Fender 5a3 Deluxe service?

[ThermionicScott]

As much as I love octal preamp tubes, they are microphonic by nature. The larger grid assemblies are the main culprit, I think. And even if a tube doesn't start off microphonic, it'll get that way eventually in a loud combo amp. I've got piles of old 6SL7's and 6SN7's, and each one exhibits a little microphony. Don Randall stated in an interview that they pretty much had no choice but to go with miniature tubes.

Cushioning the tube sockets and getting dampeners for the tubes will help.

- Scott

[Mike62Jazz]

Scott,
The 6SL7's that are in there may be close to original. One is a GE with 2-13 & 188-5 markings with the 2 being possibly '52 or '62? 188 is GE's manuf#, I believe. The RCA's only markings are LN, no manuf# or date. Anything that was on the glass is long gone. As I said, I have some Tung Sol reissues coming. Hopefully they won't be too microphonic.

[Mike62Jazz]

Well, It's all finished and sounded good except for some microphonic 6SL7's. I ordered some Tung Sol reissues and just received them today. That took care of the microphonic problem and they sound really good.

Tom, I have ordered a Weller 175 watt iron for those grounds and the power cord routing, although working fine, bothers me. I think I'm going to re-do the power cord so all wires, including the Green ground, go into the chassis and have a machine screw, nut , & lockwasher to replace one of the PT self tappers for the ground. That way I can connect the ground from the inside of the chassis!

dchang0, I took your thought about routing the ground to the outside of the chassis. Your right it works fine but is "kinda cheesy" (your words). I am going to re-do it the right way as explained above. Thanks for everyone's suggestions!