Hoffman Amplifiers Tube Amplifier Forum

Amp Stuff => Tube Amp Building - Tweaks - Repairs => Topic started by: TIMBO on September 05, 2021, 12:01:32 am

Title: 5B3 Variant Deluxe
Post by: TIMBO on September 05, 2021, 12:01:32 am

Hi guys, So I have a chassis that is a great candidate for a 5E3 type build, but it's all OCTAL
The circuit that is present has a similar layout to the 5B3, so that will be the direction I'll be heading.


The chassis has 5 octal sockets and one old style 6 pin.
I don't know of a 6 pin valve that would fit the circuit, so it will be changed a an eight pin
Haven't had much to do with a grid bias preamp and from what I know there not pedal friendly??
So maybe a more conventional V1 circuit
Again having a a spare hole to fill, reverb will be added.
This circuit pinched from an Ampeg reverbrocket.
The coupling capacitors are an easy direct replacement as the values are close to the originals.
The resistors are a different story, as todays values are higher/lower than the originals.
So I am unsure what the difference to go higher/lower will make to the circuit.


(https://i.imgur.com/NHQ8y3k.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/Mqlaa0l.jpg?1)
(https://i.imgur.com/2pdXKBI.jpg?1)
(https://i.imgur.com/ycCOTsi.jpg?1)
Title: Re: 5B3 WU Variant Deluxe
Post by: AmberB on September 05, 2021, 12:26:52 am
I would not be surprised if the original 6 pin socket was for a connecting cable to another unit, or a speaker connector originally.  I don't think it was a tube socket.
Title: Re: 5B3 Variant Deluxe
Post by: TIMBO on October 03, 2021, 02:49:14 am
Hi guys, Injecting the reverb has been a little challenging.
The main circuit works great, but seems there is not enough signal to drive the tank.
(https://i.imgur.com/YLGiBYJ.jpg)
Even increasing both grid leak resistors
V2B from 47k to 1M and V2a From 22k to 220k just get me the tiniest boing.
Next tweak
(https://i.imgur.com/bV9NJm5.jpg)
This kinda works on one channel and there is a slight increase in boing.
(https://i.imgur.com/2EyIehL.jpg)
This works great huge amount of boing but only wet signal
I have not added the forth input jack as yet to mix the two channels
So in saying that adding the fourth jack would give me a dry signal.
(https://i.imgur.com/9ot6Q6O.jpg?1)
This circuit popped up in one of our vintage amps here.
I have checked this circuit a few times and this is how it was built
Hmmmmm seems like a good way to get a dry and wet signal.
Could this idea be added to the reverb to get good boing and signal.

Title: Re: 5B3 Variant Deluxe
Post by: Latole on October 03, 2021, 03:23:01 am
This is what I do

You do a very clean job , congrat

Title: Re: 5B3 Variant Deluxe
Post by: TIMBO on October 03, 2021, 03:48:34 am
Hey mate, Thanks for the tip.
That photo was the original circuit, I have since removed that part of the circuit to rebuild it into the 5B3
this is what it looks like ATM.
(https://i.imgur.com/fppYfYi.jpg?1)
Title: Re: 5B3 Variant Deluxe
Post by: Latole on October 03, 2021, 03:50:36 am
Filter caps are safe now !
Title: Re: 5B3 Variant Deluxe
Post by: HotBluePlates on October 03, 2021, 11:24:57 am
Hi guys, Injecting the reverb has been a little challenging.
The main circuit works great, but seems there is not enough signal to drive the tank.

