Hoffman Amplifiers Tube Amplifier Forum

Amp Stuff => Tube Amp Building - Tweaks - Repairs => Topic started by: Kitarist on February 03, 2017, 08:26:16 am

Title: The Master volume MODs dont work properly on my Tweed 5E3 amp
Post by: Kitarist on February 03, 2017, 08:26:16 am
So i tried 2 type of master volume mods. PRE and POST but both dont work properly. (1 MEG LOG POT)

I did everything as it shows on the schematics and it still doesnt work properly. https://robrobinette.com/5e3_Modifications.htm#Add_Master_Volume

What is happening that the volume mod is totally unusable when i just shift it a bit the amp already goes very loud and theres not much to work with. Is that normal? Both do the same thing.

I even checked again the operating voltages of the amplifier and everything works fine. Both mods are so simple really not sure why.. I even mesured and tested the pot.

So not sure what it would be causing this? Anyone got any ideas? Could be the output tubes? im using JJ 6V6 S tubes.

Thanks!!!

Title: Re: The Master volume MODs dont work properly on my Tweed 5E3 amp
Post by: MFowler on February 03, 2017, 12:26:33 pm

I've done Bruce Collins Mission Amps master volume mod it uses a dual 1MA pot replacing the current first 1MA volume pot and coupling cap to .1uf and other changes.


Not sure I should post the layout.

Title: Re: The Master volume MODs dont work properly on my Tweed 5E3 amp
Post by: Willabe on February 03, 2017, 12:29:02 pm
Not sure I should post the layout.

Why not?
Title: Re: The Master volume MODs dont work properly on my Tweed 5E3 amp
Post by: MFowler on February 03, 2017, 01:15:11 pm

I'm no stranger to amplifier forums and once another person's layout is posted a shit storm arrives right after.


Why I mentioned the mod is so the OP can research and find the mod himself like I did without the problems associated with posting layouts.
Title: Re: The Master volume MODs dont work properly on my Tweed 5E3 amp
Post by: Willabe on February 03, 2017, 02:33:37 pm
I think it's already been posted a few times here?
Title: Re: The Master volume MODs dont work properly on my Tweed 5E3 amp
Post by: Ed_Chambley on February 03, 2017, 04:12:27 pm
Yes it has been posted here a few times.  I remember posting it a few times myself.  Don't remember a storm after, but you never know.
Title: Re: The Master volume MODs dont work properly on my Tweed 5E3 amp
Post by: Ed_Chambley on February 03, 2017, 04:14:38 pm
Let's see, it is posted again.
Title: Re: The Master volume MODs dont work properly on my Tweed 5E3 amp
Post by: robrob on February 03, 2017, 05:11:01 pm
Kitarist, are you sure the pot is a log or audio and not linear or reverse audio? Since both master volume configurations didn't work I'm thinking it's the pot.
Title: Re: The Master volume MODs dont work properly on my Tweed 5E3 amp
Post by: MFowler on February 03, 2017, 09:20:54 pm
Here is the layout.
Title: Re: The Master volume MODs dont work properly on my Tweed 5E3 amp
Post by: ac427v on February 03, 2017, 09:46:09 pm
I put a pre PI master volume on my mutated Princeton Reverb (similar phase inverter). Works great.
--Craig
Title: Re: The Master volume MODs dont work properly on my Tweed 5E3 amp
Post by: Kitarist on February 04, 2017, 07:49:19 am
I checked everything even changed different pot still same prob really not sure what could it be.
Title: Re: The Master volume MODs dont work properly on my Tweed 5E3 amp
Post by: ac427v on February 04, 2017, 08:29:23 am
I could not get the Robinette version to work without keeping the original 1 meg grid leak resistor and adding a 1 meg pot and another cap (.047). See my schematic for details if you want to try again.
--Craig
Title: Re: The Master volume MODs dont work properly on my Tweed 5E3 amp
Post by: Kitarist on February 06, 2017, 03:29:11 am
Ok i'll try that. Really not sure why both volume mods in robs website dont work :|
Title: Re: The Master volume MODs dont work properly on my Tweed 5E3 amp
Post by: tubenit on February 06, 2017, 05:34:55 am
I apologize, but I am not clear on what you have tried?   Have you tried this PPIMV?   I've used it on an amp very similar to a 5E3, and it worked excellent to my ears.

