How do I reduce the gain on my build ?

[tubenit]

Guys, please note Catnine's #45 post

I am just talking out loud here , I am not asking for advise.

[catnine]

Guys, please note Catnine's #45 post

I am just talking out loud here , I am not asking for advise.

 I am not counting , really if you want me to stop I certainly will , just say so . I'm not big on intimidation , just to make you happy I'll remove the last posts. Could put it in a PM rather than trying to make me look like a fool. And yes I know just me stating that puts me right out there for more remarks. I can take it , I just feel it's rude.

[catnine]

If you look at reply #26, you will see where I mentioned Gain=Distortion in your definition.  Why shouldn't we think this way.  Every time we see a knob marked Gain and turn it up, we get distortion.  So I went on the assumption that you wanted to reduce distortion and not gain.

I have a build very close to what you are doing.

Things you mentioned that were contradictions.
1. Why I said to put the 12Ax7 in the PI and the 12Ay7 in v1.  If you put a 12Au7 in V2 it will reduce Gain even more, but you are correct, all it will do is allow you to turn the amp to a higher number.  It will not be louder and clean.  The suggestions you received are correct and will reduce gain.

2. The reason I said to put off the Paul C. mod is I begin tweaking at v1 and them move to v2 ( it doesn't have to be done this way, it just works for me).  All the Paul C. mod is removing one resistor and putting in another.  If you want to know how to do it, I will find a schematic and post it.  It is said this mod will make the distortion more symmetrical.  I did one on a couple of princetons, but I did not need to do it on the 5E3.  Doesn't mean you cannot do it or will like it for that matter.

3. I am not a fan of the 5E3, but that is no secret.  The reason is I like loud clean and punchy.  So I began tweaking with the attitude I will get this thing the way I want it.  I did.  You seem to like volume numbers, so I will say you can turn it up to 10 on either volume and it is clean, it goes to 12.  This is with a 12Ay7 in v1 and a 12Ax7 in V2.  This is where breakup begins and it is loud, very loud and clean.

4. As I mentioned before, someone who likes the 5E3 sound would not like this amp and why worry about preamp bias if it sounds like you want.  I am not in any danger of burning up the tube.

Finally, I understand having hard financial times and cannot afford throwing away money on amps right now.  I may be wrong, but I do feel keeping the gain up and changing a few caps to lower values will get you closer to what you are looking for.  More of singing quality as opposed to distorted sound the 5E3 is famous for, but I cannot know for sure.

Solution: If this is what you are looking to do, PM me with your address and I will be happy to send you some caps to try.  Like I said, they are very inexpensive and you can return them when things get better for you.

 Thanks ED for the parts offer , I can't take it , I wouldn't feel right about it.