My Boothill 5E3 Build

[pryde]

Just want to start a thread and share the progress with my 5e3 build. Here are my specs:

5e3 kit and chassis from Boothill
Classic tone transformers from Triode
Cabinet from Memphis Amps (not yet received as of this post)
Weber 12A125-A speaker (not yet received)

So far the project has gone very well. I have learned a ton from all of you this forum and especially Dave at Boothill. (Hackworth). His customer service is top notch for sure, very easy to work worth and fast response time to all my questions.

Anyway the chassis is nearly complete! I am just waiting in a metal lamp holder from triode (did not use the plastic one in the kit, although it is fine) I just need to install the lamp, solder the heater wires to/fro it and I am good to go!

Here are a few pics:
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wired up template
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Loaded
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Heater wire detail
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Transformers, AC cord, switches installed
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[Telenut62]

Yup looks like your good to go...fingers crossed there's no gremlins

[adkima00]

You're going to love it. Its a killer amp! Your set up will be for the most part the same as mine. Differences are I used an old peavey cab that I had and a weber sig series speaker. My boothill kit is made (literally) for my tele. I couldn't be happier.

Sent from my iPhone using TDPRI

[picknpluck]

Awesome!

Can you post some close-up pics of the wiring on your speaker/external jack? It looks like we're using the same OTs (just that single black wire coming out the right side as you look inside the amp). The layouts I have show multiple wires coming out.

[hackworth1]

Looks like he's correctly got the black wire on the hot tab of the speaker jack. The other connections are made - The OT grounding itself up top of the chassis by the yellow wire which is soldered to its frame - the output jack grounds itself to the chassis where it sits.

Now run a bare wire (strip it, twist it, and tin it on one end) - a short jumper - from the switch of the jack (middle lug) to the ground tab. This will activate the tip shunt feature.

This provides a bit of a fail safe in case you accidentally turn on the amp for a few seconds without a speaker connected. The OT would rather "see" a dead short than an open circuit.

(Interestingly, in a transistor amplifier the opposite case holds true. A dead short at the speaker output will fry a transistor amp quickly.)

Tube amp - shorting jack at speaker output is best.

To connect the aux output jack, run a jumper from the main hot to the aux hot.

[pryde]

Here is a detail of the speaker jacks, hooked up just as Hackworth described above. notice the small jumper wire connecting the middle tab to ground tab on the main speaker jack
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Here is a pic of the output transformer auto-grounded with the brownish color wire soldered to the body. tighten the bolts plenty to ensure a good ground to the chassis
[IMG][/IMG]

[hackworth1]

Looks really nice. You have a talent for this.

[picknpluck]

Thanks Pryde, that's EXACTLY what I was looking for!

[pryde]

Originally Posted by hackworth1

Looks really nice. You have a talent for this.

Thanks Hackworth. This is my first amp build but I have built a couple-dozen pedals so I am used to soldering in tight spaces and always attempt clean and tidy wire runs.

I cant' wait to get this thing going!

[burninwordz]

Nice build and inspiring PRYDE, the white caps what are they? mallory,illinois or sozo caps .thanks

[Steerforth]

Looking good!

This particular forum at the TDPRI can quickly become an addiction.

Just a short time ago, I didn't understand anything in here, but was intrigued by the pictures and the idea of eventually building my own amp.

I asked a few questions, got some idea of where to start studying, and have been studying all day every day since. It's nice to be retired.

Anyway, it's amazing how fast, studying the materials suggested by the folks in this forum, that I began to understand what is said. Stuff that was complete gibberish to me just a short time ago is now beginning to be understandable. I've learned so much so fast it's astounding, and I'm now at least familiar with the ideas of some of the amp guts, from how to drain capacitors safely to things like PTs, OTs, virtual center taps for noise reduction, all sorts of things about which I hadn't a clue.

I've still got a ton to learn, but it's nice to read in here and not be completely in the dark. I got some really good recommendations in here as to what to study, and it's put me way ahead of where I'd be otherwise very quickly.

After I've studied awhile, practiced my soldering skills, and maybe built a few effects boxes, I'll be looking for a kit from Dave.

Thanks for the education everyone. This place is great.

Rick

[pryde]

Originally Posted by burninwordz

Nice build and inspiring PRYDE, the white caps what are they? mallory,illinois or sozo caps .thanks

I beleive the caps are mallory. Hackworth (Boothill amps) supplied them in the kit so he may be able to verify this.

To Steerforth:
Yes I think amp building will become another hobby that will spin completely out of control

Yes the TDPRI forum is just fantastic. I got lots of great advice and knowledge from the "finally finished" sub-forum on a recent tele build I did also. There are some great teachers here for sure.

[pryde]

OK. I have sound!

Did first power up with bulb current limiter, added PI, then pre, then power tubes, hooked up the speaker and got some normal hiss. Plugged in and YES indeed sweet sounds. All inputs, volume, and tone work normally.

So, Although I think everything is ok. Where do I take some measurements and what readings should I be getting to ensure everything is actually in spec? Thanks for the help!

Here are a few pics. Still have not received my cabinent yet from memphis amps

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[Telenut62]

Welcome Rick...it's an addictive hobby, so be prepared lol

Nice build pryde, I posted a guide layout for checking voltages here...

http://www.tdpri.com/forum/shock-bro...-hill-5e3.html

....post #37

Then you can enter them in here to check the bias..

http://www.webervst.com/tubes1/calcbias.htm

[hackworth1]

I'm proud of you, pryde. Your attention to detail and excellent skills made this build go exceptionally well. Bravo. Fantastic Work.

[pryde]

Thanks Hackworth and Telenut.

I will test voltages per telenut's link and ensure everything is a-ok.

[andyfromdenver]

Congrats!!!
How much is the Memphis (shipped, final cost)? I still need to enclose mine...
What B+ did the Classictone give you? And @ what wall AC?
Thanks!
*edit, I forgot I used a Classictone PT (MMagnetics OT) too, never mind, it was just about perfect @ 121 volts AC.*

[charisjapan]

Originally Posted by andyfromdenver

Congrats!!!
How much is the Memphis (shipped, final cost)? I still need to enclose mine...
What B+ did the Classictone give you? And @ what wall AC?
Thanks!
*edit, I forgot I used a Classictone PT (MMagnetics OT) too, never mind, it was just about perfect @ 121 volts AC.*

Hey Andy,

Memphis Amps Cabinets

+$15 CONUS shipping.

[pryde]

OK I took some measurements, all DC voltages below, speaker plugged in, power and standby on.

Filter caps (left to right)
-395v
-355v
-259v

V1 (12AY7)
p1- 140v
p3/8- 2.0v
p6- 132v
p7- 2.2v

V2 (12AX7)
p1- 156v
p3- 1.45v
p6- 204v
p7- 2.9v
p8- 52v

V3 (right power tube)
p3- 384v
p4- 356v
p8- 22.5

V4 (left power tube)
p3- 383v
p4- 356v
p8- 22.5

How do these look? Anything to be concerned about? Are there any other measurements I need to take?

Thanks for the help!

[andyfromdenver]

Hm, the b+ is a little high. The 395 @ the + of your first big filter cap. I got 369 @ 122v wall ac. I'm not sure about the rest. Just curious have you measured what your house outlet voltage is? Maybe it's crazy high where you live.
Did you say which classictone PT you got? I'll look back in the thread.
I wouldn't be surprised, if it sounds good and you're not red plating anywhere, it'll be fine. May ware your tubes out a little faster, but should maybe be a little louder too?
@ Charis, thanks, sorry, that was a lazy question of mine :)