Do I Make Amps? | Yes, Yes I Do | Muah Ha Ha Ha...

Evil laughter is never as satisfying when typed.
Some pics of amp builds, cost considerations, some thoughts on the process, and why I don't just copy existing amps.
For more info, Subscribe to this channel, join us at PsionicAudio, or email us at [e-mail].

[@burgerseason]

I know it's been a while since this video went up but I would personally be very interested in a psionic audio amplifier. I love tube amps but I'm not particularly fond of the regular service that comes with them for things that can easily be avoided if initial build quality was higher. Any updates with this please share! Your work is phenomenal.

[@lousekoya1803]

What an Honor for someone to have you build his dream amp !!

[@PsionicAudio]

The honor is mine.

[@brentstewart59]

Watching from Canada and those snow pants were packed away 2 months ago 🤣 Great channel sir

[@russellesimonetta3835]

More of this please!!!

[@Sioux177]

Always enjoy your informational videos. Glad you are making Amps!

[@nickbenjamin6527]

Beautiful work Lyle, thank you very much for all these videos: I hope they bring you more building orders!

[@MatteoTorgy]

"Snow Pants" is two code words, but I'll forgive that knowing your chassis is sturdy and your hardware is tight. I love your channel, good sir.

[@PsionicAudio]

I forgot to show the actual F&Ts where I mentioned them about 10:27. Sorry about that. They are visible in other photos throughout the video though.

[@hkguitar1984]

Use of the Radial Electrolytic in any modern design is very wise (IMO). The original use of the axial capacitors was more than likely driven by low cost and availability as a result of electronics advancements post WWII. Just because it was always done a certain way should not dictate modern design. Then again, aficionados of tube amplification are traditionalist in nature! The main point of my comment, the Radial Electrolytic Capacitors are IMO a great idea, also having the capacitor leads physically closer together might provide some design advantages.

[@mamulcahy]

Your drive for perfection is impressive!

[@gmd1417]

@Psionic Audio - Great channel! I really enjoy your videos, very entertaining and informative---thanks!

[@maxine2798]

As ever, fascinating. Having worked in Pro and domestic audio, it’s always nice to remind people on the quality of components. It’s the right component for the job. This isn’t always boutique components but careful selection is vital.

[@Rufko]

Lyle, as you see we are all very hungry for more of these videos on this new project...snow pants :) We all admire your honesty and perfectionistic approach on building amps that are worth spending money on. Really looking forward to these PS-AC-onic 15 Amps. Thanks again.

[@bernhardnizynski4403]

I love your work!

[@danielhahn7329]

You are doing Gods work, Sir. I say this as a guitarist though haha I will absolutely buy one of your amps. You get just get it. 🤘

[@williamwagnon2809]

Love these design consideration videos. I'm an electrical engineer about ready to retire and want to design/build some amps, only for myself, just for the pure pleasure of it. Glad that you include the playing aspects in them to illustrate the real benefits to the player. Good design doesn't mean squat if the amp doesn't sound good. LOL From what I can tell, you justify your design choices with reliability, serviceability and/or performance. I would feel very confident purchasing one of your amps if it was at the right price point. Keep it up!! Thanks for posting these to the community at large. Couldn't agree more about there being nothing wrong with a well designed PCB. I've done PCB's for designs professionally and there is a lot that goes into them. If they are well done, the end user probably has a better chance that his 'production' amp is going to sound exactly like what the designer intended. A well done turret board is equally good, but I wouldn't necessarily say that it is inherently any better, with the possible exception of serviceability. You can probably change out components on a turret board a lot longer than you could on a PCB. But, realistically, if the amp is well designed it should last a long time before you need to change out anything except the tubes. Caps do eventually need to be replaced. And if you get a mishap using an unknown power source you could actually let the magic smoke out and need to replace it, which would necessitate some component replacement. ;-)

[@BenState]

We're very grateful for the generous sharing mate. Thank you. (non tech here).

