An idiot attempts to build a 2204

You gonna wire it for 220?
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I'll echo what @MirrorProfiles recommended. Rob R., Randall Aiken are great resources. Valve Wizard too. EL34world has a lot of info as well.
Although I will say a JCM800 is not the best first amp build. A small tweed amp would be my suggestion, but if you're set on it just take your time and be very patient.
 
PLX said:
Had a pair of pliers blown out of my hand & across the room when I accidentally shorted across a filter cap in an unplugged 1964 Fender Princeton.
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Yikes!

Saw a co-worker once loosen a cover and blindly reach inside a chassis to retrieve a hand tool he'd dropped inside. Laid a couple fingers directly on a 220V main - unit was wired for a Europe sale. He instantly flew back a few feet into a wall so hard he was out for about 10-15 seconds.

Weird thing is - and I've never understood it - except for the shock and semi-concussion he had no burns, welts, hanging fingernails, etc. Everyone's felt a quick zap of 110V, now imagine it doubled. :oops:
 
Achilles said:
Yikes!

Saw a co-worker once loosen a cover and blindly reach inside a chassis to retrieve a hand tool he'd dropped inside. Laid a couple fingers directly on a 220V main - unit was wired for a Europe sale. He instantly flew back a few feet into a wall so hard he was out for about 10-15 seconds.

Weird thing is - and I've never understood it - except for the shock and semi-concussion he had no burns, welts, hanging fingernails, etc. Everyone's felt a quick zap of 110V, now imagine it doubled. :oops:
Click to expand...
The filter caps inside tube amps are usually storing 400 ~500 V

:cop
 
Achilles said:
Yikes!

Saw a co-worker once loosen a cover and blindly reach inside a chassis to retrieve a hand tool he'd dropped inside. Laid a couple fingers directly on a 220V main - unit was wired for a Europe sale. He instantly flew back a few feet into a wall so hard he was out for about 10-15 seconds.

Weird thing is - and I've never understood it - except for the shock and semi-concussion he had no burns, welts, hanging fingernails, etc. Everyone's felt a quick zap of 110V, now imagine it doubled. :oops:
Click to expand...
I've felt the mains from doing that, forgetting to unplug with the chassis open getting in to do some work. Nothing like that guy though!
 
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Achilles said:
Everyone's kissed a live mic at one point, eh? :grin
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Oh yeah. In a weird way that started my quest in learning about amp circuits. It was a Traynor YGM-3 that didn't have a grounded plug. Great amp, and one day we were playing a show and I went up to sing and "BAM!" From that day forward I had to know why.
 
Whizzinby said:
Since there is no DIY section, I figured I’d document a mouth breather trying to build an amp with zero electronic experience and minimal understanding of amps. What could go wrong? (Other then death)

Anyway, I’ve got a Headfirst/EvolveDIY ST1 2204 PCB board on its way. I suspect that will take another week or more to make its way across the ocean, which gives me time to prep.

With the PCB comes a wiring diagram and partial parts lists.

Im going to start simple and think tools and chassis first. Can get all that lined up before the PCB gets here and might give me some time dissect the build process (amps 101) before firing on the rest of parts lists.

So tools. Minimally I’m assuming I need a soldering iron, multimeter, wire snips, wire strippers, needle nose pliers etc.

Soldering iron. Everyone seems to rec Weller stuff, so I’m assuming the Weller digital soldering station should be sufficient? WE1010NA

Multimeter. Fluke seems to be the big brand recommended. Is the Fluke 107 sufficient. After that it gets pricey, the 107 goes to 600V, I’m wondering if I should aim at a higher voltage rating.

What other tools do you guy rec for a build?

Also for chassis, was looking at this one from Mojotone. I’m assuming that’s sufficient or do any of you like something else?

www.mojotone.com

British 800 2204 1987 Chassis

Mojotone reproduction chassis. Same size and style as the Marshall® JCM800Please note: Impedance selector switch holes size accommodates the Mojotone Impedance Selector Switch.
www.mojotone.com www.mojotone.com
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Gotta be something in the water lol. I decided to start working toward building pedals this year. (Not feeling ambitious enough for amplification yet; that’d be the next logical step.) Bought a DIY pedal kit and refreshed my soldering and electronics tools. So far it’s all just sitting on a table looking sort of pretentious, but I’ll get to it eventually. :)
 
Achilles said:
Yikes!

Saw a co-worker once loosen a cover and blindly reach inside a chassis to retrieve a hand tool he'd dropped inside. Laid a couple fingers directly on a 220V main - unit was wired for a Europe sale. He instantly flew back a few feet into a wall so hard he was out for about 10-15 seconds.

Weird thing is - and I've never understood it - except for the shock and semi-concussion he had no burns, welts, hanging fingernails, etc. Everyone's felt a quick zap of 110V, now imagine it doubled. :oops:
Click to expand...
Amps is what causes the most damage IME. 110 will "weld" to you if you are the ground and the amps will keep going up until the breaker pops or you die. 220 is strong enough to knock you off the charge.
 
Jambi said:
Just for some ideas; shop around:

I prefer a solder sucker to the braids. Those can be a pain:

Lesnow Solder Sucker https://a.co/d/0sPICoI


The sponge is good, but it works best in tandem with brass wool to avoid too much rapid cooling of your tip:

Weller Soldering Brass Sponge Tip Cleaner with Silicone Holder https://a.co/d/jdUKBiT


Here’s some other tools have have helped greatly:

10X Magnifying Glass with Light https://a.co/d/9udiBzs

Magnetic Heat Insulation Anti Static Silicone Large (15.9''×11.9'') - Gray https://a.co/d/5wYdvgQ

(You can use any old lint roller to clear the schmuck off of the mat)

XYK Helping Hands Soldering Station https://a.co/d/91zFTD1

QWORK Dual Solder https://a.co/d/1Lvmdva

Knipex 78 06 125 VDE 125 mm Electronic Super Knips https://a.co/d/gcgiru7
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Thanks man. Building my tool list and this is super helpful.

What type of solder should I be getting? (I’m still on the “watch videos of people showing how to discharge the caps” phase :ROFLMAO: )
 
FuzzyAce said:
I'll echo what @MirrorProfiles recommended. Rob R., Randall Aiken are great resources. Valve Wizard too. EL34world has a lot of info as well.
Although I will say a JCM800 is not the best first amp build. A small tweed amp would be my suggestion, but if you're set on it just take your time and be very patient.
Click to expand...

Yeah I wanted to start with something that excited me, even knowing it may not be the best starting point. I’m in no rush. I’m looking at it as weekend tinkering kinda project, and want to take my time to learn as I go.
 
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