Anders 5e3 build

Hey all!
Stupid amp bug....got me bad :)
Well, I took a little break, but I'm back to make my 4th amp.
Still awaiting some items, but have enough to start. I'm planning on a head, but we'll see.
As always, I took my kit (Boothills) to my friend and teacher Steve Hunter here in Athens (whom I apprentice for 2 x a week). He apprenticed/ worked for Michael Clark years ago and is very excited for me to make a 5e3. He wants me to build it stock and live with that before doing tweaks. I kind of want to drop two channels and put in a post PI master volume, but sometimes you gotta do what the boss wants (especially when he's helping!)
Anyway, the following are substitutions I have made to the parts supplied with my kit (the pic shows them in their relative location):

25/50 sprague instead of 25/25 off power tube cathode.
dale 5k 3.75w resistor between filter caps.
Allen B (love these!) 68k input resistors. And a different 820 preamp cathode resistor.
CTS pots
IRC 100k plate resistors (which incidentally were purchased separately from BH).
oldie metal pilot light assembly.
mojo vitamin t caps for all the .1s and .02.
and the piece de resistance (well just cool and nos) a domino cap for the tone stage .0005 mica.
Also, I bought a bunch of lock washers.
The kit is awesome btw! My changes are just food for thought as there are a million ways to skin a cat (gross...)
Happy building and I'll check in soon!
Big thanks to Dave aka Hackworth, Steve Hunter, TDPRI, and the ever awesome Fender!

Trannys!!
My OT is a Mercury Mag (used for $50). But I think I'm getting the classictone PT which claims 710 (/2=355) b+ @ 120v. I was gonna get the low b+ Mercury Mag but changed my mind as the classictone is way less and claims similar voltage. (MM states 350-0-350)

just ordered this (Magnetic Components aka Classictone) PT from eBay. Total= 66.60 So thankfully my amp will have awesome rock power!
http://www.classictone.net/40-18021.html

Another build, another book.
This book is cool; lots of history and technical info. Also, a pic of the "library" as it stands.

Close up of jacks

Using a heat sink for practically all connections. Overkill I know.

And this stuff is done.

Lil update.
Made some progress on the board. May pause for a while to work on some recordings.
I got sucked into the PI hole too. Been reading about matching the cathode and plate resistors to improve tone, so I'll probably spend a while @ my friends getting a matched pair. Then I read another article stating it's the imperfections that make for pleasing tonal complexity. So maybe it doesn't matter. The two 56ks I have now are pretty far apart like 64.8 and 69.3.
Anyway, maybe those more knowledgable would like to chime in :)
http://www.300guitars.com/articles/article-demystifying-the-phase-inverter/

Fender "telecasater" handbook?

Fender "telecasater" handbook?

:lol:
Shoulda used a spill chikker......

Fender "telecasater" handbook?

OMG! I never noticed that...crazy.

Ummm, Andy, what in the world is a domino cap? Actually Google helped me find out what it is, but the why escapes me. Gotta admit it looks cool and super functional, though. :wink:

(psst, where can I get one?)

Lol. Silly stuff I know. My friend has a box full of tested nos ones. Probably not worth the effort to send, but pm me and he'd probably sell you some if you have a specific value in mind. As an aside, it'll be interesting to see how our 5e3s compare. I'm going to try a different ground scheme than most, and wire everything except b+ above the board for future tweaking.
Plus, I'm worried the b+ will be high...

Your using this PT?

http://www.classictone.net/40-18021.pdf

The B+ will be fine, prob be a bit high for NOS 6V6's....use JJ's

Yay thanks telenut. Good to know.
After I bought it I saw MM sold an even lower b+ version. 335 and 330-0-330. I was going to get jjs. Cool

Almost done with the "stealth" wired above, board (only b+ underneath). Need a couple more connections. Then the, no fun, heaters.
Colors: blue-plate, yellow-cathode, orange-signal/grid.

So close I can taste it, but that's just because a piece of solder hit my mouth...
I'm leaving the standby off too.
Also, here's the finished underside in my "stealth" arrangement.
Also also, I'm not doing anything with pin 6 on the 6v6s. All the layouts including webers use 6 as a tag for the 1.5k grid stoppers, but that doesn't seem necessary under the Less is More Act of 2012 or LIMA for short... ;) (for those without a sarcasm meter, I'm trying to be funny...)
Also, I think I'm doing a hum reduction thing, but am waiting for my friends input cause I forgot what he said.

You can leave the standby off and have an empty hole? Or have a look at the Ceriatone version...a 100K 2watt resistor, acts as a buffer when you power up I believe....

http://ceriatone.com/images/layoutPic/fenderLayout/5E3Ceriatone.jpg

I just don't think I'll ever need/ use it. And I'll have a switch from the kit squirreled away.

I'm leaving the standby off too.

