5E9-A rectifier ?

[SLW]

I noticed on the original layout sheet the rectifier is a 5U4GA with a note about the 5E9 using a 5Y3GT.  On the next page the schematic shows a 5Y3GT.  I know a few of you have had real ones.  Which rectifier was really in the amp?

SLW

[HotBluePlates]

I noticed on the original layout sheet the rectifier is a 5U4GA with a note about the 5E9 using a 5Y3GT.  On the next page the schematic shows a 5Y3GT.

Wow, I never noticed the 5U4 on the layout before!

Well, I might be no help cause I had a '55 5E9 Tremolux, not the 5E9-A. My amp had a 5Y3 in the amp and on the tube chart, and as the layout says, the trem switch was on the Depth control (which made a LOT more sense to me, cause you turn the Depth all the way down to turn the trem off).

I can't see a need for a 5U4 (which will also suck an extra ampere of 5v current), as the amp is a "Tremolo-equipped Deluxe", and the tweed Deluxe amps get by just fine with a 5Y3.

[HotBluePlates]

HBP, what are the numbers on the transformer?

Dunno... I sold that amp 13-14 years ago (which I wish I hadn't done).

[SLW]

SLW, do you know the numbers on the '9a transformer?

I don't really know.  I would think that fender would have used the same ones as for the deluxe.  That is my ultimate plan.  The schematic and layout don't tell us.  I am going to go with the 5Y3 since I have those on hand. 

I am in the planning stage of this amp experiment. 

[smackoj]

SLW; Most builders/players do not choose the 5u4 recto because they change the sound quite a bit and all the tubes run with more volts/current. That recto was probably (just a wild a** guess) put in there by Leo et al to up the juice and give it a cleaner sound at higher volumes? The 6V6 circuits in the 'way back' machine always used the 5y3 or 6x4, 6x5 because they play well together and the sound is most pleasing. Most guys use a more robust recto tube for the 6L6, 5881, KT66 circuits and then, most go with the GZ34 because they like the sound better in that situation. Just 'one old farts' opinion mind you.

and....fyi...I love the OD pedal you sent me. I really makes my vintage Lab Series 11 amp sing for it's supper.

adios and rock on,   

[SLW]

and....fyi...I love the OD pedal you sent me. I really makes my vintage Lab Series 11 amp sing for it's supper.

I am very happy you like the pedal.  I feel like there is a little bit of me in everything I build and to have somebody else like it is fantastic.  I have the old OT you traded me mounted up.  I am using it on this 5E9-A build. 

I have another question about the 5Y3.  I know it is rated for 20uF for the first filter cap.  I have 22uF on hand.  I am inclined to just go with the 22's unless one of you have damaged a 5Y3 with a 22uF cap. 

SLW

[HotBluePlates]

... I have another question about the 5Y3.  I know it is rated for 20uF for the first filter cap.  I have 22uF on hand.  ...

No, it's not a "maximum". It is merely listed under "typical operation" on page 2 of the data sheet.

22uF is fine. Much bigger is fine, as long as the resistance in series with the 5Y3 plates (whether PT DCR or an actual resistor) limits the peak plate current to the maximums listed on the data sheet: 440mA peak continuous and 2.5A peak transient current.

[TubeGeek]

SLW looks like I will be building one of these tremolux amp's soon.  I am planning it out at the moment.  How is your build going?

Does anybody know the cabinet measurements of the 5e9/5e9a?

I am searching for correct transformers too. Thought about using 5e3 iron but I think there may be a little difference in the tremolux…not sure yet but am looking into this.

For my chassis I am considering buying a 5e5a chassis and somehow trying to get the screen printing done to the tremolux lettering.  The little details are time consuming.

Another question I have is about the speed control pot.  It's 2Meg…do I need to find a 2Meg with switch or can i use a 3Meg readily available pot here?  I still need the switch though. Search continues.

