Started My Amp Project

[ericmeyer4]

I have decided for a summer project I want to build a 5E3 kit from mission amps and now it is really underway!

I purchased and unfinished 5E3 cab on ebay (which arrived today) and just put in an order with mojo for the rest of my cab parts (at least I hope it was everything).

The only thing left to get is the kit itself and a speaker. I'm going to wait a week till I get paid. I don't want to dip into my savings. I figure with the rest of this stuff it will give me something to do while I wait for the kit to get in.

Here is what I have so far

Cab complete with speaker mounting screws

3x Knobs

4x Large Rubber Feet

Metal Corners / Set of 4

Black Cabinet Corner Nails 1/2'' Long

1 yard-Grill Cloth - Mojotone Surplus Gray Black Weave

2 yards- Tolex - Mojotone Rough Red /54''(W) (wanted extra just in case)

Handle w/ Mounting Hardware

Mojo Glue for Tolex and Tweed (1 Quart)

5E3 kit still needs to be purchased

Speaker still needs to be purchased

Am I missing anything else?

I would love to get some tilt back legs for it, but at $45/each I don't think so.'

What thread is complete without pics right?

 

[BigAlTheBird]

Re: Started My Amp Project

Nice looking cab dude! Good luck with that.

Oh and make sure to keep us updated.

 

[Hot _Grits]

Re: Started My Amp Project

Nice choice. I've compared an assembled Mission 5E3 next to my Victoria Double Deluxe and it was right up there in terms of sound quality. Keep us posted!

 

[B Bent]

Re: Started My Amp Project

Nice choice. I've compared an assembled Mission 5E3 next to my Victoria Double Deluxe and it was right up there in terms of sound quality. Keep us posted!

That's good to hear. I wasn't all that impressed with 5E3's and thought that they, by design, just weren't me. That was before I played the Victoria one. It is an awesome amp. I won't spend the $$$$ to buy a Vicky, but I'd put together a Mission one if it sounded as good!


BTW...Nice cab Eric!

 

[MojoMonster]

Re: Started My Amp Project

Am I missing anything else?

Don't forget the fifth of whiskey stains, the cigarette burns and Ode de Stale Sweat & Beer for the *relicing* process, man!!!

Amp looks sweet.
Keep us updated on your progress.

You are going to tweed wrap that puppy, right?

MM

 

[ericmeyer4]

Re: Started My Amp Project

I figured out that I didn't order enough corner protectors. :smack: Apparently there are 8 corners on an amp. Not 4 like a thought.

Don't forget the fifth of whiskey stains, the cigarette burns and Ode de Stale Sweat & Beer for the *relicing* process, man!!!

Amp looks sweet.
Keep us updated on your progress.

You are going to tweed wrap that puppy, right?

MM

No... I don't like the look of tweed. It is getting red tolex and a black grill cloth and hardware.


I will deffinatly keep an update (with pictures) on this project!

Thanks,
Eric

 

[Gr8Scott]

Re: Started My Amp Project

Very nice! Good luck man! I want to hear clips and see the results mang, so don't be afraid to share with us.

 

[Hot _Grits]

Re: Started My Amp Project

That's good to hear. I wasn't all that impressed with 5E3's and thought that they, by design, just weren't me. That was before I played the Victoria one. It is an awesome amp. I won't spend the $$$$ to buy a Vicky, but I'd put together a Mission one if it sounded as good!


BTW...Nice cab Eric!

yeah, the Victoria Deluxe is a killer amp. The one I played was so good that I ordered the Double Deluxe right there on the spot.

 

[Fresh_Start]

Re: Started My Amp Project

Good luck Eric! Can't wait to see your project as it moves along.

The only things missing are time, patience, and two different colored highlighters. Why 2 highlighters, you ask? So you can put each component on the board, testing the value and highlighting it on both the schematic and the layout. Then as you solder, use the 2nd highlighter to mark each component and joint as you work. Sounds like a PITA? Well, it's not as bad as spending hours trying to figure out what's wrong with your amp only to find a 100 ohm resistor where there should be a 100K resistor, or even worse discovering that the amp makes no sound because you didn't actually solder one pin on a tube socket. Going back & forth between your build, the layout, and the schematic will also help you learn the circuit really well.

Oh, you need a light-bulb current limiter. Essential for your first startup to avoid frying expensive transformers. Just in case you haven't read it yet, here are Paul Ruby's procedures for your first startup: http://www.paulrubyamps.com/info.html#FirstPowerUp

Hope this helps,

Chip

 

[ericmeyer4]

Re: Started My Amp Project

Good luck Eric! Can't wait to see your project as it moves along.

