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What amp shall I build next?
Poll ended at Sat May 03, 2014 3:18 pm
Fender 5E3 Deluxe 38%  38%  [ 8 ]
Fender 5E8A Twin 10%  10%  [ 2 ]
Marshall Bluesbreaker 43%  43%  [ 9 ]
Marshall JTM45/JMP50 Head 10%  10%  [ 2 ]
Total votes : 21
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Post subject: What amp shall I build next?
Posted: Sat Apr 19, 2014 3:18 pm
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Ok folks. Its decision time. What shall I build for my next amp project? Keep in mind that I have already built a 5F6A Bassman clone, a Trainwreck Express clone, modified a Chinese Champion 600 to 5F1 Champ spec (using the existing PCB), and heavily modified my BDRI beyond recognition. So I am looking for something that sounds different from those four.

I've posted a little poll of my choices. Tell me which one I should build and why. Note that I am not a Vox fan, nor do I care for Blackface Fenders (I have no use for 80 watts. Hell, I have no use for 40 watts but I like it. :lol: :lol: :lol: Nor do I favor tremolo.). I'll be on travel the week of 4/28 through 5/2 so I have set the poll for 2 weeks and will make my decision when I return.

Note: I reserve the right to completely ignore the winning amp and build what I want anyway, but I am interested in your opinion. :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

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Post subject: Re: What amp shall I build next?
Posted: Sat Apr 19, 2014 6:02 pm
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Only one real choice, the 5E3 Deluxe. Duh! 8)

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Post subject: Re: What amp shall I build next?
Posted: Sat Apr 19, 2014 6:15 pm
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Well, there's been 2 votes for the 5E3 and 3 for the Bluesbreaker but you are the only one to comment. Come on people. I want to hear your thoughts.

So, shimmilou, why did you pick the 5E3?

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Post subject: Re: What amp shall I build next?
Posted: Sat Apr 19, 2014 6:53 pm
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Bill, gotta vote for the 5E3. It seems to me you favor the tweed tones and the 5E3 is not a loud amp as you said, you don't need the watts, and I betting you learned a lot about that tweed tone doing your Bassman clone. So go with the toneful one.

T2

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Post subject: Re: What amp shall I build next?
Posted: Sat Apr 19, 2014 7:16 pm
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bluesky636 wrote:
...why did you pick the 5E3?


As far as sound of only Strat and amp, it is just about my all time favorite. The first time that I restored one, I could not stop playing it, and warned the owner to come and pick it up before I wore it out. I have since collected a couple of heads that are nearly the same circuit as a 5E3 (one channel only), and sound very much like it. IMO, the 5E3 Deluxe is the holy grail of Fender amps, and an absolutely dreamy tone.

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Post subject: Re: What amp shall I build next?
Posted: Sat Apr 19, 2014 8:03 pm
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I voted for the Fender 5E8A Twin. Just because I always wanted one......... The others are also great choices.

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Post subject: Re: What amp shall I build next?
Posted: Sat Apr 19, 2014 9:59 pm
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I love the tone of Clapton playing his Strat through a Tweed Twin. The amp is right at the edge of my budget though. The 5E3 would probably make a good choice just from the difference in tone with the other amps (6L6GC and E34L). I'm betting the Seymour Duncan Phat Cat (P-90) I just installed in my Epiphone Les Paul Jr would sound wicked through a 5E3. 8) I could also use a louder 6V6 amp from the Champion 600. :lol: The Marshalls are cool too though I'm not sure how different the tone would be from the Express clone (Both E34Ls).

I'd like to hear from some others. Ya'll have two weeks. :D

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Post subject: Re: What amp shall I build next?
Posted: Sat Apr 19, 2014 11:51 pm
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Bluesky, a JTM-45 (either head or in a combo) would be nice. The new Russian Gold Lion KT-66 is getting good reviews. Be nice to an amp voiced slighty different than a 6L6GC amp.



http://www.thetubestore.com/Tubes/Genal ... -Lion-KT66


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Post subject: Re: What amp shall I build next?
Posted: Sun Apr 20, 2014 3:17 am
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BMW2002Ti wrote:
Bluesky, a JTM-45 (either head or in a combo) would be nice. The new Russian Gold Lion KT-66 is getting good reviews. Be nice to an amp voiced slighty different than a 6L6GC amp.



http://www.thetubestore.com/Tubes/Genal ... -Lion-KT66


That's why I'm interested in the Marshalls. My Trainwreck Express clone uses E34Ls. I'm not that familiar with the KT66 to know how different they sound compared to the EL34/E34L based amps. The Express is not as mid-rangey as the 5F6A but is still nice and thick sounding. If I went with the head, it would run through my Crate 4x12 with Celestion G12M-25 Greenback Reissues which are really sweet sounding with the Express clone.

