How to Build a '57 Tweed Amp Kit Step-by-Step (Episode 1)

If you've ever thought about building your own hand wired amp, but weren't sure where to start this is the series for you.
StewMac tech, Tommy Stumpp, shows you step-by-step how to build our Tweed 5F1 amp kit. Episode 1 we go over prepping the cabinet and basic safety procedures to deal with voltages contained in a guitar amplifier.
In this 5-part series you'll learn everything you need to know to safely build one of the world's most iconic guitar amps. Tommy shows you the complete build step-by-step so you can follow along at home. It doesn't matter if you've never even soldered before, you can build this amp!!
Everyone from Clapton, to Walsh, to Richards has used this tone beast for nearly 50 years. It's an easy build and a great place to get into amp building.
Check it out, and be sure to catch the other 4 episodes live or in playback.
Thing's you'll need to follow along with the build:
'57 Mini Tweed 5W Amp Kit
www.stewmac.co...
Solomon SL-30 Soldering Station
www.stewmac.co...
2-in-1 Wire Cutter/Stripper
www.stewmac.co...
PEAKMETER Digital Multimeter
www.stewmac.co...
SnufferStick High Voltage Discharge Stick
www.stewmac.co...
Guitar Tech Screwdriver and Wrench Set
www.stewmac.co...
Titebond Original Wood Glue
www.stewmac.co...
Masking tape
www.stewmac.co...
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StewMac has everything you need to set up, repair or build guitars.
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[@stewmac]

FYI: Around 34:00, Tommy mentions that you should not have continuity from the tip of the speaker plug to the outside sleeve. This is true, but only until the speaker is connected. Big thanks to Bruno for calling that out in the chat! The speaker coil will cause these to show continuity once the leads are fully connected. You can also test them for resistance to check your connections, and it should show about 3.2 ohms!

[@deadleg6]

This comment needs to be pinned.

[@DanieleTurani]

Tommy needs to tune that damn guitar :)

[@David-ik9yn]

It’s good practice to check the resistance of the speaker before installing. Sometimes speaker impedances are mislabelled at the factory. A nominal 8 ohm speaker should read less than 8 ohms, perhaps around 7.2 ohms. A battery test will tell you if the [+] and [-] terminals are wired correctly. Momentarily tap a 9V battery to the speaker terminals, [+] on the speaker to battery positive, at the same time [-] on the speaker to battery negative should make the speaker cone move outward. Last;y, when installing the speaker, make sure that the alignment is good. Go slowly. You don’t want a speaker mounting screw going through the cone.

[@markymark560]

I have built the 57 Tweed amp, with help from Tommy, and it sounds wonderful. There is no reverb on the amp so I am using a Boss Reverb RV6.

[@cuellar23]

I’ve been wanting to do this on my own, so thanks for posting these!

[@jmwise80]

Got several hours playing thru this amp. My advice. 12. 1-11 are cool but 12 is your best friend.

[@bobvines00]

Tommy mislabeled holes 13 & 14!

[@rothbekirkendall7756]

I caught that, too. Good eye.

[@markfranke8326]

Great video - thanks!

[@vincebaker3384]

Is something I could build for resail? If so do you have a sugested price?

[@lukerobson7896]

Hi, I just received my Tweed 57 champ kit (love it), but not sure if I have a problem. When I use my multimeter, I get continuity between + and - terminals on the speaker. I’m also getting continuity between the tip and sleeve of the speaker jack. In the live stream, it says there should not be continuity (?) (Ep 1, @30mins) I tried the 9 volt battery trick-appears the speaker is working (connecting a 9v battery to the terminals...I get a ‘popping’ sound). I am also getting the same sound when I connect the tip and outside of the jack with the battery.Is this correct? Should there be continuity? Thanks for the advice

[@FelipeWurst]

Having the same question. Should there be continuity between the tip and the surrounding sleeve?

[@FelipeWurst]

For anyone with this question, you’re good. here’s Tommy’s reply: “Once you solder the speaker leads at the speaker, you will have continuity across the tip and shield. The speaker has one long wire between the positive and negative terminals that moves the cone, and reads continuity, or very close to 3 or 4 ohms DC. Again, I apologize for the confusion.”

