Guitar amp kits | Amplifier accessories | Sound/Video clips | FAQs & DOCs | Search
When you send an order via the checkout page, you will be sent an order acknowledgement email confirming the details of your order and with an order reference number. For online orders (PayPal, credit or debit cards), payment is immediate and your orders are processed within 2 working days. For offline orders (where you have […]
If you need to get in touch with Amp Maker, please use the email or postal addresses below. Email: barry (at) ampmaker (dot) com Mail:Amp Maker LtdUnit 8Glenmore Business ParkEly RoadWaterbeachCambridgeCB25 9FXUK
Amp Maker has been supplying guitar amp kits and parts since 2005. The first amp kit I launched was the SE-5a (5W), followed by the PP-18 (18W) and WF-55 (4W). The first two of these morphed into the N5X and P1800, respectively – each adding the features most often requested by customers. There are other
“Can I add reverb?” is probably the most frequently asked question of all. The short answer: Yes, but it’s not trivial, and it’s difficult to get it sounding good. The long and detailed answer: Reverb is a time-domain effect, and is best placed AFTER compression and distortion. If you look at the typical FX chain
Not at the moment. Providing the parts isn’t the problem – that’s easy. The problem is that I cannot provide the necessary in-depth instructions nor troubleshooting advice for a kit that I haven’t built, optimised and tweaked myself.
Valve rectifiers are an unnecessary expense and complication for a guitar amp. In a few vintage amplifiers they do contribute to the tone, but in many amplifiers they don’t provide any sonic benefit at all. Here’s why… Valve rectifiers’ most important feature is that they have an internal resistance. Let’s say that it’s 100ohms. When
Unfortunately not. I do not have time, and I prefer to focus on the Amp Maker business. Building and selling completed guitar amplifiers is a very different challenge. However, I can put you in touch with several seasoned builders who can build any Amp Maker kit for you. You can negotiate directly with them
“Can I add an FX loop?” is another common question. The answer is very similar to that for adding reverb. The short answer:Yes, but it’s not trivial, and it’s difficult to get it sounding good. The long and detailed answer:The main reason for having an FX loop in an amplifier is to add time-domain effects,
No. For a few troubleshooting issues, having an oscilloscope available is useful. But you would also need the training to know how to use one (not difficult, but not trivial). If you enjoy amp building so much that you want to get into the real detail of waveforms, distortion, etc, then it might be worth
To build an amp kit you need a combination of electronics tools and a few hand tools: 1) Soldering iron. 20-30W is fine. You don’t need to spend a lot of money on a temperature controlled model (although they are nice to have if you plan to build a lot of projects). Don’t use a
I always recommend running within the rated power rating of your speakers. So, if I am using an 18W amplifier, I do not run it into a single 1x12inch cabinet with a 15W-rated Celestion Blue. I know that some people do, but the speaker is so expensive the risk is not worth it. Going the
No – as long as it matches the output impedance of the amplifier that it’s plugged into. In a valve amplifier the output transformer’s windings match the speaker to the power valves. So the amp will sound the same if you use a 4-ohm speaker plugged into the 4-ohm output, or a 8-ohm speaker cabinet
This is possibly the #1 question that I get asked, and I have two answers. 1) Short answer: Celestion G12H 30W for british/overdriven tones. JBL E120 for cleaner tones. This is entirely my own subjective preference; you may hate them! 2) Longer answer: The speaker and its cabinet is a very significant factor in the
For UK customers who live in Northern Ireland, the Scottish Highlands or islands around the UK, shipping is fine but occasionally tricky. Although Royal Mail treats the whole of the UK as a single area for postage costs, couriers do not. They charge more for shipping to more remote areas. Please make sure to select
For customers in the USA and the rest of the world, I use a combination of postal and courier services (depending on the order value, weight/size and destination). As you add items to your basket, the system calculates the order weight and uses this and your location to work out the shipping cost. Typically, I
For UK customers, I use a combination of postal and courier services, depending on the order value, weight/size and destination). As you add items to your basket, the system calculates the order weight and uses this and your location to work out the shipping cost. Typically, I use: First and Second Class mail for UK
Amp Maker ships to the following countries/regions: UK: Mainland UK Remote areas (e.g. Scottish Highlands) Islands (e.g. Channel Islands, Isle of Man, etc) Northern Ireland Europe: Austria Belgium Bosnia and Herzogovina Bulgaria Croatia Czech Republic Denmark Estonia Finland France Germany Gibraltar Greece Hungary Iceland Ireland (Republic) Italy Latvia Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Netherlands North Macedonia Norway
For European customers, I use a combination of postal and courier services (depending on the order value, weight/size and destination). As you add items to your basket, the system calculates the order weight and uses this and your location to work out the shipping cost. Typically, I use: Airmail for orders under 2kg UPS/DHL/etc for
For payment for your order, Amp Maker accepts the following: online banking (using your bank’s app or Website) PayPal (including debit and credit cards) bank transfer (i.e. in person at your bank) PayPal payment process The PayPal process connects you directly to the PayPal website when you submit your order. You sign in with
Yes. Some kits have universal power transformers with 110-120V windings. These are wired exactly as shown in the build guides and layout diagrams. Some of the other mains transformers supplied with all kits can be wired for European (220-240V AC) or North American (110-120V) mains supplies. The online build guides for the kits show how