[@matthewf1979]

Hey! You hit 3k! Congratulations!🎉

[@PsionicAudio]

Thanks! I would have said something, but I only hit 2K a week ago and didn't want to sound bigheaded. ;) I'll do a thing if we get to 5K. And I know that with more people will come the detractors, so my ego should be nicely held in check...

[@tracyc7813]

I like Mojotone and I love their Quiet Coil P90 pickups as well as their Firebird pickups. They have always treated me well and the very few times I have had a problem with an order they made it right very quickly.

[@ronj9448]

I have one of their amp kits - its great.

[@bbmade]

Snow pants. More of this knowledge please. Awesome work.

[@paulstaffordcook8799]

So interesting. I know nothing about how tube amps actually work but I’m very interested in reliability and good design (both in amps and in cars). I think anyone who gets their hands on one of your amps will be a lucky boy.

[@mcraeaudioconcepts9757]

I used to really enjoy watching Gabi's (Gabriel Amps) videos. He was exceptionally hammy (that was half the fun), but there was always a lot of thought put into his amps and it showed. Always fun to see the method behind the madness (especially if it's someone else's!) Thanks for doing these. :0)

[@sharkair2839]

this looks amazing...

[@hermannschmidt9788]

I am seriously impressed.

[@faultlessguitarsandamps1116]

Hahaha Snow Pants ! I'm sure with your attention to detail , these will be the best amps in the world . I've seen several boutique amps with aspects that I don't like . One for example that lacquers the entire populated board , making it a mission to measure anything . Crazy ay !!!!

[@Pstaines439]

Snowpants! Love this, and if I had a bunch of money I'd much rather have an amp built by you rather than just about anyone else!

[@gregoryirwin263]

Snow pants! 😀 Great video by the way love this channel ✌

[@Curbludgeon]

Once my pockets on my snow pants fill up with money I’ll have to place an order!

[@ramilrodriguez8340]

Great job. It’s a shame that most people focus on brands and they like to see certain name on their things they don’t value things. Wish you the best. Keep doing great.

[@chokkan7]

Another excellent presentation; found myself chuckling at many of the points you brought up (thinking out loud about possible improvements, the quality of modern parts vs. NOS, etc.). I have friends who also build and repair amps, and there's an observation that I can't help but make. There are actually a lot of guys around the country who have acquired the skill set required to do this sort of work, but all too often, it's largely a labor of love. The average guitarist who sees a blurb for a new VOX AC-15 probably doesn't have that much of an idea what goes into it. Not to pick on VOX, because most manufacturers do it, but the new ones will not have a cabinet of Baltic Birch plywood (MDF), nor will the circuit be hand-wired. I can't count the number of times I've seen someone try out a new amp, and the first thing they wanted to do was crank it full blast. Someone who doesn't appreciate the difference made by a seasoned selection of materials or the execution of the internal wiring and other parts installation in the chassis, or who doesn't want to hear the amp's clean tones initially will be unlikely to grasp that a bespoke amp will last their entire life (try that with a particle board cabinet; it sometimes happens, but rarely), and that what they're really buying is durability and ease of future repair (because the best amp in the world will eventually need some repair, if it's played). I'd hazard that this is why many of the more financially successful small builders have specialized in making a near duplicate of something that was once iconic... Are you familiar with Richlite? 1/8" sheets are available; it's done well for me...

[@shckltnebay]

Not really the intended audience though

[@shepp7988]

I've been watching you for a long time Lyle,,,, and would love to have one of your amps.... Your input and your knowledge that the manufacture failed and you having the knowledge an fixing all of their weakest links leads to giving us the peace of mind of your build and I Would love to have a cross between a fender and a marshall that sounds a lot like a Hendrix voicing... Would love to talk to you about getting something done

[@boogierandy7547]

beautiful.

[@jeremywilliams703]

Snow pants ... A shame I’ll never have my valve amps serviced or repaired by you here In Melbourne Australia; certainly never be able to afford one of your custom amps. Love your work. ✌️❤️🙏🇦🇺

[@kevinalfrey2633]

Such craftsmanship, your work is truly a form of art. Could you post a video with a tone taste sometime in the future? Great videos ‼️

[@BradsGuitarGarage]

Your amps are world class stuff, mate. Push them with the confidence of the hack companies out there and you'll kick their ass. You'll kick their ass right in the snowpants.