The only things missing are time, patience, and two different colored highlighters. Why 2 highlighters, you ask? So you can put each component on the board, testing the value and highlighting it on both the schematic and the layout. Then as you solder, use the 2nd highlighter to mark each component and joint as you work. Sounds like a PITA? Well, it's not as bad as spending hours trying to figure out what's wrong with your amp only to find a 100 ohm resistor where there should be a 100K resistor, or even worse discovering that the amp makes no sound because you didn't actually solder one pin on a tube socket. Going back & forth between your build, the layout, and the schematic will also help you learn the circuit really well.

Oh, you need a light-bulb current limiter. Essential for your first startup to avoid frying expensive transformers. Just in case you haven't read it yet, here are Paul Ruby's procedures for your first startup: http://www.paulrubyamps.com/info.html#FirstPowerUp

Hope this helps,

Chip

Thanks for the tip!

 

[casblah]

Re: Started My Amp Project

Give it hell dude....

 

[gnoj_LL]

Re: Started My Amp Project

that thing is nice men! keep it up

 

[ericmeyer4]

Re: Started My Amp Project

Right now I'm just waiting on parts. They are suppose to come in the 21st so I will probably have another update then. I would start tolex the cab as soon as I get everything, but I want to wait until the chassis gets here. I want to make sure everything is going to fit the way it is suppose to. I would hate to get the cab done and come to find out it is off just a little bit lol.

 

[Lazarus1140]

Re: Started My Amp Project

I see you got the unfinished cab on ebay, but who manufactured it? I don't see unfinished cabs on the Mission site. Eric, you have given me serious gas ......... get that thing built and give us some clips. The reviews on HC are excellent.`

Sorry if you already mentioned this ..... what wattage are you building?

 

[missionamps]

Re: Started My Amp Project

Screw all that junk... just come on out to Colorado for the weekend.
Come over to my place and we'll build here while you wait, then you can take Sunday off, drive up to Lew's place in Nederland, go mountain climbing or play some music at Lew's.
I'm sure Lew would like to see you again too.

And bring Vibrolux from GA with you... he needs to hear what a hot rodded BF VibroLux sounds like

 

[Lazarus1140]

Re: Started My Amp Project

Bruce, I was hoping to meet you guys in Dallas this weekend. I left a few questions on your site.

 

[ericmeyer4]

Re: Started My Amp Project

I see you got the unfinished cab on ebay, but who manufactured it? I don't see unfinished cabs on the Mission site. Eric, you have given me serious gas ......... get that thing built and give us some clips. The reviews on HC are excellent.`

Sorry if you already mentioned this ..... what wattage are you building?

The seller is http://myworld.ebay.com/jandpgriffiths. The cab looks pretty solid. I purchased it on Sunday about 7:00pm and it was at my door by Tuesday 3:30pm.

I will deffinatly get some pics, clips, and what nots. Just need another pay check before I can get the ball rolling again.

 

[B Bent]

Re: Started My Amp Project

And bring Vibrolux from Ga with you... he needs to hear what a hot rodded BF VibroLux sounds like

It was good talking to you the other day Bruce. I am too big of a chicken to mess with the Lux. It already sounds so killer.

Anyways thanks for talking me into a Tweed Vibrolux as well. I'll be in touch as soon as I pay the wifey's taxes off!

 

[missionamps]

Re: Started My Amp Project

Bruce, I was hoping to meet you guys in Dallas this weekend. I left a few questions on your site.

No, I'm sorry, we aren't going with Steve from Pigtail Music as I thought. I didn't even send a couple amps down with some other vendor friends this year.
Ive been recovering from that darn rotator cuff tear injury and subsequent shoulder rebuilding surgery.
That pretty much has had me dormant for the last first three months of this year.
I'm really only now starting to feel strong enough to handle some light weight chassis work.

 

[missionamps]

Re: Started My Amp Project

It was good talking to you the other day Bruce. I am too big of a chicken to mess with the Lux. It already sounds so killer.

Anyways thanks for talking me into a Tweed Vibrolux as well. I'll be in touch as soon as I pay the wifey's taxes off!

No problem I enjoyed the conversation anyhow! ha ha.

I think you'll like a 5F11 built as I mentioned... with the 12" speaker and the slightly over sized transformers.
I call it the "American 18 watter" and even with the very simple tone control, I'd put it up against any of those British clone 2x El84 amps 18 watters.