5F1 Head

[Che_Guitarra]

It's been a while since I built something so I'm going to knock out a 5F1 head. I've rewired cars, guitars, pedals, amongst other things... but this is my first DIY amp. I've ordered the Boothill audiophile 5F1 kit, now it's time to accumulate the other parts (and ask plenty of dumb questions as I fumble through). The plan is to build an amp for recording or practising - but just for kicks I want a head so I can flip between the cabs I have access to. Ultimately, i'll most likely run to a 1x12 cab, and i'd like to copy the circuit mods of a Victoria 5112 as closely as possible.


Anyway, for now i'm in the process of buying and gathering parts. I'll update this build as progress is made.

[Telenut62]

G'day, will watch with interest. Plenty of helpful dudes here

[Che_Guitarra]

OK, Boothill kit... check. O & P trannies... check. Tube kit... check. Time to go shopping for a 12" speaker. Any recommendations?

Muchxs has recommended going for something vintage and lo-fi, phono style... but here in Australia that kinda stuff is abhorently expensive due to it's rarity, so i'm scratching that idea for now.

I've been looking at the range of Webers. Based on online reviews, the 12-150's seem to get the best wrap in a 5E3 - but which? O, B, T, A or W? Hmmm...

[keithb7]

For swapping between cabs, did you consider a multi-tap output transformer? 4 ohm for a 2x12, or 8 ohm for a single is a nice option. I just did this and added micro switch on my 5F2A build. What type of sound are you looking for? Raunchy dirt as early on the volume knob as possible? Or as much clean as possible as far up the volume dial as you can? This will help in deciding on a speaker.

[Che_Guitarra]

The transformer I have on the way is 4/8 ohm switchable... I made sure of that

As for sound - I play rockabilly, 12-bar bluesy rock, surf, and rootsy rock n roll through single coil guitars. I don't like crystal clean tone, I like a bit of grit and grease in my sound... that said I don't want an amp that gets out of control too fast. I guess I want it relatively clean as far up the dial as I can, as long as there is a bit of rage and stink to be had at the top.

Ultimately i'm not chasing maximum volume either, I just want it loud enough to satisfy me after i've had a few beers and decide to dime it

[Telenut62]

Weber will sting yah for postage...check out WGS4.com

[Che_Guitarra]

I did check out the WGS offerings Telenut - I checked out every speaker I though would be suitable - but i've ended up going for a Weber 12A125-A 30w light dope.

These speakers seem to be all the go in a 5E3... lets just hope it will translate in a 5W amp.

[hackworth1]

These speakers seem to be all the go in a 5E3... lets just hope it will translate in a 5W amp.

It will.

[Telenut62]

Originally Posted by Che_Guitarra

I did check out the WGS offerings Telenut - I checked out every speaker I though would be suitable - but i've ended up going for a Weber 12A125-A 30w light dope.

These speakers seem to be all the go in a 5E3... lets just hope it will translate in a 5W amp.

Ok as long as your prepared to get ripped off for postage, the base price is $105 for an Alnico is a good deal, so you place your order.....but...the postage is unknown, right? They will determine what it will cost after you given them your credit card details....shock number 1.
Shock number 2...they will bill your credit card again without your knowledge with "extra" postal charges. You will only know this if you check your statement online or when you get the invoice with the speaker.

[Che_Guitarra]

I've dealt with them before, so i'll take my chances. If they made a habit of ripping off customers there'd be plenty of online brand bashing exposing their reputation.

[keithb7]

I am in Canada, a lot closer to Weber than you guys in Australia. I will not order again, new stuff from Weber, to be shipped to my address in Canada. The do indeed kill you on the freight and handling charges. I ordered 2 transformers and a chassis for my 5F2A build, they tried to charge me $90 for the shipping. Then I would have had to pay UPS brokerage and any duty fees,plus local tax when it arrived.I cancelled the order and had it shipped my brothers mail box, just inside the USA border instead. Cost? $22.
I look for used Weber speakers direct from personal sellers on forums like this one. The shipping will kill any deal you thought you were getting from Weber, in my opinion.

In my opinion the reason there is not a ton of online bashing about it, is most of the folks on here are in the USA. There are a lot less non-Americans who have ordered from Weber and been ripped by the shipping fees. Weber shipping within the USA is totally reasonable as I pointed out above.

[Telenut62]

Originally Posted by Che_Guitarra

I've dealt with them before, so i'll take my chances. If they made a habit of ripping off customers there'd be plenty of online brand bashing exposing their reputation.

Yup, no worries see how you go, I was twice bitten, so.....

[Che_Guitarra]

$90 for shipping - i'm OK with that, but I live in Perth so I don't usually blink at postage/courier costs.

Another week until I get home, and parts have started arriving... I can't wait to get started on this

[Telenut62]

Yup that's right....now wait for the "handling" charge

[gearjunkie]

Good Thing Keith you pointed this out, because I have been tempted to order a 12A125 from Weber and after reading this, no siree..

[sferguso]

I've ordered from weber twice, once was just caps, wire, resistors, small stuff, the 2nd time was for 4 Weber 10a125 speakers (no dope on cones and they sound GREAT) used in my 5f6a. Both times shipping was not that big of deal. I'm 5 minutes from Blaine WA and the price diff was not worth my time to ship there and pick it up.

Just my experience.

[keithb7]

Weird how there is conflicting stories on Weber charges into Canada. I wonder if there is any logic in how they come up with shipping charges? I am not exaggerating. $90 they quoted me.

[guitjopicka]

Shipping does change from day to day and week to week. But I have had the same experiences ordering an amp kit from them. About $90 shipping plus about $80 brokerage fees when it arrived I believe. Maybe it was slightly more. I just chalked it up to being the price of getting stuff shipped from the USA to Canada. It has cost about the same when I've bought an amp from the USA on ebay. I buy parts from Hoffman and CeDist and it will sometimes cost $30 for a small box that probably weighs less than a pound. Still usually makes up the price difference from ordering the same things from Canada, especially if you end up needing to order from more than one place to get everything you need. Plus it seems that if you aren't ordering from the USA you are basically stuck with Hammond transformers, or big box speakers. Less selection. I love Weber speakers and their iron, or their Heyboer/weber spec'd iron.

[Che_Guitarra]

The cost is a non issue to me - so lets move on from that. Seeing I plan to keep this amp forever I might as well get it right first time around, otherwise it'll forever be on the bench as I replace this, that and the other. Quite simply, no other 'new' 12" speaker gets the same universal praise in a tweed as the Weber 12A125A (apart from the louder Celestion Blue), so I went for it. If it doesn't work out, i'll wear it.


Good news is I got home tonight after two weeks night shift, and a heap of prezzies waiting for me. The transformers and tubes I ordered from Triode Store arrived less than four days after I ordered (wow!!!), and a few parts from Warmoth to finish off my BSB partscaster. But the best surprise was the arrival of my Jackson DK2S Sustainiac - brand new, $600 to my door.

On the other side of the weekend i'm guessing the 5F1 kit should arrive, so I might plan the woodwork in the meantime.

I'll post some pics when the daylight hours return, but for now i'm going to bed.

[guitjopicka]

I have a 12a125a, not in a tweed deluxe, but it is a great speaker.