Build Your Own Clone Message Board

today i purchased the new issue of australian guitar and on page 16 in the check it out section i saw the handwired, point-to-point, EL34 powered, 36watt Ormsby Dynamo 36. So what i want to know is when will we see kits for it? i sure hope it is soon or at least they are on planning board and not just for sale as complete amps although i am sure many people would still buy them even if you built it for them

Ive been thinking about amp kits, but more generic type stuff, not my own designs. If you guys can all get together enough people, i'll see what i can do.

You'll need to agree on a style of amp (eg: fender 5e3, or marshall 18w, for example), and how much you want to do yourselves (i can supply a punched chassis, and premade preamp boards, or just parts, etc). We will need to keep it easy enough for everyone, and a design which has been built by others before (for support).

It would only be for the Aussies and NZers, and probably a once off thing (or once a year?). Im keen, if you guys are keen. Its not something that will happen overnight, so there is time to get people on board.

i'm definately for an amp kit from you and i'll be out right shocked if no one else is. a simple low watt amp would definately be the go i think so we can crank it to 11 and not have the local police force knocking on the door. as for how much in the kit i would like it to be 'complete' and by that i mean all the parts needed to make the amp without having to source my own parts, i could build my own head and if it'll help get the kits happening i can go and buy my own valves or even buy my own tubes, i really wish i knew what we have in australia, i get so many mixxed signals from guitar mags, they have described an amp as having a pre amp tube and an output valve in one review i've seen, what is a man to do?

I would be pretty tempted but I have just bought a JTM45 kit so my funds are extremely low at this point.

A low wattage something would be awesome.

Something about 4-5 watts? How about something around 18 watts?

Doesnt look like demand is high :(

18 watts sounds fine to me and the apparent lack of demand is a result of aussies that are too lazy to join the byoc forum i think you'll find, if you asked australian guitar to run an ad next issue to go with your informative series of articles about building a guitar, you'd get alot of interest from people

But how do we help these people work out how to build the amps, how to troubleshoot, etc etc??

People here have had SOME experience putting together kits, and working out electronic problems.

now you're just looking for reasons not to do it. what you do is recommend first timers give the amp a miss and start with an easy byoc pedal (as sold by yourself naturaly) and that the byoc forum is a great place to go for trouble shooting as it is a friendly environment that has many people that like to help out others and should be able to help you out, that way they get the help and you get more byoc business from the people that saw your ad for an amp kit in australian guitar and followed your recommendations
every one wins then

*adds a (slightly belated) vote towards the idea of getting an amp kit done in Australia*

I haven't even gotten around to getting my first BYOC (methinks the upcoming sale will be <i>tres fantastique</i> to jump on the wagon), but I would not hesitate in saving for an amp kit, should one be available. I presume we'd be looking at a small combo, then?

I agree with possibly using Aus Guitar Mag as a way to advertise and raise interest in it; you'd likely get a whole bunch of interest with that broad an outlet. As for helping people... perhaps a guide (ala your 'How to...' columns in AGM) or perhaps a small forum on your website?

But who *doesn't* want a small, portable and (above all) <i>good</i> little amp to practice on/record with/take to jams/noodle around on/etc.? And if you've made it yourself, well... *whistles*

Being in the UK, I'd be ineligible for participation but I would like to say that myself and a lot of folk I know whould be interested to see an amp kit being built and walked through step-by-step... you guys should get on it.

(Brownie, your signature is class mate. Adult Swim is superb.)