MadAsAHatter
Well-known member
I've been working on the first of my two new project amp kits I ordered from Modulus Amplification in the UK back in February. This one is called the Marshbar 50. Like the name implies it's a take on a Marshall style amp. It's 50 watts with Gain, MV, BMT, Presence & Resonance controls. There is a bright switch that selects between 2 value bright caps. There's also a 3 way switch to select Plexi, JCM800, or SIR34 type tones.
Quick ordering timeline and tariff info if any of you are wondering.
-February 6th kits were ordered.
-March 5th kits were shipped.
-March 11th kits arrived.
-I did have to pay a tariff of $63.20 which amounted to 5% of the purchase price of the two kits not including shipping. UPS paid the tariff up front on my behalf then sent me a bill for that amount. I was sent a link to pay online. They wouldn't deliver until I paid the bill. Paying the bill before the scheduled delivery date saved me $12 in UPS processing fees, otherwise they'd tack that on for having to hold the shipment longer.
So far everything on the Marshbar kit looks to be of high quality. I did purchase a couple upgrades on components like F&T filter caps, Mallory coupling caps, and CTS pots. Each kit came in its own box with everything packed up really well. Transformers were wrapped up in bubble wrap and cardboard. Small components, hardware, and turret board were placed inside the chassis with packing material to keep them from shifting around. Faceplates were wrapped in bubble wrap and sandwitched between a few pieces of cardboard. Everything was placed in the box with packing material all around to keep it from shifting during shipment. All arrived safe and sound.
I have run into a few minor issues with the chassis. They weren't anything someone who is building a kit shouldn't be able to take care of easily, but something to look out for if you do order this kit for yourself. Everything else checks out and looks good to go.
1. There was no hole drilled for the bright switch so I had to drill one.
2. One of the mounting holes for the turret board was in the wrong spot so I had to drill that in the right spot.
3. The hole for the pilot light was slightly undersized so I had to widen it.
4. They sent a preamp socket hole cover instead of an octal socket cover. Not a big deal as I had a spare one to use.
First up was building the headshell. Between having other responsibilities and crap weather on the weekends it took me a little over a month to have the time to compete the headshell. There are still a few minor things left to do like make & mount the badge, but for all intents and purposes I completed the headshell last week.
Pics below with the faceplate mocked up. Don't pay the "badge" much mind. That's just a paper printout to get the sizing and color right. I'll be making it out of acrylic with a waterslide decal.
Since I have more free time during my lunch, other breaks, and such at work than I do at home I decided to bring all my stuff to work on the kit there. I got all the transformers, tube sockets and other hardware mounted this week. This took longer than it should have because of those minor issues with the chassis I mentioned above. I had to bring the chassis home with me a couple times as I came across them to get it situated. It's not like I can drag my drill press up to the office with me to have on hand LOL!
Quick ordering timeline and tariff info if any of you are wondering.
-February 6th kits were ordered.
-March 5th kits were shipped.
-March 11th kits arrived.
-I did have to pay a tariff of $63.20 which amounted to 5% of the purchase price of the two kits not including shipping. UPS paid the tariff up front on my behalf then sent me a bill for that amount. I was sent a link to pay online. They wouldn't deliver until I paid the bill. Paying the bill before the scheduled delivery date saved me $12 in UPS processing fees, otherwise they'd tack that on for having to hold the shipment longer.
So far everything on the Marshbar kit looks to be of high quality. I did purchase a couple upgrades on components like F&T filter caps, Mallory coupling caps, and CTS pots. Each kit came in its own box with everything packed up really well. Transformers were wrapped up in bubble wrap and cardboard. Small components, hardware, and turret board were placed inside the chassis with packing material to keep them from shifting around. Faceplates were wrapped in bubble wrap and sandwitched between a few pieces of cardboard. Everything was placed in the box with packing material all around to keep it from shifting during shipment. All arrived safe and sound.
I have run into a few minor issues with the chassis. They weren't anything someone who is building a kit shouldn't be able to take care of easily, but something to look out for if you do order this kit for yourself. Everything else checks out and looks good to go.
1. There was no hole drilled for the bright switch so I had to drill one.
2. One of the mounting holes for the turret board was in the wrong spot so I had to drill that in the right spot.
3. The hole for the pilot light was slightly undersized so I had to widen it.
4. They sent a preamp socket hole cover instead of an octal socket cover. Not a big deal as I had a spare one to use.
First up was building the headshell. Between having other responsibilities and crap weather on the weekends it took me a little over a month to have the time to compete the headshell. There are still a few minor things left to do like make & mount the badge, but for all intents and purposes I completed the headshell last week.
Pics below with the faceplate mocked up. Don't pay the "badge" much mind. That's just a paper printout to get the sizing and color right. I'll be making it out of acrylic with a waterslide decal.
Since I have more free time during my lunch, other breaks, and such at work than I do at home I decided to bring all my stuff to work on the kit there. I got all the transformers, tube sockets and other hardware mounted this week. This took longer than it should have because of those minor issues with the chassis I mentioned above. I had to bring the chassis home with me a couple times as I came across them to get it situated. It's not like I can drag my drill press up to the office with me to have on hand LOL!
There's nothing more gratifying than building your first amp by your own two hands and then hitting the standby switch.
