Advice on KLD 5E3?

[timmyjoe]

Thinking of getting the KLD "5E3" kit, which isn't a true 5E3 circuit. Planning on taking the parts and making the original 5E3. The cost looks so much better than other kits. Capacitors and resistors look correct. But, will the transformers work? Look's like it is also missing a socket for the 5yGT.

New to this, but have worked on guitars and pedals.

[acheld]

Having been in your position a few years ago, my advice is to NOT go with a KLD kit.

Take a look at:

https://hoffmanamps.com/MyStore/perlshop.cgi?ACTION=enter&thispage=PartsListIndex.htm&ORDER_ID=!ORDERID!

and click on the 5E3 project link.   

It is true that you will have to source your power and output transformers -- but this forum will help you with that.   In the end, you will be happier with your project.   

Just my two cents.   

[timmyjoe]

Ached,

Are you thinking not to do KLD because of the quality of parts or just too much of a headache to figure all the difference out?                                                                                                                                                                                       

[66Strat]

Having been in your position a few years ago, my advice is to NOT go with a KLD kit.

Take a look at:

https://hoffmanamps.com/MyStore/perlshop.cgi?ACTION=enter&thispage=PartsListIndex.htm&ORDER_ID=!ORDERID!

and click on the 5E3 project link.   

It is true that you will have to source your power and output transformers -- but this forum will help you with that.   In the end, you will be happier with your project.   

Just my two cents.

Good advice. I looked at the KLD kit. This is an unknown seller located in Guangdong Province China. There are no specifications for any of the components included in the kit. Caveat emptor applies here.

As Acheld said, everything needed to build a 5E3, aside from chassis and transformers, can be purchased from the web store of this site. Transformers can be purchased from Mojo Tone and/or Hammond Manufacturing. I've used the Mojo Tone 5E3 output transformer. It's a good quality transformer that was reverse engineered from an original 5E3 OPT. I've also had good luck using Hammond power transformers.

Acheld, the project link that you posted doesn't work for me. Attached is a 5E3 BOM.
https://el34world.com/Hoffman/files/Hoffman_5E3_BOM.pdf

[acheld]

Apologies for the bad link.

I'm not a fan of KLD because you really do not know what you're going to get.  It's true that they are inexpensive.  I've heard from some of my friends that they have had both good and bad experiences.

I've been a customer of Doug's for five years or so, off and on.  The quality of what he sells and how he does so is excellent.  And he supports (eg, pays for) this forum, which is the best on the web for honest, no BS, advice from techs and advanced users (I am not one, but wish I had the chops to be). 

In addition, the Hoffman kit plans/schematics are rock solid.

Whichever way you go, you'll get help here. 

Hence my advice. 

[dwinstonwood]

This should work:

https://hoffmanamps.com/MyStore/catalog/Amp_5E3Parts.htm