How to build 6V6 Boutique tube guitar amp start to finish Homebrew kit

[@st8kout961]

When I first learned electronics everything was vacuum tubes. Built my first ham radio morse code transmitter in the 60s. My step-father used to repair TVs on the side, so we always had plenty of old TVs to salvage radio parts. Brings back memories.

[@deandee8082]

my ma's boyfriend in the mid 70's had a friend who was a hard core TV repairman, we went over to bleed his brakes one day and the amount of tools and gear simply floored me, so did his 2 daughters my age I was like 13 or so.. but thats why when I saw Fast Times and Ridgemont High and he said "my old man's a TV repairman he's got mass tools he can fix it" it hit home with me and I always flash back going over to that old boys house.. his garage was crammed full, 3-4 sheds out back and his home was crowded with tools and parts and gear and TV's radios and amps.. never forget that house

[@grimblesqueem2291]

Cool idea for a cabinet. definitely BOW-TEAK.

[@svtrader]

Drinking game for bowteak.

[@Metalbass10000]

This is incredible! It’s exactly what I needed to see. First time viewer of your videos, but without a doubt I will be watching more. I was “let go” by my former employer when he learned of my diagnosis of a medical condition. I took these adversities as an opportunity to show my children that as long as there is breath in your lungs you keep living life with everything you have, and as an opportunity to take a chance on myself and chase a dream. I have begun designing and building custom handmade guitars and basses, components for guitars and basses, as well as aftermarket components for existing drum kits. With carpentry, chemistry, machining (manual and CNC, including programming), engineering and design, manufacturing process engineering (with fixture design and construction), personnel management and process data management (with efficiency and optimization programs I managed), some electronics, and I have been playing music for 30 years, modding instruments for a few years. I love and am passionate about music, and have always been the outcast that always does his best, ever if I’m sweeping a floor. One of my investors wants to play a role. So, I asked for an idea of how he can be involved and this video shows up at the top of the list. You see, he sees himself as a MacGyver meets Mr. Scott from Star Trek, and he’s quite good with this type of electronics. This video is going to possibly be the start of the next product line, if that’s ok with you. I mean, we will of course make our own designs, but to see how it is done is simply invaluable to me. I thank you, on behalf of my hero of a wife, my inspiration of a son, and my four year old coach of a daughter, for what you do, and for being here with this video when I desperately needed an idea to keep things progressing. My condition is such that my doctors will not currently clear me to return to my career running CNC machine shops, so starting this business, and a charitable foundation, keeps me motivated, and positive, and keeps my mind occupied with meaningful goals and challenges, rather than dwelling on my condition. Keep doing what you do, I can’t wait to watch the next. Any videos on more models n amps, too?

[@dane2565]

Didn't wanna BORE us with details on how you made the holes??? Brilliant!

[@boboala1]

I fancy myself being an amateur electronics repair kind of apprentice guy. But I don't even make a pimple on an old 'kenobaramis' ( 18:35) ass! This video has convinced me I can undertake & complete such a project and I give credit to Mr. D for compiling all the salient points of an amp build into 1 concise and engaging video!

[@dwebster50]

It’s been since High School that we built a stereo amp ... the lessons our teacher taught us were great and this just took me back to High school.. well thought thru project here. ... Why buy a vintage guitar amp when here you could build your own. . ... great job ... you have planted a seed ...lol . Alberta Dave

[@meesterprofe007]

Terry, you are indeed a fine example of an American treasure! You are impossible to compare with and with much expertise and finesse, lead us through the visualization and transformation of a fine old mahogany encased vintage radio to a boutique Princeton amplifier. Mike Campbell of the Heartbreakers would enjoy immensely your creativity and craft. I am amazed by your video lessons....thank you so much for enlightening us and bringing solace in the midst of the many months of upheaval we are all enduring.😊

[@EmilioGarcia-fr5po]

Love your show st 40 put it to life on your show. People would dig it

[@neurosentience5150]

I wish I had a dad like this guy. How cool man! Awesome channel.

[@MOAB-UT]

I think I have this amp- sounds great. Built by Greis- 5 watter based on a Fender something or others. Very clean and nice little tuber.

