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Vintage threads from the first ten years

5B3 Deluxe compared to 5E3

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8/16/2004 11:38 PM

5B3 Deluxe compared to 5E3

Hello,
Is the 5B3 considered a tone machine? I know the sound of a 5E3. But I just repaired, recapped my first 5B3 that has been sitting for years in someones basement. It sounded decent; to me anyway. The guy I did it for complained it had a transistory harshness to it. I didn't really hear that with my Strat. I think he was playing it with humbuckers. How does the 5B3 compare to the later Deluxe sound?
I would appreciate any info on this.
Stan

8/17/2004 11:26 AM
Bruce /Mission Amps	Did you put in new .05uF coupling caps... like the ones from the input jacks or just new electrolytics? They use a bunch in these and sometimes one or more are bad. Bruce

8/17/2004 11:39 AM

Thanks for the reply, Bruce!
Just did the electrolyltics. Didn't consider the coupling caps as being part of the problem. My bad. I should have checked for leakage on those. I'll get it back, and check those out. The big-ass carbon resistors drifted past 20%, so I replaced several of those. But the coupling caps are now going to get a good going over. I'm wandering if it's in my best interest to purchase a fancy-smancy capacitor meter. I've been doing a lot of repairs, and maybe a meter would cut down on troubleshooting time?
Anyway, thanks again for your wisdom.
Stan

8/18/2004 6:40 AM

Chris - CMW amps

Hi Stan

Sorry for hijacking

You can check the coupling-caps by disconnecting them at the "output-side" and then measure for dc-voltage. If the cap is good you shouldn't see any dc-voltage, if the cap is leaking you'll measure some dc-voltage at that point.
Lots of times when you do have scratchy controls ( in let's say 70s Fenders ) it's because of leaking caps.

Hope this helps, keep on rockin' !

Chris

8/18/2004 5:49 PM
Stan Bailey	Hi Chris, Yes, I know about disconnecting one end. But I'm trying to decide if I should spend the extra money to check them in circuit. God forbid if I disturb a vintage solder joint I just got lazy, and assumed it was ok with this 5E3 repair. Actually, probably is okay. You know musicians... Thanks for the post, Chris. Stan

8/20/2004 3:24 AM
Chris - CMW amps	Dave/Stan Just did check the schematic and it must be possible to check the coupling-caps without desoldering. Put a guitarcable ( not connected to a guitar ) into an input and check the tip for dc-voltage, repeat for other input(s) Check the voltage at the grid of the driver-tube and the voltages at the 6V6-grids Good luck and have a nice weekend in advance! Chris

8/19/2004 7:46 PM
Dave	Re: 5B3 Deluxe compared to 5E3 How do you tell which side of the cap is the 'output'?

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