5e3 problem - low output!

[ben85]

should i do it for these resistors?thanks for the tip nick!

[tsutt]

What nic said take a good look at that photo. I hope your pulling out your tubes when you solder......

[ben85]

yeah,i pull them off

[johnnyreece]

Your filaments Are probaly fine .If you are getting around 6.3vac att all the sockets.


Some of your first pics show your amp powered up with tubes in and no speaker connected DO NOT DO THAT EVER AGAIN.

Is this a weber kit?I would suggest Trying the Weber kitbuilding forum.

No offense but this forum is not the best place for beginners.

I kinda lurk both forums (here and the Weber boards). I've not seen you post there, but I agree, that would have been a good place to check, as that's where you made the purchase. Folks there may have some insight as to some of the "quirks" of Weber kits. Not that folks here aren't knowledeable; just stating the obvious.

It seems like you're on the path to fixing it here, so by all means, continue. But, if you purchase another Weber kit, stop by here also:

http://www.weberorders.com/forum/index.php

Double the fun!

[M Fowler]

Mark, back off, can't you see I am claiming the head dick title?

And your doing a wonderful job of it

[ben85]

thanks johnnyreece,i'll post there, too, if i'll not fix the problem soon

[johnnyreece]

thanks johnnyreece,i'll post there, too, if i'll not fix the problem soon

No problem. I will stress, though: These guys have given some great advice - keep plugging away, and they'll help you with the answer! Take it from someone who's been in your position.

[M Fowler]

I'm a member at the Weber Forum but would rather answer question here Mark

[rogb]

I'm a member at the Weber Forum but would rather answer question here Mark

Don't worry Mark, I will soon cheer you up with my English version of the Fowler Stage 50. PPIMV, tube/diode recto, passive loop, 50K Mid/raw.
I got the new Classictone 3 x HV taps PT in it too! Middle one connected for now.
Should be smokin' or screamin' in a couple of days

Imagine, having a "tribute" amp in your honour
Might start a forum for Fowler clones.... F-style.com

[ben85]

well,i've got some news.my amp finally plays as loud as it should be,after cleaning as tsutt adviced me.however,the problems do not stop here.sometimes(not always), the volume pot at bright channel do not work,it plays at the same volume,wherever i adjust it.and the sound is now distorted at both channels,both inputs,not always ,too.it's clean and nice at one moment and suddenly get distorted and the volume changed, too what it would be?the tone works perfect.

thanks!

[Tillydog]

well,i've got some news.my amp finally plays as loud as it should be,after cleaning as tsutt adviced me.however,the problems do not stop here.sometimes(not always), the volume at bright channel do not work,it plays at the same volume,wherever i adjust it.and the sound is now distorted at both channels,both inputs.what it would be?the tone works perfect

thanks!

Ben,

The voltages, and this last post show that the amp is more or less correctly wired.

I think most of your problems will be coming from poor solder joints - there are many in the photos which I would be suspicious of, and they will cause exactly those sort of intermittent problems.

I think you should work your way through every joint in the amp, clean it up with alcohol to remove the flux and inspect it closely, with a magnifier, or similar if needed. Unless the joint looks **PERFECT** then re-make it, so there is a shiny blob of solder (not too big, not too small) wetting all the parts in the joint. (If every joint was like V2 pin 6 and 7, then you would have far fewer problems, I'm sure.)

Again, Good luck!

[ben85]

thank you tillydog,i'll re-make some of them and posts the results!thanks again!

[martin manning]

Ben, I've marked up a 5E3 layout and schematic with the signal flow and test points at which you can inject signal and listen for output at the speaker. This might prove generally helpful to anyone trying to debug an amp.

Do go ahead and continue to clean up your solder joints and lead dress. That is a very good suggestion, even if the amp were working.

Out of curiosity, where are you located? Your English is pretty good, and I can't tell from your "accent."

Edit: Layout and schematic marked with signal path and signal injection test points added.

[rdjones]

2 areas that I think may be potential shorts waiting to happen.

[M Fowler]

It is really hard to tell from the photos but I don't like the solder on the eyelets either.

Sliding heat shrink or even 18 gauge wire jacket stripping over those resistors on the input jacks should be done.

Don't worry Mark, I will soon cheer you up with my English version of the Fowler Stage 50. PPIMV, tube/diode recto, passive loop, 50K Mid/raw.
I got the new Classictone 3 x HV taps PT in it too! Middle one connected for now.
Should be smokin' or screamin' in a couple of days

Imagine, having a "tribute" amp in your honour
Might start a forum for Fowler clones.... F-style.com

It will be fun to see what the English have come up with