Need help

[emersa]

I live in Mumbai, India and I am building a Fender Champ 5F1 clone. I need help locating some of the components needed to build this sweet little thing.

Follwing is a laundry list of the parts/components that I need to buy:

Tubes:
1 - 5Y3GT
1 - 12AX7
1 - 6V6GT

Sockets:
1 - 9 pin miniature (noval)
2 - 8-pin large (octal)

Capacitors:
1 - 16uF 450VDC
2 - 8uF 450VDC
2 - .02uF or .022uF
1 - 25uF/25VDC

Couple extra 25uF/25VDC bypass caps

Resistors:
1 - 470 ohm
2 - 1.5k ohm
1 - 10K
2 - 22K
2 - 68K
2 - 100K
1 - 220K
1 - 470K
1 - 1 megohm

Pots:
1 - 1 megohm

Switches:
2 - SPST toggle

Fuse:
1- Fuse socket.


First off, I want to know who sells these triode tubes in Mumbai. Any addresses and telephone numbers would be helpful. Then I need a turret board - who can make it for me? Or is there a place where I can get the turrets to make my own board. Else I would be stuck with a perfboard.

Second would be power and output transformers. Who makes customs? Would someone be able to provide any addresses and telephone numbers? 240VAC primary on the power transformer and a matched output transformer (forgive me if I sound noob but I am fairly new to all this.) I also have some PDF specs on what kind of transformer I am looking at.

Third, do you guys see any of the components listed above as difficult/impossible to get. If yes are there any suggested places where I can order them.

And last but not the least, I need a decent 8' speaker for my amp probably 8ohms impedence. I have been told that guitar speakers are specialised and differently voiced and I am sure that they are hard to get in these parts. Can someone recommend a decent speaker that I can get started with?

I do not wish to sound like I need to be spoonfed or something, but I do not intend to re-invent the wheel. If you guys already know where all this stuff can be found then it would be great help to me. In any case I am going on a recon mission to Lamington Road this weekend. Will have my set of updates then. But if I could have some prior info or leads, then I could get started with procuring some of the stuff on my first visit.

Any help is appreciated. Thanks for reading the long post.

Emersa

 

[felix the cat]

Hi Emersa
You can find resistors atWelborne Labs

 

[emersa]

Bump

 

[ashok]

So you are new to everything and you want to build a tube amp !

You MUST understand everything about what you are going to do before buying parts and that 'might' take some time.
You could post your questions on the forum AFTER you do some research on the Net and this forum ( using 'search' ).

To kick start all this you should spend a whole morning wandering down Lamington Road and window shop in the electronics parts market and check out some prices of the larger parts you need. I HIGHLY recommend you go along with someone who knows something about electronics .

I suspect if you pull out a list of a dozen resistors with one or two of each , most shops might throw you out !

So going with a friend will help as he can tell you which shops would entertain 'small' purchases .

But all this can be a whole lot of fun if you take it in the right spirit. It will add immensley to your project and would give plenty of memories to reflect about and talk about in the future !

Except for tubes and sockets , you should be able to find them in many shops. Do try the smaller ones as they wouldn't mind small quantities. But do walk around first to get a feel of the place !
I think you might feel more comfortable after that !

Many small branching lanes have the small shops where you can find all you need. Tubes are sold by only a few shops and they have some displayed in the window. Check out international prices for tubes as you might get ripped off on pricing and there is a VERY good chance you might get dud or highly used tubes. I would recommend buying over the net for tubes and sockets. I have done this with no problems.

Have fun.
Cheers.

AND REMEMBER you are going to work with HIGH VOLTAGES THAT CAN KILL YOU ! I think you should get help from someone who knows something !

 

[emersa]

So you are new to everything and you want to build a tube amp !

You MUST understand everything about what you are going to do before buying parts and that 'might' take some time.
You could post your questions on the forum AFTER you do some research on the Net and this forum ( using 'search' ).

