5e3 I've been Baptised

[Cygnus X1]

I've got the religion.
I built it, into a prototype at first, a really cheap RMS 2x8 combo cab.
I then felt confident enough to put it into a Sunn combo 112 that had been taking up space under my pool table. I went with a Weber Signature Ceramic 12". and I don't care what they say, this amp is like nothing I have ever played.
Tone? furgettaboutit...I'm not worthy! Sustain? It's there, so much that it sounds like there's reverb and phase shift that isn't plugged into the amp. I know most of you guys know what I'm describing...the only word I can think of is...sweet! It's just outstanding.
I built this one out of both spare parts I had around, and purchased the transformers form Weber. If it gets better than this, just call me ignorant and I'll march forward. But I can't possibly describe how good this amp sounds, even at low volume. It just sings!

[NTBluesGuitar]

If it's true to the schematics and built around an appropriate set of iron, then it's about as good as it can be!

Cool news!

[Cygnus X1]

I just can't believe it.
When I've heard artists say they don't need effects, now I know what they are talking about. Even at very low volume, it has sustain, and a bit of phase/reverb...it's spooky! And great!

[boobtube21]

It has reverb?

[Cygnus X1]

It has reverb?

No...it just has a tone that makes it sound like it does.

[CJ Neel]

Welcome to Tweedland.

[yankeerob]

It has reverb?

That's a funny thing - everyone said I wouldn't miss the spring - and they were right - I think this boils down to the fact that a lot of us who may have used a little reverb to create a 'room effect' will find that these sort of circuits produce a slightly different response that I would describe as 'interacting more with the acoustic'... because you have more dynamics to play with the actual room plays more of a part in the sound of the amp... I think that's - at least in part - what Cygnus X1 is describing...

[Don]

It's awesome, ain't it!

[Cygnus X1]

That's a funny thing - everyone said I wouldn't miss the spring - and they were right - I think this boils down to the fact that a lot of us who may have used a little reverb to create a 'room effect' will find that these sort of circuits produce a slightly different response that I would describe as 'interacting more with the acoustic'... because you have more dynamics to play with the actual room plays more of a part in the sound of the amp... I think that's - at least in part - what Cygnus X1 is describing...

Also, I read somewhere...I don't recall where I found this, Tone Lizard perhaps? That well built combos transfer the speaker vibration back to the tubes, which contributes to second order harmonics, good feedback. I closed the garage door and played it dimed. Just awesome! I'm running out of adjectives. Here's a pic of it in the Sunn Alpha 112 that I used.

[yankeerob]

Nice work! I'm into the whole boneyard special thing - I've a coupla 100w Carlsbro tube PA heads lined up for 'front-ending' - totally immaculate working 100w power sections ready for the boneyard treatment...

[Cygnus X1]

Nice work! I'm into the whole boneyard special thing - I've a coupla 100w Carlsbro tube PA heads lined up for 'front-ending' - totally immaculate working 100w power sections ready for the boneyard treatment...

Thanks!
I'm getting 180 degrees F at the 6V6's.
I checked them with a thermocoupled digital pyrometer.
Is that too hot?

[ala02c]

how many watts do 5e3's make? Is that enough for gig volume?

[Cygnus X1]

About 20.
A pretty loud 20, at that.
It's louder than my 67 Deluxe Reverb, as there is very little to stop
the signal in the chain, I guess.
I only varied from the circuit on two things: 2 inputs instead of four (hi/lo), and a line out next to the speaker jack, to make it more gig-friendly.

[ziess]

Is the 5E3 really louder than a Deluxe Reverb? I mean, the 5E3 isn't a pushover but my Deluxe Reverb clone can bury it which is in turn buried by my Bassman clone.

Whether it 'cuts' more in a band context is another issue.

Tommy.

[NTBluesGuitar]

Isn't a 5E3 is closer to 15W and the 6A20 at 22W? Plus, BF-type circuits may have a bit more 'cut' than the tweeds.

[Don]

I 5E3 is usually less than 15 watts.

They cut through the mix well though and appear to be much louder than they really are.

Keep in mind that a 22 watt amp isn't much louder than a 14 watt amp, all else being equal (which they aren't).