With respect, Tubenit
Title: Re: The Master volume MODs dont work properly on my Tweed 5E3 amp
Post by: Ed_Chambley on February 06, 2017, 12:47:21 pm
Here is the layout.
MFowler,
Is this a pull switch pot or does the second volume become the main volume?  I have not seen this layout, but it look as if it incorporates what I have heard refereed to as a trick switch?  Have you tried this?  It looks interesting.  If you have done this, did you keep the 12Ay7 or change to 12Ax7?
Title: Re: The Master volume MODs dont work properly on my Tweed 5E3 amp
Post by: Ed_Chambley on February 06, 2017, 01:06:39 pm
I apologize, but I am not clear on what you have tried?   Have you tried this PPIMV?   I've used it on an amp very similar to a 5E3, and it worked excellent to my ears.

With respect, Tubenit
This master volume I have found to be best for most amps and I have used it in a 5E3 incorporating the 6G3 tone stack.  The amp changes a LOT and you get a slower ramp up in volume.  You do lose the interaction of volume controls and the early onset of distortion which is what a lot of folks like about the Tweed Deluxe.  It doesn't make it a Brown Deluxe, but it gets sort of in-between.  The Ampeg mod ( Paul C mod for the PI) and a Blackface tone stack will make this amp sound a lot like a Carr Rambler. :thumbsup:   If you want to make it into one you will need to Beef up the PT to run 5881's and add a Fender verb circuit.  I simply used the 1 tube verb.  Keep the voltages low since the rambler states 28 watts.

Now it is back mainly stock with a split cathode on V1 to get a good Humbucker tone simply because I decided to build a Carr knockoff.

Fun circuit to play with for sure. 
Title: Re: The Master volume MODs dont work properly on my Tweed 5E3 amp
Post by: MFowler on February 06, 2017, 01:49:00 pm


MFowler,
Is this a pull switch pot or does the second volume become the main volume?  I have not seen this layout, but it look as if it incorporates what I have heard refereed to as a trick switch?  Have you tried this?  It looks interesting.  If you have done this, did you keep the 12Ay7 or change to 12Ax7?



This is a dual 1MA pot no push/pull. I have build an amp using this mod.
Title: Re: The Master volume MODs dont work properly on my Tweed 5E3 amp
Post by: Ed_Chambley on February 06, 2017, 06:56:16 pm


MFowler,
Is this a pull switch pot or does the second volume become the main volume?  I have not seen this layout, but it look as if it incorporates what I have heard refereed to as a trick switch?  Have you tried this?  It looks interesting.  If you have done this, did you keep the 12Ay7 or change to 12Ax7?



This is a dual 1MA pot no push/pull. I have build an amp using this mod.
Thanks for the photos.  I got it now!  Gonna give it a try, looks interesting and the only way to know is build it.  I see you did use a 12Ax7.

Thanks again!
Title: Re: The Master volume MODs dont work properly on my Tweed 5E3 amp
Post by: robrob on February 06, 2017, 07:33:12 pm
This is my recommended master volume for the 5E3 Deluxe:

(https://robrobinette.com/images/Guitar/5E3P_Build/5e3_Pre_PI_Master_Volume_Schematic.png)

It simply replaces the V2A 1M grid leak resistor with a 1MA pot. At max volume the circuit is unchanged.

(https://robrobinette.com/images/Guitar/5E3P_Build/5e3_Pre_PI_Master_Volume_Mod_small.png)

You have to clip or remove the original 1M grid leak resistor.