5E3 build

Doc Murray · Post by **Doc Murray** » Thu Oct 29, 2009 6:34 pm

hi just fired up my 5E3 today, first I took a few voltage readings and they looked ok so i put the tubes in and was still playing 3hrs later what a great sounding amp.
It took about 3 months to build. I started with the cab, finger jointed pine built to spec no screws or nails got the timber from an old shelf I had.
the chassis is made of 1mm steel plate I folded it to form a 2.400mm channel and another smaller one for the end plates so I now i can just cut of a new section if I want to build another. I bought 2 hole saws to drill the tube sockets and a deburrer to clean the sharp edges.
The circuit board is NOS board I got life time supply of the stuff 6sq ft for $20.
I then started to get the components Jaycar in Sth Auckland had quite a bit of stuff Belton tube sockets,fuse holder,switchers,etc.
I got most of my info from Music Electronic Forum and other forums as well as lots of reading and looking at photos other peoples builds.then I discovered CAB right here in the west so that took care of not having to send to the US for the caps and other bits when i needed them.
It took a lot of time putting things together then taking a part again making sure that everything was going to fit and not committing solder to things to soon.
Ive bought some real nice NOS tubes on trademe RCA 6V6 ,Telefunken12ax7.
I took it to the gearfest in Auckland on Saturday but it was a pity that it was'nt going at that time.
Anyway it is now firing and I must say it is by far the best sounding amp I've owned and I've had a few.
If anyone is interested hearing this amp I will be giging it down at Fordes Bar next month I'll post the date
when i know the night.
Nearly forgot I bought a vintage alnico which should be here tomorrow so I'm hoping it might just sound better than
what is in there at the moment.
I like to thank Ryan for his support.

bender · Post by **bender** » Thu Oct 29, 2009 6:46 pm

Waaaaaaaay cool Doc!

I played a 5E3 for the first time at CAB on friday and I'm totally hooked. Will definitely give one a crack when my time becomes more free.

Great cabinet too

Post by Bg » Thu Oct 29, 2009 6:48 pm

It looks great in person too, but ya buggered off before we got to try it on Sat

I love the recycled pine look

bender · Post by **bender** » Thu Oct 29, 2009 6:55 pm

BG wrote:It looks great in person too, but ya buggered off before we got to try it on Sat I love the recycled pine look

Yeah bro, I was bummed that I couldn't stick around. That's fatherhood for ya. Gotta say I was a bit surprised there was no pointing and laughing as I drove off in the banana yellow nun's car I had for the weekend.

Back on topic... I do love amps and guitars that are well put together but a little rough round the edges. This one looks brilliant.

Doc Murray · Post by **Doc Murray** » Thu Oct 29, 2009 7:11 pm

Thanks, the cab has a bit of filler cause i can't afford a router to machine the joints but I see Ryan,s got some
tweed and oxblood grill cloth so will cover this one.Here is the fingers being cut

bender · Post by **bender** » Thu Oct 29, 2009 7:21 pm

Dayam! I did mine using a router and a wee jig I made for it. I still had to fill it though (I was a bit over-cautious when routing). I really dig seeing people making stuff with hand tools. Very cool.

Doc Murray · Post by **Doc Murray** » Thu Oct 29, 2009 7:33 pm

I found the hardest part was gluing it up square had to pull it a part once because it was twisted I think I'll build a jig
to hold and cramp it next time this is how I did it. Rebating the top and the bottom for the facia's was hard with just
a tenon saw

tubeswell · Post by **tubeswell** » Thu Oct 29, 2009 7:34 pm

Hey whatta cool looking amp!!! I bet it sounds a cool as it looks. (Amps always look and sound cooler when you make 'em yourself.) Well done!

BTW I though the Wellie gearfest was going to be in mid Nov now??

bender · Post by **bender** » Thu Oct 29, 2009 7:39 pm

tubeswell wrote:Hey whatta cool looking amp!!! I bet it sounds a cool as it looks. (Amps always look and sound cooler when you make 'em yourself.) Well done!

BTW I though the Wellie gearfest was going to be in mid Nov now??

It is- November 14th. I was at the Auckland one in the weekend.

tubeswell · Post by **tubeswell** » Thu Oct 29, 2009 7:41 pm

benderissimo wrote:
tubeswell wrote:Hey whatta cool looking amp!!! I bet it sounds a cool as it looks. (Amps always look and sound cooler when you make 'em yourself.) Well done!

BTW I though the Wellie gearfest was going to be in mid Nov now??

It is- November 14th. I was at the Auckland one in the weekend.

Okay you had me goin' for a minute

Ears · Post by **Ears** » Thu Oct 29, 2009 8:04 pm

Well done man, I've got a router but I'm terrified of it and wouldn't have a clue how to make a template, so I might try things your way.
BTW where did you get the NOS turret/cct board? What material exactly is it? Thickness etc?

Doc Murray · Post by **Doc Murray** » Thu Oct 29, 2009 8:26 pm

Hi Ears,it's 3mm thick made in Aus back in the sixties drills real easy and takes 4mm eyelets which I get from spotlight
here is a photo of marking out new board from the cicuit already built

Timoes · Post by **Timoes** » Thu Oct 29, 2009 8:36 pm

Freekin Mint Job there. Like it.

Ears · Post by **Ears** » Thu Oct 29, 2009 8:41 pm

Doc Murray wrote:Hi Ears,it's 3mm thick made in Aus back in the sixties drills real easy and takes 4mm eyelets which I get from spotlight
here is a photo of marking out new board from the cicuit already built

is it available anywhere?
I have used some marcarta board but it's quite expensive.

Doc Murray · Post by **Doc Murray** » Thu Oct 29, 2009 9:02 pm

no in fact when I started to think the circuit board I searched all over auckland but no one seemed to know
what i was talking about well finally i went to a factory in Drury well believe it or not they took me out back
and there was three big sheets they used on top of the smoko tables $20 the lot same sort of stuff you see on eBay.
If you want some let me know

NZGuitars.com : Filling you with GAS since 2003

5E3 build

5E3 build

Re: 5E3 build

Re: 5E3 build

Re: 5E3 build

Re: 5E3 build

Re: 5E3 build

Re: 5E3 build

Re: 5E3 build

Re: 5E3 build

Re: 5E3 build

Re: 5E3 build

Re: 5E3 build

Re: 5E3 build

Re: 5E3 build

Re: 5E3 build