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Post subject: Re: What amp shall I build next?
Posted: Sun Apr 20, 2014 6:31 am
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I know you have narrowed your choices down but check out this little amp. (Trinity Tramp) I did a 5E3 build from Trinity and they are very high quality. With your electronic background you probably won't need tech support, but Steve is fantastic about getting back to people and very knowledgeable.

http://www.trinityamps.com/Product_Tramp.htm

http://www.trinityamps.com/phpbb/viewto ... f=6&t=2047


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Post subject: Re: What amp shall I build next?
Posted: Sun Apr 20, 2014 7:08 am
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That's why I'm interested in the Marshalls. My Trainwreck Express clone uses E34Ls. I'm not that familiar with the KT66 to know how different they sound compared to the EL34/E34L based amps. The Express is not as mid-rangey as the 5F6A but is still nice and thick sounding. If I went with the head, it would run through my Crate 4x12 with Celestion G12M-25 Greenback Reissues which are really sweet sounding with the Express clone.

IME, a good KT-66 has a powerful bass (similar to the mil spec 6L6GC or 7581A). Not as scooped-out midrange as the 6L6GC. And a clean sparkling high. Glassy smooth. Great harmonics and OD tone. Original MOV/GEC could handle +500VDC on the plates, with a idle dissipation max = 35 watts/tube (Class AB1, push-pull). It's a very good tube that has more of a beam pentode tone than the EL34 tone. With a slightly warmer mid. Like a smaller version of the vintage Tungsol 6550 tone.

Coke bottles are the sexiest of all tubes. That's worth a few points, at least. :lol:


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Post subject: Re: What amp shall I build next?
Posted: Sun Apr 20, 2014 7:29 am
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upnorth wrote:
I know you have narrowed your choices down but check out this little amp. (Trinity Tramp) I did a 5E3 build from Trinity and they are very high quality. With your electronic background you probably won't need tech support, but Steve is fantastic about getting back to people and very knowledgeable.

http://www.trinityamps.com/Product_Tramp.htm

http://www.trinityamps.com/phpbb/viewto ... f=6&t=2047


Thanks. I've seen the Trinity amps before but am not really interested in a low power, single ended amp (I have my modified Champion 600 for that). I also find the amps to be overpriced, especially considering that they do not include cabs and speakers.

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Post subject: Re: What amp shall I build next?
Posted: Sun Apr 20, 2014 7:29 am
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BMW2002Ti wrote:
That's why I'm interested in the Marshalls. My Trainwreck Express clone uses E34Ls. I'm not that familiar with the KT66 to know how different they sound compared to the EL34/E34L based amps. The Express is not as mid-rangey as the 5F6A but is still nice and thick sounding. If I went with the head, it would run through my Crate 4x12 with Celestion G12M-25 Greenback Reissues which are really sweet sounding with the Express clone.

IME, a good KT-66 has a powerful bass (similar to the mil spec 6L6GC or 7581A). Not as scooped-out midrange as the 6L6GC. And a clean sparkling high. Glassy smooth. Great harmonics and OD tone. Original MOV/GEC could handle +500VDC on the plates, with a idle dissipation max = 35 watts/tube (Class AB1, push-pull). It's a very good tube that has more of a beam pentode tone than the EL34 tone. With a slightly warmer mid. Like a smaller version of the vintage Tungsol 6550 tone.

Coke bottles are the sexiest of all tubes. That's worth a few points, at least. :lol:


Hmmmm. 8)

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Post subject: Re: What amp shall I build next?
Posted: Sun Apr 20, 2014 10:36 am
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shimmilou wrote:
Only one real choice, the 5E3 Deluxe. Duh! 8)

+1 On that, I love the 5E3 Deluxe, and not for the reasons most probably do, I play at relatively low volume and get a beatiful clean tone from it.


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Post subject: Re: What amp shall I build next?
Posted: Sun Apr 20, 2014 11:41 am
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bluesky636 wrote:


Thanks. I've seen the Trinity amps before but am not really interested in a low power, single ended amp (I have my modified Champion 600 for that). I also find the amps to be overpriced, especially considering that they do not include cabs and speakers.[/quote]

Okay, here's one for you. With your background in EE and your knowledge of tube amps, why aren't you designing your own? All the good tube amps haven't already been made. People just don't go outside the box.


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