wassupdoc
New member
I wasn't sure if I could put this in the Build Log section so I'll stick it here! 
(If a mod wants to move it feel free!)
I've long been considering a nice low power valve amp (tube amp to you yanks out there
) and after reading about the best of the best - the handwired Marshall Plexi - I figured what the hell! I'll make my own!
I've been in contact with Barry from a UK company called ampmaker for a while, he's a great guy - very helpful - and I decided to go for a kit he offers called the PP-18. Its essentially a classic 18W/Dominator circuit with high/low inputs and a simple volume/tone control layout.
After researching the company a bit online I found out Barry used to do a conversion kit for the PP-18 called the SL-18, modeled off the TMB Super Lite Marshall. This kit is no longer produced by him, but after a lot of persuasion he agreed to make me a one off! The SL-18 is based of the same circuit but uses a treble/middle/bass/gain/master volume tone stack - and as I'm after a Slash-ish tone I wanted the extra gain!
I also added the components for a little doo-hicky called a VVR (Variable Voltage Regulator), which should allow me to get that cranked Marshall tone at a more ear/house/neighborhood friendly volume
So yesterday the components turned up
There's a lot!
(Did I mention this is my first major electronics project? )
But I soldered on regardless! (see what I did there?) Starting to build the turret board - OCD SKILLS ACTIVATE!!:
And by the end of the night -by that i mean almost morning today - I had myself a completed turret board! (I didn't solder just yet as I want to double/triple check everything):
It's a good Job I double checked!! A few of the resistors I was sent where the wrong values!
Also is something missing?
Yes!! Barry must of forgotten to stick my VVR components in the box :headscratch: Barry was ever helpful as usual and is sending the parts he forgot out today at no extra cost
I also got the chassis work for the PP-18 model finished up - Mounted Power transformer, Output Transformer, 4x valve sockets/shields/retainers, and all the controls - Barry recommended me making the PP-18 schematic first, then converting to the TMB model after initial testing to aid with troubleshooting
Notice there's no front panel? Don't panic it's simply because I asked Barry to ship only the SL-18 front panel to save money as I won't be using it (Does make it rather confusing to lay out by guessing though! )
So that wraps it up for today! When I get back form work i'll be adding the wires to -and mounting - the turret board and soldering all the components I can together (gotta wait for a couple of replacements)
A couple of weeks ago I also commissioned a head shell to house my amp from another British company called RoadKill Cabs, I'm going to keep that bit as a surprise for you guys
Teaser (Although there will be no silver corners in my build ):
Keep tuned!
(If a mod wants to move it feel free!)I've long been considering a nice low power valve amp (tube amp to you yanks out there
) and after reading about the best of the best - the handwired Marshall Plexi - I figured what the hell! I'll make my own!I've been in contact with Barry from a UK company called ampmaker for a while, he's a great guy - very helpful - and I decided to go for a kit he offers called the PP-18. Its essentially a classic 18W/Dominator circuit with high/low inputs and a simple volume/tone control layout.
After researching the company a bit online I found out Barry used to do a conversion kit for the PP-18 called the SL-18, modeled off the TMB Super Lite Marshall. This kit is no longer produced by him, but after a lot of persuasion he agreed to make me a one off! The SL-18 is based of the same circuit but uses a treble/middle/bass/gain/master volume tone stack - and as I'm after a Slash-ish tone I wanted the extra gain!
I also added the components for a little doo-hicky called a VVR (Variable Voltage Regulator), which should allow me to get that cranked Marshall tone at a more ear/house/neighborhood friendly volume
So yesterday the components turned up
There's a lot!
(Did I mention this is my first major electronics project? )But I soldered on regardless! (see what I did there?) Starting to build the turret board - OCD SKILLS ACTIVATE!!:
And by the end of the night -by that i mean almost morning today
- I had myself a completed turret board! (I didn't solder just yet as I want to double/triple check everything):
It's a good Job I double checked!! A few of the resistors I was sent where the wrong values!
Also is something missing?
Yes!! Barry must of forgotten to stick my VVR components in the box :headscratch: Barry was ever helpful as usual and is sending the parts he forgot out today at no extra cost
I also got the chassis work for the PP-18 model finished up - Mounted Power transformer, Output Transformer, 4x valve sockets/shields/retainers, and all the controls - Barry recommended me making the PP-18 schematic first, then converting to the TMB model after initial testing to aid with troubleshooting
Notice there's no front panel?
Don't panic it's simply because I asked Barry to ship only the SL-18 front panel to save money as I won't be using it (Does make it rather confusing to lay out by guessing though! )
So that wraps it up for today! When I get back form work i'll be adding the wires to -and mounting - the turret board and soldering all the components I can together
(gotta wait for a couple of replacements) A couple of weeks ago I also commissioned a head shell to house my amp from another British company called RoadKill Cabs, I'm going to keep that bit as a surprise for you guys
Teaser (Although there will be no silver corners in my build
):
Keep tuned!
Last edited:
) I treated myself to a nice heavy weight helping hand (soldering aid) which made it a breeze 
I've got a closed back orange 2x12 with Celestion Vintage 30's that's peaking in the pictures 
