Three Amplifiers vs One Man. My DIY quest

I've had a few parts deliveries over the past couple of days, and it's left me with mixed feelings about continuing with this build. Some of the parts arrived damaged or not as described, so I'll need to reorder them from a different supplier. Additionally, some components are nearly impossible to find for the specific chassis I'm using. The chassis I purchased is supposed to be a replica of the 1965-67 Top Boost chassis, with the same hole locations and diameter as the old chassis. However, I've been unable to find 22mm valve bases with the correct pin orientation.

The overall cost of this project is becoming quite high. I've already spent around £500, and I could end up investing an additional £1500 into an amplifier that I may not really need or be able to use to its full potential. To crank the AC30 without causing my ears to bleed, I'd need to invest in a Power Station or another type of reactive load box, which would cost around £1000. You know, there's currently a nice Mcarty Soapbar available on reverb.com for £1200, and even though I won't buy it, I'd rather have it at this point.

There are several other reasons why I need to either slow down significantly or stop the build altogether. I'll assemble it with the components I already have, but at this point, I'm considering stopping before it's too late and drop it off to the attic.

I apologize to all of you who were waiting for the grand finale
 
I've had a few parts deliveries over the past couple of days, and it's left me with mixed feelings about continuing with this build. Some of the parts arrived damaged or not as described, so I'll need to reorder them from a different supplier. Additionally, some components are nearly impossible to find for the specific chassis I'm using. The chassis I purchased is supposed to be a replica of the 1965-67 Top Boost chassis, with the same hole locations and diameter as the old chassis. However, I've been unable to find 22mm valve bases with the correct pin orientation.

The overall cost of this project is becoming quite high. I've already spent around £500, and I could end up investing an additional £1500 into an amplifier that I may not really need or be able to use to its full potential. To crank the AC30 without causing my ears to bleed, I'd need to invest in a Power Station or another type of reactive load box, which would cost around £1000. You know, there's currently a nice Mcarty Soapbar available on reverb.com for £1200, and even though I won't buy it, I'd rather have it at this point.

There are several other reasons why I need to either slow down significantly or stop the build altogether. I'll assemble it with the components I already have, but at this point, I'm considering stopping before it's too late and drop it off to the attic.

I apologize to all of you who were waiting for the grand finale
I Am Really Sorry To Hear This...Especially For You With All The Time And Money Invested, Etc. I Totally Get It And Sometimes It Is Best To Punt. Hold Your Head High My Friend!
 
I've had a few parts deliveries over the past couple of days, and it's left me with mixed feelings about continuing with this build. Some of the parts arrived damaged or not as described, so I'll need to reorder them from a different supplier. Additionally, some components are nearly impossible to find for the specific chassis I'm using. The chassis I purchased is supposed to be a replica of the 1965-67 Top Boost chassis, with the same hole locations and diameter as the old chassis. However, I've been unable to find 22mm valve bases with the correct pin orientation.

The overall cost of this project is becoming quite high. I've already spent around £500, and I could end up investing an additional £1500 into an amplifier that I may not really need or be able to use to its full potential. To crank the AC30 without causing my ears to bleed, I'd need to invest in a Power Station or another type of reactive load box, which would cost around £1000. You know, there's currently a nice Mcarty Soapbar available on reverb.com for £1200, and even though I won't buy it, I'd rather have it at this point.

There are several other reasons why I need to either slow down significantly or stop the build altogether. I'll assemble it with the components I already have, but at this point, I'm considering stopping before it's too late and drop it off to the attic.

I apologize to all of you who were waiting for the grand finale
Well, I have yet to hear the fat lady sing, and until I do, I am going to hold the faith! Setbacks happen, but so does inspiration!! Hope the ship straightens it's course, would love to see you get what you are looking for with this effort/cash ;~))
 
I've had a few parts deliveries over the past couple of days, and it's left me with mixed feelings about continuing with this build. Some of the parts arrived damaged or not as described, so I'll need to reorder them from a different supplier. Additionally, some components are nearly impossible to find for the specific chassis I'm using. The chassis I purchased is supposed to be a replica of the 1965-67 Top Boost chassis, with the same hole locations and diameter as the old chassis. However, I've been unable to find 22mm valve bases with the correct pin orientation.

The overall cost of this project is becoming quite high. I've already spent around £500, and I could end up investing an additional £1500 into an amplifier that I may not really need or be able to use to its full potential. To crank the AC30 without causing my ears to bleed, I'd need to invest in a Power Station or another type of reactive load box, which would cost around £1000. You know, there's currently a nice Mcarty Soapbar available on reverb.com for £1200, and even though I won't buy it, I'd rather have it at this point.

There are several other reasons why I need to either slow down significantly or stop the build altogether. I'll assemble it with the components I already have, but at this point, I'm considering stopping before it's too late and drop it off to the attic.

I apologize to all of you who were waiting for the grand finale
I feel bad for you, bud. It was fun to tag along, but you make valid points for a pause.
 
I feel bad for you, bud. It was fun to tag along, but you make valid points for a pause.
Thanks, buddy. I feel bad, too. I really wanted to build this one and the other two amps from my bucket list, but the prices of DIY stuff are insane. I just can't get the parts sized for the chassis is adding to the cost, which makes me crazy. I will finish it at some point (as well as the other two), but right now, it's not the best time. I'm moving house in a couple of months so that I will be losing my mancave. I will drag it out of the shadows once I buy a proper home and things return to normal.
 
Also remember, a DIY build is never about it being cost effective even if it can be. It’s about building exactly the amp you want. There is nothing that sounds more like ‘you’ than a rig you built yourself!
I AM 100% Confident That If I Built My Own Amp It Would Sound Far Worse Than Anything I Could Buy And Make Me An Even Worse Guitar Player Than I Already Am.
 
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The chassis I purchased is supposed to be a replica of the 1965-67 Top Boost chassis, with the same hole locations and diameter as the old chassis. However, I've been unable to find 22mm valve bases with the correct pin orientation.
So frustrating when things don't fit, and often you can't know till you have in person. The good thing is that all the hardware isn't going stale or bad so no need to do anything until the time that there's confidence about a way forward or out.

Either way it's been informative/fun to watch the project and learn a bit about which components are the best.
 
May I suggest an AC15, it has a great master volume. They are great, and relatively inexpensive in the UK.

Applaud you stopping before cost spiral
 
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