[@halhawkins7641]

Can’t wait!!!

[@jergervasi3331]

Beautiful amps! Hey, you could call your new 15 and 30 the LAC-Studio and LAC- Stage. Just an idea.

[@plexibreath]

The kind of snow pants I like to use in my amps are the radial Panasonic EE series.

[@9999plato]

Keep us abreast of your progress. I would be interested in possibly buying your amp at a later time. Cash being tight at the moment for many people. I always wanted a real Vox. I have one of those Bruno Vox amps.

[@GtrPknMama]

Ok…. Now you’ve gone and done it! I’ve got droolage….lol😎👍🎶

[@Nightryder7]

If you have certain number of viewer ready to buy. You can build a limited number run . Where your viewers get the expectional craftmanship amps and keep the cost down as much as possible. I am in for sure, 100 percent.

[@joerectifier]

Excellent video - and just a tremendous undertaking to build a one-off amp - just looking at your Corel Draw objects there and understanding how Digikey and Mouser work , I can get an idea of the breadth of the work. My comment to clients is "business is a funny thing - everyone wants low cost understandably, but as soon as I walk in the door and turn on the lights, money starts flying out the window" - making a profit requires a tight accounting and management.

[@WhaleBluePRS]

My initials are "LC". My dream amp is a combination of an AC30 and a Roland JC120. A stereo EL84 amp with a stereo effects loop, normal and brilliant channels and a master volume. No need for the trem for my needs. I would dub it the "LC30S". Knowing full well pretty much anything is possible, I can't imagine what it would cost to design and build. So a pair of AC15s with effects loops would probably be the way to go. (Probably do a better job anyway. Spread the cabinets out and bask in stereo glory!)

[@frankstone919]

Thank you for sharing your design work. Drilling holes and fishing the radial capacitor leads in a hook/U shape. Back up thru the board to attach to your turrets/eyelets/lugs. Would save real estate on the board. The drawback being you'd have to lift the board to , replace them.

[@PsionicAudio]

I wanted ease of future service. These won't move until a tech moves them.

[@jpflores95]

I see a lot of snow pants in your future sir!

[@jasonkirkham550]

Great info snow pants

[@nevillegoddard4966]

Snowpants snowpants Do I win a prize? Come on where's my prize? Mum said I'd win a new pair of snowpants! Lol! Hey good video mate! Love your goal - to make a jawdropper. Excellent. And I bet you'll get there too! Your chassis looks real good with the Mercury tx's! Great idea too with the little window for the serial number! So hard to pick which is the best method for you to use, whether a thicker turret board or the thinner one with the wires going through holes as strain reliefs. Both methods look perfect mate! Good to hear you're using FR4 boards so no bs board conductivity ay! Forward thinking re radial electro's, & I saw the silicon there to holdem down👍 Good component/stage spacing! You're playing with cap, resistor & pot values to get sound & control ranges right. All great stuff, & the best way to do it. With all this development & prototyping you're doing, one day players will be comparing their amps to the sound of the Psionic this & the Psionic that amps! Keep it up mate! They're gonna be awesome. I'd buy or recommend one of your amps in a heartbeat given the choice. Better still, to be able to build of your designs! Hey you reckon you'd ever sell them as kits? That'd be great fun! I could buildem as good as anyone. You seem smart enough to write an instruction manual as good or better than say a heathkit one. Throw in nice closeup colour photos of each stage of construction. You could add a 'Sorry Lyle it doesn't work' service for say 180 bucks or so. Hell you could even train & employ a fella or 2 just doin that! You'd need a certain level of sales & turnover of course to do this, so that's gonna require promotional input ie advertising. But hey, when you develop your excalibres etc to the jawdropping performance levels I know you can achieve, you could dominate the market & be like the one stop guitar shop. I'm excited for you mate. I hope & reckon you'll real well. Again, once you've found that sweet spot; that jaw dropping spot, using your holistic approach. And holistic is a GOOD word mate! Like holistic medicine! To me, holistic medicine is adult health management, whereas allopathic medicine is for the kindergarten doctors who can only concentrate on the main symptoms. You consider every part of your amps, & how every part interacts with every other part, to contribute to the overall performance. Not just separate bits, considered separately. Whether you like it or not, you approach your amps in a holistic way! Lyle's Holistic Amps! Those who don't know them may scoff & laugh perhaps, but they will become the 'thinking man's amps'!

