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I've just had an e-mail back from a friend in the States who owns an original 5B4. I had asked him to compare the voltages on his amp with those found on the layout to see how accurate they were. With the correct 117v AC mains input he measured the readings in Red.
Now, from experience the voltages on the older Fender layouts/schematics shouldn't be taken as gospel...they were working engineers drawings and who knows what operating conditions those measurements were taken under. Ohms Law will tell you that some of the voltages found are either impossible, or highly improbable (see 6G2 Princeton). It's usually best to find an original example and take your own readings under real operating conditions.
Anyway, the voltages in Red match others (+/- 5%) found online in forums and magazine articles, so it's probably safe to say that they are true. Now I can start to do some more accurate calculations.
Rift Amplification
Brackley, Northamptonshire
www.riftamps.co.uk
(formerly customkits)
Below shows the eyelet board on my super hi-tech 'Board Population Rig' - this allows me to drop the components into place and gravity holds them there whilst I solder in place - saves bending the component legs over underneath the board.
Here, the filter pack is populated in place. 3 x 22uf 450v electrolytics and 2 x 10k 2w metal oxide resistors. Hole in the middle is a mounting point to chassis. The board will sit on 1/4" standoffs.
The completed board. Annoyingly, I was out of stock of the 6L6's cathode bypass cap (25uf 63v) so left a space to add in when the delivery arrives.
I went for my stock Jupiter Yellow tone caps - a huge improvement over Mallories or Orange Drops.
Next job is to make the underboard connections, clean off any solder flux, and attached the flying leads.
Unfortunately, the build must stop here whilst I move into my new workshop. Watch this space...
Rift Amplification
Brackley, Northamptonshire
www.riftamps.co.uk
Speakers
The original 5B4s were loaded with Jensen P10R Alnico speakers, and for this amp, I definitely wanted to stick with Alnico, despite being so expensive. I went for WGS G10As, an American voiced driver with a 1" voice coil and 40oz magnet. SPL is 97db and the resonant freq. is 82Hz. Whilst a little overpowered for this amp at 75w a piece, tonally they're spot on without that awful papery, fizzy cone distortion when driven hard.
The transformers are due to arrive next week, so can finally make progress with the chassis build.
Rift Amplification
Brackley, Northamptonshire
www.riftamps.co.uk
I shall update it tomorrow
Rift Amplification
Brackley, Northamptonshire
www.riftamps.co.uk
• Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@Goldeneraguitars
I am the proud owner of the WezV prototype Earth 2 '52 so I am going to have to call dibs on this one (if you're moving it on after the build Chris @RiftAmps) .... I have a strong suspicion that we'll be talking deep sonic joy here!
During this build, it quickly became apparent that this amplifier was no longer just a fun out-of-hours project to keep me busy, but instead, it started heading down a path towards full-blown development with a view to make the amplifier available to the public.
You see, after the first fire up and playtest I had a grin the size of Oxfordshire on my face which meant I now had to look into making this amp commercially viable. This entails certain technical details and IP that I couldn't post on an internet forum, so pulled down the blinds and went into development mode.
A few months back after the final design was built and tested, I submitted the amplifier to The Guitar Magazine for review which can be found in this month's issue (out today!).
I hope that's cool with everyone? I really wanted to keep this thread going with loads of details and updates but the possibility of making a 5B4 for people to actually buy was far more important.
Go buy a copy and read the review, it's worth it
Rift Amplification
Brackley, Northamptonshire
www.riftamps.co.uk
But please can we have more photos here!!
Instagram
Rift Amplification
Brackley, Northamptonshire
www.riftamps.co.uk
Does this amp’s circuit differ from your TV front Pro Chris?
Slightly, but they're very close. The architecture is the same, just differing component values.
Rift Amplification
Brackley, Northamptonshire
www.riftamps.co.uk
http://www.theguitarmagazine.com/features/vintage-bench-test-1950-5b4-fender-super-1956-5e4-a-fender-super/
So a meticulously documented build, has little to no documentation whatsoever (IP?!) and morphs into a sales/promo thread. I don't see the point anymore. You should move this thread to the made in UK subforum where it belongs.