Get the classic vintage tone of the 'baby Bluesbreaker' in an easy-to-make guitar amp kit. The PP-18 uses the Normal channel circuit of the 18W Marshall of the mid to late '60s (itself 'borrowed' from the WEM Dominator). Like the original it has the simplest of preamps with just Tone and Volume controls and a no-frills cathode-biased 18W power stage, but the combination creates a dynamic and touch-responsive medium-gain amp that's perfect for blues and classic rock. At 18W, it's loud enough to keep up with most drummers for pub and small club gigs.
Quality parts throughout Forget the tiny PCBs and lowest-cost components used in today's mass-produced valve amps - this amp is made the old-fashioned way. It uses top-quality parts - including British-made transformers and Mallory 150 signal caps - all hand-wired on a full-size British-made turret board. By doing the wiring and layout work yourself you can save an absolute fortune over the cost of a 'boutique' amp, and you get an amp that's every bit as toneful.
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Easy to build The PP-18 is a quick build and very easy to get running. On a complexity scale of 1-5, it rates as a '2' (same as the SE-5a, where the WF-55 is a '1', for example). To see just how easy it is, you can read through the online construction manual (above) which takes you step-by-step through the whole process.
One of the reasons that the PP-18 is so easy to build is that it comes with a hand-made turret board (shown below) that takes the guesswork out of laying out the amp's components and wiring. With this proven low-noise and trouble-free layout, you can start soldering straightaway.
Pricing and versions The PP-18 is available in two versions (with or without valves):
Basic kit transformers, turret board, all electronic components, hardware for assembly, wire for connections and four JJ valves. Ideal if you're converting a 'donor amp'; just add your own chassis/control panels.
Time saver kit includes everything in the Basic kit but adds the pre-punched AC02 chassis as well as front and rear gold 'plexi' control panels.
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| | | | | | | | | PP-18 specifications | + All-valve signal path
+ 18W output
+ Push-pull cathode-biased design
+ 2 ECC83 and 2 EL84 valves
+ Hand-wired turret board
+ Volume & Tone controls
+ Normal & Hot inputs
+ 8 and 16 ohm speaker outputs
+ 240V mains (115-120V optional)
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PP-18 customers have built all sorts of cabinets for their amps (above), but if you want a ready-made cabinet that's designed to fit your amp, check out Cabs by Chris.
| | | | | | | | | PP-18 sound clips (MP3 format) | The 18W circuit is very dynamic - ideal for controlling crunch tone with your picking style and your guitar's Volume knobs. These clips give an idea of the PP-18's repertoire:
Cleanish arp (305KB) Tone 10, Volume 4, Input 1. Gibson LP, both pickups
Mild overdrive (419KB) Tone 10, Volume 4, Input 1. Gibson LP, both pickups
Blues noodle (320KB) Tone 7, Volume 7, Input 1. Tokai Tele, bridge pickup
Mild OD jangle (308KB) Tone 10, Volume 4, Input 1. Tokai Tele, neck pickup
Tele blast (234KB) Tone 8, Volume 10, Input 1. Tokai Tele, bridge pickup
Low crunching (267KB) Tone 8, Volume 6, Input 1. Gibson LP, both pickups
Solo noodle (89KB) Tone 10, Volume 10, Input 1. Gibson LP, bridge pickup
Max crunch rhythm (118KB) Tone 10, Volume 10, Input 2. Gibson LP, bridge pickup
Max gain chords (218KB) Tone 10, Volume 10, Input 2. Gibson LP, bridge pickup
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