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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: Re: What amp shall I build next?
Posted: Mon Apr 21, 2014 4:58 pm
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Aspiring Musician
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Maybe you need both, the Marshall and the 5E3. Not at the same time of course but then you would just need to decide which one to build first, knowing the other would be along in time. You also like to pair amps and that would be a great pairing with different speaker options.

Can one have too many amps?


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Post subject: Re: What amp shall I build next?
Posted: Mon Apr 21, 2014 5:11 pm
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upnorth wrote:
Maybe you need both, the Marshall and the 5E3. Not at the same time of course but then you would just need to decide which one to build first, knowing the other would be along in time. You also like to pair amps and that would be a great pairing with different speaker options.

Can one have too many amps?


Don't be surprised to know that I haven't considered that. :lol:

No. :D

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Post subject: Re: What amp shall I build next?
Posted: Mon Apr 21, 2014 5:21 pm
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bluesky636 wrote:
63supro wrote:
Bill, are you sourcing all your parts or going for a kit?
BYOC has a real interesting kit that involves a 5e3, a Harvard, and a 5f1 all in one head. Seems like you can switch out the tone stack as well as adjust the negative feedback. Seems really interesting. I'm considering building one. It's between that and a Supro Model 24. The only thing holding me back from the Supro is the availability of real 6973 power tubes.

You've got some tough choices my friend. The 5e3 is an outstanding amp. I have a lot of fun with mine and get a lot of compliments on how it sounds.


It will most likely be a Weber kit with some mods/additions of my own. I don't have time to hunt down parts. Heck, I don't have time to build anything right now, but I will make time. :D

That
I'm not a fan of amps that claim to mimic two or three different amps. Something usually gets lost in the translation. I'd rather build a really good single type amp. 8)


The circuits are there, they can be switched on and off. You can switch between push pull and single end, dial the negative feedback and tone stacks in and out. I tried one that one of my cohorts had someone build for him. It's pretty slick. More like an original 5e3 at eleven watts. I'll probably do that one this winter. I get too busy with photography this time of year. This stuff is seriously addicting. I have quite a large collection of pedals i built too.

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Post subject: Re: What amp shall I build next?
Posted: Mon Apr 21, 2014 5:41 pm
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63supro wrote:
bluesky636 wrote:
63supro wrote:
Bill, are you sourcing all your parts or going for a kit?
BYOC has a real interesting kit that involves a 5e3, a Harvard, and a 5f1 all in one head. Seems like you can switch out the tone stack as well as adjust the negative feedback. Seems really interesting. I'm considering building one. It's between that and a Supro Model 24. The only thing holding me back from the Supro is the availability of real 6973 power tubes.

You've got some tough choices my friend. The 5e3 is an outstanding amp. I have a lot of fun with mine and get a lot of compliments on how it sounds.


It will most likely be a Weber kit with some mods/additions of my own. I don't have time to hunt down parts. Heck, I don't have time to build anything right now, but I will make time. :D

That
I'm not a fan of amps that claim to mimic two or three different amps. Something usually gets lost in the translation. I'd rather build a really good single type amp. 8)


The circuits are there, they can be switched on and off. You can switch between push pull and single end, dial the negative feedback and tone stacks in and out. I tried one that one of my cohorts had someone build for him. It's pretty slick. More like an original 5e3 at eleven watts. I'll probably do that one this winter. I get too busy with photography this time of year. This stuff is seriously addicting. I have quite a large collection of pedals i built too.


This is going to sound completely stupid but, I don't like reading instructions. :lol: :lol: :lol:

I have also done a lot of photography (local newspapers, sports, photo essays, etc.) and as a result, I am a very visual person. I can better figure out how to lay out and assemble things just buy looking at the wiring diagram and parts than by reading instructions. I learned a heck of a lot about proper lead dress building the Wrecking Ball. Reading instructions takes too much time and destroys the flow of building.

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Post subject: Re: What amp shall I build next?
Posted: Mon Apr 21, 2014 6:39 pm
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I wish I was like you. I get too nervous about setting something on fire. :lol: I'm learning the amp building thing. It's a lot of fun. I listen to you , Arjay, BMW, Snowy and learn from you. Because of that, I built two really fine amps and plan to do more. I use the instructions, wiring diagrams and schematics. Where I get stuck without the instructions is where to start without getting screwed up and not having room to fit other components.

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Post subject: Re: What amp shall I build next?
Posted: Mon Apr 21, 2014 9:05 pm
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63supro wrote:
Where I get stuck without the instructions is where to start without getting screwed up and not having room to fit other components.


