A note about contacting me

Because of the way the internet has become, I have removed my email address from this website. anybody who wants to get in touch with me, feel free to leave comments on this site, or email me at dubbedinenglish "at-sign" gmail "dot" com.

I'm back, again!!!

Well, it's been almost two years since I last posted! What happened? My son happened! I am now the proud father of a bouncing baby boy, who is now 20 months old. Needless to say, the time I've had to spend on amp building was minimal during that first twenty months, but now that he's a little older, things will start to happen again.

Anyway, hello all. Welcome back.

It's starting again

Hi all,

I'm back. Just wanted to leave a quick note that we're working on the next build, a 5F4 Tweed Super, featuring Mercury Magnetics transformers & Weber Vintage Series AlNicCo speakers, which should really make this puppy sing!

I'd like to introduce Jim, who has previously helped me in the past working on the Deluxe, but has really taken the initiative with the Super build, and is already getting started on our next project, a JTM45. Jim has a lot of experience debugging and restoring classic amps, and brings a lot to the table in knowledge and excitement.

Lastly, once we get a few more models built, you'll see a proper Warktone website show up, which ordering capability, although we'll also be selling via ebay & craigslist, and buyers will be able to come to our "showroom" to try things out & take them home immediately!

Warktone Amps at The Laboratory in Deptford NJ!

Warktone are now being sold at The Laboratory in Deptford NJ!

Specifically, model #2, the 5e3 featured most recently on this blog, is available for test driving and purchase! Go check it out.

For more info, here's my official blurb:

What we have here is a spot-on replica of a 1959 Fender 5e3 Tweed Deluxe 1x12. Built by hand in 2009, this amp has all high-quality, period correct components, including Sprauge Atom filter capacitors, Mallory 150 signal caps, a Weber alnico sigature 12 speaker, weber transformers, REAL VINTAGE Sylvania 12ay7 preamp tube, New J/J 12ax7 phase inverter tube, REAL VINTAGE Philco 5Y3 rectifier tube, and new Sovtek 6V6 power tubes (not pictured, but that's whats in the amp). The wiring is period-correct 18 guage cotton-insulated solid core, on a period-correct cardboard eyelet board. The cabinet is also a Weber, period-correct pine construction with an "aged-tweed/oxblood" finish.

For those familiar with the 5e3, you know what you're in for. This amp has that classic tweed deluxe sound, with early break-up that is very touch sensitive and responsive, and this is one of those amps that will let the natural sound of you guitar shine through. You can get a nice clean tone out of this amp at low volumes, but due to the nature of these amps, expect breakup to happen around 3-4 on the dial (out of 12). This amp is totally giggable, being lightweight and powerful enough to fill a small room and hold up against a drummer, although putting a mic in front of it will give you the most flexibility.

This amp was hand-built by me and Jim, and I will warranty the amp as free from defects for 1 year, and will service the amp beyond that as needed, for a nominal fee. The only fine print is that tubes are not covered, being that they wear out over time. Average tube life can be expected to be 1-2 years for the power tubes, 4 or more for the rest. Because of the design of this amp rebiasing is generally not nessacery when replacing tubes, although power tubes should be a matched pair. Because of the nature of the construction & quality of the parts, however, it is likely this amp will not need servicing for 20 years or more, just like the real thing.

The amp is currently on consignment at The Laboratory in Depford, NJ, and as such can be checked out at any time, without appointment. Just go in and ask for the "Warktone"

Ted Weber, Rest in peace...

Ted Weber, of Weber Speakers fame, died on august 14th. his obituary can be seen on the the weber speakers website, www.tedweber.com

Frankly, if it wasn't for ted, I wouldn't be doing this stuff. A lot of the components from both my amps are Ted's, including the cabinet, trannys, chassis, and of course, the speakers.

Most importantly, however, he was one of the go-to guys for information when I was stuck, and in that sense i owe him quite a bit.

Rock on, Ted, you will be missed.

Warktone!

Got my nameplates today, so Warktone as a brand officially exists! Sorry the pic is so washed out, I had to take it with my iphone b/c my digital camera's batteries are dead, but I wanted to share...better pics to follow...

biasing service, amp service in the future, custom kits built.

Hey all, just a quick rundown of the services I offer (or plan to in the near future)..

Replacing & Biasing Power Tubes - This is something everyone with a tube amp should have done when they replace their power tubes, and that should be every year or two, depending on how often you play and how hard you play the amp. This kind of job isn't too difficult, and once the parts are in, can be done rather quickly. Bring me your amp, we'll fire it up, I'll help you pick the best tubes for the amp (and at the most reasonable prices), and when they arrive, bias them properly and send you on your way.

$50 + cost of the tubes. I can help you pick a good pair of tubes if you need me to, as a free service.

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Minor troubleshooting: blown lights, power cable disintegrating? need new knobs? I can do that stuff easy, with discounted bench rate.

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CUSTOM AMP DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION - You want a real vintage hand wired custom amp for less than those exorbitant name-brand prices? Let's talk. Right now I specialize in Tweed Fender era amps - great for blues & classic rock - great for indie rock. Looking forward to adding BF era and classic Marshall's to my list once i have a reason to, though, and a custom order would be just the excuse. big discount for the first order i get of a specific model. Email me for more details.
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Interested parties email me at tjwark@gmail.com for pricing information and details. I've currently got one deluxe built now (which i would be happy to demo) and plan on building another and a 59 Bassman in short order...

I'm conveniently located right behind the cherry hill mall in Cherry Hill, NJ