[@no5x937]

Beautiful engineering design and build. I built a 2 tube aluminum chassis intercom in the 11th grade and a 5 tube AM radio in the 12 grade using similar construction.

[@Starcrunch72]

Great job showcasing the need for proper planning layout and lead dress. Excellent video!

[@emilymcfadden4360]

This video made me flash back to my Heathkit builds of 1969. Throughly enjoyable.

[@ThePianoforever]

A super video for sure. We are looking forward to bringing you our 65 Bassman and others.

[@juptonstone]

I really enjoyed that. I have been repairing tube amps for a couple of years, and am preparing to build a pair of monoblocks. Its nice to see a project start to finish... building is a lot different than repairing!

[@davidcaro8217]

Undeniably classic vintage Marshall! Simply the best amps for that old school rock n roll tone!

[@cryaesthetic3603]

I'm planning on reusing old electronics to make an amplifier for my final personal project in school, this has been a really useful video!

[@d.dickson8243]

Nice job Terry. The only thing I would add is T nuts to the top side of your wood runners to mount the chassis inside the enclosure with bolts from under neath the enclosure.

[@johnnyfrisco5354]

I think this has to be the best most clear and concise demonstration, anywhere, anytime, any place I've seen on how to build anything! Superbly explained... I don't personally have the ability or know-how but for anyone looking to build a 6V6 amplifier this surely can't be bettered!.I have a VHT amplifier with 6V6 valves/tubes and it sounds wonderful. Thoroughly enjoyed watching and learning... thank you.

[@littlejohnny1498]

Nice amp. I wish guys building amps would show more of the wiring of input and output jacks. Also volume and tone knobs. I think most beginners have more trouble with these things than any other parts.

[@joemcgraw5529]

Terry your work is amazing and I love this build ,I have never built a amp but do have a Electronic background and since im retired now From IBEW this is something I want to tackle but im gathering test equipment and watching all of your videos again and some that I missed

[@NavyGuy1991]

I came across your channel yesterday and subscribed! I am an electronics hobbyist myself. I'm 28 and have 15 years experience restoring vintage radios and learning more everyday. Keep the videos coming sir! You are the best!

[@edwardhannigan6324]

Fab Terry as usual..What a build..! I'd love one of those..So much info and tech tips..Top job..Thanks again for sharing your expertise..Ed..UK..😁

[@rickylakemusic]

this is like a dream come true. thanks fer all you do. I wish to make me a CLONE of a 65 princeton. I studied Electronics engineering but failed to get my degree. I have fixed a few items, only, I know my limitations. I am droolin' to make a nice head.

[@mikesmuseum]

Terry, THANK YOU for doing this step-by-step video. I really appreciate the time and effort you put into this. Well done!!!

[@d-labelectronics]

Thank you my friend. This video was edited with my new software, Pinnacle Studio 21. A bit of a learning curve, but I am pleased with the end result.

[@SuperTheguys]

I think it would be pretty cool to add a diffuser gel to the front of the cabinet, inside, so that you can see the numbers on the front glass a bit better. I think that would be the cherry on top! Great build!

[@destaagengperwira]

The wiring and layouting method is really useful. Really great, thanks.

[@chrisevans1546]

This is the absolute best channel on KZbin.

[@my.own.devices]

Nice build. I would recommend taping a piece of plastic bag around the pot body when working on it to avoid getting swarf inside it.

[@MrMd5555]

I just came here to here some good classic tube amp tone and some playing.. I'll stay tuned

[@d-labelectronics]

Please do my friend, welcome to D-lab

[@stevegarneau8673]

This was a great video. Been looking at lots of resources to learn basic electronics. Still some nomenclature that I didn't understand, difference between diode and rectifier and a couple other points. I understand that the circuit is a proven design by Fender, but would love to understand the fine details, like why are certain components used and how they affect the output (sound). Very cool! Thanks.

[@johnsimms3957]

You're an artist Terry! And I prefer a solid state rectifier myself.

[@seeburgm100a]

Great build! Thanks for sharing. I can't help but think about some sort of diffuser behind the dial and grill.. if only you could get ahold of some translucent Catalin as used in Jukeboxes.. to something like that to give it that soft orange/yellow glow.

