Hoffman Amplifiers Tube Amplifier Forum

Amp Stuff => Tube Amp Building - Tweaks - Repairs => Topic started by: gbeard on October 02, 2011, 10:11:05 am

Title: First build, hoffman 5E3
Post by: gbeard on October 02, 2011, 10:11:05 am: Just finished my first build, a 5E3 using the Hoffman layout, Magnetic Components transformers, a Weber signature 12S alnico speaker and my home made cabinet. It sounds great! Thanks to all on this forum that share their knowledge, I have learned so much by regularly following the discussions. I've posted the voltages under my user name on the data page. Any feedback on that data would be appreciated.

http://www.el34world.com/charts/valve/ValveData.php?e=view&f=11851 (http://www.el34world.com/charts/valve/ValveData.php?e=view&f=11851)
Title: Re: First build, hoffman 5E3
Post by: EL34 on October 02, 2011, 10:46:26 am: Man, that's a beautiful cabinet!
Title: Re: First build, hoffman 5E3
Post by: gbeard on October 02, 2011, 11:10:55 am: Thanks Doug! That wood is from a very large and damaged wild cherry tree that I cut down on the back of my property about 8 years ago. A friend has a band mill and sawed it up for me. I used a lot of the wood to build new kitchen cabinets and some other furniture. The woodworking part of this build was no problem, seeing to solder with 49 year old eyes ain't so easy. Here is a shot of few cabinet doors to show how gracefully the wood ages. The color gets better and better.
Title: Re: First build, hoffman 5E3
Post by: Fresh_Start on October 02, 2011, 11:18:13 am: Now it's time to see the INSIDE of that beautiful cab!

Cheers,

Chip
Title: Re: First build, hoffman 5E3
Post by: gbeard on October 02, 2011, 12:00:49 pm: Just in time for deer season, a gut shot.
Title: Re: First build, hoffman 5E3
Post by: tubenit on October 02, 2011, 12:02:59 pm: Truly beautiful cab and build! Bravo!

With respect, Tubenit
Title: Re: First build, hoffman 5E3
Post by: rzenc on October 02, 2011, 01:43:11 pm: Congrats man! Very beautiful woodwork... bet it sounds as good as it looks!

Best regards
Rzenc
Title: Re: First build, hoffman 5E3
Post by: eleventeen on October 02, 2011, 02:06:08 pm: Beautiful cabinet, looks terrific! You could definitely sell those, just that size. You wouldn't have to make 11 different sizes, either, just that one would do it.
Title: Re: First build, hoffman 5E3
Post by: gbeard on October 02, 2011, 04:10:29 pm: Thank you gentlemen for the kind remarks. When I started this project, my intention was a one time build. I needed a smaller amp to avoid lugging my old 70 lb Pro Reverb around (the new amp weighs 30 lbs.). Now I think I'm addicted. I'm already thinking about making a 'Stealth Stout'. It will be a Hoffman Stout with a PPIMV in a 5E3 cabinet and chassis. This really is a sickness isn't it.
Title: Re: First build, hoffman 5E3
Post by: Willabe on October 02, 2011, 04:15:26 pm: Quote from: gbeard on October 02, 2011, 04:10:29 pm
This really is a sickness isn't it.

:w2: :laugh: :l2:

Really, beautiful build inside and out. Love the cab, great color, looks perfect.

Brad, :icon_biggrin:
Title: Re: First build, hoffman 5E3
Post by: plexi50 on October 02, 2011, 04:26:57 pm: You do great work. The cab is beautiful. Wish i had cab making skills
Title: Re: First build, hoffman 5E3
Post by: stingray_65 on October 03, 2011, 08:06:21 am: Great looking cab!

When did you decide not to use cane grille cloth? that stuff is a pain!

Nice looking build too! I used Mag Comp trannys in my first build (a 5E3 also) and was VERY happy.

If I may be so bold, I would consider using Fender style tube clamps for your recto and power tubes.

http://www.hoffmanamps.com/MyStore/perlshop.cgi?action=template&thispage=Tubes&ORDER_ID=416388335 (http://www.hoffmanamps.com/MyStore/perlshop.cgi?action=template&thispage=Tubes&ORDER_ID=416388335)
All the way at the bottom.

Fantastic build all round! It should serve you well for years to come!

Ray
Title: Re: First build, hoffman 5E3
Post by: gbeard on October 03, 2011, 02:57:37 pm: I never even considered cane for the cabinet. I thought the oxblood color cloth would look better with the cherry wood. I always did like the wooden cabinet Boogies with the cane grill though. Good call on the tube holders, forgot all about 'em. I'll be ordering some more stuff from Doug soon. The posters to this thread are all names that I recognize and have learned from here, it is an honor to be complimented by you.
Title: Re: First build, hoffman 5E3
Post by: DummyLoad on October 03, 2011, 08:06:09 pm: very, very nice... :icon_biggrin:
Title: Re: First build, hoffman 5E3
Post by: TIMBO on October 03, 2011, 11:16:10 pm: :bravo1:
Title: Re: First build, hoffman 5E3
Post by: Rev D on October 04, 2011, 01:14:14 pm: Beautiful cabinet. Indeed all this building stuff is a sickness. Once you hear sound (or fix it till there is sound) its all over, your done, put a fork in you, you WILL build again. I've got three sitting here now and one of them is going to be gutted to make something else (that happens all the time too, you build something, you work on it and for whatever reason its just not the cool you're looking for... Bam it comes apart and becomes something else, least that's been my experience and observation here). I'm still doing it, going to try a psuedo Trainwreckage amp and being the fool that I am (I'd do it all over again, Mercenary Territory... :icon_biggrin:), have been hanging out at a Luthier forum for about a year so I have wood laying around to start a LP Jr. Sheesh, this will either be cool or a epic failure of wood working, but I'll give it a shot, its never stopped me before not knowing what I was doing... :laugh:
Good luck on your journey..

Regards,

Don