6SN7 = 12AU7, near enough

I'd be looking to plug another 6SL7 into your input tube socket which behaves like a 5751, near enough.  The 5B3's 6SC7 also has a Mu of 70, it just had a shared-cathode to the 6SL7's individual cathodes.
Title: Re: 5B3 Variant Deluxe
Post by: TIMBO on October 15, 2021, 06:52:16 pm
Thanks HBP, Got a SL7 in V1 and reverb is much better


(https://i.imgur.com/1xeODFt.png)


Cab built
(https://i.imgur.com/c8jHv8B.jpg)
Trying to keep the TV front look
(https://i.imgur.com/c8jHv8B.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/JnN0YXi.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/udQC5z1.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/lhUTRZP.jpg)
Title: Re: 5B3 Variant Deluxe
Post by: TIMBO on November 08, 2021, 03:58:11 am

Cab completed...
(https://i.imgur.com/dKTVSnn.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/uQD04hc.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/aNscjWF.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/Qsbk3ev.jpg)
Title: Re: 5B3 Variant Deluxe
Post by: Latole on November 08, 2021, 04:00:45 am
Very nice covering job ! Congrat
Title: Re: 5B3 Variant Deluxe
Post by: isaac_teller on November 08, 2021, 09:50:03 am
Hello. What number reverb tank did you use?
Title: Re: 5B3 Variant Deluxe
Post by: kagliostro on June 08, 2023, 02:59:35 pm
OLD Thread but just discovered

Nice Job TIMBO, Very Nice

 :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

Franco
Title: Re: 5B3 Variant Deluxe
Post by: Latole on June 09, 2023, 03:46:50 am
Hello. What number reverb tank did you use?

No answer !

No pictures all finished and mounted .
Has our friend forgotten us?
Title: Re: 5B3 Variant Deluxe
Post by: TIMBO on June 09, 2023, 04:31:28 am
Hello. What number reverb tank did you use?
Hey mate hope it's not tooooooooo late to answer your question
I'm sure it a 4F tank
Title: Re: 5B3 Variant Deluxe
Post by: Latole on June 09, 2023, 04:53:15 am
Hello. What number reverb tank did you use?
Hey mate hope it's not tooooooooo late to answer your question
I'm sure it a 4F tank


Revisit™ Reverb Tank, 17" long, 2 spring, equivalent to Accutronics 4AB3C1B.   Input impedance 8 ohms, output impedance 2250 ohms, long decay (2.75 - 4.0 seconds), input insulated/output grounded, designed for horizontal mounting, open side down.   Primarily used by all Fender™ amplifiers with tube reverb from 1963-1990.   
Title: Re: 5B3 Variant Deluxe
Post by: TIMBO on December 12, 2023, 01:54:49 am
Hey guys, This one is done
(https://i.imgur.com/L4ENAgV.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/8hPgHzl.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/dY6oWMd.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/ZyDXq3N.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/0L1QGfq.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/eA8xqNO.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/uTyOo6v.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/vJNQzGZ.jpg)
There are a few minor changes to the original schematic.
I couldn't find the 16" tank I was using and it wouldn't fit anyway, so a 4D tank seems to work well
Title: Re: 5B3 Variant Deluxe
Post by: Latole on December 12, 2023, 03:05:08 am
Very nice, congrat !
Title: Re: 5B3 Variant Deluxe
Post by: ac427v on December 12, 2023, 06:50:12 am
Dam, that is gorgeous! What a visionary to see the potential to create that retro-look beauty :worthy1:
Title: Re: 5B3 Variant Deluxe
Post by: tubenit on December 12, 2023, 07:10:53 am
That looks amazingly cool!  :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:  What a super project!  Thank you for sharing it with us.


With respect, Tubenit
Title: Re: 5B3 Variant Deluxe
Post by: Lectroid on December 13, 2023, 11:02:32 am
Your cabinet is amazing and your Tolex-ing is immaculate.  It looks commercial-product quality, even up close.  Well done!
Title: Re: 5B3 Variant Deluxe
Post by: tdvt on December 13, 2023, 12:56:24 pm
Looks great!

I am about to build a head cab for a similar small tube-up chassis & will use a metal grill above the controls, reverb tank below.

If I haven't asked you already in another thread, what method did you use for the face plate?  It looks very nice.
Title: Re: 5B3 Variant Deluxe
Post by: TIMBO on December 13, 2023, 01:13:39 pm
Thanks guys, It was a fun build
Faceplates and made by a local trophy shop.
A mate does the graphics, so it keeps the cost down.