Which Tweed Fender to build?

Rushfan2112

Rushfan2112

New member
Hey all,

I'm trying to decide which Fender amp to build from Weber amp kits. I know I'm trying to keep it $700 or under and I don't want a champ, so I've narrowed it down to Bassman/Bandmaster/Deluxe/Pro. Does anyone have clips of them? I don't think I've ever heard any of these (except Neil Young's deluxe). Anything I should know about them? Then it all comes down to what should I build!?Gear is a Reverend Warhawk 290 (P90s) into BYOC delay, boost and Effector 13 truly beautiful disaster fuzz. I really like bassy overdrive and slightly overdriven tones, but I also love really bright chimey cleans. If it helps, some of my favorite bands/tones come from My Morning Jacket, Brand New, Beck, Wilco, Built to Spill and The Decemberists, along with the normal classic rock and blues stuff. I've been thinking Bassman or Bandmaster because I like the normal/bright, but I think a 4x10 might be too big.

Your thoughts!?

Thanks!
 
Last edited:
Re: Which Tweed Fender to build?

I'm certainly no expert on this, but I have heard several forum bros talk about Weber, while being the best priced kits out there, some of the support and quality isn't as high as it could be.
If $700 is your budget, you might wanna look at missionamps.com. I've heard nothing but good things about Bruce's products and support. I even asked a question on his website, received a prompt and helpful response quickly.
If I ever pull the trigger on a DIY tube amp kit I wouldn't hesitate to go with missionamps.com.

I know others here have built their own Tweeds and should be chiming in shortly.
Good luck.
 
Re: Which Tweed Fender to build?

Ted sells the kits with the caveat that they are not for beginners---so if you need a walk through and haven't worked with high voltage, I wouldn't attempt any kit. FWIW, I wasn't all that impressed with the components that came with my Mission 5E3 and replaced a lot of them (pots, caps, sockets, switches, fuse holder, lamp, etc). For 700, you can find a used Bassman RI which will do the job. If you want big fat bassy overdrive, the smaller tweeds, including a Bandmaster, are not gonna like that anyway...
 
Re: Which Tweed Fender to build?

I'd suggest building the Mission 5E3. The componants are high quality and were chosen to duplicate the tone of my two original late 50's Fender tweed Deluxes.
We compared the Mission 5E3 kit to my oldies and Bruce kept substituting parts and making subtle changes and when after hours of testing and comparing we could hear no real clear diff in the tone of Bruce's kit and my oldies when played through the same speaker, Bruce's kit was done. It sounds fabulous.
 
Last edited:
Re: Which Tweed Fender to build?

I've also heard negative stuff about the weber kits... And their cabs don't seem as nice or historically accurate as the mission one. Heard so much good stuff about the mission kit, and get great service. Just shoot Bruce and email... The 5E3 circuit is so badass, definitely something cool!
 
Re: Which Tweed Fender to build?

I say 53e3 deluxe. Te victoria clone is the best amp I've ever played.
 
Re: Which Tweed Fender to build?

I know several guys said it but I'll say it again...one of the best Tweeds ever is the 5E3 Narrown Pannel Deluxe, and the best clone of it is the Mission kit...Bruce is one of the best in the biz, makes a killer amp and amp kit and is a dream to work with...Bruce built my 5B4 Super and it is just simply one of the best amps I have ever played...hands down, He also rebuilt my old 69 Twin Reverb and brought it completely back to life! I will be getting a Tweed Deluxe one day and it will be comming form Bruce! FWIW, if ou wanted another kit besides the 5E3 drop Bruce an email and just ask...he does several kits but the Deluxe is the only one he lists on his site!
 
Re: Which Tweed Fender to build?

Why not make yourself a tweed Tremolux or Vibrolux? The tweed Deluxe is great, but I say go for something a little different.
 
Re: Which Tweed Fender to build?

