Phil_S wrote:+1 on getting 4/8/16 OT. Build a head. Maximum versatility. Easier to move around.
Agreed. Heads don't cause you to spend 4 days pulling your hair out to stop a rattle, it's like that old movie The Conversation with Gene Hackman. Found this image on Google (thanks to orig poster). IIRC in the Gerald Weber book there's a pict of an original one-off factory 4x10 tweed Bassman built as a head and cab, it's a very cool looking object of desire.
BTW here's the info on the last 5F6A. This is the first time I've actually seen it documented w/ picts:
You can't go wrong with a 5F6-A as your first build. First amplifier I built was a 5F6-A 2 x 10" poplar cab covered with tan tolex. I used Emi Legend 1058s in parallel for a 4 ohm load. Sounded very loud and the breakup didn't occur until around 50 to 60% volume. Frankly - it slayed. I think the addition of a master volume would have been a great idea.
A key design element in the tweed cab is the floating baffle. Some will tell you that the thickness is critical, but (I can't remember the actual thickness - 11/32" ? ) 3/8" is pretty close and commonly available.
I agree w/ RP, get a 2/4/8 Ohm OT. You won't regret it. I eventually cannibalized the 5F6-A to build a 6V6 Plexi master volume head with a 4 x 10" cab loaded w/Ramrods. The master worked so well, I eventually re wired the OT (here's where the multi-tap OT comes in handy) and re-biased for EL34s.
I do miss the 5F6-A. Maybe I'll revisit in the future with a MV mod....
I still have the cab drawings if you are interested.
