Tweed Deluxe (i.e. 5E3)???

[chcjunior]

I'm looking to start on another amp kit and am considering the 5E3 kit. Anyone have any input on this type of amp with regard to output and headroom, tone, how it takes pedals, how it sounds clean, etc.?

I'm also considering a Bassman kit, but that's gonna be a different post altogether. Thanks.

 

[drew_half_empty]

Re: Tweed Deluxe (i.e. 5E3)???

it's louder than it should be, not all that clean but good cleans nonetheless, aaand as far as pedals i don't know, i've never had a reason to use pedals with an amp like that

the OD sound is fan-frickin-tastic

 

[Curly]

Re: Tweed Deluxe (i.e. 5E3)???

IMO, a tweed Deluxe is all about warm crunch.
Don't build one expecting any kind of clean headroom -- you'll be disappointed.

a common complaint on the 5E3 forum is that there isn't enough clean headroom. Sorry, but it's the wrong amp for that.

but besides warm crunch, they have very long sustain and lots of harmonic overtones when pushed

seeing as there is a community of people who've built these, it's a good project when you need a little support

 

[chcjunior]

Re: Tweed Deluxe (i.e. 5E3)???

How about the Bassman...any feedback on that with regard to the same questions posed for the 5E3? I'm looking for an amp kit with GREAT cleans that will take an OD pedal well.

What if the 5E3 was a 30 watter instead of the standard 18?

 

[Curly]

Re: Tweed Deluxe (i.e. 5E3)???

What if the 5E3 was a 30 watter instead of the standard 18?

then it would be a different amp
but, that was basically the idea behind Victoria's Double Deluxe

an original tweed Deluxe is actually closer to 13-15 watts (mine is 13), BTW

part of the magic of the originals is the warm sweet tone of the 6V6s

as far as the Bassman -- obviously one of the greatest all time amps, but I'd suggest building something smaller first

 

[B Bent]

Re: Tweed Deluxe (i.e. 5E3)???

Curly hit the main points that I was going to make about clean headroom and described the amp as "warm crunch" which is perfect.

When I ordered mine from Scott I had reservations about the cleans since these are not "clean amps" by anymeans, but I will say that you can get some pretty clean and clear tones when using single coils by using a lighter pick attack.

I was afraid that it was going to be an uncontrollable overdrive monster (which it can be), but I am serious, you can get some really nice clean tones even when cranked by using a soft pick attack and rolling the guitars volume a bit. Now keep in mind that this isn't a clean tone with much headroom at all. Also mine isn't as weak in the bottom end as I initially thought it would be. It actually has a little bit of punch using the Weber 12' that I use. I keep hearing that I don't know what that amp SHOULD really sound like since I am not using the Celestion Blue though! We'll see if I ever fork out $250 for a new speaker though! Hope this helps.

BTW: I have really been itching to build an amp this summer and I have come to the conclusion that I will be building myself another 5E3!!

 

[Scott_F]

Re: Tweed Deluxe (i.e. 5E3)???

B- Did you ever put that NOS rectifier in there? Did you lose a bit of headroom?

Note to others: the new production 5Y3 I had bought wasn't truly a 5Y3. It was definitely hotter (more voltage). B has both rectifiers so I'm not sure which one he's using.

The power transformer is probably a happier camper with the NOS one.

 

[Gunny47]

Re: Tweed Deluxe (i.e. 5E3)???

If you are an experienced amp builder, go for a Low Power Twin. These babies are amazing. I'm getting one custom built by Bruce at Mission Amps soon. I gotta talk to him some more, get a price quote and wait until I have my financials set up first. I think Weber has a Low Power Twin amp kit (Im not sure what brands you are looking at, or if you are going to build it by yourself), but companies like Fender, Victora, Clark and Mission can build you one or make them already. The Twin is 40-50 watts, which is close to the Bassman, but it has two 12s, which don't break up as quickly as the four 10s, and it has dual rectifiers for no sag and more headroom. If you want clean, thats the one to get. The Bassman is a great clean amp too, but I personally think that the Twin can get richer clean tones and better headroom. And of course if you gig with it, you can still get that creamy crunch sound of a Tweed. And if you are building it yourself, do youself a favor and put some Weber speakers in there. They are the best!

The Deluxe has pretty much no clean headroom. The older Wide Panel models even have less headroom than the Narrow Panel models. They're only like 15 watts or so, but like B Bent said, you can turn the guitars volume down for some clean tones, but they won't be as thick or as tasteful as the cleans you get from a Twin or a Bassman. I mean, if you want mainly a clean amp that will accept pedals, a higher wattage Tweed will be the way to go.