ES350 said:
Ted sells the kits with the caveat that they are not for beginners---so if you need a walk through and haven't worked with high voltage, I wouldn't attempt any kit. FWIW, I wasn't all that impressed with the components that came with my Mission 5E3 and replaced a lot of them (pots, caps, sockets, switches, fuse holder, lamp, etc). For 700, you can find a used Bassman RI which will do the job. If you want big fat bassy overdrive, the smaller tweeds, including a Bandmaster, are not gonna like that anyway...
Click to expand...
WOW!! That's the first time I've been dinged for unimpressive parts.:smack:
Why did you replace all the parts mentioned that came with your Mission 5E3 Kit?
The octal sockets are ceramic, the 9 pin are re-issue Fender plastic/bakelite clone sockets, the jacks are Switchcraft, the switches are real Carling switches, the tone and volume pots are custom made Alpha pots with a real 3/8" diameter brass bushing and solid aluminum shaft, the coupling caps are high quality Mallory 150s, the filter caps are Sprague ATOMs or high quality RUBY 500v caps, the fuse holder is a very well made reissue Fender style holder and the pilot light assembly is the best one out there, a Chicago made knock of the original pilot lamp assembly with a real glass jewel.
These are basicly the same parts that high end builders like Victoria uses to sell their +$1700.00 5E3 amps.
What could you have replaced them with that is still traditional and so much better that you'd go out of your way to say you were unimpressed with my product?

Thanks to all the others who's kind comments are appreciated.
I'm working on another small limited production project now... a medium powered 6L6 and 6V6 version of a tweed Vibrolux with a 12" speaker/cabinet combo.
The tweed MA V-lux /6L6 cabinets should be here in the first of March.
 
Last edited:
Re: Which Tweed Fender to build?

missionamps said:
I'm working on another small limited production project now... a medium powered 6L6 and 6V6 version of a tweed Vibrolux with a 12" speaker/cabinet combo.
The tweed MA V-lux /6L6 cabinets should be here in the first of March.
Click to expand...


WAWAWEEWA!

-what kind of wattage are we talking with 6l6s?
 
Re: Which Tweed Fender to build?

Bruce,

Good to see you here!

Like I said above Bruce built my V Front Super and did a good bit of work to my old Twin Reverb...those are easily 2 of the best sounding amps I've ever owned now! I've also been talking with Bruice about working on my old Sound City. Bruce is one of the best in the biz...he does great work, uses great components and has great ears for fine tuning and tweaking things!
 
Last edited:
Re: Which Tweed Fender to build?

+ another one on the deluxe.

The reason is that you can get the power tube overdrive at resonable volumes and you can have the "tweed experience" when practicing with the band.

I ll just give you another option other than weber, mission, or mojo:

www.ceriatone.com

I don't know first hand, but from all the reviews they seem to be doing a good job...
 
Re: Which Tweed Fender to build?

For a second or third amp, the Weber kits might be a good value. Even if you replace the jacks, pots, a tranny or two and assorted small parts, Weber "kits" are a good deal price-wise because the cost including cab and speaker is so low. I've read a lot of criticism of the "copper cap" rectifier used in place of a real tube though. Seems like you really need to know what you're doing before you tackle a Weber kit. Oh, and I don't like having the chassis drilled for an RCA speaker jack, but that's just a matter of taste.

Bruce Collins, on the other hand, talked to me on the phone for 10 minutes or so and helped me with my first build even though I didn't buy a thing from him. Who do you think I would buy a 5E3 kit from? Also, I understand he's got the best cabs out there.

2 cents + or -

Chip
 
Re: Which Tweed Fender to build?

Time to weigh in. On the Mission parts thing, I have to figure the original guy must have gotten his kits confused. My first amp was a mission kit and it was first rate from head to toe. The only thing I'd have done differently is to use carbon comp resisotrs instead of the carbon film ones that Bruce recommends and uses in his kits. CF are quieter. That particular amp was quiet as a mouse fart. The quiet part had more to do with the little tricks that Bruce shows you rather than the CF versus CC resistor thing.

Support with bruce has no peer that I've found. I can remember a few troubleshooting phone calls with sensei Bruce, even on projects that he had nothing to do with. I cannot sing his praises enough. (That was even before I knew Lew or before Bruce ever posted on this forum).

If the 5E3 is too small, Bruce can sell you (I think) a larger 5F4/5E5A kit that can get you 6L6 tone in a wide variety of enclosures,speaker combos. That same chassis works well in a standard sized 2x10 Super, 1x15 Pro and 3x10 Bandmaster. I know it's probably a bit more than his 5E3 kit, but it would be well worth cosidering if you think you want more power.

