[GADify]

All done with the soldering. I gave in to my obsessive side and basically did nothing but build for the past 20 hours or so. Here are some pics:




I had all sorts of problems with the brass plate. I simply could not get it to take the solder. I got to the point where I tried a heat gun, and even said F-it - and used a blowtorch. Nothing! I emailed Bruce, who wondered if I was having solder problems, and that's when it hit me - I'd been using silver solder that I've had since my audiophile headphone amp-building days (seen in pic). I pulled the wires, scrubbed down the plate so it looks like new, got out the old reliable Kester 40/60 and it worked like a charm.








---more---

[GADify]

Testing on the non-flammable garage floor:



When I first tested the power tubes, only one lit up. I swapped their position, and it followed the tube. I swapped them back, and they both lit up. Weird. Could I have somehow caused that?

---more---

[GADify]

Here it is ready to rock:



My wife took a picture of me in the garage at 3:30pm playing my guitar in my bathrobe. She said something about Facebook, but I was too busy having fun to care.

The cab is being built. I'll update with more pics when it comes in.

Overall I'm very pleased with the Mission build. The chassis is worth the price of admission alone. The built-in nuts are wonderful, and it looks great to boot.

I would say that this kit is not for an absolute beginner. There are no step by step instructions, and though Bruce will send pics via email download, some of them can be confusing. Bruce is fantastic about answering questions though. I think for me, building the BYOC Champ first was an excellent first amp stepping up into this one.

I also ordered the Paul C. and Humbucker I and II mods, but I'm going to get a feel for the amp stock before I mess with any of that.

I do see a Marshall 18W clone in my future though.

[The Marlin]

How much does this cost. I fancy building an old tweed style amp. Something that's not huge wattage or uber clean

Marlin

[nickyboy]

ACE!
I'm really keen on trying a self build but kinda scared!

[GADify]

Originally Posted by The Marlin

How much does this cost. I fancy building an old tweed style amp. Something that's not huge wattage or uber clean

Marlin

Here's the page for the one I bought: http://www.missionamps.com/5E3kit.shtml

With a nice cab and speaker, I'm in for just under a grand. Price a boutique and-wire 5E3 clone and you'll see that this isn't expensive. A Victora 5E3-based amp is $2095 MSRP.

Originally Posted by nickyboy

ACE!
I'm really keen on trying a self build but kinda scared!

I would recommend the BYOC Champ as a first build. The Mission is great, but I felt that the BYOC really led me by the hand. I can follow a schematic and read a layout, so the Mission wasn't daunting, but if you've never done either, the BYOC Champ is a better first amp, and it sounds *amazing*.

[WATThouse]

Originally Posted by GADify

Testing on the non-flammable garage floor:

When I first tested the power tubes, only one lit up. I swapped their position, and it followed the tube. I swapped them back, and they both lit up. Weird. Could I have somehow caused that?

---more---

Gadify,

That's a voodoo phenomenon that will happen sometimes with new parts where they wake up from their coma state saying, "Where am I? What am I?" Then the life force of electricity finally kicks through and they realize what they were supposed to do in the first place! It's mysterious and irritating, but it happens from time to time.

Looks great!

[GADify]

Originally Posted by WATThouse

Gadify,

That's a voodoo phenomenon that will happen sometimes with new parts where they wake up from their coma state saying, "Where am I? What am I?" Then the life force of electricity finally kicks through and they realize what they were supposed to do in the first place! It's mysterious and irritating, but it happens from time to time.

Looks great!

I can accept that answer.

And thanks!

[fender62custom]

Great stuff!!!! inspiring!! will have a go one day!!! subscribed!!

[Michiel]

Nice 'n clean build GADify. Well done!

Those yellow capacitors, did you choose those specifically? Or did they just come with the kit?

My wife took a picture of me in the garage at 3:30pm playing my guitar in my bathrobe. She said something about Facebook, but I was too busy having fun to care.

That made me LOL. I know the feeling. I just love feeling that "flow", completely loosing track of time, building.

