Tube Amplifier Building Workshop
This workshop consists of five 3-hour sessions. There are no weekly sessions open right now. We do have a Weekend Seminar version of this workshop now open for enrollment. Click here for more info.
We will open another session in 2010. If you would like to receive an email from us when registration is open, sign up below for our newsletter.Click here to see a video feature about this class on the Premier Guitar web site.The course instructor is Ian Schneller, owner/luthier of Specimen Guitar Shop. All classes are held at Specimen located at 1240 N. Homan Ave. in Chicago, Illinois. Click here for a map.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This workshop will teach the fundamental construction skills necessary to assemble and properly wire a Fender-style tweed tube amp or 18-watt Marshall. Utilizing amp kits, students will build their own amp all under the helpful eye of the instructor. Students have the choice of building one of the following amps: Tweed Champ (10-watt), Tweed Deluxe (15-watt), Tweed Bassman (50-watt), 50-watt Tweed Twin, 100-watt Tweed Twin, Marshall Combo (18-watt), or Marshall Head (18-watt).
- The kits are supplied by Mojo Music. The parts
included are excellent quality and the cabinets
are pre-assembled and beautifully covered in
authentic tweed fabric (or authentic Tolex for Marshall) . Every aspect of the kits
is as faithful to the original design as
possible. Each kit comes with its own schematic
and layout diagram (there are no assembly
instructions included). Click here
for more information about the kits.
- This workshop will be divided into part lecture,
part demonstration, and part hands-on training.
Over the duration of the five classes, students
will observe stages of the kit building process
and then carry out the work on their own amps
under the supervision of the instructor. Enrollment
will be limited to 8 students per workshop.
While this is not a design class per say, students will obtain a foundation level understanding of the way a vintage tube instrument amplifier functions, stage by stage. Students will also learn the craft of point-to-point wiring and how to modify a circuit to shape its tone by changing component values. Moreover, by building an amplifier, students will begin to develop the diagnostic skills necessary to troubleshoot and repair other amplifiers.
The legendary circuits used in this workshop are the same ones that have made true “Tweed” era amplifiers so revered among musicians. These amps are bullet-proof workhorses that are easily serviced, modified, and maintained. Through this workshop, students will discover the beauty of cloth-covered wire, heavy transformers, chassis-mounted components, and finger-joined pine carcasses.
- Build an amp that both you and your great grand-children can enjoy!
- Workshop Materials and Supplies
- The school will provide each student with their own individual workstation and have tools available for use. Students can select which kit they will be building from the list below. The workshop fees listed below include the class fee and the kit fee. Payments for both the class and the kit will be made to Specimen at the time of registration and all kits will be shipped directly to our shop.
- Click here to visit Mojo's web site and read more about the kits and their contents. Students of this class receive a 10% discount off the kit prices listed on Mojo's web site.
- A Note about Amp Kit Selection: It is strongly recommended that the beginning student build either a Champ or Deluxe as these circuits have fewer connections and are more straight-forward. For students who have a bit more experience wiring and soldering, or who are willing to spend extra time working at home, the higher-powered models are appropriate (e.g., Bassman, 50-watt Twin, 100-watt Twin, etc.).
- Tool Kit
- Students may also purchase a personal set of tools selected by the instructor. The purchase of these tools is recommended if extra-curricular work is desired during the workshop or for continued studies. Click here to learn more about the tools and how to purchase them.
- Fees:
- Tweed Champ - $1088 ($503 kit/shipping + $585 class)
- Tweed Deluxe – $1300 ($715 kit/shipping + $585 class)
- Tweed Bassman – $1638 ($1053 kit/shipping + $585 class)
- 50-watt Tweed Twin – $1638 ($1053 kit/shipping + $585 class)
- 100-watt Tweed Twin – $1672
($1087 kit/shipping + $585 class)
18-watt Marshall Combo - $1735 ($1,050 kit/shipping + $685 class)
18-watt Marshall Head -
$1510 ($825 kit/shipping + $685 class) - Feel free to call or email us if you need help deciding which amp model is appropriate for your needs—773.489.4830 / ian@specimenproducts.com