[@rothbekirkendall7756]

Did you know that Tommy mis numbered eye!let's 13 & 14?

[@drewk6614]

I'm pretty late to the party but hopefully you still check the questions. Is there any alternative to a snuffer stick that's more readily available? I just got my kit but didn't know about it in time to order one and the cost and wait time for it to ship to Canada will really put me behind on the build. Do they go by any other name? Can I walk into a home depot or some place and ask for one?

[@jmwise80]

Does this still come with a Jensen speaker?

[@bodhi47]

Is the 6v6 historical? Could you sub a 6L6?

[@MrBeblis]

The cabinet said mojotone, did I see that correctly??? Shouldn't everything here be from stewmac

[@BLOVECU]

mojotone supplies their cabinets to several parties. best cabinets available.

[@MrMisterock]

8:33, you have pliers on the bench, man !

[@johngrant5749]

Not professional using pliers to tighten nuts on speakers.

[@Angelum_Band]

Where's Uncle Doug?

[@MarkSchuster-ym3iy]

Is stumac offering these now?

[@stewmac]

Yes, we've carried these amp kits for a couple years now. You can find product links in the video description.

[@iwokeupthismorning2]

I would tune the guitar first

[@PLINKER]

Is a 5F1and a 5F2A basicily about the same?

[@PLINKER]

@@GeeBee135 Thanks Gary I would like to try to build a 5F2A but have not found a kit yet. Stew Mac has a 5F1 though and instructions that I think I could follow well for a first timer. Could I alter it to a 5F2A? I heard a 5F2A and liked the sound of it!

[@PLINKER]

@@GeeBee135 Gary I've been making banjos for a long time. I've forgotten most of what I new about playing because I spend most of my time building now. I would like to try my hand at some electrics guitars and Amps. I am studying as hard as I can, but the electronic do not come to easily for me. Trying to start a the bottom and work up as always. Maybe I can find a kit or an wiring diagram for a 5f2A somewhere yet? I'm not good with schematics yet. Don't understand the symbols for Schematics yet! Thank you for your knowledge on the 5F2A!

[@tomk1tl39]

@@PLINKER I built a 5F2 from the Fender Schematic and found it was lacking something....I then got the 5F2A schematic re-wired the circuit and it sounded mucho-bettah !...I also built a 6G5 standalone Fender reverb unit, which works great...I just got the chassis from Mojo. This is in conjunction with the 5F2A sounds great. The only change I made was replace the 12AX7A with a 5755 which is quieter but you have to re-wire the tube socket. It is a quieter 12AX7A but the grid/plates pins are wired differently.

[@rb032682]

46th

[@danielcox-gonzalez7430]

Omg already scared.

[@Jesuswinsbirdofmichigan]

Jeez?

[@whofarted9376]

That mask makes me crave violets.

[@chickenlickin3820]

stop noodling in the background lol

[@MarkSchuster-ym3iy]

Out of tune! That hurts!

[@michaelpal7641]

At 49:39 there is a shot of the board's numbering system, which looks very factory imprinted-yet in the video, he's using a white pencil. So are these kits are a lot of making "stuff" up on the fly? Would like to purchase this kit, but have a ton of questions when I see videos like this! Skip the personal narrative! Way too much! Read only what is in the manual! Perform what is in the manual! Display the manual as an on screen help to let us know what your doing is in the manual. If this was an "online" build assistance video, to showcase this product, it was lacking. Will take a look at the rest of this build series.

[@kennethlinton4432]

Take the mask off!

[@castleanthrax1833]

Only watched 90 seconds and stopped. Really unprofessional having someone screwing round on a guitar in the background. Very poor form.

[@KyleFalconer1]

I thought so as well, initially, but if you continued to watch, you’d see that they were going to demo the amp. Sure, they should have muted for that, but this was a live stream so it’s super difficult to coordinate everything.

[@patrickmacleod2415]

Give me a break.

[@Unlimit3d1992]

Too much talking