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Thread: Tweed Deluxe Repro Amp

  1. #1
    Forum Member phantomman's Avatar
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    Tweed Deluxe Repro Amp

    My 5E3 project is moving along smartly. All the hardware is now in hand and fellow forum member Bill Moore has the motherboard mostly assembled. I've selected a tube array consisting of an RCA/JAN 5Y3GT, a pair of my beloved blackplate RCA 6V6GTAs, and a pair of Amperex 12AX7's (all bottles vintage NOS). I will be testing a blackplate RCA 5751 in the V1 position as soon as the amp is up and running. I'm hopeful that its initial shake-down cruise will occur sometime in the early spring. Since this will be my final amp project I want it to be a good one.
    "When injustice becomes law then rebellion becomes duty."

  2. #2
    Forum Member Don's Avatar
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    Re: Tweed Deluxe Repro Amp

    That sounds awesome! When one of the power tubes in my tweed Deluxe clone failed a friend and I went through his collection of tubes and tried a set of Sylvanias that he swore he'd never part with in it just for kicks. After the first chord he said "These tubes are staying in that amp!" and he gave me the tubes.

  3. #3
    Forum Member phantomman's Avatar
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    Re: Tweed Deluxe Repro Amp

    Sylvania's are stout and durable bottles -- I have a handful in my tube caddy. I hope you were able to return his favor.
    "When injustice becomes law then rebellion becomes duty."

  4. #4
    Forum Member Don's Avatar
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    Re: Tweed Deluxe Repro Amp

    Quote Originally Posted by phantomman View Post
    Sylvania's are stout and durable bottles -- I have a handful in my tube caddy. I hope you were able to return his favor.
    Unfortunately, he passed away. A couple of years later, I saw someone on CL selling a very familiar looking amp. It was this really cool oddball little combo amp that my friend had built. I bought it as a permanent part of my collection.

  5. #5
    Forum Member jmallard's Avatar
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    Re: Tweed Deluxe Repro Amp

    Hi Roger,

    Looking forward to progress reports on this project.

    Jerry

  6. #6
    Forum Member phantomman's Avatar
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    Re: Tweed Deluxe Repro Amp

    Thanks, Jerry.

    Yesterday I delivered all of the amp's components to Bill. We rendezvoused over in Lordsburg, NM and accomplished the transfer in the parking lot of the local McDonald's then spent a good half hour chatting about the "good old days" and other stuff that old fogies enjoy yakking about. A real pleasant journey all around. I'm starting to get really stoked about this project now.
    "When injustice becomes law then rebellion becomes duty."

  7. #7
    Forum Member S. Cane's Avatar
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    Re: Tweed Deluxe Repro Amp

    Quote Originally Posted by phantomman View Post
    Thanks, Jerry.

    Yesterday I delivered all of the amp's components to Bill. We rendezvoused over in Lordsburg, NM and accomplished the transfer in the parking lot of the local McDonald's then spent a good half hour chatting about the "good old days" and other stuff that old fogies enjoy yakking about. A real pleasant journey all around. I'm starting to get really stoked about this project now.

    Very nice. These music and gear related errands are always very pleasant.

  8. #8
    Forum Member jrgtr42's Avatar
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    Re: Tweed Deluxe Repro Amp

    Things are moving along then, eh?
    Looking forward to hearing tone reports when you get it.
    A 5E3 / clone has been on my radar for quite a while.
    ********************************
    "Do you call sleeping with a guitar in your hands practicing?"
    "It is if you don't drop it."
    - Trent Lane, Daria, Episode 1-2.

  9. #9
    Forum Member phantomman's Avatar
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    Re: Tweed Deluxe Repro Amp

    The 5E3 amp is nearly complete. Bill has completed the wiring and final assembly and it should be ready for delivery soon......









    I'm really eager to see this project completed and enjoy the result. Many thanks of course to my "posse" -- Bill Moore, Greg Williams, Jack Schwart, and Tony Tranker -- for enduring months of my many questions and concerns.
    "When injustice becomes law then rebellion becomes duty."

  10. #10
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    Re: Tweed Deluxe Repro Amp

    Are you going to shellac the tweed? A small detail, but also a nice touch. I know a lot of guys opt for tolex to avoid having to work with tweed.

  11. #11
    Forum Member phantomman's Avatar
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    Re: Tweed Deluxe Repro Amp

    Already done......you can see the sheen in some of the pics. The tinted lacquer provides a nice authentic vibe.
    "When injustice becomes law then rebellion becomes duty."

  12. #12
    Forum Member DanTheBluesMan's Avatar
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    Re: Tweed Deluxe Repro Amp

    I need a tweed amp. My Princeton Reverb has tweed but it's really more of a Blackface circuit. LOL.