[@dhpbear2]

10:05: How is the pot securely clamped in the vise? Looks like it would pop out of the vise easily.

[@guydouglas6094]

Very good video and what a cool amp cab form the old radio box.

[@notoriouslyfunky4706]

Thank you so much for taking the extra care and time to make a thorough video for beginner builders like me. This was so much fun to watch and listento!! I hope to build something like this over the winter!!! Thanks again! Keep building!!

[@philipdonovan6510]

Thank you for this. This week will start my build of a single channel Vibroverb (Rob Robinettes BlackVibe 6L6) in a Princeton reverb chassis. There will be some choices I need to make for preamp tube placement. Since the Blackvibe circuit has no reverb and no tremelo, I'll be placing only 2 preamp tubes in a chassis with 4 preamp positions. I think this video may suggest that the 2 preamp tubes ought to be all the way down the end of the chassis as far from the Power section as possible.

[@noahpavey6504]

How did it turn out?

[@starr6581]

Just, WOW! Thank you so much for for posting this video. I'm truly inspired and will be on the lookout for a suitable donor body to start my project.

[@d-labelectronics]

Cool deal! Glad you like. There are plenty of empty radio cabinets on ebay. I just picked up a lovely one for $15.00. Have fun with the project. TD

[@BladeDoomer86]

You truly are a great teacher... I'd buy a boutique amp from you any day 😁

[@robr4662]

I wish I knew more about electronics, this stuff is so interesting.

[@user-su5sq5ib3i]

That sounds like a million bucks. I would love to build a Princeton head for my steel guitar

[@Charlie-zk2ql]

I have a REAL 1964 Princeton 6g2 in black tolex with white knobs. You can get a KIT! The 6g2 will give up the dirt. The tremolo is glorious! Build it DEAD STOCK! NO MODS!

[@stephenhookings1985]

I really love what you have done here. No "throw away" society here ... This to me is the best embodiment of "make America great again" ... Or is that A Gain :-). Cool stuff.

[@crunchy3651]

America is probably the most “throw away” society in the developed world.

[@usnchief1339]

Hey D-Lab E, great build video! Any recommendations for a simple home practice amp build that would work the the 50s-60s sound using a Gretsch 5400 series guitar? I really liked this one. This is all new to me, looking for a new hobby. I have 20+ years of electrical maintenance work in the Navy, this is all up my alley. Thanks for any recommendations.

[@waynethompson8416]

Excellent video! Lots of good ideas and tips. I kept hoping that you would put a blue plastic inside under the dial plate and behind the louvers, but that is just what I would have wanted, a blue glow of light. Another thought I had was to use what I called "Bubble Lights" ( My Aunt always used them on her Christmas tree) for a different effect. Anyway, good video, good amp, good theory, good performance, good guy!!! Thanks for sharing!

[@paulpaulzadeh6172]

just wonder , shouldn't be 90 degree placement for output transformer and power transformer to minimizing interference of ripple to output ?!

[@kalyankumarsen8604]

Very interesting to watch the video and it is really an educational one also . I shall try to built one with the similar types of transformers as the prototypes are not available in India . Thanks with high hopes to watch more such tube amplifier projects.

[@uptownphotography]

Cool Amp. Nice details how to build it..... Phil

[@russpbg]

cool amp. can't wait for the demo with a nice speaker in a cabinet.

[@eduardpascal7229]

Nice ideea Terry. Thank's. Greatings from Romania!

[@mgschweng]

I build my first amp in 1963, was 13y.old. OBVIOUSLY TUBES in those days. Well, it worked great the first time on, but one thing; 60Hz hum was audible because I had transformers lined up, parallel to each other. Turning one transformer 90 degrees to the other, so the electromagnetic lines cross and cancel out took care of the hummm. I'm surprised you don't have an issue with that.

[@d-labelectronics]

Was that amp built on a steel or aluminum chassis?

[@mgschweng]

It was aluminum I build myself, drilled, cut etc...

