Mission Amps-5E3 Tone Volume Mod Kit

KHELSTROM · Post by **KHELSTROM** » 25 Jul 2008, 15:08

Anyone know the details on this mod? Ive heard something about brownface Deluxe vol and tone values but I'd still like to see a schematic.

Thanks,

Post by **modman** » 07 Aug 2008, 01:29

If you want to save $20 by buying components instead of a kit, you should sharpen up your Google Kung Fu

... and bookmark http://www.ampwares.com/ffg for the rest of your life

Here what I found, I'm looking into the 5e3 myself, but the hype is holding me back...

Leo changed the Vol and Tone on the Deluxe's after the 5E3. If you implement those changes using a double ganged pot for the Tone control you have the same thing on a 5E3. Its a classic Tweed tone control with both channels mixed together with a pair of 220K. Have a look at the Brownface Deluxe 6G3 schematic or visit S2Amps.com forum (5E3 thread) for plenty of details and discussion. You can also split the cathodes on the V1 to remove all interactivity, i.e. put a 1.5K resistor and 25uF or less cap on each V1 cathode.

http://www.tdpri.com/forum/amp-central- ... ost1117362

Here's a user review in

I heard a lot of positive comments on Bruce's (mission amps) vol/tone mod, and bit the bullet. For $25 you get more clean headroom, the volume starts at 1, and rolls smoothly up to 6 before clipping (before it would clip after 3). The normal channel sounds very much like the bright channel used to, and the new bright channel sounds similar, but a little tighter and more focused. The one thing you lose is the channel interaction. It's not gone, but only about 15% of what it used to be.

On a stock model, turning the unused channel's volume up over 10 would clean up the sound, lower the output, and scoop out the mids. This sound is sometimes described by tweed heads as "better than blackface" cleans. I loved the tone, but the mod has really given me much more than it has taken.

I now have two usable channels (the stock normal channel may work for harp, but is way too dark for my guitars), more clean headroom (a major gripe about the 5E3), a smooth volume ramp up (THE major gripe about the 5E3), a nice range of clean tones, and a tone knob that works on either channel.

noelgrassy · Post by **noelgrassy** » 08 Aug 2008, 22:45

Modman, do you get treated well from Ampwares? On many DIY type sites, the complaints are legendary re: Ampwares! Most common=He cashes chex imediately and takes another 2 months before he considers shipping an item. No amount of phone calls, Emails, or threats can get the fellow to respond. Granted many usefull items are listed by him, but what is in stock is many times another story.
I read a Mission Amps client's tale re: 5E3 kit...Shoddy/cheap components and all attempts at tube swapping or parts swapping failed to allow for a "clean" signal at mild volume settings. Fellow was ready to trash the project and start over from scratch.
KHELSTROM, What do you want your amp to do? Many skilled tube amp afficianados at freestompboxes.org might be able to
guide by suggestion.

Post by **modman** » 09 Aug 2008, 19:17

Hi Noel, no I never ordered from Ampwares, being in the EU this would amount to high shipping charges. I only spoke for the Fender Field Guide -- because the most accessible and complete collection of Fender factory schematics is being hosted on ampwares, they will always have business.

Buying a kit will almost certainly cost you in the quality of components, it seems.

KHELSTROM · Post by **KHELSTROM** » 11 Aug 2008, 15:24

noelgrassy wrote:Modman, do you get treated well from Ampwares? On many DIY type sites, the complaints are legendary re: Ampwares! Most common=He cashes chex imediately and takes another 2 months before he considers shipping an item. No amount of phone calls, Emails, or threats can get the fellow to respond. Granted many usefull items are listed by him, but what is in stock is many times another story.
I read a Mission Amps client's tale re: 5E3 kit...Shoddy/cheap components and all attempts at tube swapping or parts swapping failed to allow for a "clean" signal at mild volume settings. Fellow was ready to trash the project and start over from scratch.
KHELSTROM, What do you want your amp to do? Many skilled tube amp afficianados at freestompboxes.org might be able to
guide by suggestion.

Hi noelgrassy,
I don't actually need tech advice on moding my 5E3 I'm fully competent in understanding/tweaking it's design. I was just curious to see just how much of the tone/ volume mod is lifted straight out of the brown deluxe. Thanks anyway.