Bling vs cost vs tone

[gearjunkie]

Ready to order my 3rd Trinity 5E3 Tweed Deluxe kit from Stephen, I'm contemplating going with say a blue turret board, blue Sprague Atom filter caps, blue coupling caps, but after pricing them at triple or quadroople the cost of say MIEC and orange drops, it makes me reconsider if that bling is worth the extra expense?? After replacing the bigger orange dipps with the little dinky mallorys and hearing how sweet the tone is, makes me start to wonder if a coupling cap isn't a coupling cap no matter the size or cost or material..

[telex76]

I like the mallory's better than the orange drops myself. Just my preference.
I wouldn't spend extra money just to get Blue. I do like the Sprague Atoms, but I'm thinking F&T are probably just as good.
I don't scrimp on something I build for myself. The price difference between the best parts and just okay parts isn't going to be that great in a one time build.

[gearjunkie]

Telex, I was thinking blue cause thats about only colour they have thats consistant and it does look sharp.

Again, with all the different electrolytic and coupling caps. polypropylene vs paper in oil, paper in wax, paper in oyster sauce,
$2 ea vs $20ea, does it Really make that much tonal difference besides bragging rights and knowing you have the best money can buy in there...

[FenderLover]

Getting older myself, I realize that everything I build or buy will again be for sale eventually, so I don't scrimp on hardware or electrical components unless experience says otherwise. Experience falls into personal taste with electrical components, so if you haven't picked your favorite cap or transformer, the extra cost for one amp build shouldn't put you out. See if you like it. Bragging rights and cosmetics are also a personal thing, so realize what you have into it and what you expect to get back out.

[BobbyZ]

Boy if you guys saw the guts of the 5e3 I built you'd laugh !
The caps all came out of the junk drawer. Some old black Spragues and two blue Mallarys. The three filter caps are out of a 67 BFDR. The chassis is from an organ and is full of holes. Tag board? Terminal strips.
Wierd thing is it rocks ! Got a bunch of parts coming (maybe today) I want to replace the filter caps and one 25V-25uf (other two are new)
I need to build a cab for it cause it's been in a Weber 18 watt cab. I like it better than the 18 watt however.

[gearjunkie]

I understand where both you gentlemen are coing from, but some say it's worth spending the extra money on better wire even, caps etc, but where does one draw the line..

[printer2]

Originally Posted by BobbyZ

Boy if you guys saw the guts of the 5e3 I built you'd laugh !
The caps all came out of the junk drawer. Some old black Spragues and two blue Mallarys. The three filter caps are out of a 67 BFDR. The chassis is from an organ and is full of holes. Tag board? Terminal strips.
Wierd thing is it rocks ! Got a bunch of parts coming (maybe today) I want to replace the filter caps and one 25V-25uf (other two are new)
I need to build a cab for it cause it's been in a Weber 18 watt cab. I like it better than the 18 watt however.

Have a whole lot of 22uF 350v caps that came out of electronic florescent bulb ballasts that no longer work. Power transformers are 1:1 isolation transformers, combination of point-to-point or perf boards, power jacks and switches from computer power supplies, scrounged parts...

[BobbyZ]

Thanks Printer but the junk drawer is still kind'a full.

[AlabamaOutlaw]

If it can't be seen and works as intended then it's fine. As far as the Chassis and Cabs ect. If its gonna stay in the studio yes.com spend some money if you like. In the back of the van or trailor? On the way to a smokey bar? Nothing matters to me but reliability and tone.

[printer2]

Originally Posted by BobbyZ

Thanks Printer but the junk drawer is still kind'a full.

Best kind of junk drawer.

[Hoopermazing]

As someone else on this forum said (if I remembered who, I'd give him/her credit) Oil & paper is the only way to go. The oil lubricates the electrons and makes the current flow faster.

[FenderLover]

Originally Posted by Ernie R

I understand where both you gentlemen are coing from, but some say it's worth spending the extra money on better wire even, caps etc, but where does one draw the line..

I know people who say the same thing, but I have yet to meet anyone who can tell what components an amp is made out of when listening to it. Remember there are motives for suggesting such things as silver wire, etc. too. It sounds like you should try a few of these ideas and decide for yourself, as probably all DIY amp builders do. If the cost difference is minimal, go for it. Go as far as buying two different caps and swap them yourself for comparison. It's my personal opinion that most of the sound quality an amp produces is due to the OT/speaker combination, but the exceptions are for you to experience. After you spend most of your cash on good iron and speakers, the rest may seem trivial to you also. I can't tell the difference between orang drops and Mallorys, but I use Mallorys in Tweeds and orange drops on blackfaces because that's what I believe most people expect to SEE. Can they hear it? Usually only after they see it.
If you're building an amp you hope to sell, showcasing your talents as a builder - get out the checkbook and give 'em what they 'want'.