The Woodface WF-55 uses the simplest circuit design of any guitar amp ever produced: the Champ. In 1955, Leo Fender tweaked the circuit of his 'cheap and cheerful' Champ to create the famed 5F1, or Tweed Champ. The result was a fantastic little amp - with a warm and woody tone when clean, and a great raunchy crunch tone when the amp's cranked.
The WF-55 uses the same signal path circuit together with a slightly modified power supply, to lower the Tweed Champ's inherent noise level and make the amplifier cheaper to build. Just like the original, there's one control for volume.
As with all Amp Maker kits, the main aim is to make good tone affordable. However, the amp is still stuffed with top-quality components - including British-made transformers, chassis and turret board.
Easy to build The WF-55 is Amp Maker's quickest build and very easy to get running. On a complexity scale of 1-5, it rates as a '1' (where the SE-5a and PP-18 are both '2', for example). To see just how easy it is, read through the online construction manual which takes you step-by-step through the whole process. Opt for the Time saver version with its pre-punched chassis (see below) for a very fast build (typically within a weekend).
Unlike the original '50s Tweed design, the WF-55 uses a hand-made turret board - instead of the original's rather cheap and nasty fibreboard and eyelet design. The result is a fast build that provides a low-noise and trouble-free layout.
Price & ordering The WF-55 is available in two versions:
Basic kit (£110) includes transformers, turret board and all electronic components needed to build the amp, plus hardware for assembling it, wire for connections and two JJ valves. Ideal if you're converting a 'donor amp', or if you already have your own chassis
Time saver kit (£135) includes a pre-punched version of the chassis, as well a pre-punched wooden control panel (see right). It's perfect if you don't have the tools or skills to punch chassis or panel holes yourself.
Discount: If you already have your own valves, you can order either version without valves, saving £20 (Basic kit = £90, Time saver kit = £115).
To order Price info and add to basket buttons here
 The WF-55 online construction manual runs to the equivalent of dozens of A4 pages and shows every step of wiring up and testing your amplifier
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 The WF-55 is the first of Amp Maker's 'Woodface' series of amp kits. Instead of a metal or plexi panel, Woodface amps use a real wood front panel
The Time Saver kit builds into this working chassis (above). If you're building your own cabinet, it's all you need, but if you want a ready-made cabinet that's designed to fit your amp, check out the 'Cabs by Chris' page (example below).
| | | | | | | | | WF-55 specifications | + All-valve signal path
+ 4W output
+ Single-ended design
+ ECC83 and 6V6 valves
+ Hand-wired turret board
+ Volume control
+ 4, 8 or 16 ohm speaker outputs
+ 220-240V mains
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| | | | | | | | | WF-55 sound clips | Sound clips to follow...
Recording notes: Direct via Palmer speaker simulator. No FX except for reverb/ambience (R channel; adjust Balance control to hear dry sound alone).
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 What - no valve rectifier? Correct - the Amp Maker WF-55 dispenses with the 5F1 Champ's 5Y3 rectifier. Why? Because, in a single-ended amp circuit, it gives no tonal benefit and just adds considerably to the cost.
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