Monkeymatic Trinity (5e3 Deluxe)

[xtian]

so it has a solid state rectifier and still has decent sag? I always thought the 5Y3 was a big part of that on the deluxe

Is that a nylon screw you used for the mosfet, I have mounted a few with nylon screws but always worried what they would do with the heat.

I think it's not actually sagging, I think I'm hearing blocking distortion, only at highest volume and gain. I'm just starting to track that down.

Yes, nylon screw secures the MOSFET. I played for hours with the VVR scaled down all the way, full shred mode, and the MOSFET barely got up to 90 degrees F. No trouble at all.

Expecting my face plate to arrive today.

[Colossal]

Xtian,

I heavily modded a 5E3 build to keep it solid in the low end when using humbuckers or hotter output pickups. I can't stand the sound of blocking distortion, except when it's Neal Young, and it only works for him, IMO.

[guitarmike2107]

I trim the bass allot too, though I still leave it pretty full sounding as it gets you into that Gary Clarke jnr type blues tones pretty easily

[xtian]

Well, I've tried three things with no change. Reduced power tubes' grids-to-ground reference from 220K each to 110K each. Replaced power tubes' grid stops from 1.5K to 56K. Removed my extra B+ filter (had added one prior to B+ for VVR).

That leaves the PI coupling caps, which are already reduced from 0.1uF to 0.047uF, but these caps are buried and I don't really want to dig them out.

[xtian]

I trim the bass allot too, though I still leave it pretty full sounding as it gets you into that Gary Clarke jnr type blues tones pretty easily

Yes, true! Has a touch of that "ripping" or "zipper" diode cutoff you get from the Zvex Fuzz Factory. I like it. Think I'll leave it in and call it a feature.

[guitarmike2107]

one my first deluxe all I did was reduce the first cathode cap to 0.68uf, was still pretty bassy but very giggable, on my last few builds I have used 1uf to 0.68uf cap and changed all the coupling caps to 0.022uf.

[xtian]

Faceplate arrived! All zipped up and ready to party!

[guitarmike2107]

Nice, love the cheeky monkey graphic

[V2]

Nice work as usual, xtian!

[RJ Guitars]

Very nice job Aaron. You are bringing up a lot of really great DIY ideas and putting together some great amps.

[xtian]

Thanks again, y'all.

I'm working on Trinity #2. Taking lessons from #1, simplifying to one input and one dual-ganged Volume control. Improved turret board layout, tweaked values on preamp cathode bypass values, screen resistors, coupling caps. Also using off the shelf transformers: OEM Fender Vibroverb OT (35w, 4k/4r which gives me 8k/8r with an 8-ohm speaker) and HRDx PT.

VVR circuit not shown, mains and heater wiring not shown.

Going to cut/drill/bend my own chassis again, from 0.090 stock. Beefy and awesome Aluminum!

[xtian]

Board done. Except for 0.1uF caps...coming on Saturday along with transformers.

[drew]

Another one? You're playing a dangerous game, here, xtian. What are you going to do when Trinity Amps announces the retaliatory renaming of their 5E3 knockoff from "Tweed" to "Monkeymatic"? This could lead to an international incident, a massing of troops along the US/Canada DMZ, possibly even a shooting war.

[xtian]

This could lead to an international incident

!!!


Nevertheless, I plow on.

Chassis drilled and folded, components loaded.

[xtian]

Progress.