Sovtek 5Y3GT?

[dmartn149]

I'm building a 5e3 style amp, and bought some Sovtek 5Y3GT rectifiers. ubuyguitars.com has them 2 for $9.99. Now I'm reading online that they are not the same as old 5y3's. Should I not use one in a new amp? Can I mod the circuit to compensate for the difference?

Thanks

[nosaj]

I'm building a 5e3 style amp, and bought some Sovtek 5Y3GT rectifiers. ubuyguitars.com has them 2 for $9.99. Now I'm reading online that they are not the same as old 5y3's. Should I not use one in a new amp? Can I mod the circuit to compensate for the difference?

Thanks

When you build it put only the 5y3 in and check voltages to see where it's at.

nosaj

[Justin Thomas]

Rumour has it they were simply "not-quite-GZ34s." Probably not a problem if you're using JJ 6V6s. But if it's for a new build, yeah, check what it puts out, then mod to your heart's content - at that price, dayum.

Justin

[dmartn149]

Thanks guys. They still have 282 of them in stock, still 2 for $9.99 too. I guess I'll build then check voltages, then come back here for more advice.

[olddawg]

This is the same guy that I got those cheap VHT 18 watt amps from with the Australia PTs for cheap. Both the 18 watt and the 36 watt chassis use that tube and sound/work fine. He's 10 minutes from my house.

[Enzo]

And never forget this: these are only guitar amps, not precision lab gear. CLose is good enough.

[g1]

Just because no one directly mentioned it, the voltage is usually higher with the Sovtek than with 'proper' 5Y3s.
If any of your caps or tubes are running close to the rated max. voltage limits, you would not want to use this as a replacement.

[dmartn149]

Thanks everyone. I know "close is good enough" I also know that higher voltages from my local power company is the norm nowadays.
I got these 5y3 tubes, a chassis (aluminum $13) and a PT (Chinese $5) He had hand wired 5e3 circuit boards (probably Chinese) I think they were $20. I procrastinated and missed out on that one.