First build

I am looking at a first build of a 5E5a and am wondering about sort of an upgrade in parts from like a Weber Kit. Are there any better build kit out available with out breaking the bank?

Also do you think this will be difficult for a first build?

Thanks,

Bruce

TRANSFORMERS
1. Power Transformers are OK. Not great, but not awful... though I had one fail on me.
2. Output transformers are a bit lackluster, but not bad.

I selected the 120/220/240 US/EU PT option and they sent me a 120/US PT instead (and my order was missing parts). I had major customer service issues in the past, so I didn't bother calling.

I built two Marshalls, one with a Weber OT and it was not nearly as good sounding as the Hammond OEM style replacement.

CAPS
1. The filter caps are OK, I've had one fail on me (probably when the PT blew) and I've also had Weber PT B+ voltages in the high range or over their cap's rating.

2. Coupling or signal caps are average. If you really want "boutique" sound for low price - these are the components (and the OT and tubes) that will be the most bang-for-buck to swap as far as tone goes.

The filter caps may be OK, and they do a job in the circuit, but coupling caps are more important to signal quality.

I can not stand their horrific concept of putting filter caps on standup boards bolted to the chassis with the PT's bolts. There is no space, it is hard to repair, replace, mod anything on the lame standup filter cap boards... this is not on all kits though.

Most kits will not have these boards, but if yours does, invest in a cap-can mounting bracket and trade the individual caps for a multisection cap-can mounted either inside or outside the chassis.

RESISTORS
Their resistors are a generic blue colored variety. I'm sure they're probably metal film, which is good for noise. They seemed fine to me and didn't seem noisey at all. I'd probably keep them.

TUBES
Awful Chinese tubes. My pair of EL34's for a fixed bias amp were so far from being matched it wasn't funny. You will have to juggle the lame preamp tubes between sockets to find the least noisiest for the V1 spot. I kept them for testing in other amps or for emergency backups, but the tubes are awful sounding and/or noisey.

HARDWARE
1. The chassis seemed fine. Faceplates were fine too. I had a problem with a different, chrome chassis that resulted in a month long customer service nightmare, but it sounds like most folks end up with OK chassis.

2. The jacks are WEAK. All plastic, mounted on a small PC board. Replace them if you are a gigging musician, it is a matter of time before they crack/break. To be fair, many bigname manufacturers use plastic jacks on some lowend amps as well.

3. Pots seemed fine. Like the resistors they look and feel cheap, but they do the job.

CABS
I don't have any experience with their cabs, so I can't say how they are.

SPEAKERS
Obviously, the speakers will be great. I'd select a speaker model based on sound and not price here. They have many options and you can pick and choose speaker when ordering the kit.

--

So, in short...

KEEP
The PT, filter caps, resistors, and pots are probably good enough.

SWAP
The jacks and tubes for better stuff ASAP.

MAYBE
You might consider swapping the coupling caps and the OT, only if you are extremely picky about tone.

Here's today's "5E5" (actually a 5F4A Super):

Well where's mine? I have a pair of ten's.

I know I can build it, I just don't know whats what.