"Paint-by-Numbers" 5E3 Layout?

I finally got my 5E3 order in to Dave at Boot Hill Amps! I found a 100V 'Extra Features' P.T. at Triode Electronics that works in Japan. I found a Tweed cabinet at Memphis Amps, and they're willing to send to Japan for reasonable shipping. It's gonna happen! :razz:

I've been drooling over everything 5E3 for a few months now, and reading up on builds, tweaks, different layouts, etc. But I haven't found a simple layout that is truly 'paint-by-numbers.' I mean, literally, with numbers on the turrets and explanations of the board 'territories' and names for caps, resistors, and pin connections. Has anyone done this? I know there are a lot of manuals out there, and I've downloaded every one I can find. But this befuddled brain of mine is rejecting the idea of retaining all that info, and wants a blueprint that I can pin on the wall.

Anyone? (please!)

I used....

https://taweber.powweb.com/store/5e3_layout.jpg

Then basically ground the first filter cap at the PT, everything else to the preamp ground

I used....

https://taweber.powweb.com/store/5e3_layout.jpg

Then basically ground the first filter cap at the PT, everything else to the preamp ground

Telnet, thanks for the reply.

Yup! I have that one, the Triode layout, the Ceriatone, the Mission manual, the original Fender schematics and layout, and I'm certain that Dave will send his own modern update. But even "ground" threw me for a loop (pun intended) my first build, and still there a several ideas as to what is the best ground. I don't know which is the "first filter cap" off the top of my head. Perhaps I should, but I don't :oops: I know that "preamp" is that stuff on the right-hand side with the little tubes. Okay, maybe I'm exaggerating my ignorance a little bit, but when the kit comes, I will enlarge the layout, number the turrets, identify the resistors with the color codes written out, make a note of the purpose of the various caps and connections, etc. I will do this because I spent so much time going back to double-check every detail, and still got lost!:neutral:

If I can make a coherent 'blueprint-with-numbers and notes' it will be much easier for me to keep my place, AND to ask the inevitable questions that come up during the build. I was just wondering if anyone else had already done this:?:

I recommend some reading. Add this book to your library stat:)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/087930863X
It's Dave Hunter's "Guitar Amp Handbook"
The first chapter walks you through the stages of a tweed Princeton explaining what it does.

I recommend some reading. Add this book to your library stat:)

Andy,

Thanks for the tip! And they actually carry that at Amazon Japan :shock:

"Add to cart"

I already read a good portion of it on the Amazon US 'peek inside' feature, and it's nearly simple enough for ME to understand, cool. I'm still going to make the chart, 'cuz I'm a real visual learner. I'm sure that book will help me fill in the blanks, and then some.

Andy,

Thanks for the tip! And they actually carry that at Amazon Japan :shock:

"Add to cart"

I already read a good portion of it on the Amazon US 'peek inside' feature, and it's nearly simple enough for ME to understand, cool. I'm still going to make the chart, 'cuz I'm a real visual learner. I'm sure that book will help me fill in the blanks, and then some.

I'm a quintessential visual learner too. You need to make nice with some wise old Japanese tech!!! He could be your sensei :)

I finally got my 5E3 order in to Dave at Boot Hill Amps! I found a 100V 'Extra Features' P.T. at Triode Electronics that works in Japan. I found a Tweed cabinet at Memphis Amps, and they're willing to send to Japan for reasonable shipping. It's gonna happen! :razz:

I've been drooling over everything 5E3 for a few months now, and reading up on builds, tweaks, different layouts, etc. But I haven't found a simple layout that is truly 'paint-by-numbers.' I mean, literally, with numbers on the turrets and explanations of the board 'territories' and names for caps, resistors, and pin connections. Has anyone done this? I know there are a lot of manuals out there, and I've downloaded every one I can find. But this befuddled brain of mine is rejecting the idea of retaining all that info, and wants a blueprint that I can pin on the wall.

Anyone? (please!)

I think what and where to solder isn't all that difficult using the many 5e3 layouts available. the real challenge of an amp build is when to solder. Lots of wires in there and getting to some deep down can present a challenge sometimes when other wires and components are in the way.

It's easy to get overwhelmed with all the parts laying in front of you. Just remember that you only need to do one thing at a time - you don't need to remember every little thing all at the same time. Motor City is exactly right, it is the order that you need to do things that is difficult for a beginner. Bruce at Mission Amps has a series of build photos; there are others out there. Pick one that looks good to you and just start at the first step.

The 5E3 is a good amp to start with. There is enough room in the chassis that you won't paint yourself into a corner. The most important choice is whether you want the filament wires to be down against the chassis or overhead, because if the former you will want to wire them early. Good luck!

Order of operations:

PT gets mounted first. Might as well mount the OT while you're at it. Cover the transformer bells with masking tape so you don't scratch them.

Power cord goes through the strain relief. Don't want to wrestle with the strain relief with everything mounted to the front panel.

Don't scratch the front panel.

Mount the tube sockets.

Wire the filaments.

Load everything on the circuit board "offline".

Loaded circuit board gets inserted into the amp.


There's some leeway up to this point... for instance the power cord and the rectifier socket can be wired as soon as the transformer and rectifier socket is in place.


Leave rectifier socket Pin 8 and the standby switch for last. Don't be tempted to flick the switch too soon.


Wire everything on the socket side of the board to the sockets. This is where "stood up filaments" are uber dumb. Have fun workin' around 'em!


I work the panel side of the chassis from the standby switch out. Standby swtich goes in because it's easier to get at without the fuse holder. Fuse holder goes in cuz it's easier to get at without the pilot light. Pilot light is easier to get at without the power switch.

Wire the volume and tone controls.


Input block is almost the last thing to get wired. Pace yourself! Rushing makes errors. If the amp looks ready to play before it's ready to play you may make mistakes.


Last thing wire rectifier Pin 8 and the standby switch. That's like puttin' gas into yer hot rod.


Might as well connect the speaker. Probably not a bad idea to do it before tubes are inserted. A tube amp without a speaker will cause more problems than one with a speaker.

You need to make nice with some wise old Japanese tech!!! He could be your sensei :)

I wish I could find such a person! :sad:

It's really strange, but there is a huge dirth of technical people in Japan. I'm sure they're somewhere, but hard to find. I've been to every guitar shop in the Yokohama area, and virtually all of the guys at the 'tech desk' are just part-timers who know how to fill in the paperwork to send stuff to the manufacturer. There might be one fellow who knows how to set up a strat trem. Amps? Forget it if you need to know anything more than where to plug in... even then they'll probably need to consult the manual.

So sad. When I came to Japan in '69, 'Mom and Pop' shops were everywhere, each specializing in one little thing, and Mom AND Pop AND Junior knew everything about their product/service. Well, all those little shops got put out of business, replaced by home centers and supermarkets and chain stores, and these days, 'net shops. I have found a few knowledgeable amp fellows, but they're semi-retired and live way out in the boonies running boutique-style 'net shops that charge outrageous amounts of money... IF they feel like working.

Which is why I'm building my own and bothering YOU! :grin:

Thanks to Motor City and Topper for the good advice. I will take my time and also consult Mission and other build photos. (a lot of them are here!)

And MuchThnx to MuchXS for taking the time to write out the step-by-step. I'm sure you've done that many times! In fact, I'm pretty sure that every point you made will be scribbled in it's appropriate place on my poster-size layout. :wink: