It is Fender's version of the 5150, it is VERY similar to the Peavey versions, compare the schematics.
If you like a Peavey 5150, you ought to like the Fender.
If you like a Peavey 5150, you ought to like the Fender.
Can't find a useful schematic, seen some gut shots looks like there could be some improvements. The board actually looks nice/pretty good for some pcb stuff etc.
seen someone dumping the IC's and putting Sprague atoms in and ODs etc haha
seen someone dumping the IC's and putting Sprague atoms in and ODs etc haha
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You can call Fender and ask for the drawings.
Or you can open this page:
Guitar Amplifier Schematics and more
And scroll down to Fender, and the 5150-III is near the top of that section.
it is just another amp built by fender, and it is constructed like their other products from the same materials.
Just my own opinion, but to swap out the IC caps for Atoms, and do orange drops all over, is what I think of as knee-jerk upgrades. That is to say, usually done because it is an "improvement" rather than in response to any actual need. You can spend the extra money for a Sprague Atom, cut one open, and find a smaller ordinary cap inside it. As to orange drops, well other than taking up more room, I see any number of fine brands of film caps. I myself prefer using the yellow Mallorys, not for tone, but for their shape and size. But really, why not listen to the amp for a month or more to explore its sound before hacking parts out and changing them.
Or you can open this page:
Guitar Amplifier Schematics and more
And scroll down to Fender, and the 5150-III is near the top of that section.
it is just another amp built by fender, and it is constructed like their other products from the same materials.
Just my own opinion, but to swap out the IC caps for Atoms, and do orange drops all over, is what I think of as knee-jerk upgrades. That is to say, usually done because it is an "improvement" rather than in response to any actual need. You can spend the extra money for a Sprague Atom, cut one open, and find a smaller ordinary cap inside it. As to orange drops, well other than taking up more room, I see any number of fine brands of film caps. I myself prefer using the yellow Mallorys, not for tone, but for their shape and size. But really, why not listen to the amp for a month or more to explore its sound before hacking parts out and changing them.
Haven't heard them personally, I did think it sounded a bit dull/boring in some clips, I must not be the only one, some of that stuff yeah can be knee-jerk upgrades, looks like some sure felt the need to start hacking it up/tearing into it haha
I can tell you for sure that someone I know at Fender who built the amps for EVH did plenty of work on the ones he uses on tour.. EVH had the circuits updated and moded 3 times so far during the last tour... So far EVH has settled on it and is happy with it...
The mod boost the gain in the HOT channel...also shielded cables are added to reduce any additional EMI noise from the extra gains..
The store bought versions do not have this...
I did play the amp and personally don't like all the extra gain.. it looses some of dynamics with increased compression.... For bedroom level it may be cool..but on a big stage it just turns to mush and loose of clarity when you stand out front by 30 feet or more...
He also loads his touring amps with Philips/ Sylvania 6L6 tubes he bought from Aspen Pittman like 25 years ago...he still has a huge stash left of several hundred..
The mod boost the gain in the HOT channel...also shielded cables are added to reduce any additional EMI noise from the extra gains..
The store bought versions do not have this...
I did play the amp and personally don't like all the extra gain.. it looses some of dynamics with increased compression.... For bedroom level it may be cool..but on a big stage it just turns to mush and loose of clarity when you stand out front by 30 feet or more...
He also loads his touring amps with Philips/ Sylvania 6L6 tubes he bought from Aspen Pittman like 25 years ago...he still has a huge stash left of several hundred..
Yeah tell him to hook me up with them Phillip's/Sylvania Tall Bottle's my god them things are just beautiful xD,
Yeah I would probably tear into it too and want just hack it up etc haha, all that extra gain though, that much is ridiculous.
There is even better Electrolytic's and couplings than the Atom's/ODs I would put in it though like one person. xD
The Phillips/Sylvania's and GE 12AX7s do some of the best "Outlaw" sounds haha
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Of course it will turn to just mush with that much preamp madness going on, good noise suppressor ASAP with that damn thing....especially at some more stage like volumes, with output section actually working, you don't need that much really. I must be one of the few, but for bedroom/lower volumes, Semiconductor's/Silicon stages/hybrids is fine with me, that takes good bit of tweaking/configuration's though and certain/specific ones that I prefer.
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