New projects incoming; Amp kits

[MadAsAHatter]

I just purchased my next couple of projects. Two amp kits from Modulus Amplification in the UK.

The first one is called a Frankentone Plexi. It's an EVH style 50 watt NMV Plexi with a switch called "Brown" that will drop the voltages like putting an amp on a variac.
https://modulusamplification.com/fr...plexi---50w-output---amplifier-kit-9604-p.asp

The second is their Deep Fried Marshbar. This one is like a hybrid of M-type tones. It's 50 watts and controls are laid out like a JCM800 with an added Resonance control and a 3-way switch that lets you select from hot-rodded plexi, JCM800, and SIR #34 type tones.
https://modulusamplification.com/th...-ultimate-hot-rodded-plexi-amp-kit-9234-p.asp

The kits let you select from grades of components. For both I chose CTS pots, F&T filter caps, and Mallory coupling caps. Modulus says their transformers are made in house and are based directly off original Drake transformers. Assuming I'm able to build these kits successfully they should be right up my tonal alley. I'm looking forward on starting these projects.

 

[griff10672]

I just purchased my next couple of projects. Two amp kits from Modulus Amplification in the UK.

The first one is called a Frankentone Plexi. It's an EVH style 50 watt NMV Plexi with a switch called "Brown" that will drop the voltages like putting an amp on a variac.
https://modulusamplification.com/fr...plexi---50w-output---amplifier-kit-9604-p.asp

The second is their Deep Fried Marshbar. This one is like a hybrid of M-type tones. It's 50 watts and controls are laid out like a JCM800 with an added Resonance control and a 3-way switch that lets you select from hot-rodded plexi, JCM800, and SIR #34 type tones.
https://modulusamplification.com/th...-ultimate-hot-rodded-plexi-amp-kit-9234-p.asp

The kits let you select from grades of components. For both I chose CTS pots, F&T filter caps, and Mallory coupling caps. Modulus says their transformers are made in house and are based directly off original Drake transformers. Assuming I'm able to build these kits successfully they should be right up my tonal alley. I'm looking forward on starting these projects.

Building amps is FUN !!!

 

[Shask]

Cool website. Have not heard of them.

I always think about building another amp, but never see anything metal that looks interesting. I did a 100w jcm800 years ago.

 

[MadAsAHatter]

Cool website. Have not heard of them.

I always think about building another amp, but never see anything metal that looks interesting. I did a 100w jcm800 years ago.

If you're looking for a high gain amp kit check out https://ceriatone.com/ Lots of classic and modern stuff to choose from. Several hot rodded Marshalls and other stuff based on Jose or Cameron mods. I haven't built one of their kits yet, but others have or bought an amp outright. I've only seen positive feedback about them.

Another option if you're comfortable sourcing parts yourself is https://evolvediy.com/ This is Jason's (of Headfirst) DIY company. He sells high quality PCB's and and provides basic schematics & layouts for them. He has a clone board of a Wizard MTS, MCL and even a Diezel VH4. Hard to get more metal than that. I've personally completed the Marshall Origin Mod-board. Also bought a couple other boards that are waiting in the wings for me to get more experience before I start those builds. So I can confirm the PCB's are high quality.

 

[311boogieman]

Looks like fun man.

Looking forward to following

 

[jchrisf]

@MadAsAHatter which country are you in? If US, I'd be curious of the shipping/import fees?

 

[MadAsAHatter]

@MadAsAHatter which country are you in? If US, I'd be curious of the shipping/import fees?

Yeah, I'm in the US. I looked up as much as I could on import fees before ordering. From what I gathered...

For tariffs it should be a straight 10% on the purchase price not including shipping. The kit should be considered a single product originating from Scotland/UK. So no need to figure out where each individual component originated from.

I'm not sure if there would be an extra import levies on top of the tariff. It appeared specific electronics would have an extra duty, but I don't think a tube amp kit falls into that category. So I'm inclined to believe there would not be any additional levies/duties on top of the 10% tariff.

The other thing I'm not sure of is how I'll get billed for the tariff. That will probably be dependent on how it's shipped. Most major carriers pay on your behalf then bill you. I think if it goes through post office I have to pay the tariff directly.

I'll let y'all know how it turns out.

 

[Kapo_Polenton]

I just purchased my next couple of projects. Two amp kits from Modulus Amplification in the UK.

The first one is called a Frankentone Plexi. It's an EVH style 50 watt NMV Plexi with a switch called "Brown" that will drop the voltages like putting an amp on a variac.
https://modulusamplification.com/fr...plexi---50w-output---amplifier-kit-9604-p.asp

The second is their Deep Fried Marshbar. This one is like a hybrid of M-type tones. It's 50 watts and controls are laid out like a JCM800 with an added Resonance control and a 3-way switch that lets you select from hot-rodded plexi, JCM800, and SIR #34 type tones.
https://modulusamplification.com/th...-ultimate-hot-rodded-plexi-amp-kit-9234-p.asp

The kits let you select from grades of components. For both I chose CTS pots, F&T filter caps, and Mallory coupling caps. Modulus says their transformers are made in house and are based directly off original Drake transformers. Assuming I'm able to build these kits successfully they should be right up my tonal alley. I'm looking forward on starting these projects.