My next build is going to involve an old Peavey Mace chassis (WITH that absolutely rediculous 6x6l6 OT . It's going to be just 2 6l6s, but I'm contemplating a 3x12" or 2x10"+1x15" cab to compensate.).

[GADify]

Originally Posted by Michiel

Nice 'n clean build GADify. Well done!

Those yellow capacitors, did you choose those specifically? Or did they just come with the kit?

Thanks! Caps are stock from Mission. This is what Bruce from Mission had to say to me in an email when I asked about recommended upgrades:

I also use the polypropylene caps instead of the Mallory 150s. They are not too big and are also axial like the 150s but I think they are very very slightly better coupling caps.

Originally Posted by Michiel

That made me LOL. I know the feeling. I just love feeling that "flow", completely loosing track of time, building.

My next build is going to involve an old Peavey Mace chassis (WITH that absolutely rediculous 6x6l6 OT . It's going to be just 2 6l6s, but I'm contemplating a 3x12" or 2x10"+1x15" cab to compensate.).

Yeah - when I'm in the zone, I accomplish great things. Some of my best writing and programming comes when I'm there.

Good luck with that build! Love to see pics when it's done.

[nadles]

Nice work Gadfly, enjoy it. My first build was a 5E3 -its still a favourite.

[adkima00]

My first build was a 5e3 also. Mine was a boothill kit and I used classic tone trannys. I put it in an old peavey cab. Sweetest amp I've ever owned. All of my guitars sound great through it.

[Crooner]

I'm always impressed by anyone who can do what you've done. Great job.

In addition, I'm not in the least embarrassed by demanding you post the pic if you in the bathrobe. I need the laugh. Not that I'd be laughing at you. I'd be laughing WITH you.

[GADify]

Originally Posted by Crooner

I'm always impressed by anyone who can do what you've done. Great job.

In addition, I'm not in the least embarrassed by demanding you post the pic if you in the bathrobe. I need the laugh. Not that I'd be laughing at you. I'd be laughing WITH you.

Thanks!

I'm going to politely decline your request for that pic. Unless of course it does show up on Facebook, in which case the damage is done and I might as well embrace it.

[Crumpletone]

That's a lovely build, very neat.

I love 5E3's built a fair few, anyone who decides to build one could do no better than to buy kits from Bruce Collins at Mission amps, great quality parts from a bloke who knows more about Tweeds than most and he's a great source of helpful info and tips on one or two forums.

[The Marlin]

Originally Posted by Crumpletone

That's a lovely build, very neat.

I love 5E3's built a fair few, anyone who decides to build one could do no better than to buy kits from Bruce Collins at Mission amps, great quality parts from a bloke who knows more about Tweeds than most and he's a great source of helpful info and tips on one or two forums.

Could you recommend UK based kits, with UK power supplies?

Many thanks

Marlin

[Crumpletone]

I don't think anyone in the UK makes a 5E3 kit, i haven't seen one yet.

Modulus amplification keep the chassis and transformers and sell them at £125, they also keep a turret board already staked, i haven't used their transformers so i don't know what they're like.

Bluebell Audio in Scotland sell the Hammond transformers, which i think are great, they have a website.

Caps, pots, resistors, valve sockets, Hotrox are reasonably priced for those.

To be honest a 5E3 is a great build, if you like i could make up a list of bits you would need to build one and some suggestions for suppliers. A layout is available from tons of places, Weber VST, Ceriatone, they all have good layouts.

What i would say about 5e3 layouts is don't put the 4 x 68k input grid resistors on the board, they're better at the input jack, i know they say mount them as close to the valve as possible but they really are better on the input jacks, it lowers the noise floor a bit and it's a damn site easier to wire.

Hope that helps a bit.

[GADify]

Yeah, Bruce is the man.

Here's a horrid non-Gretsch clip of the amp in action.

http://soundcloud.com/gadify/sgp90s-5e3-2

SG GOTW #27 (Alnico II P90s) into Mission 5E3 and '63 Bassman Cab w/2 V30s. Recorded with Olympus LS10.