Wanting to build an amp

slash81291 · Post by **slash81291** » Sun Apr 15, 2007 4:37 pm

I am interested in the Plexi 100 watt kit, but I have never built an amp before, I have decent electronics experiance, and I hear that the manual is absolutly fantastic. Do you think I can tackle this kit? I am looking to be able to achieve tones from Nuno Bettencourt's bands Dramagods and Population One, using a Rat distortion pedal.

Here are some tones I am trying to get:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=nxmGhYZXcfY

http://youtube.com/watch?v=EfIO3cc6Xmk

http://youtube.com/watch?v=Hs86KTX9fOM& ... ed&search=

I also am wondering if I could get or install an effects loop modification for the kit.

Leader · Post by **Leader** » Sun Apr 15, 2007 5:33 pm

Ahhh, more Marshall dudes!

Go for it!

Wicksy · Post by **Wicksy** » Sun Apr 15, 2007 5:37 pm

Well, when i got into building, i asked whether i should start with a JTM 45. I was told to try something simple, a 5F1 Champ in my case. I buggered that up royally!

My 18 watter went brilliantly as did my JTM 45. I say go for it. You'll likely have plenty of questions bu thats what we're here for. You'll learn a hell of a lot. I suggest that first you have a bit of a go soldering if you havent done it before. Also check out the web for safety tips when working on amps. The first thing you should really make is a cap drainer. Basically a high wattage 100K or so resistor hooked up to a couple of insulted croc clips. Mine i made to plug directly to the earth pin of a 3 pronged UK plug.

slash81291 · Post by **slash81291** » Sun Apr 15, 2007 6:15 pm

Yeah, I can solder well enough on small tight PCBs so, I do not think that will give me trouble. I am sure that I will be swamped with questions, which is okay, I would like it as a learning experiance, and I am aware of the dangerous voltages present with something like this.

Is there any really beginner kits I should try to make before taking one of these? Maybe a Weber smoking joe?

P.S. Yeah Leader, your talk of the metros reminded me of these things, I think I might really want to go for one, for the more organic crunch that the DSL can only imitate!

Leader · Post by **Leader** » Sun Apr 15, 2007 6:34 pm

I was just nailing Slash tone on my DSL a few minutes ago! Alot of the vintage guys knock the DSL but I still say a Les Paul standard with Burst Bucker Pros in the neck position and a cranked DSL50 sounds friggen great!

All I talk about on the Marshall forum is Metro Metro lately! I bet I'll get a few guys building some!

bluze81 · Post by **bluze81** » Sun Apr 15, 2007 8:03 pm

If you can solder and have some pateince you can build a Metro kit. follow the instructions and ask questions when in doubt, alot of people here helped me thru 2 builds, a 68 100 watt clone , and a jtm45 build both amps turned out great, and really the 100 watt build I feel went better than the 45, the 45 amps are very crowded, the 100 watt chassis is so easy to work with.

slash81291 · Post by **slash81291** » Sun Apr 15, 2007 8:34 pm

Yeah, I can solder, and follow directions, so I guess I am good.

I will probably place an order in a week or two

slash81291 · Post by **slash81291** » Mon Apr 16, 2007 8:23 am

can the amp achieve tones like the ones i posted?

toner · Post by **toner** » Mon Apr 16, 2007 10:42 am

slash81291 wrote:can the amp achieve tones like the ones i posted?

Yes! I'd suggest going with a '69 kit with higher filtering. That will get the tight crunch you are looking for.

Check this out for an effects loop mod:
http://forum.metroamp.com/viewtopic.php?t=9730

BTW, you'll probably have no use for the RAT pedal. It would just muddy things up and the amp alone will have enough overdrive.

slash81291 · Post by **slash81291** » Mon Apr 16, 2007 11:10 am

Oh okay then, I am used to sending pedals infront of amps, but you guys are the experts!

How does the 69 kit vary from the 100w regular kit? What options do I select? Also, can george possibly drill 3 extra holes for an effects loop + a ppimv?

toner · Post by **toner** » Mon Apr 16, 2007 11:19 am

Sorry, my "69 kit" comment was misleading. The basic 100w kit is fine: http://store.metroamp.com/product_info. ... ucts_id=59

I'm not sure what filter cap values this has with but you can search for it. I just suggested higher filtering for a tighter, punchy sound like Nuno uses.