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Post subject: Snowy's Deluxe Amp build
Posted: Sat Nov 20, 2010 11:54 pm
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Well folks here's the thread I decided to start documenting the build of the Deluxe amp kit I bought from The Tube Amp Depot.

I'm hoping the thread will provide a place for me to record things as I work through the kit and also provide a place for discussion as the build progresses and also maybe encourage other guitarists to take up the challenge and put together their own amp. I won't be rushing through the build as I want to take the opportunity, and time, to record the different steps, any challenges as they arise and generally enjoy putting together my own amp. As I spend time on the build I'll just document it and post into the thread.

If anyone is familiar with the kit they will be aware that it utilises a PCB (Printed Circuit Board), while I do recognise that some may reject it on that basis alone but I don't have a problem with it at all. The PCB follows the original point-to-point Tweed Deluxe layout, it has wide, thick traces and military styled through-hole plating, it's very different from the board in my Blues Junior. Anyway I hope everyone enjoys this thread.

Now to the build:

Starting on the cabinet I carefully marked and drilled the chassis mounting holes and then the chassis was test fitted.

Ready to drill chassis mounting holes.
Image

Test fitting the chassis to the mounting bolts and back panel - perfect! :)
Image

I then decided to add some more vintage Mojo to the Tweed so the next thing I decided to do was to lacquer it. There's various way to do this, but I used a rattle can of Clear Shellac as a base sealer coat and then prepared a mixture of Amber Shellac and sprayed 2 coats of of that with my trusty Iwata airbrush (I couldn't find any rattle cans of Amber Shellac). You can brush on the shellac and most people do it that way, so I know using the airbrush sounds kinda weird but the Iwata has a 6 inch round spray pattern and allowed me to really control the application and blending of the finish as I worked on each panel, with no paint brush marks.

Before refinishing:
Image

Here's what I used for the job.
Image

After refinishing and reassembly of baffle board etc., some people may not like it, but to me it just looks nicer and a bit more aged.
Image

Here it is for comparison next to my Lacquered Tweed Blues Junior.
Image

Now I'm really happy with the cabinet look, next up I'll be adding the speaker and wiring/plug.

Cheers, till next time.


Last edited by No457 Snowy on Wed May 25, 2011 2:56 am, edited 5 times in total.

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Posted: Sun Nov 21, 2010 12:02 am
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I am seriously digging that lacquered tweed, Snowy!

Smart decision to use the Iwata (I'm a Paasche man myself).

I too have no problems with properly-designed PCBs -- I'm sure this amp will produce the traditional 5E3 mojo.

Rawk on......can't wait to see the next "installment"!

Arjay

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Post subject: 5e3 build
Posted: Sun Nov 21, 2010 12:55 am
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Very Nice.


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Posted: Sun Nov 21, 2010 3:33 am
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Looking forward to this project. Looks great........... 8) Mike

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Posted: Sun Nov 21, 2010 5:02 am
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great job


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Posted: Sun Nov 21, 2010 8:18 am
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It's always great to see that the mankind has still the "make" and not only the "buy". Congrats, let us see next steps. 8)

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Posted: Sun Nov 21, 2010 8:27 am
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Thanks for starting this build Snowy. 8)
Speaker size?
And how long do you let the finish dry?
I like that final resulting color!!!

-T

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Posted: Sun Nov 21, 2010 9:14 am
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you got me wanting one !
It will be my next big project since i finished my franken-strat yesterday.
Its so fun to build your own and have it sound great!
A 5E3 is most likely what I'lll build also.

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Posted: Sun Nov 21, 2010 5:19 pm
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Really nice touch Snowy. Nothing wrong with the PCB version. The tube sockets mount to the chassis so you really shouldn't have any issues at all. It's a quality kit.

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Posted: Sun Nov 21, 2010 5:29 pm
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Sweet! The pc board also has some tweaking options available. You just can't beat the old Leo designs when it comes to tone.


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Posted: Sun Nov 21, 2010 7:16 pm
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So what is the cost of this kit ?

Any idea what the finish price will be?

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Posted: Sun Nov 21, 2010 9:00 pm
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So what is the cost of this kit ?

http://www.tubedepot.com/kit-tweeddeluxe.html


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Posted: Sun Nov 21, 2010 9:31 pm
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Hey Snowy,

Looks very good.

Have you considered getting a name plate for the front pannel?

I just got a name plate made by a trophy shop for $12.

Only issue I'm having is how to mout it. It is very thin and make of brass colored aluminum. So drilling may be very iffy. I may consider glueing.

The other issue i'm having difficulty posting a pic of it. Any advice?


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Posted: Mon Nov 22, 2010 1:38 am
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Thanks everyone for the interest in the thread and for the encouraging comments.

It may take me a couple of days to get the next instalments up but they are coming and I'll post up as time allows.

To answer the questions:
@tyronne - The speaker is 12". The finish dries very quickly, by the time you get around each panel on the amp, including the bottom, you can re-coat. it is completely dry to the touch and you can handle it normally within about 2 hours.

@blues bondsman - The price on the kit is $600 and other than shipping to wherever you are, the cost should really be just your time, so long as you have soldering gear, basic tools etc.

@TTSC - Yeah a name plate looks good on these amps, it's something I'd consider.


Snowy.


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Posted: Mon Nov 22, 2010 5:04 am
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Surprisingly, I managed to get a bit more done tonight:

Speaker and wiring components ready to go.
Image

Speaker and wiring assembled and fitted.
Image

Populating the circuit board with the various components is coming up next.


Snowy


Last edited by No457 Snowy on Thu May 26, 2011 2:45 am, edited 1 time in total.

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