Those look like fun builds.. I dig the "brown" feature and would love to do that with my clone if it were simple enough to do. I built it but I would not know what to do to drop the voltages but assuming it is a series of resistors which lower the current.

 

[Kapo_Polenton]

Actually, looks like they provide the layout with suggested mods as well.. might need to bust out the soldering iron at some point and get my old Weber 1987X back in action!

 

[jchrisf]

Yeah, I'm in the US. I looked up as much as I could on import fees before ordering. From what I gathered...

For tariffs it should be a straight 10% on the purchase price not including shipping. The kit should be considered a single product originating from Scotland/UK. So no need to figure out where each individual component originated from.

I'm not sure if there would be an extra import levies on top of the tariff. It appeared specific electronics would have an extra duty, but I don't think a tube amp kit falls into that category. So I'm inclined to believe there would not be any additional levies/duties on top of the 10% tariff.

The other thing I'm not sure of is how I'll get billed for the tariff. That will probably be dependent on how it's shipped. Most major carriers pay on your behalf then bill you. I think if it goes through post office I have to pay the tariff directly.

I'll let y'all know how it turns out.

I almost bought two kits from him a month ago. He was very quick to answer my emails and very helpful but he said he would figure out what the fees would be and collect and pay them up front for me. But he would never get back to me with a total price and I forgot about it. He waves the VAX for us and then we pay 10% tariffs it sounded like though.. I will be curious to see how and how much you pay.

 

[Hiwatts-n-Gibsons]

Did you ever get that Matamp clone finished? That thing was looking sexy as hell.

 

[MadAsAHatter]

Did you ever get that Matamp clone finished? That thing was looking sexy as hell.

It's all wired up but I haven't actually turned it on for the first time yet. Having big gaps of time between working on it and some inconsistencies between the schematic and layout documents still has me nervous I missed something. I'm fairly certain I did everything right, but not 100% confident it won't burst into flames as soon as I plug it in.

I was going to send it off to have a pro check it over; which I might eventually still do. For now I'm setting it aside to do these two kits. If I can complete them successfully I'll feel better about the Matamp clone. Then I'll take the plunge of firing it up for the first time myself.

 

[jchrisf]

Has it shipped yet? I've heard Modulus can take a while to ship so I was curious if this is true?

 

[griff10672]

It's all wired up but I haven't actually turned it on for the first time yet. Having big gaps of time between working on it and some inconsistencies between the schematic and layout documents still has me nervous I missed something. I'm fairly certain I did everything right, but not 100% confident it won't burst into flames as soon as I plug it in.

I was going to send it off to have a pro check it over; which I might eventually still do. For now I'm setting it aside to do these two kits. If I can complete them successfully I'll feel better about the Matamp clone. Then I'll take the plunge of firing it up for the first time myself.

do you have a Variac ?? you could bring it up nice and slow .... and you could also make one of those light bulb current draw things ...

that way you might not have to worry about things blowing completely up

but I hear you about being nervous firing up a new build .....

 

[MadAsAHatter]

Has it shipped yet? I've heard Modulus can take a while to ship so I was curious if this is true?

No. Their site say kits are taking 5-7 days and I just ordered them yesterday. I'm guessing it won't go out until sometime next week

do you have a Variac ?? you could bring it up nice and slow .... and you could also make one of those light bulb current draw things ...

that way you might not have to worry about things blowing completely up

but I hear you about being nervous firing up a new build .....

I don't have a variac or light bulb limiter yet, but that will soon be remedied. I went to the hardware store today to get the stuff I need do light bulb limiter. Now I just have to put it together. I'll likely order a variac in the next few days.

 

[jchrisf]

Any updates?

 

[MadAsAHatter]

No updates, the kits haven't shipped yet.

 

[MadAsAHatter]

Modulus is taking a long time to ship. I ordered the kits on Feb 6th. Their main page says kits are taking 5-7 working days to ship and it's been nearly a month.

Looking through their terms & conditions it said Your order will be processed and delivered without undue delay, no later than 30 days after your order has been placed. This coming Sunday will be 30 days. If nothing has updated by the end of this week I'll contact them to see what's going on.

 

[jchrisf]

That stinks.. I'd mentioned this above but I have heard it takes a while to get your order. I guess as long as he ships you a great product in 30 days I would be happy with that. I hear he is an EE and has great layouts/designs and parts. His prices seem to be good too but I'm still curious to hear what your fees will be when it is all said and done. He never gave me a final quote for the order I was asking him about and that gave me an uneasy feeling.

 

[MadAsAHatter]

Got notice today the kits were "dispatched". I'm assuming that's Scottish for shipped. LOL. So just shy of a month to ship. Of course I would have liked them to be sent out sooner, but at least my order is being fulfilled so I'm content.