How to brighten up a 5E3?

[RobBozic]

I've got a 5E3 with a Red Fang & I want to brighten the amp up, any suggestions? The tubes I'm running are as follows V1-EH 12AY7, V2-JJ EC803, JJ6V6's & a NOS 5Y3.

Thanks in advance
Rob

[Bruce / Mission Amps]

#1
Use smaller then 100nF coupling caps and drop the 22uF-25uF cathode bypass caps down to 4.7uF or less.

[HTH]

#1
Use smaller then 100nF coupling caps and drop the 22uF-25uF cathode bypass caps down to 4.7uF or less.

^ +1

I'd use 0.022uF coupling caps all through the amp and make sure the bypass cap on the 6V6 isn't too big (25uF should do it).

If it's still not bright enough then lower the coupling cap from V1a's plate to 0.0022uF

I'd also go with smaller cathode bypass caps on the preamp stages like Bruce suggested - 5uF is more than enough, you may even like smaller values like Marshall use (0.68uF) for more of an aggressive tone.

[Chris - CMW amps]

By using smaller bypass- or coupling-caps you really don't add highs altough it may seem so because you're removing (unneeded/farty) low-end.

The RedFang speaker does sound very warm in 5E3s; try a Celestion Alnico Blue or Gold if $$$ ain't no problem.

Regarding tubes: maybe try a Tungsol 12AX7 for V2 and some EH or TAD 6V6 outputtubes.

What's the B+?

[tubeboy]

By using smaller bypass- or coupling-caps you really don't add highs altough it may seem so because you're removing (unneeded/farty) low-end.

The RedFang speaker does sound very warm in 5E3s; try a Celestion Alnico Blue or Gold if $$$ ain't no problem.

Regarding tubes: maybe try a Tungsol 12AX7 for V2 and some EH or TAD 6V6 outputtubes.

What's the B+?

You might experiment with a 1nF bypass of the 1M vol pot before changing out so many caps. A brighter speaker is a good idea.

[Bruce / Mission Amps]

You might experiment with a 1nF bypass of the 1M vol pot before changing out so many caps. A brighter speaker is a good idea.

That doesn;t sound very good... the bright treble cap on the tone control is already bypassing the volume pot... making a total of 1500pF sounds too odd to me.