an cabs. I'm pretty sure he can gives you good advices. And by the way, is a Quebecois, so that's meaning a really good guy ! Good luck with your project!

:tongue:

 

[jcayer]

I'm thinking about ordering the kit to build this - http://www.ax84.com/?pg=legacyprojects&project_id=p1

I haven't done anything like this yet, but I've already ordered a distortion/boost pedal kit, and if that goes well I'm planning to do a couple more pedals and then an amp.

Has anyone here built this kit before? Or played through one? Are there other small amp kits you'd recommend instead? Any speaker recommendations? Advice? Encouragement? Discouragement?

Hi Kat,

I've built the P1 last year. I love it. Even though they describe this amp as a "beginner" project, it's certainly not a beginner's amp to play with.

You can have a look at my website (sorry it's in french but the pictures speaks for themselves.)
http://www.jcayer.com/bricolages/amplip1.htm

I've talked about it here: http://guitarscanada.com/Board/showthread.php?t=4890


You might already have visited the Ax84 pages, ( www.ax84.com )may I suggest you to checkout the forum, they are a fantastic bunch of guys ready to help any newcomer.

You have a nice range of sound from clean to good overdrive. It's 5 Watts but 5 Watts can be very loud in the house... If you plan to gig with this amp, I'm not shure. But it is possible to add a simple circuit to the output (known as the firezog) which is a line-out circuit. So you can plug in a PA or in the input of another amp.

If you are more into the Marshall type of sound, you can checkout the 18watts website. ( http://www.18watt.com/ ).

As for the speakers, checkout this thread: http://guitarscanada.com/Board/showthread.php?t=4888

:food-smiley-004:

 

[kat_]

Thanks for that link. I've bookmarked it. I love the wooden head you built for that amp. Originally I'd been thinking about building it into a small combo, but now I'm thinking I'd like to make it a small head so I can use it with different speakers easily.

Is the amp loud enough for jamming with just a drummer? I don't plan on gigging at all, just making some weekend noise with an old friend in his garage. I had a look around your site and I'm interested in http://www.jcayer.com/bricolages/amplisopht.htm too. I'd like something really small for just playing at home and that looks like it would do it nicely.

Any other advice? In your other thread you suggest ordering the pre-drilled face plate. I might do that. Anything else?

Thanks for your help.

 

[jcayer]

Sorry double post

 

[jcayer]

Thanks for that link. I've bookmarked it. I love the wooden head you built for that amp. Originally I'd been thinking about building it into a small combo, but now I'm thinking I'd like to make it a small head so I can use it with different speakers easily.

Initially, the P1 was just somekind of practice for a bigger project.The goal was that I wanted to build a more powerful amp, say like a 18 Watts (Marshall). So I built the head and a cabinet with speakers that could handle 18 - 25 Watts without any problems.

For now, I don't know. 5 Watts is loud enough for me in the house. And I really like the tone of this amp plus I don't play in a band or with other guys for the moment. So the other project is on the ice...

Is the amp loud enough for jamming with just a drummer? I don't plan on gigging at all, just making some weekend noise with an old friend in his garage. I had a look around your site and I'm interested in http://www.jcayer.com/bricolages/amplisopht.htm too. I'd like something really small for just playing at home and that looks like it would do it nicely.

On the ax84 forum, some have said to be able to play in small gig. Some are plugging the amp into 4x12 cab. So it must sound powerful. With my 2x10 cab, I could play with a drummer (say like in my basement). I'd say that it would be ok.

As for the sophtamp, you could take a look here: http://www.sophtamps.ca/mambo/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=26&Itemid=38 this is the project I made. I talk about it here: http://www.guitarscanada.com/Board/showthread.php?t=5036&page=4

Any other advice? In your other thread you suggest ordering the pre-drilled face plate. I might do that. Anything else?
Thanks for your help.

Practice your soldering skills :wink: Be careful with the high voltages, work with one hand in your pocket, be patient, buy and try tubes from different companies ( 12ax7, el84) sovtek, jj, etc. They do sound different from one company to another. Checkout the tubestore site they offer very good service and fast shipping.

:food-smiley-004: