Need suggestions for Building a Tweed clone.

[pnak]

I just got the go ahead to build an amp from the wife.

Im looking to build a head instead of a combo and am planning on gigging with this amp so i'll need a medium power amp with good cleans to run pedals with.

Im also looking for a saggy feel to the amp and was looking at a
5E7 Bandmaster or a 5E6 Bassman.

If you any experience with either of these two amps I would appreciate your input.

[LZ_69]

I don't own one yet but I have a guy building me a 5E6 and from what I've read it won't give much in the way of sag due to the dual rectifiers and huge transformers.


The Bandmasterr circuit would be a better choice for what your after as long as it has enough volume for your needs.

[pnak]

Correct me if I'm wrong because I'm not totally sure but I think the 5E7 Bandmaster is about 35-40 watts. Yes.

That's the range I'm looking for something in the 30-50 watt range.

[gldtp99]

a 5E7 Bandmaster is rated at 26 watts output according to the Fender Amp Field Guide.
I recently built a 5E5 Tweed Pro-based head into a 50's era Knight PA 30 watt head and i'm currently doing another for somebody using the transformer set from a 35 watt rated 60's Knight PA head----- here's another of the exact same 60's Knight model on ebay---
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=290192890567&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=019

My 5E5 Tweed Pro clone certainly has the saggy vibe happening and it takes a Holy Grail reverb and a Keeley modded TS-9 very well. It's a lot of fun to play with the thick, saggy growl.
If you're building the amp yourself you can adjust, to a point, the amount of Clean/Breakup works best for your rig.
I played the Tweed Pro clone last nite jamming with a friend who was playing one of my Hiwatt 50 watt clones----we were both running through 4x12 cabs----- as far as power/volume goes my Tweed Pro clone is a healthy 30 watts but the 50 watt Hiwatt clone would bury it if both amps were pushed.
The 5E6 circuit with the twin rectifier tubes/larger iron will give more volume than a 5E7 or my 5E5 clone but most likely won't have the same amount of sag, if that's what you're looking for.................gldtp99

[JDJ]

I've got a 5E8-A, and I love it. Plenty of clean and plenty of grind. The treble and bass pots also act as a gain. Tweedy goodness!

[hasserl]

If you're looking for an amp with good cleans to run pedals with, I don't think tweed amps are right for the bill. Especially the 5E7/5E5A/5F4 variety. These amps break up early and often. You don't need pedals with these amps, their own distortion is better than any pedal anyway. But if you're looking for a lot of clean headroom out of a tweed I'd go with the 5F6A Bassman, or the 5F8A Hi Power Twin. IMO you'd be better off with the LTPI in these amps rather than the cathodyne PI in the smaller tweed amps, for your stated purpose.

[pnak]

Those sound like interesting builds but will they obtain any sag.

By the way I'll probably be purchasing one of the kits from Weber.

[phsyconoodler]

Well what do you want,good high-headroom cleans or sag?The tweed era amps all have nice distortion but not that much clean headroom.But even the Low Powered Tweed Twin has enough headroom for most clubs.They take pedals just fine.Depends on what sounds you are going for.
The bandmaster grinds away happily at medium volume levels without pedals.
you will definitely need 40 watts or more.5E8-A is my choice.Lots of headroom.

[pnak]

I think I'm leaning toward the 5F6A Bassman from Weber .
Thanks Hasserl and everyone else for your input.

MERRY CHRISTMAS !

[MemphisBlues]

Check out Mission amps for at 5E3 that's sweet!