See, to me that is part of the fun and challenge of building an amp, or anything else for that matter. Figuring out how things go together (which is why I can be such a PITA in answering questions here by insisting that someone do a little investigation and learn something by reading a schematic or what have you instead of just handing them the answer) is how you learn more about what you are doing and why. I'm still learning because I have had to back track plenty of times. :lol: :lol: :lol:

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Post subject: Re: What amp shall I build next?
Posted: Tue Apr 22, 2014 5:30 pm
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Bill, I voted for the 5E3 for a number of reasons.

- You don't have one
- You should have one
- You don't have a 6V6 amp
- It is a GREAT 6V6 amp
- You will find it a relaxing and "financially comfortable" build with end results exponentially greater than what goes into it.
- It is VERY likely to become your favourite amp.

Snowy


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Post subject: Re: What amp shall I build next?
Posted: Tue Apr 22, 2014 5:38 pm
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No457 Snowy wrote:
Bill, I voted for the 5E3 for a number of reasons.

- You don't have one
- You should have one
- You don't have a 6V6 amp
- It is a GREAT 6V6 amp
- You will find it a relaxing and "financially comfortable" build with end results exponentially greater than what goes into it.
- It is VERY likely to become your favourite amp.

Snowy


One more, the 5e3 can be easily modded. :mrgreen:

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Post subject: Re: What amp shall I build next?
Posted: Tue Apr 22, 2014 5:43 pm
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Gotta go for the large bottles! My only experience with KT66 is in my Peavey ValveKing 112. I use the Tung-Sol which is a direct replacement for a 6L6GC. Keeps me wondering what a real KT66 would sound like.

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Post subject: Re: What amp shall I build next?
Posted: Tue Apr 22, 2014 5:45 pm
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63supro wrote:
No457 Snowy wrote:
Bill, I voted for the 5E3 for a number of reasons.

- You don't have one
- You should have one
- You don't have a 6V6 amp
- It is a GREAT 6V6 amp
- You will find it a relaxing and "financially comfortable" build with end results exponentially greater than what goes into it.
- It is VERY likely to become your favourite amp.

Snowy


One more, the 5e3 can be easily modded. :mrgreen:


Good point, and can we imagine Bill modding an amp?.......Never! :lol:


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Post subject: Re: What amp shall I build next?
Posted: Tue Apr 22, 2014 9:09 pm
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Interestingly, the Bluesbreaker is in the lead.

Oh, I have some mods in mind for every one of the choices. :lol: :lol: :lol:

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Post subject: Re: What amp shall I build next?
Posted: Wed Apr 23, 2014 7:08 am
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The KT-66 driven Bluesbreaker is a unique amp. Definitely not the bluesy tone of the original Bassman tweed. Or the later tone of the EL34 driven BB. I kept away from KT-66 amps, as no good modern KT-66 were available until recently. The Gold Lion version seems to be a tube close to the tone of the original MOV/GEC ones (at least that is what I read on Tube DIY Boards).

From what I remember, the MOV/GEC KT-66 has tall headroom and a big tone. Like the 7581A, but with better midrange. More like a Tungsol 6550 tone. You need a hefty PT, as the KT-66 draws a lot more heater current than a 6L6GC. Like 0.5 amps more per tube. They can take a ridiculous amount of plate voltage. Well over the nominal max of 500VDC.

If you go this route, you are going to have one loud, cool amp! :D

Good luck!


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Post subject: Re: What amp shall I build next?
Posted: Wed Apr 23, 2014 4:21 pm
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Dead heat (again) between 5E3 Deluxe and Bluesbreaker. :D

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Post subject: Re: What amp shall I build next?
Posted: Wed Apr 23, 2014 4:52 pm
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I'll vote twice, for the BB. If you could find those Fane alnico 12-inch speakers they used in the early, early JTM's...

But I digress... :lol:


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Post subject: Re: What amp shall I build next?
Posted: Sun Apr 27, 2014 8:33 am
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Still a tie between the 5E3 Deluxe and Bluesbreaker. :lol:

I'll be leaving for California in a couple of hours and won't be back until Saturday 5/3. If anyone has any other thoughts or suggestions, please post them. I'll make my decision when I return.

Last trip we were working from 4:00 pm to midnight (which usually meant 1:00 or 2:00 am). This time out we're working from 6:00 am till 2:00 pm (or so the schedule shows :lol: :lol: :lol: ). If I am able to, I may make another trip up to Norm's Rare Guitars and try to get out to Corona to see the Fender Visitor Center. Unfortunately the factory tour is in the morning so that is a no-go. :cry:

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