Dan0h
Well-known member
Ok, I caught the 5E3 bug and am becoming huge fan. Following success building Rob Robinette’s Black Vibe and JCM800 amps as pedals and how awesome they sound, I had to try his version of the 5E3. And it does not disappoint!
Amazing overdrive fat crunchy smooth creamy just inspiring sounding box. Does all the quirky things actual Tweeds do going from super clean to fuzz territory when on tilt. But the sweet Tom petty’ish mid warm crunch is where it shines. I found myself playing things I’ve never played before. The master volume makes this a perfect preamp. And the switch to jumper both channels is awesome (my only deviation from his schematic).
This is one of the few pedals that sound great on both of my amps and all of my guitars. Usually pedals tend to like one guitar and one amp better than others.
My only complaint is that this Amazon Hv board is a bit noisy compared to Mr. PPCBs Hv boards but it’s not a deal breaker. And a lot of the noise is when the Hv board is dialed to the max. Before I record some samples I need to fine tune the HV to get the best Voltage to the tubes. Although it sounds good across the range 120 up to 250v.
A note about the spaghetti nest of wires. One of my first pedals was an original big muff Pi from the 90s bought new in the 90s. And it had one of the gnarliest nest of wires and sounded Efing amazing, so I’ve always admired the guys that can take the time to make wire dress perfect, but I’m not that guy and have never had any adverse sounds due to nests.
photos of my muff nest…. Added for your pleasure.
If I win the lotto I would love to have a Gibson 335 and a real Tweed Deluxe but for now I’m totally stoked to have a clone of the preamp. And it was fun to build. Fired right up.
Amazing overdrive fat crunchy smooth creamy just inspiring sounding box. Does all the quirky things actual Tweeds do going from super clean to fuzz territory when on tilt. But the sweet Tom petty’ish mid warm crunch is where it shines. I found myself playing things I’ve never played before. The master volume makes this a perfect preamp. And the switch to jumper both channels is awesome (my only deviation from his schematic).
This is one of the few pedals that sound great on both of my amps and all of my guitars. Usually pedals tend to like one guitar and one amp better than others.
My only complaint is that this Amazon Hv board is a bit noisy compared to Mr. PPCBs Hv boards but it’s not a deal breaker. And a lot of the noise is when the Hv board is dialed to the max. Before I record some samples I need to fine tune the HV to get the best Voltage to the tubes. Although it sounds good across the range 120 up to 250v.
A note about the spaghetti nest of wires. One of my first pedals was an original big muff Pi from the 90s bought new in the 90s. And it had one of the gnarliest nest of wires and sounded Efing amazing, so I’ve always admired the guys that can take the time to make wire dress perfect, but I’m not that guy and have never had any adverse sounds due to nests.
photos of my muff nest…. Added for your pleasure. If I win the lotto I would love to have a Gibson 335 and a real Tweed Deluxe but for now I’m totally stoked to have a clone of the preamp. And it was fun to build. Fired right up.
