Updated: January 28th 2014

Current Status:
The Tweed 5E3 PCB is officially depreciated. It has been replaced by the Wattkins Universal PCB which is essentially the same PCB but with many added features.

History:
This circuit is modeled after the '59 Fender Tweed Deluxe (5E3) amplifier. Special thanks to Terry Stinger (z_stingray) for the PCB layout. We originally produced a batch of 75 PCBs (which sold out in under a week). We made a second batch of 100 PCBs and those all sold out too. So we ordered some more and those all sold out. Then we realized that we had so many different circuits that would work with the board we should look into making the board more mod friendly. Thus the Wattkins Universal PCB was conceived.

The Gerber files for the layout and manufacture of the board will be released under the Creative Commons license.

Obtaining the PCB:
You can buy the official Tweed 5E3 PCB here:
http://www.tubeface.com/ppwatt/tweed-5e3

Build Thread:

• http://www.ppwatt.com/node/16455
  The build thread to discuss the construction, observations, and revelations!

Schematic:

• Tweed 5E3 PCB Schematic v4 (pdf)
• Tweed 5E3 PCB Schematic v4 (dwg)
• Tweed 5E3 PCB Schematic with VVR (pdf) (from gwtekman)

Build Manual:

• Tweed 5E3 PCB Valve Junior conversion manual v3.0 (pdf) 3.9MB

Errata:
This section will contain important information including a list of errors and their corrections regarding the build:

• The V1 cathode resistor and bypass capacitors (R13 and C5) are labeled wrong. Correction here
• R7, R8, C8 and C9 are installed on the chassis mounted components (input jacks and control potentiometers). They are not installed on the circuit board.
• C15 and R29 are extra components that can be used if you want to cascade the V1 preamp triodes. It was a design request that was able to fit into the board.
• 22uF is the proper value for C1 when using a 5Y3GT tube rectifier to prevent it from arching. A 47uF cap is recommended for C1 with the Valve Junior conversion since it will use diode rectification, which can take much larger in-rush currents.
• Valve Junior conversion with standby switch only: The stock chassis mounting screw that goes right above the standby switch is too long and will hit the standby switch when you install the chassis. There is a danger this screw will touch the contacts of the standby switch and connect the B+ to the chassis. You will need to cut the screw down to 5/8" (16mm) or get a shorter one from your local hardware store. You can replace it with a metric Pan Head Phillips M6 x 16 (pitch 1.0) machine screw. OSH sells a bag of two screws for 59 cents (part #9326661). If you are planning on using all four inputs, you'll need the second screw for the hole nearest the top left input jack because that stock screw is also too long.

Parts Lists:

• Tweed 5E3 PCB v3.3 Parts List - Valve Junior v2 (pdf)
• Tweed 5E3 PCB v3.3 Parts List - Valve Junior v2 (xls)

PharmRock has created a project over at Mouser for some of the Tweed 5E3 PCB Valve Junior conversion parts:

http://www.mouser.com/ProjectManager/ProjectDetail.aspx?AccessID=1b7c7a13bf

You can also access the project by going to: http://www.mouser.com/Tools/Tools.aspx. Then enter the following access number where it says "Enter Access ID:" under Project and Cart Sharing: 1b7c7a13bf

Note that the following items are also included for those installing a standby switch (the faceplate plans below include cutouts for these parts):

• Indicator Light 120VAC
• 691-2FA53-73 Carling SPST (Standby Switch)
• 691-2GK50-73 Carling DPST (Power Switch)

Make sure you delete the above items from your cart if you will be using the stock VJ power switch and no standby. You will still need an output transformer (i.e. MPS OT20PP or OT15PP) and the Antique Electronic Supply order. FYI, the power and standby switches can be ordered from AES for a few dollars less:

• P-H495 SWITCH, CARLING SPST TOGGLE, REPLACEMENT FOR FENDER (Standby Switch)
• P-H146 SWITCH, DPDT TOGGLE, BAT HANDLE, 2 POSITION, ON-ON (Power Switch)

Power Transformers:

• Almost any Tweed Deluxe PT will do (between 260 and 290 volts)
• Stock Valve Junior
• W025130 (Ted Weber)
• MPS 275.2 (Musical Power Supplies)
• Hammond 270DX/EX
• Edcor XPWR106
• Triode Electronics 40-18021 (Magnetic Components) - high B+ (tube rectification only)
• Mercury Magnetics have a choice of 37 different Tweed Deluxe power transformers

Output Transformers:

• Any Tweed Deluxe OT will do
• OT20PP (Musical Power Supplies) - this is included in the above parts list
• FTDO-M '59 Tweed - 4, 8 & 16Ω taps (Mercury Magnetics) - about the same size as the stock VJ transformer
• FTDO-15M Tweed - 4, 8 & 16Ω taps (Mercury Magnetics) - about the same size as the Blackface OT
• Triode Electronics 40-18022 - 8Ω (Magnetic Components)

Chassis Layout:

• Tweed 5E3 PCB v3.3 Chassis Layout - Valve Junior v1 (pdf)

Chassis Drill Plans:

• Tweed 5E3 PCB v3.3 Drill Plan v1 (pdf)
  Note for VJ conversion only: the PCB uses most of the existing chassis standoffs so make sure you don't accidentally drill in the wrong place. Only two holes need to be drilled - see picture for details.

Faceplate Plans:

• Tweed 5E3 faceplate drill plan for Valve Junior conversion v1 (pdf)
  Print out on legal size paper! Do not "re-size to fit the page" in the print settings!
   
• The upside down (tubes up) faceplate can be found here: Corel | SVG
  (designed by jamesrr in Australia - go figure!)

Ready made faceplates for the VJ conversion are available from tubeface.com!

PCB Plans:

• The Gerber files can be downloaded here subject to the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons license.

Thanks:
A big thanks to everyone in the community that has worked on this project. Special thanks goes out to Z_Stingray of guitaramplifierpcbs.com for the original build plans. jamesrr created the build manual and has made several 6L6 mods including "Pro", "Superlead" and "Bassman". Also gwtekman supplied the schematic with the VVR mods.

Creative Commons License

• What does this mean exactly?
  You are free to share this information, as well as adapt it for your own use providing that you attribute the work to ppwatt.com (which owns the rights to this work). You may also distribute your own adaptation providing that you release it under the exact same license and upload any modifications you make to the 5E3 forums. You may not use this work for commercial purposes, however a license will be available.

ppwatt.com Tweed 5E3 PCB by Wattkins Amp Forums is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 United States License.
Based on a work at www.ppwatt.com.