I cannot comment on Weber kits in such that I've never built one. I do know that they use the cheapest components where possible it appears in order to keep the price waaaay down. They don't shy away from that and they sell a ton of kits.

If this is a long term investment in your time and you plan on making this a keeper, use good parts, no matter who you buy them from.

I can't really think of one of Bruce's parts that I'd have replaced other than the small 1/2 watt carbon film resistors. And, we're only talking about 10 or so, right?
 
Re: Which Tweed Fender to build?

**I can't really think of one of Bruce's parts that I'd have replaced other than the small 1/2 watt carbon film resistors. And, we're only talking about 10 or so, right?**
_____________________________________________________________

Ha ha, I don't know Scott, but I wish there would have been some conversation first.
Could have been that or he didn't like the sockets, opting for very high end ones.

I sell all the kits with the std 1/2 watt carbon film, larger 1 watt carbon film or 1/2 watt carbon comp, so there was a choice there.
******************************************

The 1x12 MA V-Lux :
The chassis is just like a tweed Vibrolux and the cabinet is the same size as a tweed Deluxe but the actual amp is not a dead knock off of a 5E11 or 5F11 Vibrolux and it uses my custom wound +130ma PT while the old std Vibrolux used a smaller <90ma PT with a little 10" speaker.

This new amp will be available in a higher power version with my larger tweed Super-Pro-Bandmaster Heyboer OT, 6L6s and a stiffer rectifier.
The 6V6s amp will use the MA59-OT.
Both OTs have 4 and 8 ohm taps for that extra 1x12 cab that a player might have occasion to use.

These V-lux amps use a fixed bias pair of power tubes so the 6V6 and 5Y3 or 5V4 rectifier will make around 18 watts and the 6L6 with a stiffer rectifier, like a GZ34 tube should be close to 30 watts pretty easily.

I also have stainless steel adaptor plates with 9 pin sockets made up for the power tube octal sockets so a guy could use EL84s if wanted... the PT has 275vac and 340vac taps so it would be easy to make a lower voltage EL84 version if so desired.

FWIW, I tried the EL84s on one of my 5E3 amps and, well to be honest, the 6V6 version just sounded better to me with more of that vocal, singing tone.
 
Re: Which Tweed Fender to build?

missionamps;1258156 Ha ha said:
I have some rental properties. I do walk-thrus every 3-4 months. Things will be broken, tenants unhappy. Yet, they never called in a repair request. I look at them and ask them if they think I can read minds. :smack:

I can't make everyone happy, but my goal is 100% satisfaction. I don't stop until I get it.
Click to expand...
 
Re: Which Tweed Fender to build?

Even though I haven't built a kit, I will say go with Bruce @ Mission just based on his service alone. I've had the pleasure of meeting both him and Lew and they are both great guys. Having played the Aurora, I can tell first hand he does GREAT work.

Yes, Bruce, I still want one. :laugh2: Unfortunately other circumstances have delayed that. First my Marshall's power tranny goes out so I needed to get a quick replacement amp and now we're saving for a bigger house (need more room for all my "stuff").
 
Re: Which Tweed Fender to build?

Hey Bruce: When do I get MY Aurora????? :laugh2: :laugh2: :laugh2:

I want one with strong spring reverb, 5AR4 rectifier and two 6V6's. Like an Aurora voiced Deluxe Reverb...

BTW, I wonder what most guys picture when they think Aurora? Certainly not the Aurora, Colorado we all know and "love"! :laugh2:

Lew
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

BlackhawkRise
How to read cabinet specs?
Replies
6
Views
525
Sam SG
S
B
P-Rails and Tonewoods
Replies
12
Views
882
Mincer
Mincer
ErikH
NGD: Fender Telecaster
Replies
8
Views
473
Securb
Securb
I
Pickup to compliment JB in neck
2
Replies
38
Views
2K
zizyphus
Z
P
Is Seymour Duncan Stacked p90 fit to 72 Telecaster Deluxe?
Replies
3
Views
1K
mswift
M
Back
Top