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Post subject: 5e3 Clone
Posted: Tue Jul 24, 2012 3:56 pm
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Hey guys. I got this 5E3 clone on CL a few days ago. I'm hoping to use it as a platform for a little soldering skills improvement/schematic reading practice/general experimentation.

The tube compliment that came with it is 12ax7 x2, 6L6 x2 and GZ34. It also has a 25w OT, sort of a custom build for the person who sold it to me.

The builder (a small but well thought of builder in CA) stated in an email that "You can swap any of the tubes out at any time in any order with the exception of the power tubes needing to be a matched pair." In an earlier post about a Victoria 5E3 that I own, people here suggested checking with the manufacturer before putting in a 5V4 rectifier, lest there be any problems. From that experience I'm wondering if its true that I could, without damaging the amp, really do this? e.g. use a 5y3 with 6L6's, or a GZ34 with 6v6's. What do you guys think?

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Post subject: Re: 5e3 Clone
Posted: Tue Jul 24, 2012 5:46 pm
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Nice amp, S3. Yeah a 5Y3 and 6V6's should be right at home in that amp. Art

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Post subject: Re: 5e3 Clone
Posted: Tue Jul 24, 2012 6:34 pm
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I'm thinking that those tall-bottle JJ's may present speaker clearance issues when you mount that chassis into a cabinet.

Seems like a clean assembly job -- how's it sound?

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: 5e3 Clone
Posted: Tue Jul 24, 2012 7:55 pm
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It sounds good. A little tighter and brighter than my stock 5E3. Must be the 6l6's and the stouter rectifier.

I'm thinking of trying a 5y3 with the 6l6's for a little more sag. Think this would be okay? From what I understand using a rectifier that delivers more juice to the tubes can fry lighter tubes but I'm reasoning that a rectifier that is less efficient shouldn't harm big tubes like 6l6s.

I'll probably end up getting a cage for the top and just using it as a head. I think you're right Arjay, looks like it would be tricky to fit into a cab with a speaker.


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Post subject: Re: 5e3 Clone
Posted: Tue Jul 24, 2012 8:36 pm
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Arjay,

You posted before that you sometimes play out with 2 amps for "stereo effects." Can you explain that a little more?

Now that I have 2 similarly powered amps I was thinking of getting a stereo tremolo pedal. I figured it would sound cool to ping pong notes between the two amps.


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Post subject: Re: 5e3 Clone
Posted: Tue Jul 24, 2012 9:05 pm
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I use a foot-switchable A/B/Y pedal to route my guitar signals to each channel of a dual-channel Fender amp OR CONVERSELY two independent amps.

My signal chain looks like this......

Fulltone OCD Zoom G1-X Amp Simulator A/DA Flanger Radial Big Shot A/B/Y switch.

From the Big Shot are a pair of selectable outputs which are routed to their intended amp inputs (the Big Shot also has an "always hot" output for a tuner).

I'm not certain how you'd insert a stereo trem pedal into the mix but I'm sure it's doable in some manner. If the pedal has true bypass capability you could likely dispense with the Big Shot altogether.

HTH, let us know how it works out.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: 5e3 Clone
Posted: Wed Jul 25, 2012 7:42 pm
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S3, don't think the 5Y3 is the rectifier for 6L6's. Not good with computers, so I'll put this down in text. Rectifier current capabilities: 5Y3-125ma; 5V4-175ma; 5AR4(GZ34)-250ma. Two 6L6GC in cathode biased class A1 draw 140-155ma max plate current. Two 6LGC in class AB1 draw 132-140ma max plate current. The 12AX7's are drawing !.2ma a piece. HTH Art

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Post subject: Re: 5e3 Clone
Posted: Wed Jul 25, 2012 10:25 pm
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aclempoppi wrote:
S3, don't think the 5Y3 is the rectifier for 6L6's.


+1

The 5V4 would likely be okay but I'd err on the side of comfort and safety and stick with the GZ34/5AR4, even if switching back to 6V6GTA's.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: 5e3 Clone
Posted: Fri Jul 27, 2012 9:46 pm
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Thanks for the input guys! It seemed a little flip for the builder to advise that I could change any of the tubes in any order.


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Post subject: Re: 5e3 Clone
Posted: Sat Jul 28, 2012 12:14 am
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s3mamill wrote:
It seemed a little flip for the builder to advise that I could change any of the tubes in any order.


Anytime I hear that assertion, the first thing I do is grab my RCA Receiving Tube Manual and start comparing standard operating characteristics. Just because a tube might happen to fit a given tube socket does not mean it belongs there. There are perhaps a dozen electrical parameters that must jive up to insure that such a swap does not damage the amp or present a personal safety hazard. And not everyone with a pocket protector and a soldering pencil has the acumen of a Leo Fender or the engineering expertise of an Ed Jahns.

Arjay

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