To kick start all this you should spend a whole morning wandering down Lamington Road and window shop in the electronics parts market and check out some prices of the larger parts you need. I HIGHLY recommend you go along with someone who knows something about electronics .

I suspect if you pull out a list of a dozen resistors with one or two of each , most shops might throw you out !

So going with a friend will help as he can tell you which shops would entertain 'small' purchases .

But all this can be a whole lot of fun if you take it in the right spirit. It will add immensley to your project and would give plenty of memories to reflect about and talk about in the future !

Except for tubes and sockets , you should be able to find them in many shops. Do try the smaller ones as they wouldn't mind small quantities. But do walk around first to get a feel of the place !
I think you might feel more comfortable after that !

Many small branching lanes have the small shops where you can find all you need. Tubes are sold by only a few shops and they have some displayed in the window. Check out international prices for tubes as you might get ripped off on pricing and there is a VERY good chance you might get dud or highly used tubes. I would recommend buying over the net for tubes and sockets. I have done this with no problems.

Have fun.
Cheers.

AND REMEMBER you are going to work with HIGH VOLTAGES THAT CAN KILL YOU ! I think you should get help from someone who knows something !

Thank you for responding to my message. The reason that I am building a tube amplifier is that I am a blues guitarist and there cannot be blues music without tube amps. Plus I am on a budget, so I cannot go to the market and buy myself a tube amp. Besides, it’s cooler to build your own (despite the high voltage caution). That way I also get to a thing or two about tube amps.

This is how I plan to proceed with my build. I first go on a recon at L Road, figure out what’s available and also try to get a ballpark estimate of how much the whole thing might cost. I have done a lot of research on the internet and have also been reading up a little on the thing that I intend to build. Is there any useful resource that you can point out? That would be of great help.

My reason for posting such a stupid query was that I wanted to have a feel of what I am venturing into. Plus I also wanted to know if there people who have done similar projects who can share their thoughts with me.

About the tubes, is there a way that I can differentiate used tubes from new ones?

As you rightly said, all this is going to be a great experience and I want to do this for the excitement.

Once again, thanks you for your help and look forward to your thoughts.

Emersa

 

[emersa]

I have all the parts needed for my Champ Clone. Is there someone from Mumbai who can help me with my build? Just basic queries, discussion and related stuff.

Any help is appreciated.

BTW...I am still having problems locating a good guitar speaker and chassis in Mumbai. For the chassis I am gonna use a wooden box for the moment.

 

[ashok]

There must be guys in Mumbai who build tube gear but I'm not sure if they will be able to spare time. However I do know that 'some' audio equipment shops sometimes do the construction job for a fee . Maybe you need to go through some 'contacts' ! If you want someone to sit with you through the construction work , you might have to search around.

Ask the Mumbai members on this forum for suggestions .

First time tube amp is hard AND dangerous unless you are a very careful person. But remember in the 60's there were only tube amps to build ! People did it successfully with less test instrument help than today .

I think your top plate 'must' be metal . You could use 3mm aluminum which is also easier to machine than a mild steel chassis. You can stick a paper on it and mark out all holes and cut outs and get a 'small' machine shop to drill/cut it out for you. That should not be a problem at all in Mumbai but you need to get someone to tell you where the small shops are.

Navin....and others ......any suggestions ?

Buy some books on building amps. Our famous BPB publishers have some low cost ( legal !) editions of foreign books on the subject. I think you must have something to 'read' first .

For the guitar speakers contact the pro-audio dealers . They seem to have those. Looking for any particular brand ?

Cheers.

 

[emersa]

First of all, thanks for you help Ashok.

First time tube amp is hard AND dangerous unless you are a very careful person. But remember in the 60's there were only tube amps to build ! People did it successfully with less test instrument help than today .

I am aware that it is dangerous but I am too determined to make this amp.

