High Gain for 5E3

[kingplank]

I have a 5E3 that I used for years, the second channel is not used. Also, the tone control is not used. I want to mod the amp to high gain (with a by pass switch); possibly with scooped mids.
Any circuit suggestions? prefer not to add another tube.

[sluckey]

Just cascade the two triodes.

[tubenit]

Just cascade the two triodes.

Using Sluckey's suggestion ................ & ...........

To have the mid scoop and switchable .......... maybe something like this?

With respect, Tubenit


YOu could also have V1 be a switchable parallel gain stage with 30% more gain and no increase in floor noise.

[tubenit]

OK, here is another idea.  This allows for a mid scooped cleaner tone, but when the second triode is paralleled, it also does not have a tone stack which will give a decent boost also.

I like this idea because it should allow about 30% or more boost with very little if any increase in floor noise.

Just another option to consider.

With respect, Tubenit

[kingplank]

Thanks for the input.

if I use the first schemo, and add another switch to bypass the tone stack, will that be excessive gain when it is bypassed? Than maybe I should have the master volume after the gain switch.

Another matter: my 5E3 have short 6V6 tube life if it is pushed hard, I have 395V B+, 25V more than the Fender schematic. Dropping resister?

[tubenit]

I personally would not worry about 395v on JJ 6V6's. You can always increase the dropping resistor on B+ if you're concerned.

To be honest,  I've seen countless requests on how to increase headroom and lower gain in an 5E3.  I think this is the first time I've seen a request to increase gain?  So, it's kind of unusual perhaps.

I don't know how much gain is too much for you. Having said that, you can use a spdt to have a boost.  Use a 50k or 100k trim pot internally that you set for whatever you want.  I'd personally do that before bypassing or lifting the tone stack completly.

Hopefully Sluckey or others will chime in if this is not a reasonable approach.

With respect, Tubenit  

[SILVERGUN]

I'm gonna post this video to try to give us a point of reference.....
When I hear someone say "high gain--mid scooped"....this is usually what they are after

Are you looking for this much gain and this much scooped mids?......if so you may be trying to turn a stock Camaro into a Pro Street racer (without drilling any holes)
I'm not saying I'm against you,,,just trying to get a feel for what you are trying to accomplish

CC-04 SG High Gain Scoop

[kingplank]

Yes, thats what I meant.
My son and I both use that amp . We like to use the most versatile equipment so they will not limit music creativity.
It is a home built 5E3, of no historical value. I am not afraid to drill and remove losts of metal if necessary.

Looks like tubenit's suggestions are easy to do with minimum parts costs

[SILVERGUN]

These guys have a ton more experience than me, but I'm thinking minimally to get close to that style you'll have to change a lot....
Here's some thoughts:
1) SS rectifier
2) Increased filter capacitor values...maybe 100uf on the first cap after the rectifier (but don't do that with the tube rectifier in there)
3) To get the amp to have that type of response without a pedal in front of it,,,,you'll probably have to a add a tube

There's lots more, and might be a better idea to just beef up the amp per tubenit's instructions, and have your son use a pedal for the "over the top" stuff (video tone)  
In all honesty,,,the sound in that video is about as far from a stock 5E3 as you can get,,,but I guess you "could" get somewhere "close", with lots of work

Anyway,,,good luck and keep us updated.......don't let me talk you out of experimenting  

[thermion]

That Chute is very PV 5150-sounding with its super buzzy preamp disto. You'll need multiple cascaded stages to get there, plus the stuff SG said about power supply to keep it tight. Closed back 4x12 can't hurt either.
I'm thinking a pedal would get you closer with way less time, labor, and money. Check out the rivera metal shaman, blackstar metal HT, and devices of that ilk.

[Slimtim]

Also once you go through all that for the high gain you've killed the tone of a 5e3 and won't have that the way it was anymore.Go with the right pedal and you have all the pieces there.An overdrive with a boost might be you're thing.All the gain you need without being hardwired to the amp.Probably be way less work and a little cheaper too.Just have to find the right pedal or 2 or 10 lol.

[kingplank]

OK you guys talked me out of butchering up my amp; right now it is very low noise and the tone is fantastic, lets not mess with it.

I did check some vids of the Rivera shaman; really like the tone. Too bad it is expensive and not in my local stores in Vancouver.

[Slimtim]

blackstar ht metal maybe worth a look.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2XlH0fKu_Ws

[Slimtim]

also the blackstar lt metal sounds good and is less exspensive.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UO0UmCd-T1g

[tubenit]

OK you guys talked me out of butchering up my amp; right now it is very low noise and the tone is fantastic, lets not mess with it.

I think that was a good choice.

With respect, Tubenit

[SILVERGUN]

I was worried that I single-handedly brought this thread to a screeeetching halt  

We would love to help you build an amp that is capable of that type of damage......if you'd like to go that route

Here's a really cool tube pedal that you could build for a lot less $$ than an amp,,,,but still a cool project:
http://www.el34world.com/charts/Schematics/files/soldano/soldano_supercharger_gto.pdf


Perf's GTO Soldano

[kingplank]

Thanks for all your input.

Found a near new Metal Zone on GL for $30, couldnt resist not to buy it. Sounds not bad with the 5E3. And you are right; it will be a very long way to mod the 5E3 to get there.

The video of the 6K6 equiped 5E3 impressed me. Great idea for a new project; put in tubenit's front end suggestion; and/or dual channel.