Chassis/Cabs/etc

+Small alu chassis

+Plain alu chassis

+Punched alu chassis

+Small head cab

+Screws/nuts/etc

+Plexi-style feet

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PTP boards/etc

+Blank

+Tag boards

+Modern turrets

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Transformers

+5W EL84/6V6 OT

+18W push-pull OT

+36W push-pull OT

+190V 80mA PT

+0-190-275V 160mA PT

+36W 275V 200mA PT

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Valves, etc

+JJ ECC83S valve

+JJ EL84 valve

+Ceramic 9-pin skt

+9-pin shield can

+8-pin valve skt

+EL84 retainer

+Octal retainer

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AK01 - The SE-5a guitar amp kit

Build a hand-wired amplifier; kits from just £78. Now with pre-punched chassis option
Build a hand-wired valve amp with great tone for the cost of a mass-produced PCB-based amp. This ultra-affordable 5W home/recording amp is stuffed with top-quality components - including British-made transformers, chassis and turret board. By providing the labour yourself, you save an absolute fortune, and get sound quality that's more than a match for boutique-built amps.


Easy to build

This SE-5a kit is designed to be quick to build and easy to get running. To see just how easy it is, you can read through the online construction manual which takes you step-by-step through the whole process. Opt for the pre-punched chassis (see below) for a very fast build.



      The SE-5a's hand-made turret board takes all of the guesswork out of how to layout the amp's components. With this proven low-noise and trouble-free layout, you can start soldering straightaway. Read the Amp Maker kit FAQ for more info, including links to some great amp building and electronics resources.


Price & ordering

This amp kit is available in three versions:
Basic kit includes the transformers, turret board and all of the electronic components needed to build the amp, as well as the hardware for mounting it, wire for connections, and two JJ valves. It does not include a chassis or control panels. It's ideal if you're converting a 'donor amp'.
Chassis kit takes the basic kit and adds the AC01 aluminium chassis as well as the gold control panels (front and rear).
Time saver kit includes AC02, a pre-punched version of the chassis, as well as the gold control panels. It's perfect if you don't have the metalwork tools to punch the holes, and has quickly become the most popular Amp Maker kit.
Discount: If you already have your own stash of valves, you can order any kit without valves, saving £12.
To order: To order, check out the Ordering page for information on payment and shipping.


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 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.

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