This Looks Fun - Princeton Kit

smitty_p said:
Well, then let me ask the question that I’m sure is on everyone’s minds:

What is your recommendation for bandages?
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You're going to need a variety pack on different sizes. From the little pin pricks from shards of wire and resistor/capacitor leads, to bigger cuts from chassis and transformer corner edges, to the unpredictable soldering burns and exhilarating electrical burns. This reminds me... Do you have a defibrillator?
 
syscokid said:
You're going to need a variety pack on different sizes. From the little pin pricks from shards of wire and resistor/capacitor leads, to bigger cuts from chassis and transformer corner edges, to the unpredictable soldering burns and exhilarating electrical burns. This reminds me... Do you have a defibrillator?
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I just wanna take the opportunity to point out that “Shards of Wire” or simply, “Shards” would be a good name for a punk band.
 
syscokid said:
The Mojotone kits include everything at that price. Tools, meter, solder, bandages, are up to you.

These type of kits are not meant to save money on purchasing an amp. They are a great investment for educational purposes and a lot of fun to put together.
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I've really thought about a 45 watt Marshall kit, but I'm apprehensive about my skills and I would need to add a gain stage....or two...
 
syscokid said:
You're going to need a variety pack on different sizes. From the little pin pricks from shards of wire and resistor/capacitor leads, to bigger cuts from chassis and transformer corner edges, to the unpredictable soldering burns and exhilarating electrical burns. This reminds me... Do you have a defibrillator?
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And make sure ya have a fire extinguisher, just saying from experience :run:
 
SG John said:
Just my opinion, but why ruin a good design and amp? Just go after a JMP or JCM style instead. They are already set up with a gain stage that can be tweaked, or added to.
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I considered that. We have a JCM800 2204 with the Tim Caswell mod and another studio has a JTM45 with the gain stage mod and the JTM45 kills the JCM800 2204 for clarity, ambience and gain production...

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syscokid said:
Ha ha... But you have opened Pandora's Box by sharing your thoughts on amp kits. And I, aka Mr Pandora, believe it's my prime responsibility to inject as much GAS as possible to see you through this... :cheers: . DO IT!!!!!
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I had considered getting a Champ kit.

But, it seemed kind of superfluous since I already have a gen-u-ine, 1973 Fender Champ!

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smitty_p said:
I had considered getting a Champ kit.

But, it seemed kind of superfluous since I already have a gen-u-ine, 1973 Fender Champ!

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I sourced all the parts for mine instead of getting kits. It made the most sense for me at the time. When I started the Princeton, I was told "There are all the caps and resistors you'll need. Go find them. If you have any questions, ask." The Amp Club guys are awesome. Just had to buy the chassis, transformer, and a few other things. For the JTM, I was sourcing stuff for a while because I knew what I wanted to build. I also had some good people like Ivan and Steve helping me.


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JTM45_002.jpg
 
SG John said:
I sourced all the parts for mine instead of getting kits. It made the most sense for me at the time. When I started the Princeton, I was told "There are all the caps and resistors you'll need. Go find them. If you have any questions, ask." The Amp Club guys are awesome. Just had to buy the chassis, transformer, and a few other things. For the JTM, I was sourcing stuff for a while because I knew what I wanted to build. I also had some good people like Ivan and Steve helping me.


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Neat!
 
I just noticed this thread, but our buddy @syscokid has covered a lot of my thoughts on this kit already. Mojotone have a good reputation when it comes to amp kits, & this is a complete kit, so aside from tools & soldering equipment, everything needed to complete the build is included in the kit, nothing else to source or buy.
Mojotone use Heyboer transformers, so you know they're good quality USA made transformers, wound as the original items were.
Would I recommend this kit to someone looking to try their hand at building? In a word,,, yes. You get building experience & end up with an easily serviceable amp that will last you a lifetime.
Regarding the 10" Jensen speaker, the blackface Princeton Reverb's speaker baffle is fixed to the cabinet by screws (not so the silver face), so could easily be removed & a 1/4 moon shaped cutout added to the speaker cutout, facilitating the fitment of a 12" speaker. Might be worth checking with Mojotone regarding this "screw fixed" feature of the baffle/cabinet.
Ask Randall Smith how many Princeton Reverbs he did this to in making the first boogies. It was one of these that Carlos Santana plugged into & commented "man, this little thing really boogies" thus creating the name.
Cheers
 
SG John said:
I sourced all the parts for mine instead of getting kits.
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John … it’s interesting that you sourced your own parts instead of buying a kit. In the end, do you think you saved any money going that route?

Incidentally, this has my attention, too. Looking at the schematic, it looks stupid easy to build. I‘m contemplating sourcing the parts to make a head version and eliminate the second input. I may even get a small metal brake to fabricate my own chassis.

www.mojotone.com

Mojotone GA-5 Style Guitar Tube Amp Kit

Amp Kit Difficulty LevelEasy HardIf this kit shows as out of stock please check here for more information.Please read our article 'Mojotone Amp Kit Building Primer' along with our amp kit disclaimer located in the Specs tab before buying this kit. Originally produced from 1954-1956 the GA-5 was...
www.mojotone.com www.mojotone.com
 
smitty_p said:
John … it’s interesting that you sourced your own parts instead of buying a kit. In the end, do you think you saved any money going that route?

Incidentally, this has my attention, too. Looking at the schematic, it looks stupid easy to build. I‘m contemplating sourcing the parts to make a head version and eliminate the second input. I may even get a small metal brake to fabricate my own chassis.

www.mojotone.com

Mojotone GA-5 Style Guitar Tube Amp Kit

Amp Kit Difficulty LevelEasy HardIf this kit shows as out of stock please check here for more information.Please read our article 'Mojotone Amp Kit Building Primer' along with our amp kit disclaimer located in the Specs tab before buying this kit. Originally produced from 1954-1956 the GA-5 was...
www.mojotone.com www.mojotone.com
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That looks like another cool kit and amp too... DO IT!!!!

Sourcing your own parts brings on other challenges. I have built two amps sourcing my own parts. In both builds, the empty cabinets, one a head and the other a 1x12 combo, were bought as a finished product. The 1x12 amp's chassis was a blank chassis that needed to be drilled for all holes and openings. This was all a PITA, but I got through it and was very rewarding in the end. Did I save money doing it this way? The answer is no! But I did feel like a super hero about my accomplishments... :celebrate2:
 
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