Can we talk about 5e3? Fender Tweed Deluxe

[nats]

Saw Neil Young at the Hollywood Bowl and he certainly is rocking’ the stage at age 79 with Old Black and his 1959 Fender Deluxe Amp 5e3. I’m really interested in purchasing a vintage original 5e3, can we talk about this? Any advice, suggestions, experience stories please share!

 

[Xpensive Wino]

Saw Neil Young at the Hollywood Bowl and he certainly is rocking’ the stage at age 79 with Old Black and his 1959 Fender Deluxe Amp 5e3. I’m really interested in purchasing a vintage original 5e3, can we talk about this? Any advice, suggestions, experience stories please share!

1955 Deluxe owner, here.

Play one before you buy one, and have a good experienced tech (good luck finding one) check any prospective purchases before you pull the trigger. Understand that ongoing maintenance is part of the deal.

 

[Xpensive Wino]

Also...

 

[nats]

Also...

This is great, thank you Wino

 

[nats]

 

[poor man's burst]

Saw Neil Young at the Hollywood Bowl and he certainly is rocking’ the stage at age 79 with Old Black and his 1959 Fender Deluxe Amp 5e3. I’m really interested in purchasing a vintage original 5e3, can we talk about this? Any advice, suggestions, experience stories please share!

Neil Young's Fender Deluxe is highly modified (6L6 power tubes, transformers, servo-motorized pots, etc...)

 

[jb_abides]

Neil Young's Fender Deluxe is highly modified (6L6 power tubes, transformers, servo-motorized pots, etc...)

“The Whizzer”

 

[mikeslub]

Tweeds rock!

 

[ampdan]

Understand that ongoing maintenance is part of the deal.

Why? Once running correctly, what's to maintain? Use NOS tubes and they will literally never need replacing.
Or, use new tubes and replace them yourself. No need for a tech.

 

[ampdan]

Also...

A master of marketing and hype if nothing else....

 

[Athos]

You can buy an original, sure, but I'm more than happy with my clone. The builder included a simple attenuator plus a switch that adds negative feedback to clean it up a bit. I doubt it'll ever need anything apart from new power tubes once in a long while. It's my desert island amp.

 

[nats]

Tweeds rock!

View attachment 32038

 

[Xpensive Wino]

You can buy an original, sure, but I'm more than happy with my clone. The builder included a simple attenuator plus a switch that adds negative feedback to clean it up a bit. I doubt it'll ever need anything apart from new power tubes once in a long while. It's my desert island amp.

 

[charliechitlins]

Been gigging one since....1985?...If it didn't have enough horsepower, I chained it with an amp that did.
This amp will school you in touch and tone.
I've had clones, but nothing sounds like 70-year-old wood.
Sorry...this is all I can show because it always says the file is too big

 

[TBurst Std]

Ever notice how 5e3 looks like sex?
Be cause Ia good one offers the same sensation.

 

[Xpensive Wino]

 

[nats]

I brought my Goldtop to the Hollywood Guitar Center on Sunset Boulevard today to plug in to the classic Fender Tweeds. Some very sweet sounds to be had, but no vintage Deluxe in stock - only reissue.

.

 

[Xpensive Wino]

I brought my Goldtop to the Hollywood Guitar Center on Sunset Boulevard today to plug in to the classic Fender Tweeds. Some very sweet sounds to be had, but no vintage Deluxe in stock - only reissue.

.View attachment 32067

There are good modern clones available.

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Uncle Larry Custom 5E3 — p2pAmps

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5E3-P2P Amplifier by Tweed Deluxe Speed Shop

Check out the best Tweed Deluxe on the planet.

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[goldtop0]

Joe B's got a few.
If I was intent on getting one I'd look for the reissue Fender did a few years ago, that 5e3 just sings, what an amp.

 

[akstrat61]

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.