Please reach us at headfirst.amplification@gmail.com if you cannot find an answer to your question.
No, we supply PCB's only along with our fitted chassis designs and faceplates
Yes, check out our "Build Basics" series of videos on the Headfirst Amplification YouTube channel. There are also full build tutorial videos to watch.
Schematic, Wiring layout, Bill of Materials, other generic parts doc (knobs, switches etc) all supplied via email post ordering, See the 'Cali' documentation below for an example.
Join the Headfirst DIY Builders Group on Facebook, it was setup for this exact purpose. The community helps each other out.
Yes, I'm pleased to say that we do have a number of experienced builders in different parts of the world that can complete your project build. See section below, and feel free to contact them directly to discuss your build.
Edinburgh, Scotland
Germanton NC, USA
Mobile, Alabama, USA
Melbourne, Australia
San Diego,CA, USA
Dallas, TX USA
See the Build Gallery page for detailed PCB pictures
LND150 based transparent FX loop (the industry standard) PCB for your DIY builds. 1.5" jack spacing.
PCB is 80mm x 44mm.
This board takes the basic Marshall plexi design and fully converts it into a roaring José modded Marshall. Featuring a classic José pre tone-stack Master setup, this boards adds a number of killer features:
- Relay switchable 2 x Masters (a la CCV)
- Each Master has it's own gain structure, allowing independent settings for diode clipping
- Choose between transistor (MPSA06) or Zener clipping, or no-clipping for vintage tones
PCB is 350mm x 80mm
See the Documentation page for more details...
The Clean channel mod for the Cali build has become pretty popular, so much so we decided to make a dedicated board for it. Added features over the regular dual master vol Cali,
Updated Cali chassis available that will be setup to handle the existing Cali board and this one.
PCB is 355mm x 83mm
Sized as a drop-in replacement of a Marshall ST1 sized PCB, with the standoff holes in the same location. This board can be used for a standard 4 hole plexi, or a JCM800/JMP 2203/2204 build. Full power & screen filter caps on board, no need for external can caps. If using with external filter caps, just wire them to the PCB.
Layout/wiring doco provided, along with schematic and PCB documentation.
PCB is 297mm x 80mm
Killer FET gain stage to add to your amp, to be wired in as your first gain stage. Killer addition to any amp, Works especially well with JCM800 and Plexi based amps. PCB includes switching relay and rectifier and can be powered off low voltage AC wind, even off your heaters.
PCB is 90mm x 43mm
Recreation of the MTL in a simple to build PCB format, for 25, 50 or 100w builds.
Requires 5 pre-amp tubes. Add a Loop PCB for a transparent FX loop.
Comes with complete build documentation including schematic and layout.
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PCB is 443mm x 74mm.
Recreation of the MCII in a simple to build PCB format. Can be used for 25w, 50w or 100w builds and includes a tube buffered fx loop.
This 2 channel amp can be built with 5 pre-amp tubes if not using the onboard tube FX loop, or 6 with the tube loop. It's possible to build with 5 and then add one of our FX Loop PCB's for a transparent loop.
Comes with complete build documentation including schematic, layout, switching setup and BoM.
PCB is 443mm x 74mm.
Build your own 'Jr.' with this super flexible PCB. It will do any of the mini range such as the PT20 etc. However includes a bunch of killer features such as
- Fixed and/or Cathode Bias
- Supports 2 gains/masters for the dirt channel for 3 channels
- Relay switchable plexi, boost & José clipping modes
You could just build a single channel, cathode bias amp with this PCB, or right up to 3 channels of flexibility.
PCB is 304mm x 73
Cater for 3 x DPDT mini relays for your next amp mod project. PCB also includes rectifier section to allow you to create a DC supply for the relays. This is geared towards adding relay switching to an existing amp, note our other full boards do not require this aux board.
Check out our YouTube channel to see and hear the Ceriatone plexi to Friedman Smallbox conversion completed using this PCB.
Also available shorter boards for 2xDPDT or 1xDPDT relays. The two smaller boards do not have a r
Full four channel VH in a single PCB, sized for WIMA caps per the VH4.
Build your own 4 channel monster, or a VH1, VH2...or a VH3!
Channel switching for this build requires a mutually exclusive 4 way switcher. Our MIDI switcher is perfect for this (even if not using MIDI control, as the MIDI switcher can be controlled by momentary panel switches)
PCB is 529mm x 78mm.
4 x 4 MIDI controlled switcher. Arduino implementation of a 4 channel and 4 toggle state switcher,
Comes with PCB and atmega168 chip loaded with firmware with 28 pin socket.
Control up to 4 channel amp, and 4 independent options (fx loop, boosts) with momentary panel switches and/or footswitches and/or MIDI. Responds to CC & PC messages. Up to 128 presets can be stored in the atmega's chip EEPROM for instant recall. Include mute control output.
Please see the Documentation page for more info...
Love the DS40, but you wished you had a channel switching 2 gains/2 masters option? Or you want the easiest way to build your own single channel DS40? This board will do both.
This design maintains a shared tone stack, however independent Gains & Master and the addition of a relay activated cathode bypass boost (Structure) make this flexible. Add our FX loop PCB to this one if wanting a loop. Custom chassis is available too.
Board is 263mm x 80mm
A small aux board, setup for doing DC heaters, or a regulated DC supply for any type of use. (E.g. 5v MIDI chip supply)
The heatsink makes it perfect for 12v heaters, the board is essentially the DC supply setup I have on the main PCB's but carved off into a small form factor.
