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his is my first kit project. Got an Elekit from VK Music, out of Vancouver Canada. The Elekit is a Japanese SEP design. Auto Bias, that can take EL 34, Kt88,550, and other pentodes. Uses a 12ax7 as a pre-driver, and solid state rectification.
My tech skills are basically non-existent. I really knew nothing about soldering. Fortunately, I have a friend who is a process technician, and very DIY capable. He is looking over my shoulder, teaching me good soldering technique, and coaching me through the assembly process. I am very grateful for his guidance.
Got the board pretty much populated, I imagine the kit is at least 2/3 of the way complete. Looking forward to hearing how this guy is going to sound. Apparently Elekit has been around a long long time, and well regarded in Japan.
Well another session or two, and I hope to have this guy home and making music. Hopefully this won't be my last kit, but I am enjoying the heck out of the process. I really recommend doing this if possible, it adds a different level of understanding to the hobby, and allows a person to appreciate their gear in a far different way than just buying it.
Regards
Mister Pig
Regards
Mister Pig
Follow Ups:
Awesome! You're having way too much fun.
I haven't built a kit in years. We're talking Heathkit era, or as we jokingly called them back then, "greasekits or griefkits". ;-) In reality, they were excellent.
Is there a USA based dealer or distributor for Elekit?
I got the kit from VK Music. Actually I believe they have a board here. Located in Vancouver Canada. Found Victor to be a fine person to deal with. The English trnaslation from Japanese is top notch. So far the kit is going together without any issues. I am not an expert on judging these things, but if I can get through this, well anyone should be able to.Regards
Mister Pig
Edits: 07/02/09
Yes, it is fun to modify or build your own stuff. But be careful, it is addicting
As I write this email I am listening to my Elekit TU870R which is Elekit's small 6BM8 amp that I use for my office system. If your experience follows mine I think you will be more than happy with the finished product as they are really quite excellent little amps as well as great fun to build. Victor Kung (VK Music) has also been very helpful and a pleasure to work with. My only suggestion is that if this is your first kit take your time and re-check every connection and solder joint especially as the voltages in a tube amp are quite high and thus mistakes are not well tolerated (either by you or the amp). Good luck and enjoy (I presume you have seen the TU879s review in 6 Moons).
Regards, Jerry
Yes it was some of the most fun I ever had with my pants on. There used to be lots to choose from. McIntosh, Scott, Eico, Knight, Heathkit and Dynaco among others all used to offer components in kit form. I found them not only fun but very rewarding, educational and economical as well. At first all my assembly was to the letter of the manual with not even the slightest deviation but then the tweaking bug bit. Some tweaks worked and some resulted in pieces wiz banging themselves to death. Live and learn. Having built it however makes it a lot easier to repair it. I've never been much for secret magic snake oil. You don't get much of that in kit form. I miss kits and wish there was more interest in them and more companies making more of them.
Have fun and remember the golden rule "never let the smoke out"
GREAT FUN, YES!
You may like to join the Tube/DIY forum at the linkbelow, many like minded DIYers there. Beginners and experts.
Regards, Allen (Vacuum State)
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