I know that I started this thread asking for help, but I was pretty specific about wanting to build a solid state amp. I also never set my budget at $200. I just said that transformers alone would be at least that much. I did also point out later that I could buy a used Boss Katana for under $300 which has a power amp in which goes straight into their 100 watt Class AB power amp, which also has output options for 50 watts and 1 watt.
If I wanted to build a tube amp, I would probably just build it from a kit offered by MojoTone or Ceriatone. It would be insane for a novice to try to create a PCB layout and then order them (most places I've seen have a minimum order of 5 for PCBs). I would build it on turret, tag, or eyelet board. I would buy the specific transformers for the specific tube amp.
Rebuilding or repurposing an old non-functioning amplifier does sound like fun, but it also sounds WAY above my current skill level. Its also not something I am interested in doing at the moment. If I had a kit, I can build it with the parts included and source the readily available parts it doesn't come with. I would love to rebuild an old amp at some point, but I wouldn't even know where to begin.
The reasons I thought a solid state amp would be the better choice mostly comes down to cost, but also it will definitely be easier to build.
I think I have enough information on here to make it happen. I'll make a new thread about it as it comes along.