Upcoming 5E3 Build.

[CharlieP]

I ordered a 5E3 Complete Kit with lacquered Tweed cabinet Saturday. This will be my first amp build. I have modded several amps and repaired a RCA Stereo Combo TT/ AM/FM. Power unit needed Electrolytics replaced, had three split open and the unit hummed. I am not a stranger to amps and I have a good enough array of tools to do the build. The kit is a mojotone combo. I ordered the 768sp OT and a 3 pos rotary switch, 4, 8, 16 ohm. Doing the footwork researching 5E3s.
I have some vintage tubes once the amp has been tested and I am happy it is properly working I will use them. I will use the supplied tubes to prove out the build and keep for extras. I have a pair of RCA 6V6, RCA 5U4GB, Sylvania 5U4GB and many assorted preamp tubes all vintage. Called mojo to verify use of 5U4 would not damage the PT.
One tool I will make use of is my lightbulb limiter I had put together a couple years ago. Wish me luck!

[d. spree]

Well good luck. I'm jealous, having built a few of the 5e3s and having loved it. This forum was extremely helpful to me along the way. And yes, I needed and used a light bulb dim bulb tester.

[CharlieP]

Been researching. Magnetic Components sells an upgraded power transformer that supplies 5V at 3 A. If ! should burn out the mojotone that only supplies 2 A, I can get the upgrade for $77 and change and run the 5U4GB no problem.

[CharlieP]

Well I ordered RCA 5y3 and a Sylvania 12ay7 from Mike at KCANOS. I can try all 3 rectifiers but the 5Y3 seems like the safest and most recommended from my research. They will probably arrive before the build. Thought mojo shipped the chassis and all the parts 1st so I could assemble it before the cabinet arrives. Should have had that by now so maybe it comes together.

[d. spree]

If you ordered a kit the PT should be the proper one and should not "burn out." I've only ordered once from Mojotone and that was for a friend's son - champ build. It is easier to drill the cabinet to correct fit for the chassis before the chassis is done. Just easier with an empty chassis box.

[CharlieP]

The chassis and parts have been shipped and Fedex site shows a Thursday delivery. Whoo-hoo! I can start the build and use my Avatar cabinet to test it out. 8 ohm Hellatone, don't know how that will sound with a 5E3.

[CharlieP]

The whole kit came with cabinet and I started populating the board. see pics

5E3 Deluxe Amp Build Slideshow by cap47 | Photobucket

[CharlieP]

Select the Slideshow link in Post #7, has all
the photos.

I got it finished and 1st time is a charm! Tested without and with tubes with my lightbulb limiter then turned it on and played for an hour that nite. No problems at all and it sounds great today with it all in the cabinet. I am even plugging a mic into it and using my Tele. Wow is all I can say, now I can grab one amp a guitar and a mic and have a ball anywhere! Light too.

It also works well with my Les Paul and Electric Acoustic. I am extremely pleased and GASing for my next build!

[CharlieP]

Time to weed out an amp. I just listed one of my 2 ValveKing 112s on CL. Am now planning a Deluxe Reverb Build. Looks like the other one will be next to go!

[CharlieP]

I just upgraded my OT to a Bandmaster OT and put 6L6WXT+ in and mine is 32.967W. Didn't do anything else to standard 5E3 circuit and still cathode bias. Same filter caps 16uf. I almost left it as is because it was really sounding good with the 6V6 in it. Well I am glad I did it, sounds great and less feedback with my mic plugged in which is really a plus. The OT was a Magnetic Components 40-18088 $50 + .

[CharlieP]

Checking in to see my last post to make sure I am up to date. Still loving the 5E3. Changed the first two filter caps to 30 uf and 20 uf. I have RCA 6L6GC black plate in for power tubes. I might change a few coupling caps to experiment. I have a Holy Grail Reverb and a Boss DD7 Delay plugged before the guitar and it sounds great. Watts are still at 32W with the RCAs per Weber Bias link. Did all the measurements and plugged them in to the program. Saves a lot of math!

Talked to bluesky636 the other day and he still hasn't done his build. I guess he has been busy and is waiting to have some time for it. I would like to see him return to the Fender Forum! I think he had already ordered his kit before he left.

I have been trying to spend a bit more time playing to get my timing and dexterity back instead of all the tinkering with guitars and amps. Some progress :roll: , finding I have to relearn the lyrics to the songs I used to know. Get part way through them and forget a verse. :lol:

Anyway the amp sure sounds nice and is inspiring me to play more. That's a good thing! Also it is very light and all I need is the 5E3 if I go out somewhere. I have been at my daughter's house for a week now and set up in the garage with my mic and micstand and 5E3. I go out there and play a couple times a day. Just one amp does it all, left my acoustic Crate that my mic usually goes thru at home.

_________________
Charlie P
Fend HSS Am DLX LSR S1 Strat 08
Fend MIM Telebot Deluxe 2011 Tronical Tuner
Fender SuperSonic 60 2010
Gibson Robot 08, Gib. Faded Ch LP 07
Gret. G5120 07, Peavey VK112 08
5E3

[CharlieP]

Here is my latest 5E3 2nd build that I have started.

[CharlieP]

Well I have the 2nd 5e3 built and a 2x12 cab too!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dh2OCjrJLdY

[CharlieP]

[robrob]

Nice work Charlie, your amps look great. You really should upgrade the power tube cathode resistor from the 5E3 standard 5 watt to 10 watt to run 6L6 tubes. 6L6's also benefit from higher plate and screen voltages so a GZ34 rectifier can help with that.