Which 1st tube project?

[spsimmons]

I've been monkeying with solid state amp repairs a little bit, but have the tube bug now. I have a bunch of parts and pieces that could be the basis of several different projects. I'm hoping you guys can steer me in the right direction. Keep in mind that I'm still quite new to working with electronics.

1. I have a complete amplifier from a '60's Conn organ. The organ would not power up before I stripped it. I don't know what it's condition is. I do understand, from reading other posts on this forum, that this amp would need a pre-amp section built, but has a lot of extraneous stuff on the chassis that could be removed to make room. I'd really like for this amp to have reverb (when I build it it will be mainly for lapsteel), and I have a couple of different tanks.

2. I have a Behringer GMX 110 that I've pretty much given up on repairing. It does have a nice cabinet, a usable chassis (if I modify it), and a ten inch Jensen speaker. This unit is starting to tell me that it wants to be a Champ. I really like the idea of a blackface with the "tweed switch", but not sure how much more problematic that would be than just going with a straight tweed design.

3. I have a box full of 12AU7s and 12AX7s (maybe 30 or so) that came out of the Conn organ. Fireflies? I have a couple of, as yet unidentified, transformers from solid state Kimball organs that might be useful for this project.

I really want my first tube project to be a success and a good learning experience. What do you guys think?

[axpro]

To be Honest? I would do a 5f2a princeton. either getting a kit or sourcing parts yourself.

It is a simple enough kit to debug, and if you build it with a 1x12, it will always be a useful little amp in your arsenal.

[gtudoran]

Hello guys this is my first post and since i didn't find a firt post thread, i will write in this one .

I recomand you to start with a Ax84 - P1 amp. Is easy to build and it will work from the first power-up. A good sounding amp with a nice clean to chrunch tone (you could always change the decoupling caps from the 12ax7 cathodes to get a different tone)

Best regards,
Gabriel Tudoran
Analog Sound

[cminor9]

5E3. Or maybe a 5E3. Oh! maybe a 5E3! Ever think about a 5E3? I hear 5E3 is a good beginner circuit.

Seriously, though, it was my first and I had never built any stompboxes or anything before (though before attempting the build I did about 6 months of studying tube circuits and have always been pretty handy with woodworking and electrical stuff). I still gig with it a few years later and will continue to for years to come, because it just kills.

If you have some experience you should be fine. I have never played an ax84 or a champ. But I have played a 5E3, and while it may not be for everyone, it is a mean machine.