alistairm Posted May 4, 2018 Share Posted May 4, 2018 I am looking for someone Sydney based - or prepared to ship to Sydney - who is interested in making a custom guitar amp. Get in touch or send me details of folks I should contact! Al Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tweaky Posted May 4, 2018 Share Posted May 4, 2018 What sort of guitar amp are you looking at getting made? A low powered boutique tube type for recording, or something more powerful? Reason I ask is there are two or three guys at the pitbull guitar forum that design and build their own amps [ from what I've seen they are VOX / Matchless etc types they have made], one in W.A another in QLD, and I can't recall off the top of my head where the third one is. They also helped with design input for a low power cheap tube practice amp to match the kit guitars that's now being sold. Knowing your tastes Alistairm I imagine you would want top grade woodwork and electronics. If that's the case, you might be better served having a cabinet maker make the amp's carcass and a tube amp specialist make the electronics to fit, or visa versa. The guy who seems to have or at least had, a penchant about getting customs amps done is Neil Finn from Crowded House, I think he used to source his via a guitar shop somewhere in Melbourne. If I find out who the maker was and where they can be got from I'll let you know. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alistairm Posted May 4, 2018 Author Share Posted May 4, 2018 @Tweaky you are bang on mate... want a custom cabinet and some seriously interesting tube configurations. Interested in something mid-powered that I can overdrive, to get loud in my listening room rather than for a performance. Al Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tweaky Posted May 4, 2018 Share Posted May 4, 2018 Have you still got that Fender Twin? I mean those are seriously loud amps in a household situation, especially to get them at the place where they start to overdrive, even my little 15 watt VOX AC15 with the Blue Celestions is seriously loud, you could easily gig with it. If we were having this conversation in the late 70's up until the very early 90's I could have easily put you onto at least a dozen people, but since the LIVE music situation [In Sydney at least] is basically none existent, that whole network of 'Who does what' has basically disappeared with it. AC/DC used to have their amps Tweaked by a old guy out at Windsor NSW, they used to have a Guitar store that I think his son took over when the old bloke retired, but that was years ago, and the way guitar stores themselves are disappearing it's getting to the situation where a LOT of knowledge if not already lost, is rapidly happening. Tommy Emmanuel used to swear by the 'Amp Guy' at Eastside music at Bondi when that was running, a LOT of well known guitarists used to use that guy....sadly long gone. In all honesty, the best person to ask in Sydney ATM IMHO is LEO, the owner of Guitar Jungle at Regent St Redfern [around the corner and about 50m down the hill from Redfern train station] http://guitarjungle.com.au/ He has the best selection of vintage amp's and 'THE BEST' Amp room to try them in, it's huge [I don't live far from there, and have seen Joe Bonamassa blasting away on one occasion, and a few years later leaving the store, so I'd say that's a pass if he's a repeat customer] But be wary, LEO is very likeable, but is NOT afraid to ask a premium for both his services and his wares.....besides, his store is so rarely open to walk in off the street, you might need to ring and check first. He would certainly know of a suitable custom amp guy in Sydney if one existed, so I'd make that my 'Most Promising' contact at this early stage of your project. What are you wanting to recreate, some sort of Frankenstein Dumble.? You should know by now that having too many options available on one amp makes the bloody thing a PITA to get a good sound out of, far easier to get one Marshall/ VOX / Fender etc and have one of each....hey one for each guitar right, the wife does understand how it goes doesn't she? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alistairm Posted May 4, 2018 Author Share Posted May 4, 2018 Legend Tweaky. Thanks for all that info mate. The Reverb gets me into too much trouble. Using a little Carr Raleigh for practice these days but got a TAG Cobra this week and it’s got so much in it I’m after a bit more juice. Couldn’t agree more that too many options can be a pain... would rather pedals for that stuff! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tweaky Posted May 4, 2018 Share Posted May 4, 2018 It's become a lost art. Have you tried the new HELIX software only version [not cheap, but not a all out wallet assault as the pedal board version] needs a i7 and 32 RAM to do it justice I mean when you can emulate sag in transformers on guitar amps [among many other minor tweaks , it's gotten pretty heavy duty on the emulation front] Get the current [On News stands now - Feb 2018] Sound on Sound magazine to read the review Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tweaky Posted May 4, 2018 Share Posted May 4, 2018 Slightly off topic. I think you would like this knowledge base.....plus I have a Idea that could make this a amazing part of a pedalboard......still thinking of the possibilities ATM to come to the best Celestion Speakers have made available a set of Impulse Responses, what these do it give you the ability to replicate pretty much any conceivable combination of Celestion speakers, in a variety of cabinet configurations......IMHO best buy is the whole pack. https://www.celestionplus.com/ir-instructions/ 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yeahpetrus Posted May 4, 2018 Share Posted May 4, 2018 Al, this may not be helpful, but this new Bad Cat 15 has been a brilliant addition to my house. The "K Master" does wonders for getting saturated tones at modest volumes. I'm away for the next couple of weeks if you want to borrow it. Cheers. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gruffnutz Posted May 4, 2018 Share Posted May 4, 2018 Like this? 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zenikoy Posted May 5, 2018 Share Posted May 5, 2018 I came across this mob in Melbourne while searching for valves online. Appear to be making repro Fender amps, and other things. Maybe a lead for you. http://tubeaudio.com.au/categories/Guitar-Amps/ Also note that "McChanson" builds guitar amps as well as hifi. https://www.ebay.com.au/sch/mcchanson/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_ipg=&_from= Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alistairm Posted May 5, 2018 Author Share Posted May 5, 2018 4 hours ago, Gruffnutz said: Like this? Yes - like that! Tell me more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jventer Posted May 5, 2018 Share Posted May 5, 2018 I personally have no idea, but my son is into the local music scene. I asked around. Country NSW, but this guy is coming highly recommended. https://www.facebook.com/doctorjohnsons/ He well known in the area especially as Troy Cassar-Daley uses his amps. