[5E3] Planning my first build.

[Caito]

Hi guys! I'm currently planning my first tube amp build. As some of you might have read from the newcomers section, I'm from Argentina. It's (really)difficult to get the parts sorted and importation is almost banned.

Since my father will be probably travelling to the US(don't know where yet) I was going to have all the parts shipped to the hotel.

Basically I'm going to buy everything but the wood for the cabinet. As I want to avoid any possible troubles, any problem in shipping can't be solved since my dad will return to Argentina, I want to use the least amount of suppliers as possible.

For reference, I want to build a basically standard 5e3, no mods for the moment.

From HoffmanAmps I want to buy:
-Chassis
-Resistors, capacitor, pots, jacks, tube sockets
-Tubes
-Wire
-Switches
-Nuts and bolts
-Choke (will buy choke and resistor, then decide which I'll use)

Basically everything to have a full chassis except from the transformers. Since we have ~220V in Argentina, I want to buy ~220V transformers. Still needed to buy are the speaker and the grill cloth/ tweed.


I've looked around for transformers and came to the conclusion that Mercury Magnetics are too expensive. But I want a transformer with a lower B+, 335 (from what I read) should be the "correct value". I've heard good reviews about ClassicTone transformers, do you know anything about them?

I was thinking of ordering tweed/grill cloth from mojotone, so ordering transformers from them would be nice. Is there any reference about quality on their trasnformers? They have 220/230/240, so I could choose any of them to vary my voltage.

The speaker should be another thread. But I've narrowed it down, basically. A weber 12A125A (which should be the closest to original?) or the Celestion Blue, which everyone claims wonders but it's 2, 3 times more expensive. Ignoring price for a second, which one would you choose? I don't know if a Celestion Blue can handle the power (guaranteed not to get destroyed, I mean).


Hope it's not too much for a second thread!


Bye bye ;)

[Willabe]

Hi guys! I'm currently planning my first tube amp build. As some of you might have read from the newcomers section, I'm from Argentina. It's (really)difficult to get the parts sorted and importation is almost banned.
Since my father will be probably travelling to the US(don't know where yet) I was going to have all the parts shipped to the hotel.

Hi our new friend!

I think your idea is great, considering the  _ GOOFY _ import laws and _ GOOFY _ import taxes that are in place _ALL_ over the world.

When is your fathers trip going to be?  I think the guys will be able to help you do this, but the timing will be important!

Our web host, Doug, has great quality parts at a very good price, but depending on what you are building you might need to get a few  other parts from somewhere else?

But for a 5E3, Dougs got the goods!

Basically everything to have a full chassis except for the transformers. Since we have ~220V in Argentina, I want to buy ~220V transformers.
 
Hope it's not too much for a second thread!

220V can be worker out, wait for suggestions of sources to buy from. I thought Doug has some 220V PT's, but I could be wrong.
 
Hah, No, Not to much for a second post, or 3'rd or 4'th..... etc.          You are among good friends here who help each other build great amps no matter where in the world they live!            


                        
                Brad      

[FYL]

I've heard good reviews about ClassicTone transformers, do you know anything about them?

Excellent iron at rock-bottom prices. I prefer the beefier 4-8-16R 40-18090 version to the std. 40-18022 OT. Their 40-18078 PT has a universal 100 to 240V primary and two B+ secondaries, one at 355-0-355V (modern style), the other at 330-0-330V (vintage style)/

I was thinking of ordering tweed/grill cloth from mojotone, so ordering transformers from them would be nice. Is there any reference about quality on their trasnformers?

The Mojo-branded xformers I've got are sourced from Heyboer. Here again, excellent quality at decent prices.

The speaker should be another thread. But I've narrowed it down, basically. A weber 12A125A (which should be the closest to original?) or the Celestion Blue, which everyone claims wonders but it's 2, 3 times more expensive. Ignoring price for a second, which one would you choose? I don't know if a Celestion Blue can handle the power (guaranteed not to get destroyed, I mean).

I love the 12A125A (lightly doped surround) in a 5E3 clone, but the Celestion sounds really nice too, albeit in a different style. A Blue would be OK in most situations. It'll suffer and die if you play Neil Young-style at stage levels for hours but will be fine for bedroom, rehearsal and studio apps. You may pick a Gold if you want better power handling, or go for the Eminence Red Fang, broadly similar sounding but handling much more power and more affordable. Another cost-effective and great sounding option would be either the Black & Blue or the Blackhawk from WGS.