[@d-labelectronics]

I usually build on Aluminum. Only have hum issues with steel chassis. I have tried rotating transformers to see any difference. The scope shows no increase in hum regardless of orientation.

[@mgschweng]

Interesting, because I wanted to know what the scope shows, since I did not have a scope than, only my ears could "see" the hum. So now I'm thinking that I also turned my tube sockets to get the filament voltage away from components and signal path. So, when you fix two issues at the same time, you might save some time, but you won't know which one did the trick. Funny how I'm still fixing my first amp, ain't it?

[@silasfatchett5693]

Try a 'humdinger', a 220 ohm pot across the heater winding with the wiper to ground. Adjust for minimum hum.

[@Immandil]

This video answered some of my overall concerns about tube amp grounding. Thanks!

[@freecitizen2760]

If I may ... if I was either getting or constructing an amp, I would want: 1) for it to be like channel one of a Blackface/Silverface Fender with no reverb or tremolo (pedals work better and it allows for a simple circuit). 2) the only change to that preamp section to be a mid control, and a pair of 0.022 instead of the 0.1 and 0.047 tone caps. 3) a tube rectifier. A 5u4 for the “sag” but ideally the ability to use all kinds of rectifier tubes. 4) to be able to use 6v6 or 6L6 tubes. 5) for it to be in the form of a head rather than a combo. 6) for it to use the Mallory 150’s rather than “Orange Drops”, and definitely carbon composition resistors anywhere the tone might be affected.

[@Poppinwheeeeellllllieeeeez]

Really enjoy watching your channel. Thanks for all the effort and sharing your experience and knowledge with all of us.

[@afrojack9061]

Nice build! Why did you not use original cloth wire? That plastic coated cheap wire breaks down over time.

[@craigising]

This is a thing of beauty. "here's a vice I built..." get outta here! Have you thought about putting a diffuser behind the grill to get a more even light coming through? Beautiful looking and sounding amp. Respect!

[@traviscrum7236]

he said he got it when he was in high school, not that he built it

[@archiguitarchi]

I hope you don't mind me contacting you this way, but I don't know another way. I have a Blackstar HT20 Studio guitar amp head. I've had it since they were introduced years ago. It has a few small tonal shortcomings, but in general it is a great rock amp and quite reliable. It has two channels. Channel one is clean with just a volume and a tone control, no gain control. The second channel in the high gain channel. It has volume, gain, treble, middle, and bass, the more versatile EQ of the two channels. You won't hear this complaint very often from a lead player, but for me, the amount of gain produced in the gain channel is waaaaay too much, and heavy distortion begins with the gain pot set at only 2 . Is there a way to change the value of the gain pot or perhaps some other component to reduce the intensity of the gain? The gain channel has the better EQ and would be much more useful if I could calm down the amount of gain it produces. I have good soldering skills, I understand the dangers of working around capacitors, and I have successfully made many repairs on on tube amps by just following instructions. THANKS!

[@charlesshaw9090]

Great video and a lovely little amp. Interesting that you didn’t rotate the output transformer 90° to the power transformer, as I always do and as we have always been told to do, and yet you get no hum! Just goes to show that theory isn’t always borne out by practice or experience. Excellent!

[@Survive2022]

I have a question. When recapping, what voltage rating do you use? My build sheet, doesn't give voltage values of almost all of the caps. Only 2 have voltage values listed. One being 50uf@ 150v and 20uf@ 25v.

[@donaldfisher8556]

Terry I so much enjoy your channel. This is the perfect amp for home but I'd like to put a headphone jack outlet in it. My wife has love for my guitar journey but I like to keep the practice quiet at this time. LOL

[@HubLocationSound]

Gorgeous amp build! I for one would like to see that vintage hole punching process.

[@gawentaylor6838]

Great video, all that in 22 minutes! Some great tips and tricks so thank you fro me :) I hand built a Spitfire from scratch and will be using some of the tips with my multi meter to answer some questions I have, as it has some oddities I cannot fathom out!