[@my_tube9405]

Your first two channel amp name options: The Bionic Psionic Amp. The Bisonic. The Bi-Psionic? Said by a rapper:"Playing pentatonics on my tube Bi-Psionic" I need to stop now. - Thanks for sharing all the info. @14:08 That amp was gorgeous inside. Everything had so much space and not a inch of wasted wire. #ampporn #snowpants

[@WayneMemphisMojo]

This video may have just done ... what you expected to have done. I am now intrested in your amps!

[@svbarr]

A Supro Thuderbolt with a much more efficient speaker would be amazing. Add a bass and treble if the public demands . But the single tone works fine too.I knew a guy with a Thunderbolt who shoehorned a JBL into the box and it was relatively light and screamed. About the same volume as a Bassman onstage. Pedals can be used for reverb trem, etc...

[@danovee9580]

I've been a VOX user for many years, and I would definitely buy a couple AC-15 type heads from you, before I buy another VOX production amp.

[@goodun2974]

At 12:13, the owner of the shop I work for bought several large batches of similar brown Nichicon electrolytic caps online a few years ago, and some of them leaked a little and developed visible corrosion where the leads exit the case. I don't know where he got them and there's always the possibility that they could be counterfeit. We've also seen counterfeit Mosfets, counterfeit CD transports and counterfeit monolithic output-IC's.....

[@MEDiumInc]

I'd buy an amp from you in a heartbeat.

[@Mikey__R]

Longevity is the exact reason to go with a traditional amp over a SMD laden class D amp. I'm enjoying your videos, I've repaired amps in the past and amp building is something I'd like to try at some point! I'd definitely like a video on grounding. Could I ask, which layout software do you use? As far as I know, the industry standard snowpants software is more PCB oriented, I've had to use 1/10" graph paper for my layout and it's very difficult to move component clusters around.

[@h3lio5]

Great video, ima go put my snow pants on.

[@Lu_Woods]

Fugly Cudges...I'm gonna use that, thanks ; )

[@TheAxe4Ever]

Thank you for answering my question the other day and making a video about it! I. Am. Interested! Snow Pants or Blizzard Britches? 🤷‍♂️

[@efsglass]

I see alot of business in your future!!!

[@zacharyoliver1325]

Code word: Snow Pants! (awesome stuff, btw)

[@Fr0stbyte89]

Hello from Kansas City! Don't need any snow pants around here!

[@robertw1871]

It’s tough, especially in America to manufacture nearly anything at a reasonable price point… If you network with some metal fabs, you might be surprised what they will work with you on when they are between jobs. Material is expensive, but some shops can work on getting you small runs if you aren’t picky about time. Getting to know your metal guy, or any supplier is important…. Goes to show why some less than optimal design choices are made by big companies, they could build things better easily, but the costs skyrocket to the point nobody will buy them… I feel you pain though, wanting to build things and having to scrap the idea because it needs a 3 million investment to even plan a line to build them…

[@astr0brain]

I would find a separate video about grounding to be very very helpful/informative. That and lead dress when laying out boards/components are two topics that I find are hard to get reliable info on. great video!

