New and Full Of Questions!!!

[vikbot]

Hi..I want to learn how to build tube guitar amplifiers and tube stereos...I'm relatively inexperienced, so I was hoping to learn a few thimgs from this board.....so first question...If I'm trying to build an amp and I'm at the stage where I need to purchase an inexpensive chassy, tubes, resistors, capacitors, ect...however if anyone has experience and can help guide me to where I should start, as well as the proper tools I will need to start off with I would appreciate it...

Thanks,

-V.B

[Richard Ellis]

VB.........Things to get ya going are some reading material firstly.
One of the most quoted works in the tube books is a fellow by the name of a Mr. Morgan Jones. MJ has written perhaps three editions of tube books.....They are good reads & this guy lurks thru this forum once & awhile.
My first question is do you know about electronics? Do you know how the math applies to electronics? There is a lot of math.........really.
Basic Algebra will get you thru OK.
There are several electronic "houses" that can get you virtually all that you need for the guts of the build. Schematics abound thruout the web so your choice of amp is virtually limitless.
One "house" that I like is www.partsexpress.com...this is oriented toward speaker building but it is complete and easy to navigate thru. It has alot of 'stuff' oriented toward other interests. Then there is the so-called surplus outlets that specialize in old/surplus stuff...usually ex military stuff.
Usually when one starts off you seem to find the guts of the amp (Resistors, wiring, caps, sockets, diodes,plugs, et.al.) it seems will be at one outlet. A second outlet for the Transformers (High voltage, filiment). A third for the all important output transformer. And a third for the Enclosure (Case).
Look thru the Photo Gallery in Tubes here for some ideas on how your amp could look like. One can really go crazy making absolute works of art with tube amps.
_________________________________________Rick..... .......

[Cal Weldon]

Hello and welcome to the forums.

[planet10]

Welcome to the forum... spend some time reading threads in the tube forum, you don't want to start poking around with ghigh voltage without some familiarity with the potential for getting zapped.

dave