Can we talk about 5e3? Fender Tweed Deluxe

[charliechitlins]

Y'know... I understand collectability and all, but my 5E3 has seen thousands of gigs and a lot of the original parts didn't survive.
I don't even remember what's inside it because it is what it is.
I know that at least one of the transformers was changed, maybe both.
It was serviced by Cesar Diaz in the 80s and more recently George Alessandro who said, "You know that thing is far from original, right?"
I know Cesar changed the PT, because he gave it back and I still have it.
He had a LOT of NOS parts...maybe he used one. Maybe I'll look inside.
Maybe not.
But, whatever it is, it's got THAT sound.
The one that makes us tone hounds close our eyes and smile like we're slipping into a warm bath after a day of working out in the cold.

 

[Xpensive Wino]

But I was told that "Once running correctly, what's to maintain? Use NOS tubes and they will literally never need replacing."

Y'know... I understand collectability and all, but my 5E3 has seen thousands of gigs and a lot of the original parts didn't survive.
I don't even remember what's inside it because it is what it is.
I know that at least one of the transformers was changed, maybe both.
It was serviced by Cesar Diaz in the 80s and more recently George Alessandro who said, "You know that thing is far from original, right?"
I know Cesar changed the PT, because he gave it back and I still have it.
He had a LOT of NOS parts...maybe he used one. Maybe I'll look inside.
Maybe not.
But, whatever it is, it's got THAT sound.
The one that makes us tone hounds close our eyes and smile like we're slipping into a warm bath after a day of working out in the cold.

 

[ampdan]

But I was told that "Once running correctly, what's to maintain? Use NOS tubes and they will literally never need replacing."

TRUTH. I just sold a 1965 Vibrolux Reverb with all the original tubes from the factory still
working correctly. And a 1965 Champ, and a 1966 Pro Reverb......on and on.
Try that with new tubes. You need more experience with them.
A properly functioning VINTAGE tube amp, doesn't just start haveing capacitors and resistors and tubes and transformers fail.
Answer the question hotshot, what's to fail?

 

[Xpensive Wino]

TRUTH. I just sold a 1965 Vibrolux Reverb with all the original tubes from the factory still
working correctly. And a 1965 Champ, and a 1966 Pro Reverb......on and on.
Try that with new tubes. You need more experience with them.
A properly functioning VINTAGE tube amp, doesn't just start haveing capacitors and resistors and tubes and transformers fail.
Answer the question hotshot, what's to fail?

I don't recall saying that "a properly functioning VINTAGE tube amp, just starts haveing (sic) capacitors and resistors and tubes and transformers fail".

 

[nats]

There's no amp like it on the planet. Besides good tubes, look for original iron. A lot of originals have transformers that have been replaced. Normal maintenance with caps is a must. I'm sure the old wood adds to it. I've owned a '60 for years and it's one amp I'll never sell. Here's a shot with my aged, signed Skinnerburst.

What a beautiful combo! Left-right knockout punch!!

 

[Xpensive Wino]

Do you feel the need, the need for tweed?

 

[nats]

Do you feel the need, the need for tweed?

Do you feel the need, the need for tweed?

YES! Yes, I do.

 

[Xpensive Wino]

YES! Yes, I do.

 

[ampdan]

But I was told that "Once running correctly, what's to maintain? Use NOS tubes and they will literally never need replacing."

This is you right? What's to maintain? My tube comment is fact. My postings are based on the fact that I tinkered on my first tube amp 50 years ago. I know what I'm talking about. I don't think you know shit about any of the amp stuff you post.

 

[Xpensive Wino]

This is you right? What's to maintain? My tube comment is fact. My postings are based on the fact that I tinkered on my first tube amp 50 years ago. I know what I'm talking about. I don't think you know shit about any of the amp stuff you post.

OIC.

 

[garagemonkey]

I've never plugged into a vintage Tweed Deluxe. Mine is "just" a really good clone (Weber 12A125A speaker, top quality caps/wiring true to original, Classic Tone iron, vintage RCA glass, etc), but if vintage is better than this I understand why some are willing to pay what they do for them.

The past 5 years or more my "5E3" gets used more than any of my other amps by a margin of at least 10:1.

 

[charliechitlins]

For quite awhile I had my 56 and a clone.
Both went to gigs.
If I needed less, I parked the clone in front of the 56.
If I needed more, I chained them together.
It was a great rig.

