Building a StewMac D-Reverb 22W Amp Kit! (Episode 3)

[@twohandsguitarcompany]

StewMac is the best!!! In the middle of buffing multiple new guitars for a show in two weeks, the motor on our buffing machine died. Due to COVID, their customer service is currently home-based…and it took them a couple of days to address my email. Because of the urgent nature, they immediately sent out a replacement with next day shipping. And, the best part was that there is no cost to me for the motor or the shipping.

[@Mark-OutWest]

This is awesome! I just wish you'd put a link to the next episode down below or on the tail end of the video.

[@matthewf1979]

I know you guys are probably already done with the amp by now, but going back and putting some blue loctite on the nuts holding the power transformer laminations tight is a really good idea. You’re going to kick yourself if they come loose because it can take out the transformer by vibrating itself to an internal short if it’s not tight. It also lets you realy crank down on the keps nuts attaching the transformer to the chassis.

[@KleyDeJong]

Great build, you're going to love it. Some tips - I really like to install the filament / heater wires early into the build. They can be a pain if you leave them to the end. I like to use two different colors for the wire. It helps you keep them in phase (the same wire goes to pin 9 on each 12 a*7 socket). Whenever you're twisting wires you can put the two ends in a drill. Hold the other end. Then use the drill to spin the wires achieving a nice, tight, uniform twist. Be mindful of lead dress (the physical location of wires) with the heaters. Try to keep them tightly twisted right into the socket. Run the leads away from signal wires. Tuck them into the chassis corner between sockets. Check if your power transformer has a center tap for the heaters. If not install a virtual center tap with two 100 ohm resistors from each heater line joining to ground. This will remove a lot of noise.

[@scottkidwell3601]

... the adventure continues! Long fingers in small spaces is better than big hands and sausage-fingers in those same tight spaces 😉 Keep plugging along, you'll have an amp in no time, and newfound knowledge to carry through on your next adventure

[@larscw74]

There is one red line in the video's you guys make. There will always be some banter. I am really enjoying the content you guys put out and the fact you seem to keep it real. Keep it up.

[@Sammywhat]

This is great, Matt! Thanks for taking us along for the ride!!

[@gefenguitars]

As usual, you are champions, fun to watch and there is a lot to learn from you, well done, and there is nothing better than STEWMAC products and service

[@MrBtcruiser]

I have to chuckle a bit. I grew up at the end of the vacuum tube era, so I dabbled quite a bit with punching and reaming holes in chassis, mounting tube sockets, and hefting around massive laminated iron E-I core transformers. All my design projects now involve solid state electronics, printed circuit boards, surface mount components all using low voltage supplies. Every once and a while I get nostalgic about those old tube circuits, but seeing this and thinking about what it took to build those devices and working with the high voltage supplies snaps me out of it pretty quickly LOL. Still, it looks like a fun kit to build - enjoy.

[@14djfunk]

Really liking this series and definitely wanna try an amp build down the road! One piece of constructive criticism, if I may... might try using a de-esser on Matt's audio. He's got a lot more sibilance than Chris. That said, really enjoying the content overall 👌 👏

[@AxeOverland]

Any Updates on this amp build.?

[@CraigFlowersMusic]

Hey, Stewmac, I'll take one. For my channel. Yeah, that's it, yeah, for my channel, yeah.

[@randyyount6293]

Matt, I'm also building this kit. I discovered that my kit came with an extra .047μF Orange Drop cap (parts list says four, but you only use three) and a 56K .5W carbon composite resistor. Both of those parts are in the parts list but there are no instructions as to where they go. I contacted StewMac and they confirmed those two parts are extra and is an error. Just a heads up. Good luck with your kit!

[@DriftwoodMatt]

Hahaha Chris and I have joked a couple times about that old adage of finding a couple screws/bolts leftover after a project and wondering at their significance. I guess in this case you were fine!

[@DriftwoodMatt]

Also, if I’m missing that orange drop cap and the 56.6k carbon composite resistor in mine, I’ll know where they went!

[@randyyount6293]

@@DriftwoodMatt thought I screwed up. So glad it wasn’t me.

[@davidedwards7172]

Don't worry too much about the mess up with the power transformer, did that on Two-Face(first scratch-built amp).