The hole spacings are deliberately sized for hanging off the end of a Marshall ST1 board.
PCB is 80mm x 45mm
We can ship fully soldered PCB's, contact for exact pricing.
This is the most flexible and comprehensive board we have designed to date. It can handle pretty much anything you care to build. Layout provided for a popular 100w 'flagship amp' to get you started.
Summary of options and features:
1) 3 channel with relay switchable front end gain stage
2) All fat, voicing options on the main board. Can be bypassed
3) relay's for first gain stage, channels, cathode bypass/boost, clipping and fx loop
4) Power supply droppers and filters through to V1 (can be linked/bypassed of course depending on design)
5) Onboard rectifier, regulator and heatsink for relay and/or 12v DC heater supply
6) Zener or MPSA06 clipping options
7) Jump on / off pads for pre tonestack or post tonestack master(s)
8 ) Jump on / off pads for gain pot(s) position in circuit. I.e. José/BE style or 800 style.
9) Optional relay controlled dual global masters
10) Board will do a 4 gain stage plate fed circuit too
11) Clean channel, plexi style with its own cathode follower and tone stack.
This board was developed with feedback and testing from our FB DIY Builders Group. This board is 'open source' for layouts, many designs for using this board will be posted there. Search for #4gsbegenericpcb in the group.
PCB is 452mm x 80mm
580mm wide custom chassis & faceplates available for this project board - see below for ordering details
Contact for ordering - chassis are manufactured to order by Ceriatone, who can supply matching Headcabs too. All Headfirst Chassis designs are drilled for Alpha 24mm M8 thread/bushing pots. Chassis are ordered directly from Nik at nik@ceriatone.com by quoting the chassis # below.
Standard Marshall smallbox chassis, fits a standard Marshall headcab.
5 novals and room for 9 pots inside a standard Marshall headcab front panel opening.
Extra wide chassis for 11 or so front panel pots, however still fits inside a Marshall smallbox headcab and requires a 510mm front panel opening.
171mm depth suitable for builds up to 50w.
200mm depth option also available for 100w builds.
#1 50w MCII/MTL. (2 octal). 580mm
#2 100w MCII/MTL (4 octal). 580mm
#3 50w Cali (drilled for Ceriatone Gargoyle trans set). 468mm
#4 45w Double DS (no trans holes) 468mm
#5 50w Cali (no trans holes, 2 octal) 468mm
#6 100w Cali (no trans holes, 4 octal) 468mm
#7 50w MCII/MTL. (2 octal). (drilled for Ceriatone Gargoyle trans set). 580mm
#8 100w MCII/MTL. (4 octal). (drilled for Ceriatone AH100 trans set). 580mm
#9. 45w Double DS (drilled for JTM45 laydown PT, OT & Choke) 468mm
#10. 25w 6V6 MC25 25w using Ceriatone TW Transformer set. 580mm
#11. 4GS/Generic 4xOctal (drilled for Ceriatone AH100 Transformer set) 580mm
#12. 4GS/Generic 4xOctal (no transformer holes, drill your own!) 580mm
#13. VH2/3/4 chassis with dual rows of pots. pre drilled for 100w transformer set. 580mm
Matching faceplates for the chassis range.
Plates can be fully customised, text, logos and a range of materials available.
Faceplates are made to order and can be customised.
Please contact us for arranging. Plates are US$100 for a matching front and rear set.
Schematics, PCB reference, BoM, wiring layout & build notes
Here's an example wiring layout for the Mini / Jr. PCB
Schematic and PCB here - plan your build!!
Here for your planning purposes...the scheme and PCB layout will help you with your design. Build yourself a CCV style dual master gain channel.
...and layout
Download PDF
The MIDI switcher implements switching logic that can be controlled by MIDI CC or PC messages, as well as momentary switches on the amps panel or footswitch. I have written the firmware in Arduino, and therefore runs to the Arduino standard 16Mhz clock/crystal.
If purchasing one of these boards from us, I will include a 28 pin socket and the atmega 168p chip pre-loaded with the headfirst firmware. The rest of the components required are readily available from local electronics stores (like Jaycar in Australia) or online (mouser etc).
Please refer to the BoM excel doc for the parts list.
The MIDI switcher needs a 5VDC supply, and the Ground can be set to chassis ground. If you want to implement a floating ground, you can do this but make sure your relay coils reference the same floating ground. I have used chassis ground many times without issue.
The 2020 Compact version of the board (pictured) relies on a readily available DC supply for the midi chip, which needs a 5v DC supply. This assumes that if you are already powering relays, then you probably have a DC supply line ready to go. It does include space for a 7805 regulator in case you have say a 12VDC line that needs to be dropped to 5V.
The 2019 board is more comprehensive and includes space for a 4 x diode bridge rectifier, and 7805 regulator. The 2019 board also includes buffering for running over long cable lengths for remote momentary footswitching.
The MIDI switching implements: 4 x mutually exclusive outputs for channel selection 4 x independently switchable ‘toggles’, for switching relay driven options like FX loops, boosts and the like. Switching works by using momentary switches (panel or foot) and grounding the switch, momentarily. The firmware will read this and then activate the corresponding output.
See the Build Gallery page for further pictures of the two available PCB's
Compact board: 80mm x 40mm
Full board: 100mm x 40mm
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