[sluckey]

3Meg will work just fine. It will give a wider speed range by extending the slower speed. Fast speed would remain the same. I'd probably use a readily available 250K with a push/pull switch for the depth pot.

[sluckey]

The 3M RA would be what you'd use?  or just a 3Meg liner or audio taper?

Either will work, but the RA will probably spread the speed change/degree of rotation more evenly.

I can't find a source for a 250k pot with spst switch either.

AES has several 250K with DPDT push/pull switches.

I am thinking to use the extra speaker jack hole on the 5e5a chassis to mount an rca jack to switch the trem on or off.  Why is the extra switch there anyways?  To kill the trem if there is no footswitch?

  That's probably right. If I was gonna provide a footswitch I would not even bother with a switch on the control panel. If you want to keep two speaker jacks it would be pretty easy to find another location for a footswitch jack. Heck, the old blue diamond Ampegs just hard wired the footswitch rather than use a plug/jack.

[TubeGeek]

I just deleted my last post…sorry…thought I'd do more leg work on my own before wasting your time.

Thanks for your response though.

I see the 250k with dpdt, I guess they'll work but I still don't see the need for this switch.  I will just mount a footswitch jack and call it good enough.

I'm gathering these details together, thanks for the help.

[HotBluePlates]

Does anybody know the cabinet measurements of the 5e9/5e9a?

According to the Fender Amp Field Guide, the larger of the two cabinets used for the 5E9 was 1955-60: 20" x 22" x 10" (50.8 x 55.9 x 25.4 cm).

They give a smaller dimension for 1955. But I owned a 1955 5E9 (not 5E9-A), and it was bigger than the typical 5E3 Deluxe; never measured it but the bigger dimension I posted sounds about right.

[TubeGeek]

Does anybody know the cabinet measurements of the 5e9/5e9a?

According to the Fender Amp Field Guide, the larger of the two cabinets used for the 5E9 was 1955-60: 20" x 22" x 10" (50.8 x 55.9 x 25.4 cm).

They give a smaller dimension for 1955. But I owned a 1955 5E9 (not 5E9-A), and it was bigger than the typical 5E3 Deluxe; never measured it but the bigger dimension I posted sounds about right.

Oh jeez I forgot about that site too.  Thanks.

Sounds very similar in size to a tweed pro cabinet.  I liked this size cab for a 5e3 project I built a couple years ago.

[sluckey]

You're not wasting my time. I'm retired and needy!   

[TubeGeek]

 

I'll start a new thread on this project when and if I get the final green light to proceed.  For now I'm done thinking about this circuit.

I have some new toys to play with

[SLW]

SLW looks like I will be building one of these tremolux amp's soon.  I am planning it out at the moment.  How is your build going?

Does anybody know the cabinet measurements of the 5e9/5e9a?

I am searching for correct transformers too. Thought about using 5e3 iron but I think there may be a little difference in the tremolux…not sure yet but am looking into this.

For my chassis I am considering buying a 5e5a chassis and somehow trying to get the screen printing done to the tremolux lettering.  The little details are time consuming.

Another question I have is about the speed control pot.  It's 2Meg…do I need to find a 2Meg with switch or can i use a 3Meg readily available pot here?  I still need the switch though. Search continues.

I am just getting started.  I was considering a 5E3.  I really like trem so this is where I ended up.  I now have all of the parts and I am building the board today.  I am mounting it into my "test chassis" that I tinker with.  My test chassis has the PT that Doug sells for the super reverb.  I have it hooked up to a VVR so I can tinker with the B+ for the amp.  I have a vintage OT from a 2X6V6 radio. 

If the amp is something I really like I will rebuild it into a combo.   I should like it.  I have a Tweed Princeton build that I really like.  I have spent a little time looking at cabs in anticipation.  I just assumed I will have to make a chassis.  At some point I will have to pick a real PT.  I just assumed I would use 5E3 iron also. 

I am not using a pot with a switch.  I will just use a foot switch for now.