 

[Xpensive Wino]

​

 

[bluesroom]

It’s all about the circuit. Why not try to take an amp building class and build a kit. I had 2 originals and everyone loves the one I built. Buy a logo, a nice handle and lightly stain the tweed. Some people would rather buy an original but this way you don’t have to worry about blowing up a transformer, or having a vintage amp with all replaced parts anyway. Vintage amps were appealing when they were affordable. But today a clone is great because you can experiment with mods and changes and not have to worry about devaluation. I think it’s all about the journey. The circuit is what makes this amp great

 

[Athos]

I thought long and hard about building a kit. I knew I wanted a 5E3, and I know how to solder and understand circuit diagrams, etc. But when I was changing some guitar pickups a few months ago, I remembered how much I HATE soldering, and I only tolerate messing with guitar electronics because it's relatively quick and easy. I knew I'd go nuts trying to solder even a simple circuit like a tweed deluxe. Plus, that's hours and hours of free time that could otherwise be spent playing guitar or hell, anything more fun than soldering. My hat's off to you guys who have built your own clones; I don't have the patience. Maybe after I retire I'll get bored enough to try building an amp kit.

 

[Bob Womack]

I had a builder put together one for me with the usual "best" parts. He sandwiched my build between four builds for Joe Walsh. Fun memories.

More, HERE.

Bob

 

[charliechitlins]

It’s all about the circuit. Why not try to take an amp building class and build a kit. I had 2 originals and everyone loves the one I built. Buy a logo, a nice handle and lightly stain the tweed. Some people would rather buy an original but this way you don’t have to worry about blowing up a transformer, or having a vintage amp with all replaced parts anyway. Vintage amps were appealing when they were affordable. But today a clone is great because you can experiment with mods and changes and not have to worry about devaluation. I think it’s all about the journey. The circuit is what makes this amp great

I'm of the opinion that there's more going on than the circuit.
Gerald Weber knew that there were secrets inside a Bassman OT and he couldn't make one that sounded right to his ears until he dissected one.
Maybe there's something in that eyelet board that warps and absorbs moisture.
I am 100% convinced that there is something in a 70-year-old pine cabinet from a kind of slow-growing tree that is no longer commercially available.
Take a Silvertone amp out of it's cabinet, put it in a pine one and there is an unmistakable difference.
I've had clones and originals.
Even my oldies with replaced, modern transformers are just different.
I'm not saying that difference is worth thousands of extra dollars, I'm not even saying the old ones are better, but they're definitely different.

 

[Xpensive Wino]

I thought long and hard about building a kit. I knew I wanted a 5E3, and I know how to solder and understand circuit diagrams, etc. But when I was changing some guitar pickups a few months ago, I remembered how much I HATE soldering, and I only tolerate messing with guitar electronics because it's relatively quick and easy. I knew I'd go nuts trying to solder even a simple circuit like a tweed deluxe. Plus, that's hours and hours of free time that could otherwise be spent playing guitar or hell, anything more fun than soldering. My hat's off to you guys who have built your own clones; I don't have the patience. Maybe after I retire I'll get bored enough to try building an amp kit.

Plenty of people build 'em for a living, and they'll make one for you, even spec it out.


Couple of examples:

Uncle Larry Custom 5E3 — p2pAmps

www.p2pamps.com

Tweed Deluxe Speed Shop

Home of the best sounding Tweed amplifiers available.

tweeddeluxe.com

 

[Xpensive Wino]

I'm of the opinion that there's more going on than the circuit.
Gerald Weber knew that there were secrets inside a Bassman OT and he couldn't make one that sounded right to his ears until he dissected one.
Maybe there's something in that eyelet board that warps and absorbs moisture.
I am 100% convinced that there is something in a 70-year-old pine cabinet from a kind of slow-growing tree that is no longer commercially available.
Take a Silvertone amp out of it's cabinet, put it in a pine one and there is an unmistakable difference.
I've had clones and originals.
Even my oldies with replaced, modern transformers are just different.
I'm not saying that difference is worth thousands of extra dollars, I'm not even saying the old ones are better, but they're definitely different.

There you go.

Plenty of people have said even the originals don't all sound alike...

 

[jb_abides]

Uncle Larry Custom 5E3 — p2pAmps

www.p2pamps.com

Paired with a fine gutar...