[@chipsterb4946]

Paul Ruby has a good piece on grounding, although what he describes isn’t a single “star” for grounding - it’s a constellation of stars. www.paulrubyamps.com/info.html#StarGround This works - I’ve built 3 custom layout Blackface Amps this way. Kevin O’Connor goes into great detail about this approach in The Ultimate Tone Vol 1. There’s info on the AX84 and Hoffman Amps forums. Randall Aiken has a really good write up too: www.aikenamps.com/index.php/grounding In my builds there are 4 separate grounds: preamp (near input jack), power amp including power transformer, output transformer, and heater winding of PT. (Not counting separate ground for power cord). There are lots of ways to approach grounding, but the more you study KNOWN GOOD layouts the more you realize they generally are variations on the same theme.

[@dannyslayer]

Really cool video Lyle, can't wait to see your 15 watt fully built. Just curious if you have ever had the opportunity to try out a scumback scumnico PVC speaker? I got one earlier this year for my JMI(music ground) AC30 and it was almost exactly how I remember a vintage silver sounding, I can't say enough good things about it.

[@PsionicAudio]

I haven't tried that one, as I generally hear the speakers clients buy, and thus far few want to spring for SBs. I've tried and liked a good few of their ceramics though.

[@ajcampana]

Man, I’d love to hear your take on a D-style amp.

[@LockRocker]

Snow pants are a cool rectifier, wear them well so you can live long and diode.

[@Dave-rk2nl]

I WILL BUY ONE

[@scrawfordmusic]

Lol! Haven’t worn those since I was a kid 😅

[@silviopimentel7247]

I wonder what you think about the BADCAT cub lll ? About it's build. I have one i bought it second hand but already had to dump 300 Canadian dollars into it. Sold my 70's hiwat head & cab only do to the loudness & weight. But the only problem i ever had with the hiwat was it burned a fuse once in 8 years. & had a 70's fender bassman which got stolen that never had any issues at all. 1971 i think. Love your work. Thank you for chering. Snow pants are stored away

[@zoomzoom3950]

AC-100 Mk II? 😁 Owned AC-30, AC-15 and AC-4, but the AC-100 Mk II was the amp I always wanted and never owned. Now, it's overkill for my needs. But if there was a clone from a reputable builder I'm just impetuous enough to order one even though I can't justify it. For example. I have an Engl halfstack rack with a pair of 2x12 Engl cabs, powered by an Engl E850/100 Tube poweramp, which is a dual 100 Watt power amp, with each side going into one of the 2x12 cabs. Needless to say, I rarely push the power amp past warm. Cheers!

[@IL2TXGunslinger]

Lyle - you amps are beautifully designed and put together with such skill! BTW - with the state of pedal today - I think it’s a brilliant idea to avoid the vibrato channel which clutters up so many of the mass produced amps now.

[@darwinsaye]

99% of currently produced amps that have a vibrato channel have it because they are reissues of 60s amps that had vibrato channels. Most modern amps that are not trying to recreate some vintage design don’t have them.

[@alexgasiewski4970]

That's the problem, no amps had tremolo. Now it's monkey see monkey do. There's plenty of amps for everyone, but companies see a buck. Everyone has a guitar and a amp. You'd think the price would, should match the quality. I never thought I'd see the day when a pedal costs as much as a top amp, not to mention cable's. The markets flooded. The day that you buy a guitar that's been dragged down a alley and have some ass try and convince you it's special tells me that you don't need new equipment, you need good music and talent. Sorry folks, that's what the best had.

[@alexgasiewski4970]

My statement has nothing to do with this honest man doing his best to improve things. I only wish I had a amp professional like him to help me with my amps. Alex.

[@neopythagorean]

Nice snow pants, man.

[@syrup_drinker]

My body is ready...for an amp that doesn't catch on fire.

[@AudaciousAce1989]

I would LOVE to buy an amp from you! Especially if it can nail the tones from XYZ’s “Hungry” album. Word on the internet is that a Mike Morin modded Marshall JMP-1. What I would love even more is your take on a Furman PQ3. I really want an EQ tool thats similar to a PQ3.

[@milanberic9212]

I’m thinking a ground dedicated terminal strip on the chassis. Multiple if required.

