5E3 Tube Amplifer

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About

I’ve been wanting to build an amplifier kit for quite a while. Something lower wattage, clean tone, and responds well to pedals. The 5E3 seemed like the perfect place to start.

The circuit has been around since the late 1940s and is present in many famous recordings. The Fender Deluxe (5E3) is less complicated than the Fender Deluxe Reverb (6A20) that I was originally considering.

More about the 5E3:

Why Weber?

After looking at a variety of kits, I decided to go with the Weber 5E3 kit. I have had great experiences with their speakers and their kit includes the 12A125A.

Order Details

  • Cab Configuration: Combo w/12A125A Speaker
  • Line Voltage: 120 (USA)
  • Cab Covering: Levant Blue
  • Grill Cloth: Checker
  • Handle: Handle-SBk
  • Control Panel ($25.00): Black with white letters
  • Knob Color: White

Even though I love tweed, I wanted to make something that would stand out.

Schematic

Fender Deluxe 5E3 Schematic
Weber 5E3 Kit Schematic

Noted differences from Fender 5E3 schematic:

  • V1: 12AX7B instead of 12AY7.
  • V2: 12AX7B instead of 12AX7.
  • Voltage rectifier: WY3GT (solid state) instead of 5Y3GT (tube).
Weber 5E3 Kit Layout

Parts

Checker Grill Cloth
Black/White Control Panel and White Knobs
Bill of Materials

While reviewing the bill of materials to account for the components, I noticed that my kit was missing the single 500pF capacitor. Rather than emailing Nate, I decided to pick one up from a local shop to save time.

Labelled the resistors, to decrease the chance of a mistake during assembly.

Assembly

Mounted the transformer, tube sockets, face plate, brass plate, potentiometers, 1/4" jacks, switches, lamp, and fuse holder to the chassis.
Placing capacitors and resistors on the fiber board.
Checking required yellow wire lengths.
Back side of fiber board.
Soldered on the .0047uF tone capacitor and 1M Ohm input resistors.

At this point I realized I had left over orange drop capacitors from another project, that were almost enough to cover this project. I reached to House of Guitars in SLC, and once again Mike was able to get me rolling!

Mod: Orange Drop Capacitors
Mounted in the speaker cabinette.
Weber 12A125 Speaker
Not a fan of this red plastic jewel lamp. I don't have a photo of it powered on, but it was possible to see the light shining through the fake metal finish. Definitely not the same level of quality as the rest of the build.
Mod: Blue Lens Metal Pilot Lamp
Yep, I like that.
The Cookie Monster is done!

Tone

Here is a short clip recorded using my phone and a Telecaster, with an Alnico II Pro, in the neck position.

Dust Cover

Measuring Depth for Custom Cover

While measuring for the dust cover, I noticed that the cabinette depth of the Weber cabinette is about 1" less than other 5E3 amps.

Custom Dust Cover
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