NOT just another 5E3 build...

[charisjapan]

This is NOT just another 5E3 build, because... it's mine!

I ordered the kit, transformers and cabinet today, so I guess it's official. Dave at Boot Hill Amps (hackworth1 here) was my choice for the kit for several reasons; reasonable price, TDPRI discount, good parts, great reputation, and a lot of dedication, as expressed here every day. Triode Electronics supplies the transformers, because they carry the multi-voltage P.T. with 100V tap that is what I need here in Japan, and the O.T. has 4/8/16 ohm selection, which allows me to play with speakers a bit. I bought my first kit from them, and they did good by me. These parts are being sent to my daughter in Hawaii to save on postage, to be brought back by trans-Pacific pack-mule. (my wife, but she didn't hear that!) I got my cabinet from Memphis Amps, along with an extra 10" baffle with grillcloth. Bruce there was very helpful, and can ship to Japan for a very reasonable price. I've heard good things about their workmanship.

So it starts! I already have a logo thought up, in honor of you folks. (hope it's not a problem?)

Boot Hill Amps 5E3 Kit

Classic Tone 40-18078

Classic Tone 40-18090

Memphis Amps

[IMG][/IMG]

[Telenut62]

I bought a cabinet from Memphis Amps and I was blown away with the workmanship. Look for the tweed pattern lining up between the individual cabinet parts

[coldengray]

Congrats - I just picked up a 5F1 kit from Dave myself. Need to order transformers from Weber, then it is build time!

Keep us up to date on your progress.

[andyfromdenver]

Originally Posted by charisjapan

This is NOT just another 5E3 build, because... it's mine!

to be brought back by trans-Pacific pack-mule. (my wife, but she didn't hear that!)

That's right darnnit'!! :)
And a "oh no you did not!" :)
Hope you get your stuff soon and in one piece!!!

[Commodore 64]

Originally Posted by coldengray

Congrats - I just picked up a 5F1 kit from Dave myself. Need to order transformers from Weber, then it is build time!

Keep us up to date on your progress.

I would order Classictones or Edcors. Actually I couldn't decide so I ordered both. Edcors took 6 weeks because they build 'em to order.

[charisjapan]

Well, the kit arrived from Boot Hill Amps to my daughter's place in Honolulu. Ditto the transformers from Triode. My wife was a bit dismayed by how much they weigh... she's only allowed 2 X 50 lbs luggage. I have a feeling I'm going to pay for her to bring those back, and I don't mean $$$.

I ordered the cab from Memphis Amps, and that will be shipped directly here.

Today, I got a package from my new local supplier, and I'm pleased. Good service, and next-day delivery! This place called Garrett Audio carrys parts I never expected to find here in Japan, and for the most part, reasonable prices. A few items, like their kits and transformers are pretty expensive, but I've taken steps for those! If you're in Japan, here's the link:

Garrett Audio (just click on the categories on left side of the homepage and you'll figure it out.)

Careful! Don't damage the cone!



Weber 10" AlNiCo Sig Series 15W - my 'quiet mode' speaker.



They only had one NOS tube that I could use, but I'll probably get those 'as funds become available.'

[charisjapan]

I didn't even take the speaker out of the box 'til now, but found it is the Smooth Cone "Early Breakup" version, and I'm a happy puppy! Just what I wanted... My goal is to use lower gain tubes and have the VVR bring voltages slightly down for a 'de-tuned' Tweed Deluxe putting out 8-10W. We'll see how things work out!

I just heard from Bruce at Memphis Amps that the cab is almost ready to ship... Cool!

[Jupiter]

Just out of curiosity, did you consider sourcing transformers in Japan?

[charisjapan]

Originally Posted by Jupiter

Just out of curiosity, did you consider sourcing transformers in Japan?

Hey, Jupiter,

I did look all over, and there were only a few places that would clearly state that the transformers would work in a 5E3 build. The one place that had kits and specifically said Tweed Deluxe had two choices for OT and PT. One set was "Made in USA" but re-branded, so I don't know who makes it, and the set was $275 plus $20 shipping. (Ouch!) The other didn't say where it was made, and was about $150 plus shipping. In my experience here, if it was a "Made in Japan" set, they would have crowed about it, so I assume that they are "Made with Cheap Labor Somewhere."

Some other places went as far as to say "maybe," but I don't know enough about such things to figure out the wiring, and didn't want to harass Dave at Boot Hill Amps to decipher the specs of an amp in Japanese.

Triode went out of their way to confirm that the transformers I bought would work properly here in Japan, and since I was able to ship to Hawaii, shipping was even cheaper than domestic here!

[Jupiter]

Hmm, yeah, my experience has been similar. I'm thinking of building a 5E3 in the near future, and my plan is to buy transformers (and actually, the same Boothill kit) when I'm in the States, and lug it all back just like you're doing (except I'll have to do it myself; my wife would never agree to dragging that stuff back ). I do that quite a bit, actually. I even brought my Tweaker head and a Celestion G12-H30 back a couple years ago. This summer, my theme is tools. Next year, I think it'll be amp parts.

[charisjapan]

Originally Posted by Jupiter

Hmm, yeah, my experience has been similar. I'm thinking of building a 5E3 in the near future, and my plan is to buy transformers (and actually, the same Boothill kit) when I'm in the States, and lug it all back just like you're doing (except I'll have to do it myself; my wife would never agree to dragging that stuff back ). I do that quite a bit, actually. I even brought my Tweaker head and a Celestion G12-H30 back a couple years ago. This summer, my theme is tools. Next year, I think it'll be amp parts.

