Is the 5E3 a good beginning project?

[Bassman2277]

Hi all,

I'm a musician who's been playing for around thirty years. After experiencing sticker shock at my local guitar center, I've come to the realization that if I want a 5E3 amp the only way I'm going to get one is if I build it myself.

Basically I know the difference between a cold soldering joint and a good one, I have rewired a few guitars and guitar cables in my day and I've installed romex/wired switches and outlets in my house.

Is there a good chance I'd be able to build one of these amps? I mean, I just don't want to kill myself!

Where should I start to acquire the knowledge to safely put one of these amps together? Any help would be welcome.

Thanks in advance guys

[MWJB]

Well the amp can't actually shock you until you get round to turning it on, so if you work methodically and quadruple check connections, yes you should be able to build it safely. In the meantime you will have time to investigate current limiters, variacs and other useful devices that come in handy when powering up for the first time. Having someone locally who can give it an inspection before firing it up would also be a goode idea.

5E3's can be fussy regarding layout and many of the usual novice builder mistakes so take out as much of the guesswork as you can and spend a bit more on a kit that comes with instructions/support. Follow instructions to the letter, do not try and reinvent the wheel or take shortcuts out of convenience. There is not usually enough info in basic schematics layouts to guarantee a successful build.

Once the amp is built, always probe voltages with one hand, in fact while your still learning it would be even wiser to make any voltmeter connections with the amp disconnected from wall AC, power up & take the reading, power down & reconnect for the next reading and so on - so you need a meter with clips/wire grabbers.

If you need to work on it after constuction ALWAYS drain filter caps (these store big voltages for months after the amp was last used), this is easily done by simply connecting a jumper wire from the plate of any preamp tube (pin 1 or pin 6) to the chassis & waiting for 30 seconds-ish.

If you build the amp and it works as it should (a proven kit with full instructions will stack the odds in your favour), I'm sure you'll be absolutely overjoyed. On the other hand, assuming that the whole process is no more complicated than sticking "tab A" into slot B", ignoring advice from those who have been through it, making changes through convenience etc could leave you with a very expensive doorstop and play havoc with your sanity!

[n5oet3h]

Sounds like you've got enough experience to pull it off. Go with a kit that has good support - that means Mission Amps. You won't be dissapointed.

n5oet3h

[Bassman2277]

Thanks. I was thinking about the mission amps kit and from what i've read Bruce and company are really customer service oriented. I'm going to place my order this weekend!

All the best,

Dave

[xFallen]

Well, I love mine anyway.

Bruce's kit is complete and very high quality. He is quick to answer questions and pleasant to deal with. Highly recommended.

Here's a quick shot of mine i nthe process of putting it in the cabinet and doing some last minute wire routing:





I'd do a few things differently, mostly to make the finished look of the internals just a bit nicer, but overall I am happy. I am certainly happy with the sound. It is extremely quiet and sounds exactly like it should.

The jewel lamp is supposed to be purple but doesn't really look like it.


Barry