I want to build my next amp from a kit. Beginner builds offer many choices. Narrowed it down between a 50's style 15w Fender Tweed Deluxe based on a 5E3 circuit or an early style 18w Marshall combo. Plan to build one a year working up to a Tweed Twin and maybe even a Supro Trem-o-Verb.
Opinions on the first build?

 

Unfortunately I am one of those that was born without any music ability, none. I don't have a clue and never will.

The only advise I can give is, DO NOT STAND IN WATER WHEN YOU PLUG IT IN.

 

These beginner kits are pretty much a paint by numbers affair. Yes, there may be a possibility of fatal amounts of energy.

But, I respect the opinion of someone who works in an industry that understands fatal amounts of energy

Consider me warned

 

About the only thing I do know is tubes are better than solid state.
I wouldn't know where to start looking for tubes these days.

 

Tubes are widely available these days. Mostly former Eastern block countries still produce them. JJ (Tesla) brand from Slovakia, Tung-Sol and Sov-tek from Russia. Tung Sol produces private label tubes for Electro-Harmonix and Mullard. Ruby, which are mostly made up of Chinese military surplus. TAD and Telefunken are still available from Deutschland. NOS tubes form the 40's and 50's are still out there but command high prices.

Here's a link to the kit I want to build

https://www.tubedepot.com/products/c...kit-1x12-combo

 

My grandfather use to have parties in his cellar back in the late '50's and '60's. That amp frame reminds me of the Guard single channel amp he had to power up the homemade speaker he built. I listened to all my '70's music through it when he passed.

My next warning; Don't get burned on the soldering iron. (happens to me every time)