Come to think about it, that would have been a nice place for my VVR knob... More caramel on top!! :grin:

Well, my friend, we are kind of 'neck-and-neck-on-the-backstraight' for the 5E3s. I'm still waiting on my cab, though. (sniff) The USPS doesn't give much info en route, so I have no clue when it's gonna arrive. :cry:

Come to think about it, that would have been a nice place for my VVR knob... More caramel on top!! :grin:

Well, my friend, we are kind of 'neck-and-neck-on-the-backstraight' for the 5E3s. I'm still waiting on my cab, though. (sniff) The USPS doesn't give much info en route, so I have no clue when it's gonna arrive. :cry:

Hahaha yes :).
Here's a sad confession. Last week a beautiful white elephant tolex 5e3 head was ending on eBay for soo cheap still. I was in the final 4 minutes watching to try and snipe it. I just thought I'd pop over to tdpri for a sec............suffice to say I'm still looking.

An ode to the Dremel. It's right up there with the invention of the wheel...
I saw that others had to hack off some lugs, I should have paid more attention...

Point of interest re: non polarized coupling capacitors.

For optimum noise reduction

Position them So that the metal shield faces the Inputs.

To me, this orientation seems the opposite of what is instinctively "correct". Either way works, of course. They are non polar. But these caps have an outer and an inner core. The outer cover acts as a shield against noise.

Some caps like yours are very easy to see. Others, where you can't see can be tested.

In the picture above, one cap is optimum while two caps are not.

Not a big deal at all. Just a bit of info to share I learned from a European dude on youtube.

No doubt, the noise level we're talking about is totally inaudible. Or is it?:shock:

Thanks H!
I hope I don't have to go hum chasing, but if I do, I will change these first.
I'm always typing on my iphone, but am on a good ol' fashion computer, so am inclined to smiley abuse :mrgreen::twisted::confused::shock::rolleyes:

v1+v2=v(done)

Free flyin' grid stoppers.

Gonna stop here for the day and finish @ the shop tomorrow or next day, I feel like there's some wiring advice I forgot.
Here's the board. I'm saving my cool copper buss bar w/ the kit for another build. 1st filter cap and cathode stuff grounds at the PT with the heater CT, the rest of the board grounds to the input jack in the far opposite corner. I had to "flip the script" (as a lady @ work says) with my input jacks so 1 is low 2 is hi, otherwise my "cool guy" jack wiring would have bumped a tip to my hacked off lugs.

Yessss!!!
Finished! This amp smokes! (figuratively)
Sounds so so good. So, I learned that I need the standby switch or filter caps rated for 600v. Apparently 5y3s ramp up in voltage immediately and I was getting 500+ on my filter caps, then it settles down to a very nice 369 and that's at 122v house AC. So I put the standby in :)
Little to no hum. My leads are about as short as they can get.
Super sweet, crunchy, rich gain. Paired with the red fang 12".
Leo Fender (et al), thanks :)
Oh yeah and a correction.
High voltage CT grounded with 1st filter cap on lug. Heater and AC earth to other PT lug. All else to first input jack.

Gotta Love the sweet sound of a 5E3 built by your own capable hands. Excellent!

omg, so embarrassing. When putting in the standby, as you can see from the pic I have the standby lead wired to the cathode resistor and cap. Bad idea jeans....:oops:

omg, so embarrassing. When putting in the standby, as you can see from the pic I have the standby lead wired to the cathode resistor and cap. Bad idea jeans....:oops:

And it worked?! I'm guessing it wasn't doing much standing by... :wink:

And it worked?! I'm guessing it wasn't doing much standing by... :wink:

No. I only played it prior to installing the standby.

No. I only played it prior to installing the standby.

Time to heat up the soldering station! :grin:

I know!! Stoner mistake...and I haven't indulged in a loooong time.
In other news, I had to retention the jacks and they're new. I was surprised. I've been reading that most including switchcraft ain't what they used to be.
Did you finish yours? That crunch is just so nice. I'm definitely not adding a master volume. I just need to find a home for the chassis and be done with it.

I know!! Stoner mistake...and I haven't indulged in a loooong time.
In other news, I had to retention the jacks and they're new. I was surprised. I've been reading that most including switchcraft ain't what they used to be.
Did you finish yours? That crunch is just so nice. I'm definitely not adding a master volume. I just need to find a home for the chassis and be done with it.

I guess we should both watch the '36 version of "Reefer Madness" :shock:

I haven't had problems with Switchcraft thus far, but some other MIC stuff, yeah, no 'spring' in the pin spring!

Not done yet, changed over to the "orange" wires for a more conservative 660V, but I still have to check to see what the actual B+ will be using the 100V optional wiring.

...and still waiting on USPS for the cab...

You can test the amp with the speaker free standing or mounted on a temp baffle board, I did that when waiting for my cab :wink:

You can test the amp with the speaker free standing or mounted on a temp baffle board, I did that when waiting for my cab :wink:

Yeah, I know, but...

The OCD part of me says "It's gotta be DONE!"

The impatient part of me says, "go, Go, GO!"

:confused:

Bench testing is good. Keep a speaker with the correct impedance handy.

Testing on the bench facilitates the repair of any issues should they occur. Checking voltages is probably easier on the bench than in the cab.

