Guitar Amps
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Guitar Amps |
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5E3 MASTER VOLUME
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I'm using 6SL7gt's as the preamp tubes. They are octal preamp tubes with a gain of 70. They were the forerunners of the 12ax7. Why use them? They are much smoother/bigger/clearer sounding. Visually, they look better next to the EL34's. Their filaments are driven by highly-filtered DC for less hum. The circuitry is a basic 5E3 circuit: one volume & one tone control. Except, I added a master volume. The output tubes are cathode-biased. Notice the over-sized power transformer! There is a switch for 4, 8 & 16 ohm speakers. Power on & standby. It gives about 30 watts. If you don't know the dynamics of the 5E3, after about 4 or 5, it really doesn't get much louder but gets creamier! The high-end gets subdued as compression kicks in. To me, it sounds best at 7. For cleaner power chords at 10, try a 6SN7 for the phase-inverter tube. Do not be concerned about the availability (or lack) of the 6s' series of tubes. Sovtek has been making them and there always seems to be an availability of them through on-line auctions. All the old tube manufacturers used to make them and they were widely used in many types of circuits. $800, Mesquite cabinet: add $200. |
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