[@davidlepahe2538]

I just wanted to say thankyou very much for sharing your knowledge. Whilst I'm only learning I appreciate the explanations and reasoning. I can only speak for myself when I say that as exciting and rewarding as amp modifications can be, to me it is somewhat scary; not just from a safety perspective but also for the safety of your amp! I'd love to know a bit more about how I could achieve a bit more break-up/gain on my 64 Deluxe, and whilst there are countless videos on the Deluxe reverb, I can't find much on the non-verb model. Both are designed around AB763 sure, but the additional tube in the Reverb models makes finding the what I'm looking for a little bit harder... maybe I'm overcomplicating it? Ideally I'd like to modify channel 2 on my Deluxe to have more gain, but also with the ability to get that break up at much lower volumes for practice, and leave channel one completely alone to retain the true authentic tone it's held for so many years. Anyway I just wanted to thank you for your time and for helping dummies like me get my head around this stuff. Cheers mate.

[@johncunningham5435]

Love the vintage approach, "wow".

[@hearpalhere]

Thank you so much for this wonderful video! I am still in the beginning stages of learning enough about electronics to understand everything you referred to in this video but there were many practical things about the chassis layout that will be a huge help to me when laying out my own project. Really enjoyed this and look forward to seeing more of your videos.

[@timothytapio4252]

You have a few spare minutes? Working on a 65 Super Reverb...developing a horrendous hum in the vibrato section...already recapped and retubed....thinking perhaps need replace another cap or two that can run that 60 cycle hum to ground....having some eyeball issues so thought I'd ask....

[@gregellis8672]

I found your channel 2 weeks ago glad I found you Terry d-lab kicks butt I need to build me up a Fender Princeton tube amp from scratch keep up the good work 73 kf5zxb Dallas Tx.

[@harrystevens3885]

Nice build and interesting watch personally I didn't like the lamps(cold light), I would have left them out and used a neon lit on/off power switch but of course that's just a personal thing...Great build big like and thumbs up!!

[@tubeDude48]

Hey Terry, do you have a part number for the chassis? --- I was surprised that you didn't ground the back of your *POTS* .

[@stormedbyhippiesc3966]

This is so awesome! Really inspired me to build my own Tweed amp. Bravo sir

[@JohnnyMacTahoe]

Love it - you'll be able to see the tubes glowing through the tuner window. Now you gotta find a period correct radio-stand table or chest type thing and stash that speaker in it!

[@greghitt1704]

Now I’m on the hunt for an old valve radio 👍

[@amdenis]

Nice overall design. One question: don't you find spec'ing for higher instantaneous power delivery useful in terms of more easily getting a powerful and transparent transient response that is also more even across all frequencies? I find that to generally be the case with the "overspec'd" transformers and associated parallel circuits of some of the more powerfully transparent design, like those from The Valve Amplifier Company, Jackson Ampworks, some of the BC's and Dr. Z's and several of the late 60's - mid 70's amps / mods. Obviously, it takes a well designed overall circuit and related package, but it looks like you followed the core tone and related circuit design well (I wonder about the chosen tail component load value, but from what I see, that would only shape harmonics a bit differently from what I can see, although maybe increase risk of microphonics). Anyway, any thoughts?

[@thomasplooij9795]

Hey d lab ive gotten quite a weird question... Im working on my lead 100 mosfett amp because of some pops and crackles. But i see three empty spots on the circuit board where there should have been capacitors. At the underside of the board they are soldered in tho, but not in the same configuration as shown on the top side (if that makes sense). Should i leave it like this or get them out and set them up at the top of the board?

[@yosoysoloyo4024]

A thing of beauty! Also very impressed with the teaching style.

[@ShadeHope1969]

no punch set. I use a unibit, Great little build.nice job explaining things.awesome work. Thank you.

[@theskett]

Had to Google for 'unibit' -- a step drill, essentially. Yeah, me too, and nicely cheap on AliExpress. Though I'm a little envious of the punch set... :-)

[@georyans]

If you’re biasing in AB mode for this amp the cathode current should be around 22.1 ma with 380v on the plate it looks like 500 ohms seems a little low can you go thru the bias thanks

[@laffilmfest3759]

Such talent to be able to build this.....👏👏

[@materialsguy2002]

Nice work, Terry. Using the RCA chassis was a great idea, and I love the vintage look.