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zenikoy Posted May 5, 2018 Share Posted May 5, 2018 2 hours ago, Jventer said: I personally have no idea, but my son is into the local music scene. I asked around. Country NSW, but this guy is coming highly recommended. https://www.facebook.com/doctorjohnsons/ He well known in the area especially as Troy Cassar-Daley uses his amps. I want one already! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zaphod Beeblebrox Posted May 5, 2018 Share Posted May 5, 2018 On 04/05/2018 at 11:47 AM, alistairm said: I am looking for someone Sydney based - or prepared to ship to Sydney - who is interested in making a custom guitar amp. Get in touch or send me details of folks I should contact! Al See if you can track down a guy by the name of Gil McPherson. I last ran across him about 10 years ago. He's an old fart, but he once built the best guitar amps in the country. Phoenix. His output transformers were brilliantly designed and built. Kinda like the Earle Weston of guitar amps. http://www.ozvalveamps.org/phoenix.htm I'll see if I can locate him again. We have a mutual friend. Maybe Earle might be able to assist in building something? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrews_melb Posted May 5, 2018 Share Posted May 5, 2018 I built this little garage/muck around amp a year or so ago, far from the level of quality i think your after! Using some old made in melb trannies and mainly spare parts. doesnt annoy the rest of the house when at low volumes, and just loud enough to be fun when cranked. Nice blues. i cant even remember the schem i used, semi fender champ/gibson kalamozoo i think Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr K Posted May 5, 2018 Share Posted May 5, 2018 11 hours ago, Gruffnutz said: Like this? That looks fantastic You could try Ivan Richards amps in Gosford , a well respected Guitar amp guy. Cheers Mark 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gruffnutz Posted May 5, 2018 Share Posted May 5, 2018 18 hours ago, alistairm said: Yes - like that! Tell me more. No. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alistairm Posted May 7, 2018 Author Share Posted May 7, 2018 Keep the ideas coming please... tons of good ones. I am currently trying to convince Tom Evans to come to the party. Alistair 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aussievintage Posted May 7, 2018 Share Posted May 7, 2018 2 hours ago, alistairm said: Keep the ideas coming please... tons of good ones. I am currently trying to convince Tom Evans to come to the party. Alistair I am not in a position to build one at the moment or any time soon, but I have built quite a few over the years, from the small Fender Champ, Vox AC15, Fender Blues Deluxe styles etc. Mid-sized amp I like best is something along the lines of the Fender Blues Deluxe, maybe the hot-rodded versions, something in the 20 to 40watt range. They overdrive nicely without hearing loss Other amps you might copy are the early Maton amps. Truly outstanding sounds. I have played the little 20watt combo and the 40watt "studio". Most important is the speaker/s IMO. I like (Plessey) Rola C12P/X and Celestions. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gruffnutz Posted May 8, 2018 Share Posted May 8, 2018 (edited) Amp is a Valvetone Tiio... http://www.valvetone.com.au Custom headshell, cab and guitar are by a mate; you're on your own with the woodwork. Edited May 8, 2018 by Gruffnutz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Muon N' Posted May 8, 2018 Share Posted May 8, 2018 On 05/05/2018 at 11:40 AM, enikoy said: Also note that "McChanson" builds guitar amps as well as hifi. https://www.ebay.com.au/sch/mcchanson/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_ipg=&_from= I advised a friend to get one of Eric's ones, an 5F1 clone with all the extras. Tis a lovely sounding amp driving a Jensen C12N Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mat-with-one-t Posted May 8, 2018 Share Posted May 8, 2018 I’ve been meaning to build one for decades! Why don’t you take the opportunity to buy a kit and put it together yourself? Maybe something like a JTM45 clone? The. You (or someone else) could make a bespoke timber cab, badge, etc. yay Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alistairm Posted May 9, 2018 Author Share Posted May 9, 2018 Well... Tom Evans might play. In my view Tom builds the best audiophile tube amps and phono stages for folks who like electric guitar on the planet. We are in discussions about a custom guitar preamp, amp and speaker setup which will also involve custom built low impedence pickups. Within reason for what we have in mind I'll keep everyone updated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob181 Posted May 9, 2018 Share Posted May 9, 2018 9 hours ago, alistairm said: Within reason for what we have in mind I'll keep everyone updated. Will be following this with interest as well... Great project Alistair... Love the look of the Valve Tone that GF posted... I know its all external but it does have the WOW factor... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tweaky Posted May 11, 2018 Share Posted May 11, 2018 (edited) Alistairm... you might want to view this YouTube speaker comparison. Celestion now sells a software emulation of their speakers, these sold in various guises. They are sold as Impulse responses, so you record dry, then use the impulse responses to replicate the sound you want. https://www.celestionplus.com/news/5-ways-use-celestion-impulse-responses/ Mate, Just get one of each of a small VOX/Marshall/Fender Champ and be done with the screwing around with getting a "One Amp " that does it all.....Hey, that was the original brief for the BOOGIE amp....didn't happen. Seems your bored more than anything and this is a project that has sprung up due to that ......if this Custom amp ever get's made [I have NO doubt you will go through with it] ....BUT.....how long before it's up for sale again to help fiance another project ? Get a Archtop built instead, you know you want one. OR If you really want to throw BIG $$ at a AUS maker, and get a quality instrument.....Order a Gilchrist Mandolin, or Mandocello....[Actually, if you do order a Mandocello, can you PM me with the price quoted ? ] http://www.gilchristmandolins.com/big-mandolins-1-1/ Edited May 11, 2018 by Tweaky 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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