[@matthewridgeway9250]

Just thinking about a grouning system. I actually bought a solib brass terminal block with 8 screw terminals on it. I was going to mount it next to the power transformer, but have all the different ground wires from the input section to the power circuit terminate in that sequence as you described, the final terminal being the ulitimate chassis ground. My nain concern is screw terminals becoming lose. I suppose a dab of nail polish or locktite could help there. I would appreciater your thoughts on that idea. Also noticed some people shoving a folded brass sheet behind the pots on the front to assist grounding performance on some Fender amps. Anyway. Love your work. Thank you.

[@benjib8663]

Though it’s rather new, I’m sure many will be interested in your evaluation of the Quilter Aviator Cub & Cub UK amps, thanks. 👍

[@PsionicAudio]

If a client brings one in for service, I'll evaluate it. But I don't seek out amps to feature, aside from the one time I went out looking to try the Tonemaster Deluxe.

[@David.S.]

We're expecting some snow here in Newfoundland soon, it's only late May..so yes, snowpants.

[@jeffshirkey3085]

Wow

[@Stu66orn]

Could you do educational video on output transformers? Plastic and paper bobbins, wiring, primary impadances etc?

[@crypto-radio8186]

I fellow here in San Francisco builds Amps in US Army Bullets Box , I used to hang oround Real Guitars when I was able to get around. I met that guy there. I cannot remember his name.

[@MrTonmit]

I'll build the cabinet

[@Tonetwisters]

If it sounds as good as a BRUNO Cowtipper 22, I want one!

[@chrisphillips9385]

In a future video, can you explain the voltage control on this amp?

[@whapaso]

I just wish I lived closer...

[@samuelhatman8995]

What was that? Ummm... Snow Pants. Great Video. Followed it perfectly. Might have gotten the code word wrong. Hearing issues in the older player.

[@chrisphillips9385]

Oh, and Snowpants!

[@chip9177]

Snow pants - I watched it all

[@adeptgopnik]

Snowpants. Im a new viewer who has found all of your videos fascinating. What ive learned so far is to be very careful with where i drop that 1k plus on whatever amp i decide to purchase next. The old saying of american quality seems to have gone down the drain sadly with most large builders nowadays since bottom lines matter more. Would be interested to know what amp builders out there currently you've found to have solid designs and QC. I would like to buy from an independent like yourself who puts more love into these things, but my wallet wont allow it for the time being. Am i just screwed kinda, and should just save instead?

[@giulioluzzardi7632]

"Snow Pants" , Roger and out.

[@book3100]

Have you ever, or would you consider making a bass amp? (snowpants)

[@LuisHernandez-dy1rq]

I want a Fender 65 Deluxe Reverb amp or Princeton reverb type of combo chassis . I have the 12” speaker . Celestion Alnico Cream

[@calmccullen3539]

My snow pants are nice and packed away until well probably just a couple months it is Montana after all.

[@Markleford]

There's no pants like snow-pants!

[@GlennJimenez]

Snow pants!

[@johnnyx9892]

I noticed you use Corel Draw. That was the first computer graphics program I ever used. Way back in 1991. I could not afford a Mac so I had to buy a pc with Windows 386. Windows totally sucked but Corel was fantastic.

[@PsionicAudio]

I know Illustrator too but I find Draw better for my 2D CAD purposes.

[@johnsweda2999]

You can call it a fox ac-15 lol How does those fiberboard with standoffs compare to ceramic boards I was wondering what a good replacement for an old leak tl12 metal can they were special in the day don't think I'm available anymore replacement would be thinking about building a replica. any ideas

[@IL2TXGunslinger]

Snow hats :)

[@jannatinkarlen8702]

Hi lyle with this grounding scheme, is it necessary to put grounding to chasis from preamp node? Where should the connection be made?

[@brandonabney4863]

Lol😅 “snowpants”

[@stevejones7231]

So I love your videos and honesty and knowledge of amplifiers. So how could I get one? Very interested. Snow pants

[@PsionicAudio]

I'm hoping to have some news on that front soon. And thanks so much!

[@richardlynch5632]

Snow pants Rosebud I want an amp for studio use, built by you.😎👍