I think your top plate 'must' be metal . You could use 3mm aluminum which is also easier to machine than a mild steel chassis. You can stick a paper on it and mark out all holes and cut outs and get a 'small' machine shop to drill/cut it out for you. That should not be a problem at all in Mumbai but you need to get someone to tell you where the small shops are.

Why do you think that the top of the chassis should be metal? Any specific reason. I am looking for a decent aluminium sheet 2-3mm thick to make the chassis but just wanted to know if I can start building on a wooden box.

Buy some books on building amps. Our famous BPB publishers have some low cost ( legal !) editions of foreign books on the subject. I think you must have something to 'read' first .

Can you suggest any titles? I am downloading a PDF on tube amp design overhaul and maintenance from the internet. Will let you know the title tonight.

For the guitar speakers contact the pro-audio dealers . They seem to have those. Looking for any particular brand ?

Looking for Alnico Speakers 10”. Not too fussy about who makes them. Indian is fine.

 

[navin]

There must be guys in Mumbai who build tube gear but I'm not sure if they will be able to spare time.

I think your top plate 'must' be metal .

Navin....and others ......any suggestions ?

Buy some books on building amps. Our famous BPB publishers have some low cost ( legal !) editions of foreign books on the subject.

For the guitar speakers contact the pro-audio dealers . They seem to have those. Looking for any particular brand ?

emersa, i got your email and rather than reply privately I am posting here becuase I expect that others will also chime in and you should get some more help.

Ashok is right. Most of the people who could help you are retired. They just dont have the time.

One young man I know is Ravi Jagtiani. He has successfully serviced and repaired my Marshall amps and might be able to help with a build.

I do intend to ask himto build me an EL84 based gituar amp based on a Mashall circuit I had somewhere but forgot about that. Due tofamily commitments I have been out of audio for a while now.

 

[emersa]

Navin...can you pass me Ravi Jagtiani's number or email. Would like to have a word with him.

What amp are you planning to build? Is it a JTM45.

 

[navin]

Navin...can you pass me Ravi Jagtiani's number or email. Would like to have a word with him.

What amp are you planning to build? Is it a JTM45.

Monday. I do not have it with me. I have to call friends.

I was looking at building the DSL 401 based on the schematic on dr tube.

 

[emersa]

That would be great help.

That's a good amp. When do you intend to start the build?

 

[navin]

That would be great help.

That's a good amp. When do you intend to start the build?

Ravi: 2367 0748
DSl 401: I have been too busy. I have atleast 5-6 audio projects that I have accumulated some of teh parts for and not started becuase of other obligations.
1. a pair of EL34 stereo amps with one channel running in triode and the other in UL to power a 2 way speaker
2. CD 63KI mods as per Rowemeister's list
3. The EL84 based guitar amp
4. OB speaker for EL34 amp (and SS bass).
5. a 2 box (PS + Electronics) preamp (volume and balance) and 3 way active crossover.

 

[emersa]

Hi navin,

I spoke to Ravi over the weekend and he seems to be a cool chap. Thanks for passing the contact.

I wanted to know if Eminence or Celestion speakers are available in Mumbai.

Thanks.

Emersa

 

[navin]

I wanted to know if Eminence or Celestion speakers are available in Mumbai.

Most of my mental database is dated. i have not been active in audio for a while but here goes.

I had seen Celestion 10" and 12" (G series I think) guitar amp speakers (mostly lead) about 10 years ago when I was looking. I assume as India has gotten more open even bass guitar speakers will now be avalable. Narain is the person to ask. He used to stock a lot of stuff but about 8-10 years ago began picking up agencies and now only stocks what his agencies allow him too. Also they now have atleast 2 shops. When I used to visit them in the early 90s they had just started the second shop.

I am sure Narain can help with Eminence too.

 

[emersa]

Most of my mental database is dated. i have not been active in audio for a while but here goes.