[@fiddlix]

I guarantee you will succeed at building this DLXR style amp. I feel it in the air.

[@DriftwoodMatt]

I appreciate it, man!!

[@fiddlix]

@@DriftwoodMatt I use to do amp repair and a few complete rebuids. Peter Buck and Mike Campbell use to tour with my Vox rebuilds. Fender was my main specialty.

[@DriftwoodMatt]

@@fiddlix that’s so cool! The more I learn about amps, the more I love how much complexity there is to them. It’s a tinkerer’s paradise! Hey, I’ve been wanting to ask, how is your rehab going? I recently read somewhere you had surgery not too long ago. I really hope you’re doing okay!!

[@fiddlix]

@@DriftwoodMatt rehab has been setback by some other medical issues. Having both of your legs amputated above the knees is life changing to say the least.

[@DriftwoodMatt]

@@fiddlix no doubt!! I hope your recovery is smooth and I can shake your hand in person one day. In the mean time, thanks for your kind feedback and watching our videos! Humbled to have you here in the comments.

[@fiddlix]

Fiddle players make great amp builders. Trust me, it takes one to know one.

[@purimuadmuang2259]

I'm also a violinist that, at the moment, 60% in the process of finishing a tweed pro 😂 just taking a break from soldering and this came up!

[@manson9083]

I am so asking my wife for an amp kot for Xmas, this looks so fun.

[@mgdesigns1952]

Build a wooden stand to hold the chassis - see Uncle Doug's adjustable chassis holder that rotates.

[@johnbgoode3]

When will Episode 4, 5, etc. come out, or did the 1/3 built amp get tucked away in the corner???

[@twohandsguitarcompany]

If you pause at 1:30…you’ll see, up close, the family resemblance between “Sucky-Mc-Suckface” and his big brother, “Apron McSuckface”

[@SecondAndGoal]

This more pertains to the previous video but for resister inventory we wound up with an extra 56K resister that wasn't in the inventory list. Did you have an extra resistor too? Why wasn't it in the list and what is it for? Thanks~!

[@DriftwoodMatt]

Someone else commented this same thing! I guess it just happens time to time. Enjoy your spare resistor I guess! Haha

[@Lonnie.Macs.Garage]

Nice tools indeed! Buy the best cus a cheap tool is the most expensive tool you can own!

[@chaskan100]

The best advice I can give is, Remember to NOT to let the smoke out of any of the components on the circuit boards or tubes. Just kidding. When working with "High Voltage" after your amp is together and ready to turn on. An old shop master will tell you to keep one hand either behind you or in your pocket at all times. Do not hold the chassis with a bare hand and do any on-the-board probing with a test lead or when Biasing the tubes, keep one hand in your pocket or behind your back to keep from becoming part of the circuit and killing yourself. just some friendly advice. It happens more times than not with inexperienced techs.

[@jennifer6833]

Are you guys going to have baseball caps or guitar picks made? They look like quality stuff that you two have on your head.

[@makikogi]

I can't not keep looking at Matt's apron shoulder strap being twisted

[@DriftwoodMatt]

I promise it bugged me too, and I fixed it, but it twisted itself again for this video, haha. My bad!

[@ShaneDavisDFTBA]

Literally no idea how amps work so need to ask if those cables are carrying any kind of data signal? If so, is there any worry about interference from twisting the cables together like that?

[@luthiferbuilds]

righty lefty tighty loosey

[@stephengent9974]

Rule one of construction: read the instructions first and select the right parts. Good luck with the build if you are color blind.

[@ericcarpenter3263]

That’s why you need a bunch of drawers in a garage/ shop… hide the tools from the missus.

[@DoctorMcFarlandStudios]

The kit is almost as much as buying the amp.

[@nonolaporte3195]

This kit is for the handwired version of the Deluxe Reverb, which is $2,750. So the kit is less than half price. Still a pricey bit of kit, I agree...

[@cowdudeable]

Where is episode 2?

[@dougmartin893]

Cool.

[@rafaelmeletti]

Is it just me who thinks the transformers are the LAST things that should go in???

[@SolamenteVees]

*Nutdriver 3:48

[@creedsexton296]

Matt count the umms on this video.. Just for fun....

[@tonybrooks476]

It’s odd that us English folk say shassy. But because of that chassis sound weird to my ears.