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Posted: Sat Dec 11, 2010 8:19 pm
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Thanks tyronne!

The Filament and Jewel Light wiring is done. The Filament wiring on the two Preamp tube sockets is a MAJOR PIA!

As mentioned earlier in the thread (TTSC, I think mentioned it), the Green 18 ga wire for the filaments is just a bit bigger than is really comfortable for the job when piggy-backing the connections for pins 9 and 4/5 on the preamp sockets. I managed to get it done but not without enduring a serious test on my sanity. :shock:

Someone with a little less patience for fiddly work may well have snapped!
:oops:

Anyway, that's about it for the guts of this amp really, just got to install the AC power cable, wire it for 240 Volts, and put the Chassis in it's new home inside the cabinet.

I might even sign and date the inside of the Chassis with a Texta, just because I can. :P

Filament and Jewel light wiring (Green)
Image


Snowy


Last edited by No457 Snowy on Sat May 28, 2011 2:05 am, edited 1 time in total.

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Posted: Sat Dec 11, 2010 8:58 pm
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Wow, that amp is comming along just great Snowy. I feel your pain. The rest is a cakewalk.


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Posted: Sat Dec 11, 2010 9:48 pm
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It really is gorgeous, Snowy.

Hope it sounds as sweet as it looks!

Arjay

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Posted: Sun Dec 12, 2010 7:24 am
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Incredible job Snowy. Just incredible.

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Post subject: Re: Snowy's Deluxe Amp build
Posted: Sun Dec 19, 2010 1:28 am
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Well folks, she's finished!

Passed the "Smoke Test" (without any smoke!). Actually there wasn't a single problem during the startup and testing procedures. All voltages at the various test points were exactly as expected. She sounds VERY VERY sweet, lovely clean tone and a superb driven tone, VERY touch sensitive and oozes pure Tweed Goodness!!

And it's dead quite as well!



Here's some pics of the final results

The Back End with the back still off. Just before inserting the tubes and testing:
Image

The Front End:
Image

The Top:
Image

Mr. and Mrs. Deluxe meet for the first time!
Image

In conclusion, I am extremely happy with this amp. If you are thinking about taking the plunge and building your own amp, I highly recommend this kit, it really builds into a quality amp that I expect will be a lifetime Tone companion.

Thanks to everyone for the supportive comments during the thread.

Snowy


Last edited by No457 Snowy on Sat May 28, 2011 2:10 am, edited 1 time in total.

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Post subject: Re: Snowy's Deluxe Amp build
Posted: Sun Dec 19, 2010 2:35 am
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Exellent job Snowy hope they have many long and happy years together


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Post subject: Re: Snowy's Deluxe Amp build
Posted: Sun Dec 19, 2010 2:37 am
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A fine job, Snowy.

Doubly-so considering it's a "first effort".

RAWK ON!

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Snowy's Deluxe Amp build
Posted: Sun Dec 19, 2010 6:21 am
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Excellent Snowy!
You've given me inspiration to try this myself. I started saving when I read your posts.

Thanks for a great build and wonderful pictures to o along with it! :wink:

Have fun with it!

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Post subject: Re: Snowy's Deluxe Amp build
Posted: Sun Dec 19, 2010 9:06 am
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Very nice job! I'd love to try that myself, but am fearful of my soldering skills or lack thereof. :shock:

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Post subject: Re: Snowy's Deluxe Amp build
Posted: Sun Dec 19, 2010 10:25 am
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Looks Real Nice! When do we get to hear it?

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Post subject: Re: Snowy's Deluxe Amp build
Posted: Sun Dec 19, 2010 12:55 pm
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Thanks folks!

bill948, I'll try and get something sorted.

tyronne and RVM, do yourself a favour and go for it! If you get some soldering practice while you are saving up and then take your time, pay attention to what you're doing at each step and don't rush, you can do it. It's actually like starting a whole new hobby, and you learn so much in the process. Also do some reading on tube amps and basic electronics as you don't want to be poking around without a clue, it can get you killed!