I had seen Celestion 10" and 12" (G series I think) guitar amp speakers (mostly lead) about 10 years ago when I was looking. I assume as India has gotten more open even bass guitar speakers will now be avalable. Narain is the person to ask. He used to stock a lot of stuff but about 8-10 years ago began picking up agencies and now only stocks what his agencies allow him too. Also they now have atleast 2 shops. When I used to visit them in the early 90s they had just started the second shop.

I am sure Narain can help with Eminence too.

Narain? Is he on LRoad? Could you please let me know the name of the establishment. Sorry I ask too many questions.

Thanks

Emersa

p.s. do you play the guitar?

 

[navin]

Narain? Is he on LRoad? Could you please let me know the name of the establishment. Sorry I ask too many questions.

p.s. do you play the guitar?

Narian's old (first) shop is/was on LR road right near Cultural Book Depot opp the Police station but that shop is now to small so they have a larger better equipped shop in one of the by lanes. it is best to go to the old shop and ask for directions.

I used to play guitar. I stopped playing long ago. My instruments now lie with friends who still play and keep them in tune.

Off Topc Warning:
In the early 90s I had built my own guitar using Bubinca wood, maple neck, and ebony fretboard.

Hardware included Grover heads, Floyd Rose tremelo, and dimarzio (multi-bucker in the neck, tone zone in the middle and dual sound in the bridge) pickups. The multi-bucker was really a chopper and fast-track1 stuffed into one HB chassis.

Using a 5 way switch mated to 4 push pull controls (3 tone and 1 volume) it could produce about 16-17 distinct textures from blues to shred. The guitar had my name engraved in mother of pearl on the neck.

 

[emersa]

Narian's old (first) shop is/was on LR road right near Cultural Book Depot opp the Police station but that shop is now to small so they have a larger better equipped shop in one of the by lanes. it is best to go to the old shop and ask for directions.

I used to play guitar. I stopped playing long ago. My instruments now lie with friends who still play and keep them in tune.

Off Topc Warning:
In the early 90s I had built my own guitar using Bubinca wood, maple neck, and ebony fretboard.

Hardware included Grover heads, Floyd Rose tremelo, and dimarzio (multi-bucker in the neck, tone zone in the middle and dual sound in the bridge) pickups. The multi-bucker was really a chopper and fast-track1 stuffed into one HB chassis.

Using a 5 way switch mated to 4 push pull controls (3 tone and 1 volume) it could produce about 16-17 distinct textures from blues to shred. The guitar had my name engraved in mother of pearl on the neck.

Thanks for the info pal.

That sounds like an awesome git. I thought this stuff only happens in the US. Do you have any pictures of the git? What genre did you play? Part of a band once I am sure.

This is my gear...

Ibanez GRG170DX (2007) unmodded
Hobner F-hole cutaway acoustic (1997)
Zoom 505II MultiFX processor
Marshall MG10CD

Been playing for ten odd years but my playing still sux bigtime cause I never really practised well. I love to play the blues by ear but absolutely no scale knowledge. I did not have much knowledge about electric guitar when I bought my axe so I have to play the blues on a metal guitar, but the neck and middle pup are killer - get the job done pretty well.

 

[navin]

Do you have any pictures of the git? What genre did you play?

I used to play Heavy Metal and Country. Go Figure. I realised very soon that Heavy Metal's 3 chord melodies (Ac/DC etc..) and Country was about all my limited skills could manage.

I do have pictures. Some are embarrassing - I refuse to scan these just in case some one gets hold of them and shows them to my son (especially my attempts at glam rock). However I have no idea how to post pictures.

 

[emersa]

I used to play Heavy Metal and Country. Go Figure. I realised very soon that Heavy Metal's 3 chord melodies (Ac/DC etc..) and Country was about all my limited skills could manage.

I do have pictures. Some are embarrassing - I refuse to scan these just in case some one gets hold of them and shows them to my son (especially my attempts at glam rock). However I have no idea how to post pictures.

I am a blues man by heart and soul...and my that why I want a sweet tube amp that I can push hard.

Send me the pics by email...will post them for you. Promise not to show them to your son.