Modding my 5E3...

[Flashback]

I am wondering if any of you guys have ever modded a Tweed 5E3. My particular clone is a Mission 5E3. I put a Weber Blue Dog speaker in it. But now I want to raise the output a little for some slightly larger clubs.

Have any of you guys done this before. And how does it affect the tone of this beautiful blues machine? Does it seem to have more clean headroom?

Any input would be great guys.

[BrianF]

I've heard of people making mods to install 6L6's and swapping the rectifier tube for a Weber Copper Cap soild state rectifier. I'd like to try it with mine too...but would like to see more details...

[soma5]

I don't have a lot of experience with a 5E3 but I just got a 5F1 clone that I really dig and my solution is to put the amp closer to my ears and mic it. If you mod the amp, it will sound different. Better maybe, worse maybe, but surely different. Put it on a stand facing you and mic it if you need to project more.

[JohnnyCrash]

The power tube (and the rectifier's supply of current and voltage) is not the sole item regarding more volume. The output transformer also plays a big role. You will get some more sauce on the side, but not by a lot... especially considering how many db's tube amp watts turn out. Perceived volume differences between 100 and 50 watt amps is surprising to what you'd expect.

I'd suggest a louder sounding speaker, lastly mic'ing it.

[Dacious]

Some people have converted 5E3s to fixed bias instead of cathode bias - this is not ideal if you don't want to hurt tone, as it will change. Putting 6L6s in is self defeating without other extensive changes - the output transformer for 2 6V6s in pushpull has double the impedance 2 6L6s require, and the amount of power even from a s-s rectifier is nor really greatly increased, because cathode biasing tends to dissipate a lot of extra power as as heat. 6L6s to me change the tone and loose a lot of the sweetness of the Deluxe.

The three things you can do if you haven't already:

1. Use a 12AY7 in the front slot. The amp is designed for it in terms of component values in the preamp, and it actually increases headroom without sacrificing volume and maybe takes the amp up another notch before breakup, depending on guitar.

2. There is a mod called the Paul C mod which will increase headroom slightly



I have done this to both the 5E3s I built and I rate it a solid improvement in general. It also increases volume and takes breakup a little higher on the dial.

3. Get the most efficient speaker - a Celestion Blue is exxy but will provide a solid volume boost compared to most others due to it's fantastically high efficiency.