I took the advice posted earlier in the thread (stratele52 posted it I think) and built a simple "Dim-Bulb Tester" for the initial power-on. I emailed Rob Hull from "The Tube Depot" and he advised me to use a series of different wattage bulbs to progressively power up, starting with 15watt and moving through 25, 40, 60, 75, then 100watt bulbs. After each bulb change, checking for any smoke, strange smells or anything else untoward, and finally after the 100watt bulb, straight into the AC socket.

The lower wattage bulbs have a higher internal resistance so they limit the amount of current that can flow through the amp, each bulb lit about half brightness, this will help buy some time and limit any damage if the amp has a short-circuit. By incrementaly changing the bulbs you are slowly ramping up the current to the amp, until it's straight to the wall socket. If you have a short circuit the bulb will light up full brightness and stay bright drawing more current and helping prevent your faulty amp from turning into charcoal before you cut the power.

I decided to order the same Chicken Head knobs in Cream colour just to personalise the amp a bit, I think they will look nice, just for something a bit different. The White AC cord I used was just an extension cord I bought and cut the Female end off, since the supplied Black one in the kit has the US style plug fitted.

Anyway, any questions about the build or kit, please fire away, (we can also use PM's now with the new forum).

Snowy


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Post subject: Re: Snowy's Deluxe Amp build
Posted: Sun Dec 19, 2010 2:19 pm
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By the way how is the sound ? 8)
Tissan

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Post subject: Re: Snowy's Deluxe Amp build
Posted: Sun Dec 19, 2010 3:18 pm
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Hi Tissan,

Tonewise I couldn't be happier with it. The 5E3 circuit is one of those amps where you can go from clean/on the edge, to a nice breakup very easily just from changing how hard you pick! It's also very responsive to the Volume knob on the guitar, roll it back to 7 and you have clean on the verge of breakup, roll it up to 10 and you have a juicy lead tone with seemingly infinite variations in between, no pedals required.

The volume controls for the two channels on the amp are also interactive, so there are a lot of tones you can achieve by adjusting both of them, even on the channel you're not plugged into. Also, I've tried some jumpering of inputs with a patch cord, JTM45 style and again that yields some nice variations in tone.

Only 3 knobs, but seemingly endless variations!

I have a 12AX7 in V1 at the moment, I'm keen to try a 12AY7 to drop the input gain a bit as per the original 5E3 circuit design. At the moment the amp hits the clean/breakup point at around number 3 on the Volume knob, but by then it is also very loud. I notice Fender also ships the '57 Deluxe Reissue with a 12AX7 in V1, with a note that the 12AY7 is the option as per the original, maybe they just had problems sourcing a steady and reliable supply 12AY7's?

Something I noticed right away is that this amp has no Reverb and it doesn't appear to need it either! There's already a dimensional depth to the tone and a nice resonance that somehow negates the need for Reverb. :shock:

Maybe I'm just too biased right now, but as you can probably tell, I can't help it at the moment I keep hearing it and looking at it and sit here thinking "I built this thing" :D


Snowy


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Post subject: Re: Snowy's Deluxe Amp build
Posted: Sun Dec 19, 2010 3:28 pm
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No457 Snowy wrote:
Maybe I'm just too biased right now, but as you can probably tell, I can't help it at the moment I keep hearing it and looking at it and sit here thinking "I built this thing"


It's a great feeling isn't it, Snowy?

I'm the same way every time I finish a conversion or a new home-cloned cab.

You put a lot into your Deluxe and have every right to gloat a bit.

As Yogi Berra once said, "it ain't braggin' if you can do it."

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Snowy's Deluxe Amp build
Posted: Sun Dec 19, 2010 3:40 pm
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Thanks Arjay, that makes me feel a lot less guilty for feeling the way I do right now. :oops:

Your input (and the input of other members) in this thread are much appreciated and provided a great source of encouragement for me, so thanks again for that.

Snowy


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