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5E3 Finished - first impressions and a question

4/27/2004 5:03 PM
Howard	5E3 Finished - first impressions and a question I just finished building my 5E3 clone using the new Weber PT and a 15V zener like the Mission Tweedy. I mistakenly bought the Sovtek 5Y3 so I was afraid to use the EH 6V6's at first, so I threw in a pair of Ruby tubes 6L6's I had around. I also put a switch in to short out the zener and used the 10w 250 resistor just to see what would happen with the 6L6's. I used the Mojo tweed deluxe replacement OT and plugged it into a Weber 8 ohm ceramic chicago (closed back). What I got was a lot of clean spanky (almost brittle) and really loud! That was cool. I suppose this would really rock with a second 8 ohm speaker plugged in but would probably really overload the OT. Alright, so the next day, I got over my fear of using the 6V6's. With zener engaged I get about 375 plate to ground on the power tubes. From what I've heard this is a little hot (too hot maybe?). Anyway, this really kicked ass. Tight bass, killer mids, and bright highs, regulated nicely with the PU and guitar tone pots. I mean, this was really loud and punchy. Kind of reminded me of my friends BF bassman. Definately not the tweed sound I was expecting, but really cool and balzy. But, I was still concerned about the rectifier, and last night it occurs to me that I have an old phonograph (got to be from the 50's) that has a 5y3 in it. So this morning I dig the thing out of the junk pile, wash the years of crud off the glass and plug it in. This time, what I got was much more like what I was expecting. Much earlier and radical break up, less apparant loudness, and most noticably, less punch (especially in the lows). This is also a cool sound. So, I couldn't be more pleased. I love both of the sounds I get with the 6V6's, and I'll probably be experimenting with the 6L6's some more. I have just one nagging question though. Should I be worryed about doing dammage using the Sovtek 5y3? Thanks to all on this board for answering all of my questions. My amp build is a success, and I'm looking forward to building the next one.

4/27/2004 5:03 PM

Howard

5E3 Finished - first impressions and a question

I just finished building my 5E3 clone using the new Weber PT and a 15V zener like the Mission Tweedy. I mistakenly bought the Sovtek 5Y3 so I was afraid to use the EH 6V6's at first, so I threw in a pair of Ruby tubes 6L6's I had around. I also put a switch in to short out the zener and used the 10w 250 resistor just to see what would happen with the 6L6's. I used the Mojo tweed deluxe replacement OT and plugged it into a Weber 8 ohm ceramic chicago (closed back).

What I got was a lot of clean spanky (almost brittle) and really loud! That was cool. I suppose this would really rock with a second 8 ohm speaker plugged in but would probably really overload the OT.

Alright, so the next day, I got over my fear of using the 6V6's. With zener engaged I get about 375 plate to ground on the power tubes. From what I've heard this is a little hot (too hot maybe?). Anyway, this really kicked ass. Tight bass, killer mids, and bright highs, regulated nicely with the PU and guitar tone pots. I mean, this was really loud and punchy. Kind of reminded me of my friends BF bassman. Definately not the tweed sound I was expecting, but really cool and balzy.

But, I was still concerned about the rectifier, and last night it occurs to me that I have an old phonograph (got to be from the 50's) that has a 5y3 in it. So this morning I dig the thing out of the junk pile, wash the years of crud off the glass and plug it in. This time, what I got was much more like what I was expecting. Much earlier and radical break up, less apparant loudness, and most noticably, less punch (especially in the lows). This is also a cool sound.

So, I couldn't be more pleased. I love both of the sounds I get with the 6V6's, and I'll probably be experimenting with the 6L6's some more.

I have just one nagging question though. Should I be worryed about doing dammage using the Sovtek 5y3?

Thanks to all on this board for answering all of my questions. My amp build is a success, and I'm looking forward to building the next one.

4/27/2004 9:31 PM
SteveL	I've been told that 370-375v B+ is not that big a problem - thats where mine runs. But I am no expert. On the other hand, if your tubes wear out in less than 40 years, you can always consider replacing them I hope they still sell 6V6 tubes when I am in my 80's. maybe I should buy a spare set or two now.....

5/10/2004 11:43 PM
AngelBoy	As long as your amp is biased to be true AB1 then it's not a problem. On the other hand, if you bias it hot (as in class A), then you have a problem meaning you will go thru tubes like water.

5/10/2004 7:04 PM
MasMusica	I'm about ready to fire up my 5E3 head that I built. I was wondering if I could try a Sovtek 5Y3 or should I just use the RCA 5Y3 that I have in my DIY Tweed Champ. I'd like to experiment with both just to see what the differences are.

5/11/2004 12:38 AM
Steve L	Mine has a Sovtek in it. It works well. I have heard they put out a little more voltage than NOS tubes, but I am pretty happy with the sound of my amp, so its not biggie to me. Good luck!

5/11/2004 3:56 AM
ted m	Howard, the 2nd 8 ohm speaker should be fine, you're presenting a 4 ohm load to the amp but it should be fine, blow a fan in back if it gets hot back there or if it's a hot day and you're plaing a long time. As Bruce and I discovered years ago, many Sovtek 5Y3s especially ones with 4 pins instead of 5, are really putting out 5AR4/GZ34 voltages, and the longevity of a Sovtek is not likely to be as long as a good NOS, which are often < $10, so you might want to be on the lookout for a good US NOS rectifier. If you are going to stick with ~375VDC and 6V6s, I'd highly consider the new JJ 6V6 tubes, they're taller than the EHs and some others by 1/4" or so, but they can easily handle those voltages and last a long time.

5/11/2004 3:56 AM

ted m

Howard,
the 2nd 8 ohm speaker should be fine, you're presenting a 4 ohm load to the amp but it should be fine, blow a fan in back if it gets hot back there or if it's a hot day and you're plaing a long time.

As Bruce and I discovered years ago, many Sovtek 5Y3s especially ones with 4 pins instead of 5, are really putting out 5AR4/GZ34 voltages, and the longevity of a Sovtek is not likely to be as long as a good NOS, which are often < $10, so you might want to be on the lookout for a good US NOS rectifier. If you are going to stick with ~375VDC and 6V6s, I'd highly consider the new JJ 6V6 tubes, they're taller than the EHs and some others by 1/4" or so, but they can easily handle those voltages and last a long time.

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