Power Scaling in a 5E3

Hi Guys,

I'll be picking up a 5E3 (nicely built mission kit) and would like to add power scaling so I have bedroom/practice volumes on tap. Hall and London make kits for scaling. Anyone had experience with these in a 5E3, and are they hard to install as a DIY feature?

It will kill the sag that's a big part of the signature tone of the amp. It would be easier to put an attenuator between the amp and speaker.

waste of money geez do like we did in the old days turn it down. no its not gonna sound as good as turned up but who cares your practicing not trying to impress anyone. When you can turn it up do so.

I'm not really concerned about perfect tone with the power scaling, I've heard a couple of these amps with the feature and it seems to work well used judiciously - attenuators also lose tone and feel when maxed too.

I'm just curious about the install, and whether it is something that relative easy to do.

I put a Trinity VVR kit in my 5E3. It is true that the amp feel does change a bit ,but IMHO it makes the amp more versatile in the long run. Being able to dial the volume down a bit has allowed me to use this amp in a much quieter band situation. I am happy with it.

I put a Trinity VVR kit in my 5E3. It is true that the amp feel does change a bit ,but IMHO it makes the amp more versatile in the long run. Being able to dial the volume down a bit has allowed me to use this amp in a much quieter band situation. I am happy with it.

Thanks, was it difficult to install? I don't see the VVR on their site....

Not too hard if you're reasonably handy with a soldering iron and a drill. The VVR kit is available,you just have to send Stephen an email. You will be equally happy with the Hall kit , I'm sure.

Not too hard if you're reasonably handy with a soldering iron and a drill. The VVR kit is available,you just have to send Stephen an email. You will be equally happy with the Hall kit , I'm sure.

Thanks, appreciate the info.

Was checking out your site.Nice work! You have a great eye.

Was checking out your site.Nice work! You have a great eye.


Thanks for the props on my work.


Am I correct in assuming that when the VVR is dialed up to full power that the amp plays as if there was no VVR in the circuit? I heard that there is minimal tonal changes from 1/4 to 1/2 way down, and that when you dial in full reduction you lose a bit of quality in the tone etc. Has this been your experience?

Anyone had experience with these in a 5E3, and are they hard to install as a DIY feature?

They convert power into heat. You need to heat sink (mount) the thing properly or it will cook itself pretty quickly.

I prefer an external attenuator like a Mini Mass. You can use your Mini Mass with several different amps. It's not as easy to blow up as VVR.

hallamplification offers a VVR as well. It'll come quicker because you're not shipping it from canada. Same quality (and actually less work because dana solders the board together for you), and if I remember same price. Just let him know what you're working with and he will get you what you need. My 2cents.

http://www.hallamplification.com/main.html?src=%2F#2,2

http://www.soundgaragetales.com/video-tutorials/the-variable-voltage-regulator is a video all about it if you haven't seen it

http://www.soundgaragetales.com/video-tutorials/the-variable-voltage-regulator is a video all about it if you haven't seen it

Thanks, goofy guy but nice explanation and tutorial. Exactly what I needed to see.

No matter what you use be it a vvr or an attenuator or any other volume/power reduction device ho will have tone loss due to the fact you aren't pushing the speaker with the same power. That said IMO the vvr circuits tend to retain more of the tone than an attenuator

You could use a Champ. Nice little practice amp. Easy to carry. Use your bigger amp when you need it.

When you cut the voltage to the circuit beyond a certain threshold, the amp will perform poorly. A VVR is good for up to half a turn on the VVR pot. After that, it sounds weird and funky. Not good for the tubes, no doubt. Starves the tubes.

My 5E3 has external power scaling. Cost me about $550 or so plus all my time building it. It was a fun build and very rewarding! It breaks up nicely at very reasonable volumes. It's my 5F2A build! I second what hackworth said. Easy to carry, nice little practice amp!