Jupiter,

I hate to do this to you, man, but if you live in Japan, this site is dangerous!

Garrett Audio

Don't tell your wife I gave this link to you!!

[Jupiter]

Originally Posted by charisjapan

Jupiter,

I hate to do this to you, man, but if you live in Japan, this site is dangerous!

Garrett Audio

Don't tell your wife I gave this link to you!!

Haha, yeah, I found that one a couple months or so ago when I thought I was going to build a 5E3 this year (turns out it's going to be next year). Things seemed kinda expensive, which is why I thought I'd have to lug stuff from the States.

[charisjapan]

Originally Posted by Jupiter

Haha, yeah, I found that one a couple months or so ago when I thought I was going to build a 5E3 this year (turns out it's going to be next year). Things seemed kinda expensive, which is why I thought I'd have to lug stuff from the States.

Indeed, getting a kit from this place can be pretty pricey, that's why I got kit, transformers and cab from the States. But their speakers are (surprisingly) not too bad, and bits and pieces I've bought there are good quality and reasonable, considering the hassle of trying to bring things here from the US. Plus, my US shipping address is Hawaii, so many charge more to send there from the mainland. Sometimes shipping to Hawaii and shipping to Japan are not that different!

Well, I hope I can 'trail-break' for you regarding building a 5E3 here in Japan!

[Jupiter]

Originally Posted by charisjapan

Indeed, getting a kit from this place can be pretty pricey, that's why I got kit, transformers and cab from the States. But their speakers are (surprisingly) not too bad, and bits and pieces I've bought there are good quality and reasonable, considering the hassle of trying to bring things here from the US. Plus, my US shipping address is Hawaii, so many charge more to send there from the mainland. Sometimes shipping to Hawaii and shipping to Japan are not that different!

Well, I hope I can 'trail-break' for you regarding building a 5E3 here in Japan!

I'm rootin for ya!

[charisjapan]

The Boot Hill Amps kit and Classic Tone Transformers from Triode are here, Yay!!

After all the fuss, my wife got one of her friends to bring a 50-pound bag of goodies back for me. Mind you, the amp stuff was less than half of that.

I've catalogued and checked all the parts in the kit, and it's all there. First of all, I'm very happy with the contents, and there's not one thing wrong with it. Except for one little thing, it is exactly as advertised. I know that Dave is here, so I want to make it absolutely clear that I am in no way disappointed. Okay?

The chassis is gorgeous, 'nuff said. My first kit was from elsewhere, and it was very good, but the board had a few loose turrets. The Boot Hill board is a work of art, all shiny and tight. I also got a VVR circuit, which was featured here a few weeks ago. The braided wires are cool! All the caps, resistors, wire, hardware, pots, jacks, everything is there to make a great build.

Except... The chickenhead knobs are black! They're supposed to be red.

OK, it's not a big deal. I've been in various businesses for 3/4 of my life, and I know the ropes. AND... I went online to get some red chickenheads and saw these beautiful caramel-colored knobs and I don't want red anymore. Case resolved, Dave's off the hook!

A few nitpicks: the pots are metric, the holes are inch, so a bit sloppy. I just so happen to have A1M inch pots laying around, so we're good. The lamp holder is plastic. This is a common problem. A lot of folks hate the clunky weird metal one, and it IS a pain to install, but it's metal. I've read here that Dave himself has a dilemma with this one, so I might (or might not) pay a couple bucks for a metal one next parts order.

So altogether, my first impression is 99.6% (completely arbitrary), which is an A+ in my generation. I'm excited to get the time to start the build. I have already made an A3 size (about 12 X 16") layout, and started identifying each part with colors, notes, function, whatever, and hopefully I'll figure how this thing works as I build.

[charisjapan]

I was 'getting the lay of the land' by mounting the transformers, board, and sockets. I will make a jig for the controls next. I found some very pretty nuts and bolts, no protruding sharp parts! I was very surprised to find 11/32" bolts for the PT at a specialty shop called Tokyu Hands. (not a typo)

I think I have just about everything except the cabinet, and that should be here in a week or so.

[gearjunkie]

Hi Charis, you'll find it alot easier to work with that chassis installing sockets, running heater wires etc etc and with out making a board with the weight of the trannies not hanging off the chassis, just make sure you install the OT before dropping the populated board in..... have fun..

[charisjapan]

Originally Posted by Ernie R

Hi Charis, you'll find it alot easier to work with that chassis installing sockets, running heater wires etc etc and with out making a board with the weight of the trannies not hanging off the chassis, just make sure you install the OT before dropping the populated board in..... have fun..

Hey Ernie,

Man, you're not kidding! I am surprised at how much this thing weighs compared to my first VC build! (the chassis of the SS combo I used weighs less than half this one) Mostly, I just wanted to make sure everything fit and see how they related to one another. It's a bit tight in there, yeah?

Thanks for the advice, and I'm quite certain I can use a lot more in the coming days.

[keithb7]

Check your tube socket numbers. The square key should be in between pins 1 and 8 on the 6V6 and rectifier tubes. I recently came into some that were mislabeled. The numbers are smaller, you may need a flash light. Your chassis & parts look great by the way!

[Revv23]

Looks great so far. Im diggin the gold tube socket hardware.