Also a good time to check lead dress issues with a chopstick.

Do you use chopsticks like the natives? Do any Japanese eat with a fork?

Guys! I found a cab for my amp. Check it out!!!



(just kiding. Just keeping it safe for now :). Have I mentioned how much I love the sound of this!!
Next build is going to be original. Stay tuned it'll be a while though...)

Bench testing is good. Keep a speaker with the correct impedance handy.

I wish I had a bench... JK, I know what you mean. :grin:

Testing on the bench facilitates the repair of any issues should they occur. Checking voltages is probably easier on the bench than in the cab.

Will do.

Also a good time to check lead dress issues with a chopstick.

Oh, we do that here with a fork. :mrgreen:

Do you use chopsticks like the natives? Do any Japanese eat with a fork?

Yeah, I've been here since I was a kid, so chopsticks are natural. Actually, the younger generation doesn't do too very good with chopsticks OR knife and fork! Fast-food, both Western-style (burgers and KFC and even burritos!) or Japanese style (Onigiri rice balls) finger food is big. To eat the next most popular food, noodles (Ramen, Udon, Soba) requires chopsticks, but young can really only use the throw-away break-apart kind you're thinking of as an amp tool. REAL chopsticks are tapered, lacquered pieces of art, useless for amps! :wink: Young folks can't use these, but I can! (I even used to practice the Miyamoto Musashi thing about snatching flies in mid-air :twisted:)

Guys! I found a cab for my amp. Check it out!!!

Whoa! That is super cool! I see you went with an enclosed cab. :rolleyes:

The tolex looks a little beat up, and that grillcloth doesn't seem very "acoustically transparent" ...

Wow...another great documented build :grin: Great work....

You all have me itching to build another amp.:mrgreen:

Thanks Marshall! What are you leaning towards?

Do you use chopsticks like the natives?

Lunch today.

Btw, that blurry white blob in the upper quarter of the picture is Mount Fuji, covered in clouds. It get that way in the summer a lot.

(Sorry, Anders, for the hijack :wink: )

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7096/7371232050_d72245976a_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/charisjapan/7371232050/)

Lunch today.

Btw, that blurry white blob in the upper quarter of the picture is Mount Fuji, covered in clouds. It get that way in the summer a lot.

(Sorry, Anders, for the hijack :wink: )



Lol please. I don't care!! :)
I had some Japanese friends stay the night once on tour. I swear to V'GER (star trek ref) they made pancakes with chopsticks the next morning. Mind, blown.

Thanks Marshall! What are you leaning towards?

A deluxe Reverb is in the works... I was thinking of buying Reissue, but after watching all these great amp builds, I'm getting the bug to build it, instead. I built a modded Webber 5E3 a couple of years ago, but the DR is much more difficult.

A deluxe Reverb is in the works... I was thinking of buying Reissue, but after watching all these great amp builds, I'm getting the bug to build it, instead. I built a modded Webber 5E3 a couple of years ago, but the DR is much more difficult.

Cool!

Did you get your cab yet? Don't forget to post photos, and an update on how it sounds.

Did you get your cab yet? Don't forget to post photos, and an update on how it sounds.

No :(.
Totally! I'll make a little video. I can see why it's a popular match with teles. It has lots of bite and spank (best I can describe)

Amen brotha! Another nice 5E3 for future generations to keep the flame burning. These amp build threads are awesome. Pls do up a sound clip or video demo. I promise I will too, of my recent 5F2A build. There has been so many build threads on here lately I am losing track of who's who, while fevereshly reading through all the threads when I get home from work. How about we start a new thread called D.I.Y. Amp sound clips for 2012? We all put out clips in there for this years builds. No criticising guitar playing, just praise for how great the amps look and sound. With all the builds so far this year, would make a great thread! Hacker do you play a little over there in Florida, or just tan and drink beer betweed builds? Lol. :mrgreen:

I was going to wait and start a new post, but I gotsta share this with you guys.
http://www.mergili.com/
A tv front style 5e3 head!!!
(In the loquacious vernacular of one C. Sheen) Win!
These are some artistic pics he just sent me of it apparently frolicking in the shrubs :)
Can't wait to finally give my chassis a home.

$140 shipped: needs handle, lacquer, screws, and (nerve racking!) mounting holes. The perfect inbetween for a guy with no garage to build cabs!

That's a great design. No room in the garage anyway, but the weather is nice and the front lawn has room for the workbench.

Thanks FK!

I was going to wait and start a new post, but I gotsta share this with you guys.
http://www.mergili.com/
A tv front style 5e3 head!!!
(In the loquacious vernacular of one C. Sheen) Win!
These are some artistic pics he just sent me of it apparently frolicking in the shrubs :)
Can't wait to finally give my chassis a home.

$140 shipped: needs handle, lacquer, screws, and (nerve racking!) mounting holes. The perfect in between for a guy with no garage to build cabs!

Nice, Andy

I can just sit and drool over the pics of cabinets he builds. Amazing stuff

Mark

They are very classy!