5e3s in 2023...

markj

RickLucas said:

Gartone:
https://youtu.be/FAR-VMXnxLs?si=L2w3d8mVpC2A0HTm

Absolutely cracking amp, it’s the best I’ve ever owned by miles.

koss59

I’m also a recent Gartone convert.

Neilybob

We need to have a tFB Gearfest and do a 5E3 shoot out! 

john_r

I used to own the 5e3 that @Neilybob now has. It's a bit more than a standard ceriatone! I loved that amp and tweaked it to perfection, only sold it as I also have a Rift Tweed 30 and needed the funds to buy a les paul!

BlackbirdCabs

john_r said:

I used to own the 5e3 that @Neilybob now has. It's a bit more than a standard ceriatone! I loved that amp and tweaked it to perfection, only sold it as I also have a Rift Tweed 30 and needed the funds to buy a les paul!

I had a dream last night that I went to Malaysia specifically to chat with the guy from Ceriatone about what amp I should get.
I really need to get a life.

breezytele

I recently acquired a new fully loaded Lazy J10LC and I absolutely love it 

Dominic

Gartone Bluesman all day long
overall....the best amp I have ever played or heard

ToneControl

I have a preference for the 5x3 derivation (6L6 based)
The best one I tried was a double one from Wienbrock, with 4 x 6L6
He fitted switches to allow you ti scoop the mids a bit

Victoria amps are all wonderful in my experience, very cheap used prices last time I looked 

scovell001

Hey guys, just wanted to reply - I ‘had’ a lazy j20 & sold it because it didn’t do what I wanted it to - always loved the 5e3 circuit but was always scared of an amp with no onboard reverb. Thx to this thread and rift having a limited edition run of 5e3’s, by pure coincidence a high end hand built 5e3 came up, took the chance and oh my giddy aunt!!!! This amp with just the stock as is layout, amazing ! 

So glad I took the plunge thx guys I’ll never be scared of an amp with no reverb again lol !

markj

scovell001 said:

Hey guys, just wanted to reply - I ‘had’ a lazy j20 & sold it because it didn’t do what I wanted it to - always loved the 5e3 circuit but was always scared of an amp with no onboard reverb. Thx to this thread and rift having a limited edition run of 5e3’s, by pure coincidence a high end hand built 5e3 came up, took the chance and oh my giddy aunt!!!! This amp with just the stock as is layout, amazing ! 

So glad I took the plunge thx guys I’ll never be scared of an amp with no reverb again lol !

What’s the amp?

wrinkleygit

ToneControl said:

I have a preference for the 5x3 derivation (6L6 based)
The best one I tried was a double one from Wienbrock, with 4 x 6L6
He fitted switches to allow you ti scoop the mids a bit

Victoria amps are all wonderful in my experience, very cheap used prices last time I looked 

At last, someone has mentioned Wienbrock, my Me3 is switchable between 6V6 and 6L6, always used it with a pair of 6V6’s, never needed the extra power, it’s a great amp.

scovell001

markj said:

scovell001 said:

Hey guys, just wanted to reply - I ‘had’ a lazy j20 & sold it because it didn’t do what I wanted it to - always loved the 5e3 circuit but was always scared of an amp with no onboard reverb. Thx to this thread and rift having a limited edition run of 5e3’s, by pure coincidence a high end hand built 5e3 came up, took the chance and oh my giddy aunt!!!! This amp with just the stock as is layout, amazing ! 

So glad I took the plunge thx guys I’ll never be scared of an amp with no reverb again lol !

What’s the amp?

This one - https://www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/221662/

my god it’s killer ! 

Lebarque

Gotta love a 5E3. I've got a Lazy J 20 too. Interested in trying a J10 or something else with 6V6s though. Contrary to common wisdom, I love and use the 3D cleans. Pedals for OD.

fretfinder

Lebarque said:

Gotta love a 5E3. I've got a Lazy J 20 too. Interested in trying a J10 or something else with 6V6s though.

You can put 6V6s in a J20, just change the rectifier to a 5Y3. I did that with my old J20H and it sounded glorious, so I kept it like that for all the time I had the amp. 

Lebarque

fretfinder said:

Lebarque said:

Gotta love a 5E3. I've got a Lazy J 20 too. Interested in trying a J10 or something else with 6V6s though.

You can put 6V6s in a J20, just change the rectifier to a 5Y3. I did that with my old J20H and it sounded glorious, so I kept it like that for all the time I had the amp. 

You're right. I should try that.

57Deluxe

I have a 57 Deluxe and contrary to all the 'noise' on YouTube, it doesn't just miraculously turn from sparkly angels to breathing fire on a knob turn of any guitar. A well chosen pedal helps blend tones to suit which enrages 'purists'. But - THE guitar that really brings it to 3D life in that purist guise is not my vintage Strat, or Gibson '58 spec 335, or PRS P90s - but my 25th Anniversary Harley Benton Tele with it's alnico V PUPS!  - Match made in heaven. All you need is earplugs.

pluckbuddy

5e3s are great. There are some obvious limitations with just one tone control and some peculiarities with the interactive nature of the two channels - i never found it as versatile as I would personally like though and my one was noisier than I would like at extreme settings (this wasn't a Fender and might have just been my one).

I briefly rigged up a 5g9 tremolux (without the tremolo) at one point which is similar but uses a long tailed pair phase inverter (same values as a 59 tweed bassman). That was awesome and i probably preferred it to the tweed deluxe overall.

For the 5e3, for my tastes it definitely works best with a 12ay7 first and an NOS 5y3 last... although it's fun experimenting with different valves and speakers too. 

menamestom

pluckbuddy said:

5e3s are great. There are some obvious limitations with just one tone control and some peculiarities with the interactive nature of the two channels - i never found it as versatile as I would personally like though and my one was noisier than I would like at extreme settings (this wasn't a Fender and might have just been my one).

I briefly rigged up a 5g9 tremolux (without the tremolo) at one point which is similar but uses a long tailed pair phase inverter (same values as a 59 tweed bassman). That was awesome and i probably preferred it to the tweed deluxe overall.

For the 5e3, for my tastes it definitely works best with a 12ay7 first and an NOS 5y3 last... although it's fun experimenting with different valves and speakers too. 

I like mine clean best, or with just a bit of grit.  The cranked deluxe thing is fun, but for most applications, especially when using pedals anyway, the cleaner tones work best.

I’ve mulled over a 5f4 tweed super in the past.  Not tried one but on paper it probably is my ideal tweed amp.  Not much heavier than a deluxe but double the power, long tail PI and fixed bias also I think.

pluckbuddy

Never played one but the YT vidoes I've seen of the 5f4 sound good. If i had the time I might consider building a 6V6 version. 10in speakers are great too.

You're right it is fixed bias and it drives the tonestack with a cathode follower like a tweed bassman but I think it has the cathodyne phase inverter. All good though! 

Keefy

When I play rock’n’roll gigs I go back and forth between my Matchless Lightning and my @Modulus_Amps 5E3. The main downside of the 5E3 is how hard it is to get the volume right but it flatters and fattens single coils like nothing else. If you like building pedals I strongly recommend getting a Modulus kit - the feeling of building a working amp is just brilliant.