[Cygnus X1]

OK, I wasn't all that sure about the measured wattage.
The ceramic I have in the tweed may also have something to do with it.

I have the old Sunn speaker in the Deluxe Reverb (AB763), and it
sounds nice and warm to me.

Again, are those tube temps ok?
I'm getting 360V on the 6V6's,-22V pin 8 to ground.
Seems pretty warm, to me.

[JAM]

...
Again, are those tube temps ok?
I'm getting 360V on the 6V6's,-22V pin 8 to ground.
Seems pretty warm, to me.

I have no idea how temperature would relate to current draw on a power tube, but you should measure how much the 6V6s are dissipating.

[yankeerob]

I checked them with a thermocoupled digital pyrometer.

I haven't got one of them and I've got just about one of everything else down at the unit... glass won't melt until at least 1400°C - 180° sounds pretty safe to me in that respect - knowing you're within the operating parameters of the particular 6V6's you've chosen would alay any of my fears about heat - I tend to wind my amp up full and let it sit there for as long as possible before the first set - in the hope that it's as hot as I can get it before I start

[cdw2000]

If I had to guess, 180°F is reasonable.

In military designs we need to keep equipment below a 140°F touch temperature. Having touched a 6V6 tube on my amp I know the glass is hotter than that when operating.

If the plates inside aren't glowing, then it is most likely operating where it should be, assuming you biased it correctly.

Those big metal grate covers on the old tube PA amps aren't there just to protect the tubes...

[JAM]

As long as it doesnt look like this:

[melody]

Tweed's rule...Enjoy!

[Cygnus X1]

I have no idea how temperature would relate to current draw on a power tube, but you should measure how much the 6V6s are dissipating.

I'm a noob, I can't seem to get tube biasing through my metal skull, no matter how many times I read how to do it.

I do it on fixed bias by ear, and sight!

I figured since it is cathode biased, and I did everything to spec...and this set of tubes have been through all kinds of different amps (from Champ to DR and Magna etc) then I ought to be good just measuring the voltage across the plates, then plate to ground.

So, if 180ish is safe, I ought not worry.
Thanks!

[Cygnus X1]

As long as it doesnt look like this:

Looks like someone stuck a meat thermometer into the side, also!

[Kap'n]

I believe that phtot is from Rich Korners [sic] Time Electronics website.

It's what happens when a PS400 amplifier melts down.

[PMDriver965]

I'm a recent convert to the 5E3 model myself - and can't believe the tones hidden away in that little tweed beastie!

That and a mic, and I'd feel pretty solid in just about any gig that would normally come my way.

[Cygnus X1]

It's done...finished, complete.
Ugly?
Yup, like someone beat with the proverbial ugly stick!
But the cab is nice and solid, and works like it should.
Piccies:

[Kap'n]

I used to have the Sunn Alpha 112RP - reverb and quasi-parametric midrange.

Talk about making lemons into lemonade!

[Cygnus X1]

I almost threw this Sunn out so many times!

I also have a Kustom Commander 2x12 combo that would make a killer Marshall type tube amp. I'm starting into the AX84 projects (Hi Octane, SEL), so it may not be too long before something like that happens.

[Cygnus X1]

I'm resurrecting this old thread...
I finally got a 12AY7 into this amp, and broke in the Weber Sig alnico.

"Sweet"..."Stunning"...no words to describe it!
I played two original 5E3's at a recent vintage show...they sounded anemic compared to this. And they start at 2500 dollars (WTF).
I think I did alright with my ~$225 in parts!

[melody]

I'm resurrecting this old thread...
I finally got a 12AY7 into this amp, and broke in the Weber Sig alnico.

"Sweet"..."Stunning"...no words to describe it!
I played two original 5E3's at a recent vintage show...they sounded anemic compared to this. And they start at 2500 dollars (WTF).
I think I did alright with my ~$225 in parts!

Yup ya did good..

[HotRod]

I was amazed at the cut I get with mine. I've got a tone tubby in it and it's loud!

With a Les Paul vol-3/4 tone-9, it just screams.
In a smaller room with a drummer and bass it stood up just great.

Effects?!?!?! We don't need no stinkin' effects!

- HR