5E3 Build... Finally!

dr.barlo

dr.barlo

New member
:friday:

Trannies would be from Classic Tone:

http://www.classictone.net/

And am gonna be using Sozo caps. I kinda like them... Would also try Mallory 150s BTW. Loved the ones in Fender custom shop 5E3... And they should be Mallory caps as far as I know.

I am thinking of using a mini toggle, to include presence/resonance (by adding a negative feedback resistor) in order to increase versatility... I might skip it... I haven't decided on in yet. Any feedback? When the toggle is off, there would not be any negative feedback resistor and it'd be a stock 5E3.

Any input guys?

Thanks in advance.

B
 
Re: 5E3 Build... Finally!

The NFB switch is a good idea, as far as option's go.
Pretty easy mod, and has a big effect.
Cannot go wrong with "iron" from Mag Comp.
Good Luck
 
Re: 5E3 Build... Finally!

I have no input other than to say I am excited for you. I actually bought a kit about a month ago and haven't had time to start on it. Best of luck with your build. Please try to track it with photos and keep us in the loop.
 
Re: 5E3 Build... Finally!

Lazarus1140 said:
I have no input other than to say I am excited for you. I actually bought a kit about a month ago and haven't had time to start on it. Best of luck with your build. Please try to track it with photos and keep us in the loop.
Click to expand...

Thanks. I've been dreaming of a 5E3 for quite a while now... Gotta have that Kid Charlemagne tone you know...

:friday:

I am building these stuff together and with the help of a friend of mine. In fact, he is rather the one doing the specifics generally, but this time I think I will be soldering way more than our previous work. And will not forget to take pics and all.

B
 
Re: 5E3 Build... Finally!

i have a 5e3 clone and its a cool little amp. i have the mallory 150's in mine and like them a lot
 
Re: 5E3 Build... Finally!

:)

Good to know Jeremy. Thanks for sharing.

I have ordered both them Sozo's and Mallory caps. Yet, I have not decided which ones to use. And "trying" is kinda difficult as you can imagine.

B
 
Re: 5E3 Build... Finally!

The right speaker is crucial. IMO, that means an alnico 12 of some kind. It needs to have high efficiency, deep clear bass, vocal midrange and plenty of clear treble on top or the 5e3 will sound muddy.

The best speakers I ever had in my 5e3 were a real 1958 8 ohm Jensen blue frame P12Q speaker, a real mid 60's 8 ohm Celestion G12 Blue frame and a real 60's 8 ohm Celestion G12 Silver frame.

The reissue Celestion G12 Alnico Blue frame also sounded very good. The 5e3 needs a speaker with more treble than might seem appropriate for other amps, IMO.

Anything with super smooth treble, like a hemp cone something-or-other made my 5e3 sound like a THUMB instead of a speaker. LoL!
 
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Re: 5E3 Build... Finally!

Lewguitar said:
The right speaker is crucial. IMO, that means an alnico 12 of some kind. It needs to have high efficiency, deep clear bass, vocal midrange and plenty of clear treble on top or the 5e3 will sound muddy.

The best speakers I ever had in my 5e3 were a real 1958 8 ohm Jensen blue frame P12Q speaker, a real mid 60's 8 ohm Celestion G12 Blue frame and a real 60's 8 ohm Celestion G12 Silver frame.

The reissue Celestion G12 Alnico Blue frame also sounded very good. The 5e3 needs a speaker with more treble than might seem appropriate for other amps, IMO.

Anything with super smooth treble, like a hemp cone something-or-other made my 5e3 sound like a THUMB instead of a speaker. LoL!
Click to expand...

+1. I built a Mission 5E3 kit and the RI Jensen C12N was not great. I managed to score an actual 1960 Jensen P12Q off eBay in excellent condition (it came out of an organ) and it's bloody loud but amazing sounding! Apparently the Weber 12A125 is a good option as well.
 
Re: 5E3 Build... Finally!

Powdered Toast Man said:
+1. I built a Mission 5E3 kit and the RI Jensen C12N was not great. I managed to score an actual 1960 Jensen P12Q off eBay in excellent condition (it came out of an organ) and it's bloody loud but amazing sounding! Apparently the Weber 12A125 is a good option as well.
Click to expand...

Can you elaborate? Would appreciate it.

:)

I already have a new Jensen C12N... Hence, am curious.

B
 
Re: 5E3 Build... Finally!

Lewguitar said:
The right speaker is crucial. IMO, that means an alnico 12 of some kind. It needs to have high efficiency, deep clear bass, vocal midrange and plenty of clear treble on top or the 5e3 will sound muddy.

The best speakers I ever had in my 5e3 were a real 1958 8 ohm Jensen blue frame P12Q speaker, a real mid 60's 8 ohm Celestion G12 Blue frame and a real 60's 8 ohm Celestion G12 Silver frame.

The reissue Celestion G12 Alnico Blue frame also sounded very good. The 5e3 needs a speaker with more treble than might seem appropriate for other amps, IMO.

