Great Tweed Tone

[Big Jim]

Thanks for the info Ryan, should help immensly.

P.S. I looked around on your website! Pretty cool stuff on there.

Jim

[CapnCrunch]

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I couldn't agree more... I'll probably go stock to begin with. Thnx, Jim[/quote]

Jim, I built Bruce Collins Mission Amp 5e3 as my first amp. His suggestion was to build the amp stock and get to know it for it awhile. After you're well acquainted, then you can start modding. It was good advice. I've tried most of the mods on mine with the exception of the fixed bias PI mod or Paul C mod as it is sometimes called. Every mod I've tried destroyed the bell like high end that this circuit has. I've returned my amp back to stock after every mod, with the exception of the volume/tone mod. That has, and will always stay.

I've been intending to try out what Merlin posted on the PI for the last year or so, but am too busy with other amp projects. It is definitely on my radar though

[Big Jim]

Thanx for the input Capn,
That leaves only one question, trannies. I am doing this amp as a scratch build, but I'm still tossing around which iron to go with. I guess that will depend on how much $$$$ I want to part with.... appreciate the replies, folks.
Jim

[CapnCrunch]

I've bought some trannies from Allen Amps for a couple of tweed builds. I think they are Heyboers built to his specs. I've purchased his "beefed up" OT's. I may some day replace the OT on my Deluxe. I've heard that it definitely helps with the loose low end.

However, I've kind of come to embrace the 5e3 for what it does because it's so raw and such a classic sound. I have other amps that do the tight low end thing......After my next Trainwreck, I'll have another one of those

[David Root]

Check this one out. This is a 1x12 that Martin had built for them in 59-60 when they were trying (unsuccessfully as it turned out) to get into the electric market.

Note the dissimilar first stages. Otherwise it's very 5E3, except the PT is much bigger.... I wonder why.

Tonequest magazine cloned one and sells it for $2,000. I wonder why.

I have seriously considered doing this but as a 4x6V6 but haven't gotten to it yet.

[Gee]

Very interesting.

Some differences I noticed are the lower PT voltage, smaller coupling caps and unusual but lower value vol and tone pots and a 12AX7 in the first stage. IMO All good modifications except for the tone vol pots which may or may not change the tone.

[David Root]

It is interesting, it seems a little ahead of its time in some ways. The things you also noticed were no doubt deliberate.

The bigger PT could have been purely accidental, or it could have been something Martin asked for, to get cleaner tone (I rather doubt this because I don't think anyone at Martin in those days really understood electric guitar amps!).