Quad II build for guitar

[SSalem]

Hi everyone, I'm very new to the diy audio scene, and I'm thinking about building a Quad II. Has anyone done this?

I found a schematic online: http://www.dc-daylight.ltd.uk/Valve-Audio-Interest/Schematics/QUAD-II.pdf

Does that look accurate?

And my final question, Would this be a good choice to use for a guitar, as a standalone amp? if not, I'd probably still build it for the purpose of listening to music and build another amp for my guitar.

Thanks.

 

[VictoriaGuy]

If you are new to 'building from scratch', a low power tube amp for your guitar would be the place to start- lots of simple designs for tube guitar amps are out there, tried and true. You can build from a kit or from scratch with used parts, or....
And guitar amps are mono, so half the parts count - more or less.

Guitar amp (and guitar speaker)-not hifi- for guitar.

If necessary, you can listen to music (mono) through the guitar amp, but guitar through a hifi sounds terrible.

When you move to the hifi amp build- something low-power will be cheaper than the Quad and sound as good/better with the right speakers.


Welcome to diy!

John

 

[poynton]

Hi everyone, I'm very new to the diy audio scene, and I'm thinking about building a Quad II. Has anyone done this?

I found a schematic online: http://www.dc-daylight.ltd.uk/Valve-Audio-Interest/Schematics/QUAD-II.pdf

Does that look accurate?

And my final question, Would this be a good choice to use for a guitar, as a standalone amp? if not, I'd probably still build it for the purpose of listening to music and build another amp for my guitar.

Thanks.

While building a "Quad II" replica is not impossible, there are several reasons why this is not a good idea, especially for use as a guitar amplifier.

For starters, the "correct" transformers are very expensive.

Second, a guitar amplifier has peculiar characteristics which make it suitable for guitar but not for hifi. eg the distortion and overload characteristics.

Have a look at the FENDER CHAMP, transformers can be found on the internet and it is cheap to build.


Andy

 

[SSalem]

Thanks, this is really helpful. I'll try to look for some guitar amp projects, and go from there.

And thanks for the advice about the hifi, that could have been a serious mistake.

Thanks

 

[SSalem]

Re: Re: Quad II build for guitar

While building a "Quad II" replica is not impossible, there are several reasons why this is not a good idea, especially for use as a guitar amplifier.

For starters, the "correct" transformers are very expensive.

Second, a guitar amplifier has peculiar characteristics which make it suitable for guitar but not for hifi. eg the distortion and overload characteristics.

Have a look at the FENDER CHAMP, transformers can be found on the internet and it is cheap to build.


Andy

And thank you, too. I appreciate all the advice i can get. A Quad 2 replica is looking less and less appealing.

Also, just googling "quad ii transformers", I found this site: http://www.geocities.com/ResearchTriangle/Lab/6722/quadspares.html

They have a guy who has transformers for 95 pounds. I'm not going for it, but if this can help anyone....

 

[VictoriaGuy]

A good source for guitar amp transformers (I used them in an RH84 hifi amp and they sounded good there as well) at a very reasonable price is Matt Sespaniak .

Hoffman amps is also a reliable supplier for amp parts.

However,if you can get something closer to home, you will avoid the shipping costs, so look around. Anything 'close' in specs will work OK in a Champ or similar small amp.

John