Anything with super smooth treble, like a hemp cone something-or-other made my 5e3 sound like a THUMB instead of a speaker. LoL!
Click to expand...

Thanks.

How about a 75Hz Celestion G12H30? What would be your guess? Not good no?

B
 
Re: 5E3 Build... Finally!

I thought I posted the following message in this topic...

:banghead:

Here it goes...

dr.barlo said:
The thing would be a head unit. And am gonna be using a G12H30 Anni. version (75Hz). I also have a (new) Jensen C12N, that I might try.

BTW, unless you guys lead me otherwise, my current choice is TungSol 6V6's...

B :)
Click to expand...

B
 
Re: 5E3 Build... Finally!

Very cool Doc! I use the Sozos in my Marshall for many years now and love em...Just realize will take a little while for the Sozos to warm in...I also use the blue Sozos in my BF Fender and they are nice caps also..The 5E3 is def a cool little amp!
 
Re: 5E3 Build... Finally!

The original '66 C12N I tried was to smooth and creamy. The G12H30 I had in mine was OK but the voicing wasn't open enough in the mids. And both it and the Vintage 30 I tried were to heavy - I was afraid the mounting screws would pull through the 5/16" plywood baffle board. These amps use a thin baffle board - at least the originals did. 1/2" or 3/4" ply would not sound like an original 50's 5e3. That thin board is part of the deal.
 
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Re: 5E3 Build... Finally!

dr.barlo said:
Can you elaborate? Would appreciate it.

:)

I already have a new Jensen C12N... Hence, am curious.

B
Click to expand...

Well, it's all personal taste I suppose, but when I finished my 5E3 build and began playing with it for a few weeks, I was kind of underwhelmed. With all the hype I'd heard about the amp I'd expected to be blown away. It was good, but nothing special.
I started hunting around and got some advice on speakers. Bruce at Mission said that he himself wasn't too happy about shipping his kits with the reissue C12N, but that he did simply because the cost of the Alnico speakers had jumped in recent years and this was the only way he could keep the retail price of the kits down. He also told me that the Alnico Blue Dog (very expensive) and the late 50's-early 60's Jensen P12Q's were the two best speakers he'd ever heard in these amps. As it happens, I was able to snag the P12Q from a seller who was parting out a bunch of old organs.
The difference is night and day. Once I dropped the '60 P12Q in there it was like a different amp. It was one of my first experiences swapping a speaker and NOW I can see why the 5E3 is so legendary.
The reissue C12N might be a decent speaker in the right amp, but it's just not the right voice for the 5E3.
 
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Re: 5E3 Build... Finally!

Powdered Toast Man said:
Well, it's all personal taste I suppose, but when I finished my 5E3 build and began playing with it for a few weeks, I was kind of underwhelmed. With all the hype I'd heard about the amp I'd expected to be blown away. It was good, but nothing special.
I started hunting around and got some advice on speakers. Bruce at Mission said that he himself wasn't too happy about shipping his kits with the reissue C12N, but that he did simply because the cost of the Alnico speakers had jumped in recent years and this was the only way he could keep the retail price of the kits down. He also told me that the Alnico Blue Dog (very expensive) and the late 50's-early 60's Jensen P12Q's were the two best speakers he'd ever heard in these amps. As it happens, I was able to snag the P12Q from a seller who was parting out a bunch of old organs.
The difference is night and day. Once I dropped the '60 P12Q in there it was like a different amp. It was one of my first experiences swapping a speaker and NOW I can see why the 5E3 is so legendary.
The reissue C12N might be a decent speaker in the right amp, but it's just not the right voice for the 5E3.
Click to expand...

This does not help!

:banghead:

Joking of course... Thanks for the details. I appreciate it.

B
 
Re: 5E3 Build... Finally!

You guys did not help!!!

:)

I have been researching for a while now...

:banghead:

I am not gonna get an alnico speaker... It's expensive...

:banghead:

I found out that there are many out there, loving the tighter bass and tighter overall sound (especially when overdriven) of G12H30's and/or Greenbacks... I already have a G12H30 70Anni. in the cab of my Blues Jr. and that's exactly what I will be using with this 5E3 of mine (which will be a head unit). At this point I have to add that when I tried Clark's 5E3 take, I did not like it due to its "muddy" or too dense midrange you know... Yet, I loved the Fender Custom Shop 57 Tweed Deluxe Reissue... So it's not like, I don't like 5E3... I do...

Coming back to the speaker issue:

Please tell me. Am I being stubborn and ignorant? Seriously... I appreciate the feedback I am getting here, especially because it is given by "real" guitar players who know tone... you know...

Best,

B
 
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Re: 5E3 Build... Finally!

the g12h is one of my favorite speakers. it can be a little too thick in a 5e3 but if you plug into the bright channel and put the volume of the normal channel around 10 youll lose a little mid range and get a clearer sound.

5e3's can be hard amps to get great tones out of at times but when you get what you want the guitar almost plays itself
 
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