5E3 Build... Finally!

Re: 5E3 Build... Finally!

:)

Good to know. Appreciate the feedback, thanks!

I remember you liking G12H30... I too love it.

Regarding the amp ... it is kinda important to point out that I will be adding a switchable negative feedback (to be used just in case you know) resistor. Not a low value... Don't wanna turn the amp into a "blackface" you know.

:)

And when engaged, I will have some eq you know. Presence and resonance... And I think, it may help.

B
 
Re: 5E3 Build... Finally!

Yeah I always thought a Green-Backish speaker sounded good in the E3. I have the Eminence GB12 in ours.
I really think this amp sounds much better with a reduced bypass cap at V1, and maybe even reduce the 0.10 caps to the PI. It is definitely worth experimenting with both.
I know I went with 4.7uF at V1, not sure if I fooled with the PI (like I do with a lot of the BF circuits) or not.
Just a thought.
Good Luck and post some pics as you move along with the build.:)
best
 
Re: 5E3 Build... Finally!

Yeah, that's the thing about a 5E3 - it sounds like a 5E3 no matter what you do to it. So you either accept that and build it into your sound, or move on. They have never been known for being versatile amps, but it does its one thing really well.
 
Re: 5E3 Build... Finally!

zzmoore said:
Yeah I always thought a Green-Backish speaker sounded good in the E3. I have the Eminence GB12 in ours.
I really think this amp sounds much better with a reduced bypass cap at V1, and maybe even reduce the 0.10 caps to the PI. It is definitely worth experimenting with both.
I know I went with 4.7uF at V1, not sure if I fooled with the PI (like I do with a lot of the BF circuits) or not.
Just a thought.
Good Luck and post some pics as you move along with the build.:)
best
Click to expand...

Will keep these suggestions on my mind...

Very cool!

Thanks!

B :)
 
Re: 5E3 Build... Finally!

Powdered Toast Man said:
Yeah, that's the thing about a 5E3 - it sounds like a 5E3 no matter what you do to it. So you either accept that and build it into your sound, or move on. They have never been known for being versatile amps, but it does its one thing really well.
Click to expand...

Right on...

:cool2:

I just don't want it to become a "mud pool of mids" you know...

B
 
Re: 5E3 Build... Finally!

Doc, I do like the G12H30's I use in my Deluxe Reverb amps. I even liked the Greenback I had in one DR for a while and the Vintage 30 I had in there as well.

Back when I had a couple of real 5E3's, the one's Bruce at Mission Amps modeled his kit after (we're brothers), I liked the Vintage 30 I tried best of those three ceramic magnet Celestions, but it was just to heavy for the thin baffle board and the tone wasn't quite perfect.

The Vintage 30 was designed as a ceramic magnet version of the Celestion G12 alnico. That's the speaker used in the great Vox amps of yore. Yes, they're not identical and yes the V30 handles much more wattage. But they were trying to get THAT tone.

The G12 is the one to get if you can swing it. They're expensive but nothing else sounds as good to me.

None of the Webers or Tone Tubbys or any of the cannabis cone speakers have the brilliant highs and vocal/horn-like mids of the G12 alnico. ("horn" as in a brass horn: you know trumpets, saxophones, that sort of thing)

In my opinion.
 
Re: 5E3 Build... Finally!

Hey Lew -
Never new that about the Vintage 30.
I realize they (as you imply) are not a "clone", but it is interesting to note that they were based on those old (I guess Silver Basket) 12" Vox speakers.
best
 
Re: 5E3 Build... Finally!

zzmoore said:
Hey Lew -
Never new that about the Vintage 30.
I realize they (as you imply) are not a "clone", but it is interesting to note that they were based on those old (I guess Silver Basket) 12" Vox speakers.
best
Click to expand...

Don't know if it was the blue or the silver model they based the V30 on. Not a big difference.

I have a few of those silver Vox speakers from the 60's and one blue.

Some folks think the Vox Bulldog is the same but that's not really a very good speaker. I think they were made for the Thomas Organ Vox Amps by Utah, and Utah made pretty bad guitar speakers.

But the silver or blue G12 alnicos are great speakers when used in the right amp. David Lindley, one of my favorite players, uses that speaker in his wide panel tweed Deluxe so I tried it in my narrow panel Deluxes and loved it.

I still use one, but I have it in my Princeton Reverb Amp.
 
Re: 5E3 Build... Finally!

I love the G12 alnico in some Fender amps and a 5E3 is one of them!

I use a late 60's silver frame version in my 6G3 brown Deluxe and it's a great speaker...I used a Greenback for a while and it's good but most of the time I felt like the G12 was "better".

I do want to try the new Emi EJ speaker in there but don't feel like dropping 3 bills just yet!
 
Re: 5E3 Build... Finally!

Look hard for a good deal on a used one...I bought my 68 silver frame for a great price (the vintage examples run $500-600 a pop right now) but I did look around for a while to get a good deal.

Also, I know Lew said he didn't like them but the Weber clones are good sounding speakers and are right at 2/3 the cost...
 
Re: 5E3 Build... Finally!

The Weber doesn't sound like a Celestion to me. And it lacks treble, IMO. I think the 5E3 needs treble. And bass.
 
Re: 5E3 Build... Finally!

5E3-Trafolar-03_zpsbb37c75b.jpg


5E3-Trafolar-01_zps00bbe487.jpg


5E3-Trafolar-05_zpsa563e865.jpg


5E3-Trafolar-02_zpsc82367fe.jpg


5E3-Trafolar-04_zps1d774d27.jpg


B :)
 
Re: 5E3 Build... Finally!

NFB toggle is good idea. Even betterbif you get ON-OFF-ON switch and put two different resistors in ON and no NFB in OFF setting. You get 3 flavors in one switch, all potentially cool :)
 
Re: 5E3 Build... Finally!

I have those trannies in my Champ I built. They are highly regarded! You will become addicted to building now. It is so much fun and so rewarding to play something you have made!
 
Re: 5E3 Build... Finally!

If your not a member you should join TDPRI. There are a few experts on the 5e3 that hang out over there and usually always a few of them being built. I'm pretty sure it would wind up being a great resource. Not that there's not plenty of help here I'm sure I'm just throwing out a suggestion.
 
Re: 5E3 Build... Finally!

Thanks for the suggestion. I know the place, and have already an account over there...

B :)
 
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