[@mikereynolds3294]

Absolutely wonderful video... thank you so very much for posting it !

[@curtcoker6359]

Just found your channel. Keep it up great info looking forward to seeing the rest of your content.

[@1thess523]

it's all Greek to me but I enjoy your videos !

[@duckhuntergaming4713]

Being Greek I enjoy seeing that expression

[@Joejoe-nt3gc]

Love it!! Is it possible to have a tube amp without a pre amp ?? Basically just the power side but still able to accept input from guitar pedals?

[@precinct1baltimorecountyre588]

You could benefit with bread boards. I have a ton. From b4 westinghouse defense electronics was bought by Northrop Grumman. Every time Airforce come thru every part and tool not labled correct per mil specs was.tossed. b4 they came in our closed engineering rome with escort rewuired combo loc door. Anyway got tons of parts mil spec grade and test probes ..... What area of country you in?

[@eliezerriveraperez3054]

Great job, nice., I'm impressed.I created a block page just for your videos.thank you!!!

[@frankmormon2503]

Thinking about trying out a build, great video. Efficiently designed circuit . Really nice . Thanks

[@francisskundaliny1295]

nice channel! great little ampy-rockn rolly tube controlly!!!

[@Za7a7aZ]

I have a nice old Philips tube radio...would be nice f there is a tutorial how to make it usable for guitar amp.. I bet it wouldn't be easy to use the components and built one from scratch...Or did I just watch you do that?

[@jedishaw6771]

Lovely work!!!

[@TheGorillafoot]

This is great. Breaks it all down.

[@davidcarroll4411]

I have a Philco 53-1750 Chairside Drop-Leaf Cabinet Tube Radio Phonograph Record Player. It doesn’t work but the motor can be heard. The radio does nothing. Any suggestions!

[@bucketlistbeginner]

Great show as always, thanks for taking the time. I would love to see a sho just like this one but go in depth on sizing and choosing transformers etc. to either use something we have or to order a specific part # . Keep the great shows coming

[@marklem1574]

Great build Terry! I would like to build one nice amp soon I have tons of parts from tube organs and radios. I have transformers,tubes.controls.hardware, etc. I look forward to all your upcoming videos!

[@d-labelectronics]

Sounds like your ready to go! Have fun with the project

[@drdrums1]

I'm wondering, couldn't you use a 5V tube rectifier w/ only the 6V out by employing a voltage divider? Or, for that matter, what about just running the tube at 6V but w/ a current limiting resistor? We're only talking a volt difference here, so I can't imagine that a 5V filament would have a problem w/ 6V so long as the current is clamped. Then again, my knowledge of tubes is mostly limited to types and swapping them out when bad...

[@esuohdica]

Nice video thanks! I've always wondered why we don't use DC for the filaments? I mean you put all that effort into routing AC filament lines away from signal sources, why not rectify right after the transformer? Newby question warning!

[@MrRockinguitar]

Great video...….Thank you ! I love 6V6 tone !

[@bobwalker599]

This is an excellent video. the pre-testing part was great. Fitting the chassis was interesting. You should have shown at least one complete hole punching. Also the technique used to drill the control holes, input and output holes, and the switch. I would love to know the actual clean output power.

[@AndyPanda9]

Just starting to watch this video - looks like it's going to be great and I'm sure I'll learn a lot. Question: Why didn't you put the output transformer further away and turned 90 degrees from the power transformer?

[@mlgisnotdead7752]

The windings just need to be out of plane. The power transformer winding is vertical and the OT windings are horizontal.

[@johnlloyd7568]

I’m a diy’er and I love doing things myself and have always thought about building my own guitar amp. I have built guitars on my own but I am absolutely zero on electronics. Any suggetions on where to start? I’d like to make this amp my first project

[@mr.nobody68]

This is my first research video. Definitely not disappointed. With my basic automotive background, I think I could figure out how to build this. However, is there anything simpler that I can start with? I'd also love to build something with extreme Distortion. I like modern Rock guitar tones

[@Valerifon1]

Outstanding video! I'm gonna need another tube amp book! 😉👍 Thank you for posting this! Cheers - Luther