Don't see many amp build threads here so hope this is in the right place!
Was looking for a new head recently and then stepped into the amp kit rabbit hole finding this Hiwatt build. I haven't built an amp before so it's going to be a huge learning experience and probably pretty difficult. Thought I would document it here. Wish me luck, my updates will likely not be super frequent but hopefully fun.
Seeing that the chassis is aluminum I of course have to etch it! Have a rough design but need to finish it soon before I can start the actual build:
Hopefully I can lock this down this week and etch over the weekend. Also, Trinity sells a Head cabinet for this project but it's another 200 bucks but I think I might build one in the style of the Hex Micro T. This is going to take forever but should be a blast:
Made a tiny little progress on this. Was able to etch the chassis today and now that that is done all I need to do is paint it and then can actually start building the beast. Gonna start circuit on the board next. Here's some pics:
That looks like a great kit man! I'd never seen that one before! Are you going to run the 6V6 or KT66's? 2xKT66 should be like 45ish Watts compared to around 22 or so with the 6V6's.. Both are great tubes IMO, I have plans to build a 2x6V6 power section from a Fender 5G9 with the bias trem, with a Sunn Model T preamp section.. not for a while though!
Edit: Ah, they are switching in an 18v Zener for the 6V6 operation to hit them with a little less B+. . Pretty cool design!
Thanks everybody. It's going super slow as I had painted it blue and black but decided I didn't want the blue so stripped it down and refinished it over the weekend. Been also trying to figure out how to make the head shell and generally just procrastinating on starting up the circuit. But going to finally start this weekend if I can lock in a few straight hours with it...
BetterOffShred wrote:That looks like a great kit man! I'd never seen that one before! Are you going to run the 6V6 or KT66's? 2xKT66 should be like 45ish Watts compared to around 22 or so with the 6V6's.. Both are great tubes IMO, I have plans to build a 2x6V6 power section from a Fender 5G9 with the bias trem, with a Sunn Model T preamp section.. not for a while though!
Edit: Ah, they are switching in an 18v Zener for the 6V6 operation to hit them with a little less B+. . Pretty cool design!
Hey man, I'm definitely going to try both types but probably start with 6V6 as that will probably be enough for my garage. This is actually going to be my first amp build and probably could have started with a much simpler project but fuck it. There's lots of documentation so as long as I keep it safe it will be up to me to get it running. Should be a worthwhile venture once it's done!
6V6's sound great in my opinion. I Never really got into EL84's.. they have too much honk and are "brittle" sounding to me. I mean they are OK in stuff you expect to sound like that, like AC30. 6V6's have that fatter 6L6 sound in a low watt package.
I think the new face looks great. I procrastinate at building cabs too.. don't worry
Tiny bit of progress on this. Got all of the hardware mounted and will start wiring this pup up this week. I think my goal will be to have this in a head cab by the turn of the year.
