5E3 Deluxe hybrid

[Ivabiggun]

I have a Tweed Deluxe home brew with a few modifications ready to fire up. It is a split-cathode, (25uf/820R, and a .68uf/2.7K), SS rectifier, fixed bias, artificial CT with the heaters referenced to ground. I went with 32/32/16uf's on the filtering. And I used a mod from Mission Amps to separate the volumes using a dual tone pot. Also, switchable bypass caps on the second gain stage.

I am ready to turn it on but I have never built a Fender before. So I am concerned about the higher plate voltages using the SS rectifier with 6V6's. I do have a set of Tung-Sol's the came out of a 50's hi-fi amp. I posted pics of them on the board a few months back and Tube Tramp verified them as real Tung-Sol. I so not know how much bias voltage to give them, or what the plate voltages should be and etc. I do have a Variac and a light bulb current limiter.

Here is the link to some pics: http://s169.photobucket.com/albums/u217 ... /My%205E3/ I would appreciate any suggestions, comments, and etc. Thanks everyone.

Ivabiggin

[Riscchip]

What are the specs on your power transformer? You will need to know how many volts it's going to make before you can figure out your bias and whether or not 6V6s will be overstressed. Older Tung Sol 6V6s may well sound great and be robust, but they are still vulnerable to very high plate voltages. I mean, people take their chances a little with 420 volts in deluxe reverbs, etc., but depending on your transformer, you could be past that with an SS rectifier. You are x 1.4 with a solid state rectifier. So if you have a 300v power transformer you'd be looking at 420v, which would of course vary some based on your bias and go down with tubes pulling current.

If your plate voltages are looking to be too high, you can try JJ 6V6s, which are generally considered robust enough for use in 6V6 amps with higher plate voltages.

[big_teee]

I have a Tweed Deluxe home brew with a few modifications ready to fire up. It is a split-cathode, (25uf/820R, and a .68uf/2.7K), SS rectifier, fixed bias, artificial CT with the heaters referenced to ground. I went with 32/32/16uf's on the filtering. And I used a mod from Mission Amps to separate the volumes using a dual tone pot. Also, switchable bypass caps on the second gain stage.

I am ready to turn it on but I have never built a Fender before. So I am concerned about the higher plate voltages using the SS rectifier with 6V6's. I do have a set of Tung-Sol's the came out of a 50's hi-fi amp. I posted pics of them on the board a few months back and Tube Tramp verified them as real Tung-Sol. I so not know how much bias voltage to give them, or what the plate voltages should be and etc. I do have a Variac and a light bulb current limiter.

Here is the link to some pics: http://s169.photobucket.com/albums/u217 ... /My%205E3/ I would appreciate any suggestions, comments, and etc. Thanks everyone.

Ivabiggin

If I read your Classic tone Transformer correctly in the picture?
You have a 330-0-330v PT.
If you use SS rect. you will have 330 x 1.4 =462v.
It also appears from the pictures that you have the rect. tube socket wired and ready to go.
I would use the tube rect., so you can reduce the voltage.
Also I would Opt to fire it up on a cheaper set of JJs or other reissues.
Save the NOS tubes for when you get everything worked out, and determine that your HT is safe for them.
Good Luck,
T