Guitar amp kits

WF-55 4W kit

SE-5a 5W kit

PP-18 18W kit

- - - - - - -

New products

Small chassis

Control panels

Chrome knob

PTFE turret board

Turret tools

Turret board kit

Switchcraft jack

IEC+fuseholder

- - - - - - -

Cabinets

Cabs by Chris

- - - - - - -

Packs/kits

Wire pack

Hardware pack

Turret board kit

- - - - - - -

Small chassis

Blank

Pre-punched

- - - - - - -

Medium chassis

Blank aluminium

Pre-punched aluminium

Pre-punched steel

- - - - - - -

Mains transformers

190-0-190V (5W)

0-190-275V (18W)

275-0-275V (36W)

- - - - - - -

Output transformers

5W single-ended

18W push-pull

36W push-pull

- - - - - - -

Board making

Phenolic boards

PTFE boards

Tag boards

Large turrets

Turret tools

Turret board kit

- - - - - - -

Valve sockets

9-pin valve socket

9-pin valve shield

EL84 retainer

8-pin valve socket

Octal retainer

- - - - - - -

Jack sockets

Vintage JTM-style

Modern JCM-style 

Switchcraft/Fender

- - - - - - -

Mains-side parts

IEC mains input

Fuseholder

Integrated IEC+fuse

Neon indicator

6V indicator

- - - - - - -

Control panels

Gold plexi-style

Gold aluminium

Silver aluminium

- - - - - - -

Switches/knobs

Chickenhead knob

Chrome knob

SPST switch

DPDT switch

Black bat style

- - - - - - -

Valves

ECC83

EL84

6V6

- - - - - - -

Wire

Wire pack

3A/1000V hook-up

6A/1500V hook-up

Bare (bus) wire

Shielded wire

Heatshrink
Home | Shipping info | Ordering info | About Amp Maker

AK01 - The SE-5a guitar amp kit

5W single-ended Class A amp, with Treble, Middle and Bass controls
Note: this amp kit will be available again from 1st September 2009. I'm currently revamping the kit and its construction manual, using feedback from SE-5a owners. I'm not taking pre-orders or deposits, so please bookmark for details.
      In the meantime, the following Amp Maker kits are available:
* WF-55 4W amp kit (£75-125)
* PP-18 18W amp kit (£145-230)

Price & ordering

N/A


The online construction manual runs to the equivalent of 50 A4 pages and shows every step of wiring up and testing your amplifier
 With all necessary holes pre-punched, the AC02 chassis cuts build time right down

SE-5a specifications
+ All-valve signal path
+ 5W output
+ 100% Class A design
+ ECC83 and EL84 valves
+ Hand-wired turret board
+ Gain and Master volume controls
+ Treble, Middle & Bass tone controls
+ 8 and 16 ohm speaker outputs
+ 240V mains (115-120V optional)


SE-5a customers have built their kits into all sorts of cabinets (above), but if you want a ready-made cabinet that's designed to fit your amp, check out the 'Cabs by Chris' page.

SE-5a sound clips (MP3 format)
The SE-5a is a simple circuit but it has a surprising amount of gain on tap, as well as a sweet 'British' clean tone. These MP3 sound clips give an idea of the SE-5a's repertoire:
Chunky (280KB): Tokai Telecaster, both pickups, amp settings: 10, 10, 10, 5, 7.
Clean (296KB): Tokai Telecaster, both pickups, amp settings: 10, 10, 10, 5, 7.
Britpoppish (180KB): Gibson LP, both pickups, amp settings: 10, 8, 10, 9, 4.
Edgy Blues Rock (233KB): Gibson LP, bridge pickup, amp settings: 10, 8, 0, 7, 8.
Semi Crunchy (213KB): Gibson ES-335, bridge pickup, amp settings: 10, 10, 7, 10, 8.
Dimed Crunch (101KB): Gibson LP, bridge pickup, amp settings: 10, 10, 10, 10, 10.

Recording notes: Direct via Palmer speaker simulator. No FX except for reverb/ambience (R channel; adjust Balance control to hear dry sound alone). Amp settings from L-R: Master, Bass, Middle, Treble, Gain.


SE-5a customer comments
What customers say about this amp:
"... love the clean sounds, very transparent ... sure has a kick to it for a 5 watt amp" Simon S, Dorset
"quality, not like a kit at all ... my ears are still ringing as I type this, ... Crunchy ringing responsive tone, yum" Chris O, Grimsby
"Great amp! Very 'clear' sound ... we went further and bypassed the tonestack ... It is impressive to hear what the 'naked' amp does, it is very warm and rich in tone" Francois G, Germany
"wow, far exceeds my wildest expectations! Gibson LP good, Strat a little too bright ... will adjust later. But playing slide blues/rock on the Ibanez - perfect ... You've now got me hooked on making amps" Giles P, Bexhill on Sea
"the tones, from clean through to driven, are awesome. And at quite a decent volume for 5 watts. I've been using a Line 6 Flextone ... but it hasn't got the clarity and zing of my new home made beauty." Andrew W, Horsham
"Thanks for all the help you have given me with getting this problem sorted as I now have a great sounding little amp (better than my brother's Peavey Classic 50, which now sounds dull)" Nigel R, Norwich
"Just to let you know that I finished my amp, tested it and ... it all works first time ... I just wanted to thank you as I had a lot of fun making it ... I’m very proud of the finished product ... It sounds great going through a 2x12 cab with Vintage 30s" Matt G, UK
"The amp is super quiet with no audible hum or buzz at all!" Brian K, Ayrshire
"Finished the SE-5a and it's superb! The instructions & diagrams were exceptionally clear and the checking procedures very thorough" John S, Chichester
"I couldn't be happier with it ... and I've had great fun building it. The kit is fantastic and the instructions were absolutely spot on" Hywel S, Caerphilly
For a detailed and independent review of the SE-5a amp kit, see Bob G's write up at 4x12.com.

Home | Shipping info | Ordering info | About Amp Maker

All material copyight www.ampmaker.com and may not be used without permission.