    Maybe once the basement is my music room/workshop, I'll try to build an amp.
    "Live and learn and flip the burns"

  13. #13
    Forum Member phantomman's Avatar
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    Re: Tweed Deluxe Repro Amp

    That was my motivation as well, Dan. I'm top-heavy with blackface and silverface models but I had nothing to represent the tweed era. This new build will fill that gap. I'd thought about several models (low-power Twin, 5F6 Bassman, etc) but display/storage space here is now limited. The Deluxe will be perfect for my purposes.
    "When injustice becomes law then rebellion becomes duty."

  14. #14
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    Re: Tweed Deluxe Repro Amp

    Quote Originally Posted by phantomman View Post
    Already done......you can see the sheen in some of the pics. The tinted lacquer provides a nice authentic vibe.
    Doggone it, for some reason the pics don't show up when I'm at the house. Nothing, no link, no URL, nothing. I can see them now, though, since I am at work
    & yes, I can tell! Looks great

  15. #15
    Forum Member phantomman's Avatar
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    Re: Tweed Deluxe Repro Amp

    I'm hosting via ibb, Robert. Perhaps your browser (at home) needs updating.
    "When injustice becomes law then rebellion becomes duty."

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    Re: Tweed Deluxe Repro Amp

    Ill look into it, but it's that way across all my devices, though.

  17. #17
    Forum Member phantomman's Avatar
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    Re: Tweed Deluxe Repro Amp

    Sounds like you need some *real* tech advice from a pro. I know about this shit like I know about polo ponies.

    "When injustice becomes law then rebellion becomes duty."

  18. #18
    Forum Member OldStrummer's Avatar
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    Re: Tweed Deluxe Repro Amp

    I'm not a tech pro, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn.

    My first thought was that you are blocking cross-domain cookies.
    Striving to be ordinary

    Proud to be a TFF Dumbass!

  19. #19
    Forum Member DanTheBluesMan's Avatar
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    Re: Tweed Deluxe Repro Amp

    mmm, cookies, I'm starving
    "Live and learn and flip the burns"

  20. #20
    Forum Member Don's Avatar
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    Re: Tweed Deluxe Repro Amp

    That looks great! I love my tweed Deluxe clone!

  21. #21
    Forum Member phantomman's Avatar
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    Re: Tweed Deluxe Repro Amp

    Bill was kind enough to send these additional photos......









    I'm really impressed with his attention to detail and his commitment to quality.
    "When injustice becomes law then rebellion becomes duty."

  22. #22
    Forum Member phantomman's Avatar
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    Re: Tweed Deluxe Repro Amp

    Some shots of the completed amp in its element......







    The middle pic is illustrative of Fender's evolving amp cosmetics during this formative era.
    "When injustice becomes law then rebellion becomes duty."

  23. #23
    Forum Member DanTheBluesMan's Avatar
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    Re: Tweed Deluxe Repro Amp

    it's got some good company there. I see dustcaps
    "Live and learn and flip the burns"

  24. #24
    Forum Member phantomman's Avatar
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    Re: Tweed Deluxe Repro Amp

    Thanks, Dan. Many of my amps are JBL-equipped. The rest have vintage Jensen's or CTS alnico's.
    "When injustice becomes law then rebellion becomes duty."

  25. #25
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    Re: Tweed Deluxe Repro Amp

    Such a work of art!

  26. #26
    Forum Member phantomman's Avatar
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    Re: Tweed Deluxe Repro Amp

    Thanks, Robert. I'd rate it a more authentic reproduction than that offered by any of the boutique builders (Marsh, Allen, Victoria, etc) and certainly a better product than the repro that Fender itself is flogging.
    "When injustice becomes law then rebellion becomes duty."

  27. #27
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    Re: Tweed Deluxe Repro Amp

    Man...those are some beauties!
    I've given up on finding a Vibroverb that suits my needs but, it's OK.
    Again, really nice amps you have.

  28. #28
    Forum Member phantomman's Avatar
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    Re: Tweed Deluxe Repro Amp

    Perhaps you'll have better luck finding one once you move to "Upper Carolina".
    "When injustice becomes law then rebellion becomes duty."

  29. #29
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    Re: Tweed Deluxe Repro Amp

    Hope springs eternal✌️

  30. #30
    Forum Member Don's Avatar
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    Re: Tweed Deluxe Repro Amp

    That's a beautiful amp! Nice work. Who wired it?

  31. #31
    Forum Member S. Cane's Avatar
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    Re: Tweed Deluxe Repro Amp

    Yeah, awesome work!

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