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GreatGretsch · May 14th, 2009, 05:00 PM

Well...I was unsure if I could do it, but the amp that I have wanted is complete.
The final product is a 5E3 "Tweed Deluxe" circuit with a 3x10" cab. It has a beefed up output transformer to handle the speakers. It took me about 10 days to build, but mostly when I had a little bit of time between all of life's activities.

I completed it at about 3am this morning and fired it up...I have a very understanding wife and kids. Everything worked except for a cold solder joint on the first power-amp tube. It took about 5 minutes to find and fix the problem.

It really sounds good!! I'll post some sound clips when time allows. It is pretty much what I expected....It still has the character of a 5E3, but it has a tighter bottom. The 10" speakers makes it cut nice. It is very touch responsive. If you back off the volume or your pick attack the amp cleans up. When your attack is more aggressive the amp breaks up along with the string attack.

Hey Jukebox....below are the photos!

GreatGretsch · May 14th, 2009, 05:02 PM

more photos:

dan P · May 14th, 2009, 05:06 PM

Wow, wonderful job ! Bet your proud as all getout, always satisfaction to know YOU can do it ...

DevilYouKnow · May 14th, 2009, 05:06 PM

oh yeah. Congrats on the job well done and the new amp. Hope your neighbors are understanding too. You're going to have a time breaking those webers in. A good time.

Raspy · May 14th, 2009, 06:51 PM

OMG, is that a yard sale tag on
there ? Only kidding. Looks good.
Waiting to hear some sound samples.

===================================

<><> Raspy <><>

araT · May 14th, 2009, 06:56 PM

That thing looks incredible GreatGretsch!! I love the colour you chose for the cab!

You know, sound clips ought to be mandatory with something like this, would you oblige a pretty young lady like me?

jimmypeters · May 14th, 2009, 08:28 PM

beautiful job. what is the power?

jimmy

fretbuzzard · May 14th, 2009, 08:37 PM

Nice work! I love 10"s for exactly the reasons you cite. Have fun!

Jukebox · May 14th, 2009, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raspy

OMG, is that a yard sale tag on
there ?
===================================

<><> Raspy <><>

Yep, and the price tag read $25,000.00 not $.25

Great job GG! Tanks for the pictures!!

ishtar · May 14th, 2009, 08:50 PM

Sweeeeeeeet!

JohnnyRingo · May 14th, 2009, 09:04 PM

Could a purple Hot Rod be in the wings?

roadjunkie · May 14th, 2009, 09:28 PM

The 3x10 cab is fast becoming a favorite. I still love the single 15 but there's a lot of mojo in a 3x10.

GreatGretsch · May 14th, 2009, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnnyRingo

Could a purple Hot Rod be in the wings?

You know it!!! I have to get rid of my American 62 RI Strat first. It is a really nice guitar, but I can never adjust to Strats.

Thanks for the compliments everyone!!!

I got a chance to play it tonight while auditioning a new drummer. I am very happy with the sound. With the upgraded output transformer, it is plenty loud enough to keep up with the band. There is no need for any pedals. Just use the volume knob and you have everything you need. I set it once and never touched it all night. After the amp is on about 2 it starts to gets dirty. After 3 it doesn't increase in volume anymore, it just adds more gain and compression.

Gretsch + cord + amp is all that is needed and is exactly what I was looking for.

GreatGretsch · May 14th, 2009, 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roadjunkie

The 3x10 cab is fast becoming a favorite. I still love the single 15 but there's a lot of mojo in a 3x10.

I was a little worried about the 10s being too thin and shrill sounding, but there is not a harsh sound in it and it has plenty of low end balls. I can't wait to hear it as the speakers are broken in. The amp actually has a bit of old plexi Marshall tone in it. Think AC/DC.

Poppatwang · May 14th, 2009, 09:51 PM

Coolness.

roadjunkie · May 14th, 2009, 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GreatGretsch

I was a little worried about the 10s being too thin and shrill sounding, but there is not a harsh sound in it and it has plenty of low end balls. I can't wait to hear it as the speakers are broken in. The amp actually has a bit of old plexi Marshall tone in it. Think AC/DC.

I think I mentioned a Super Z somewhere here online but it was a Maz 38 in a 3x10 format. The Maz 38 that I have heard were shrill thin Vox wannabes. I know someone will say different but I never heard one I liked but that extra 10 in the Super Z makes a world of a difference.

GreatGretsch · May 14th, 2009, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roadjunkie

I think I mentioned a Super Z somewhere here online but it was a Maz 38 in a 3x10 format. The Maz 38 that I have heard were shrill thin Vox wannabes. I know someone will say different but I never heard one I liked but that extra 10 in the Super Z makes a world of a difference.

When I was doing research for my build, you had mentioned Dr Z amps. I have read that the DrZ Z28 is basically a modded Tweed Deluxe. After looking at the schematics of Z28 clones and the Tweed Deluxe, they are similar.

Poppatwang · May 15th, 2009, 01:27 AM

Stock 10" speakers in my Laney VC30 (2x10) were uber bright w/a Tele. Never got the treble knob off of zero. Put in some vintage CTS speakers and that did the trick. Smoothed out the top end but still had chime.

guitarfarm · May 15th, 2009, 04:37 AM

Very cool. Nice job for any amp, let alone your first one. I see more amps in your future.

How did you wire the three tens to get the impedance correct?

GreatGretsch · May 15th, 2009, 06:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by guitarfarm

Very cool. Nice job for any amp, let alone your first one. I see more amps in your future.

How did you wire the three tens to get the impedance correct?

Thanks Guitarfarm. The amp is running on a different output transformer (5E7). Ted Weber told me to use the 8ohm tap off of it. He said due to the amp running 6v6 instead of 6L6 tubes, it would give it the correct impedance. I was a little unsure about this, but it seems to be running fine. It is a little louder than a stock 5E3 but still has the same character. This is a good thing for me due to I will be gigging with it.

EDIT one more thing...it would look a lot neater if the yellow cloth didn't keep fraying. After each strip, I had to give it a haircut.