okay, so i've recently got the circuit bug. After playing electric guitar for 6 years, I started wondering what makes all this stuff work. How the pluck of a steel string makes an earth rumbling noise. I started researching all about amp circuits. Solid State is what I'm most interested in since it seems components are the cheapest. Everything I've read so far on amp circuits just goes right over my head. I wish I could find some explanation that is actually understandable lol. I know all about how a signal switches a transistor on and off to let the more intense current flow and make noise through a speaker, which I totally understand is an infinite over-simplification of the whole process. So the point of this is, does anyone know of any website or something where I can actually create and design a circuit, and check which manipulations of each part causes what effect, or someone who can help me along in designing my first somewhat complicated circuit. I'd also like to know what I can use to power a somewhat highly rated power amp (100w RMS or so) of my own design and construction. I want to start building my own guitar amps. Thanks guys, sorry for dragging this out, I know i could have made it alot simpler lol. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated!
Until you understand the exact principles behind the design of electronics, you're pretty much stuck with building someone elses design - but even this can be very rewarding to do!
A good place for you to start, given your requirements, is one of Rod Elliot's projects. Indeed, he has the perfect project for your 100W guitar amp right here:
http://sound.westhost.com/project27.htm
There's a lot to cover even if you build someone else's design - sourcing components, designing a case, actual construction (possibly including making your own PCB's)... so there's plenty to learn even before you get to designing your own stuff.
I must also add the standard disclaimer - if the motivation behind building your own is to save cost, forget it - DIYing stuff is pretty much always more expensive unless you get lucky (salvage parts etc).
A good place for you to start, given your requirements, is one of Rod Elliot's projects. Indeed, he has the perfect project for your 100W guitar amp right here:
http://sound.westhost.com/project27.htm
There's a lot to cover even if you build someone else's design - sourcing components, designing a case, actual construction (possibly including making your own PCB's)... so there's plenty to learn even before you get to designing your own stuff.
I must also add the standard disclaimer - if the motivation behind building your own is to save cost, forget it - DIYing stuff is pretty much always more expensive unless you get lucky (salvage parts etc).
As jaycee said, it's not likely to be short-term cost-effective, but it can be very interesting and absorbing, and once you get some experience you can build exactly what you want, and at that point it even starts to look financially reasonable.
I second the notion that building a kit is a sensible way to progress.
As for background information consider spending a couple of hours at these sites:
http://www.allaboutcircuits.com/
(good general tutorial)
http://circuit-fantasia.com/index.html
(this site suffers from its overly complex presentation, but the information therein is worth the journey)
http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/~jcgl/Scots_Guide/intro/electron.htm
and
http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/~jcgl/Scots_Guide/audio/Analog.html
(I think this fella used to design the amps for Armstrong many years ago)
http://www.epemag.wimborne.co.uk/solderfaq.htm
(soldering)
Good luck.
I second the notion that building a kit is a sensible way to progress.
As for background information consider spending a couple of hours at these sites:
http://www.allaboutcircuits.com/
(good general tutorial)
http://circuit-fantasia.com/index.html
(this site suffers from its overly complex presentation, but the information therein is worth the journey)
http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/~jcgl/Scots_Guide/intro/electron.htm
and
http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/~jcgl/Scots_Guide/audio/Analog.html
(I think this fella used to design the amps for Armstrong many years ago)
http://www.epemag.wimborne.co.uk/solderfaq.htm
(soldering)
Good luck.
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