 

[Scott_F]

Re: Tweed Deluxe (i.e. 5E3)???

The LPTT versus the Bassman. LPTT has the dual rectifiers (putting in two smaller rectifier tubes gives up nice sag), but the Bassman has a mid-range control. So, to me, if you don't need that mid control, go with the LPTT.

 

[B Bent]

Re: Tweed Deluxe (i.e. 5E3)???

B- Did you ever put that NOS rectifier in there? Did you lose a bit of headroom?

I did put in the NOS rec tube Scott. I would have to do a little more playing and comparing with both the tubes to see if I hear any difference. It's not much if any!

 

[chcjunior]

Re: Tweed Deluxe (i.e. 5E3)???

The LPTT versus the Bassman. LPTT has the dual rectifiers (putting in two smaller rectifier tubes gives up nice sag), but the Bassman has a mid-range control. So, to me, if you don't need that mid control, go with the LPTT.

Any reason I can't drop in a mid control myself? I'll be building from a kit.

 

[Scott_F]

Re: Tweed Deluxe (i.e. 5E3)???

Any reason I can't drop in a mid control myself? I'll be building from a kit.

Actually it'd be easier to by a Bassman chassis and punch some more holes for the tubes!

Easiest of all would be some sort of push pull pot and combine two tone controls in one space.

With a lot of this stuff, it's a cost issue. If I use a normal 5F6A chassis, the mid control is already there and labeled. Any you can buy them from mojo or weber and get a nice piece for little cash. If you have to have one made custom you're going to pay top dollar. This is one of the reasons my amps are reasonably priced.


Truth be told, I'm rather intrigued by the LPTT. I will be building one at some point. I want to hear the circuit.

 

[drew_half_empty]

Re: Tweed Deluxe (i.e. 5E3)???

IMO the bassman is way, way better than the twin

in my expirience, i can't find anything the twin does better

 

[jdm61]

Re: Tweed Deluxe (i.e. 5E3)???

The LPTT versus the Bassman. LPTT has the dual rectifiers (putting in two smaller rectifier tubes gives up nice sag), but the Bassman has a mid-range control. So, to me, if you don't need that mid control, go with the LPTT.

But the twin does had a mid-range control.....it is called the treble and bass knobs:laugh2: when you play with them, they do interesting things to the mid-range:fingersx: The amp can be very clean if used with a Fender guitar. With buckers, mine acts a lot like a slightly cleaner Marshall. It can get overdriven rather quickly, but not at 3 on the volume control like my Plexi. VERY rich tone which can get nice and bassy when the speakers start to break up at higher volumes. Not sure how it compares with a Bassman as far as abslolute volume, but it doesn't seem to get stupid loud like a blackface or silverface Super.

 

[chcjunior]

Re: Tweed Deluxe (i.e. 5E3)???

Why not run a Bassman head thru a 2X12?

 

[Hoss]

Re: Tweed Deluxe (i.e. 5E3)???

why not build a bassman in a 2x12 combo...ala...bassbreaker!?

hehehe...check my sig :27: :fingersx: :27:

 

[Stratman]

Re: Tweed Deluxe (i.e. 5E3)???

But the twin does had a mid-range control.....it is called the treble and bass knobs:laugh2:

The twin's mid range is controlled by resistor not a 25K pot.

 

[ES350]

Re: Tweed Deluxe (i.e. 5E3)???

The 5E8A is pretty similar to the earlier 'fence post' Bassman circuit (5E6 ?...dual 5U4, etc). Fender put a long tail PI in the Bassman in '57, but never made that improvement to the low power Twin, which morphed into the 80 watt 5F8. I've been working on a low power Twin chassis that will get a long tail PI and I expect it will be cleaner and a little louder than the stock 5E8A circuit...just don't have the time lately to finish it.

 

[B Bent]

Re: Tweed Deluxe (i.e. 5E3)???

hehehe...check my sig :27: :fingersx: :27:

HAHAHA The Hossbreaker!! That's most excellent!!!

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Tweed Deluxe (i.e. 5E3)???

I've got a couple of old 5E3 Fender Deluxe amps from about '58. I have a mid 60's Celestion alnico 12 in each. Great amps in stereo! My brother Bruce makes the best kit around if you want to build one. http://www.missionamps.com

I don't mind just having a tone control ( actually a treble cut ) when it comes to that style of amp.

They get a honkin' good tone!

My buddy Rondo gigs regularly with his Mission 5E3.

Lew