Fender "Small Box" Deluxe 5E3 Tube Amplifier (1955)
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Item # 12113
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Fender "Small Box" Deluxe 5E3 Model Tube Amplifier (1955), made in Fullerton, California, tweed fabric covering finish.
This incredibly clean and very rare 1955 Fender "Small Box" 5E3 Tweed Deluxe is a stunning collector-grade example of what is often considered the most desirable version of this classic long-running model, undeniably one of the finest small combo amps ever designed. The revised model Deluxe started production mid 1955, spearheading the launch of the latest circuit revision replacing its relatively short-lived 5D3 predecessor. Alongside the new 'Narrow Panel' cosmetic appearance the amplifier circuitry also evolved from the 5D3. The new circuit runs at higher voltages than the earlier models giving it more headroom and total gain. It uses the same 12AY7 and 12AX7 preamp tubes but with a cathodyne phase inverter, which is comparatively cleaner than the phase inverters used in earlier Deluxe models, offering more balanced gain staging between the power and preamp tubes and has its own unique snarl when turned up.
This is the rare and very short-lived "Small Box" variant of the 5E3, the earliest examples made in this smaller cabinet for less than a year. Only a few hundred are estimated to have been made the latter half of that first year, after which point Fender moved to a wider cabinet. The early small box variants have been hailed as a favorite by Eric Clapton and several other Tweed connoisseurs.
The control layout changed from the earlier Deluxe models, now featuring two channels (normal and bright). Both have high and low inputs, their own volume control and share a single tone control. Typical of the Deluxe model, the amp sports a dual-6V6 power section putting out around 15 watts into a Jensen 12" speaker. From the very beginning this version of the long-running Deluxe was a world standard gigging and recording amplifier in the 1950s and has remained one of the most prized of all vintage amps since.
Height is 16 in. (40.6 cm.), 16 1/4 in. (41.3 cm.) width, and 9 in. (22.9 cm.) in depth at deepest point.
This is simply one of the nicest specimens of this highly desired model we have ever seen, and the earliest we've had the pleasure to feature in our showroom. It is stunningly well-preserved overall, considering its nearly 70 year life so far. The tube chart is stamped EH, indicating assembly in August of 1955. The serial number D-00591 on the label matches that of the amp chassis and records indicate that Fender made just over 500 of these amps in 1955 thus far.
The Tweed covering is in immaculate shape, sporting a very fresh light amber patina. Apart from a couple minor scuffs along the front corners and edges and very minor wear overall, this little Tweed is practically untarnished. Like the cabinet, the chrome-plated control panel is virtually unblemished, with a mirror-clean finish and all the stenciled lettering intact. The grille cloth is equally in phenomenal shape and shows no sign of tearing or fraying. The original handle is present and even the original cover made by Victoria Luggage Co, which is also in beautiful condition.
Electrically, this amp is all original. The original 12" alnico Jensen P12R speaker, bearing the code 220-526, dating it to the 26th week of 1955. The speaker still retains its original cone and sounds fantastic. The Triad power transformer and Tartac output transformers are both original as well and are marked 6452 and 246, respectively. The use of an output transformer made by Tartac (later known as NYT) is a rare occurrence and this is one of only two we've ever come across (the other documented by Skip Simmons in 'The Truth About Vintage Amps' podcast by Fretboard Journal).
Visible pot codes all date to the 3rd week of 1955. The piece of masking tape inside the chassis bears Lily's signature; we may be biased but we think her tweed amps have a certain indefinable magic to them. The amp has otherwise received our typical maintenance and servicing, including a 3-prong grounded power cord, electrolytic capacitors and out-of-spec components replaced, all sockets, pots and jacks cleaned and power tubes biased to spec.
This beautiful and very rare example of the iconic 5E3 Deluxe certainly sounds fantastic and is simply just about good as it gets for pure 1950s Fender mojo and unmatched tone. Excellent Condition.
This incredibly clean and very rare 1955 Fender "Small Box" 5E3 Tweed Deluxe is a stunning collector-grade example of what is often considered the most desirable version of this classic long-running model, undeniably one of the finest small combo amps ever designed. The revised model Deluxe started production mid 1955, spearheading the launch of the latest circuit revision replacing its relatively short-lived 5D3 predecessor. Alongside the new 'Narrow Panel' cosmetic appearance the amplifier circuitry also evolved from the 5D3. The new circuit runs at higher voltages than the earlier models giving it more headroom and total gain. It uses the same 12AY7 and 12AX7 preamp tubes but with a cathodyne phase inverter, which is comparatively cleaner than the phase inverters used in earlier Deluxe models, offering more balanced gain staging between the power and preamp tubes and has its own unique snarl when turned up.
This is the rare and very short-lived "Small Box" variant of the 5E3, the earliest examples made in this smaller cabinet for less than a year. Only a few hundred are estimated to have been made the latter half of that first year, after which point Fender moved to a wider cabinet. The early small box variants have been hailed as a favorite by Eric Clapton and several other Tweed connoisseurs.
The control layout changed from the earlier Deluxe models, now featuring two channels (normal and bright). Both have high and low inputs, their own volume control and share a single tone control. Typical of the Deluxe model, the amp sports a dual-6V6 power section putting out around 15 watts into a Jensen 12" speaker. From the very beginning this version of the long-running Deluxe was a world standard gigging and recording amplifier in the 1950s and has remained one of the most prized of all vintage amps since.
Height is 16 in. (40.6 cm.), 16 1/4 in. (41.3 cm.) width, and 9 in. (22.9 cm.) in depth at deepest point.
This is simply one of the nicest specimens of this highly desired model we have ever seen, and the earliest we've had the pleasure to feature in our showroom. It is stunningly well-preserved overall, considering its nearly 70 year life so far. The tube chart is stamped EH, indicating assembly in August of 1955. The serial number D-00591 on the label matches that of the amp chassis and records indicate that Fender made just over 500 of these amps in 1955 thus far.
The Tweed covering is in immaculate shape, sporting a very fresh light amber patina. Apart from a couple minor scuffs along the front corners and edges and very minor wear overall, this little Tweed is practically untarnished. Like the cabinet, the chrome-plated control panel is virtually unblemished, with a mirror-clean finish and all the stenciled lettering intact. The grille cloth is equally in phenomenal shape and shows no sign of tearing or fraying. The original handle is present and even the original cover made by Victoria Luggage Co, which is also in beautiful condition.
Electrically, this amp is all original. The original 12" alnico Jensen P12R speaker, bearing the code 220-526, dating it to the 26th week of 1955. The speaker still retains its original cone and sounds fantastic. The Triad power transformer and Tartac output transformers are both original as well and are marked 6452 and 246, respectively. The use of an output transformer made by Tartac (later known as NYT) is a rare occurrence and this is one of only two we've ever come across (the other documented by Skip Simmons in 'The Truth About Vintage Amps' podcast by Fretboard Journal).
Visible pot codes all date to the 3rd week of 1955. The piece of masking tape inside the chassis bears Lily's signature; we may be biased but we think her tweed amps have a certain indefinable magic to them. The amp has otherwise received our typical maintenance and servicing, including a 3-prong grounded power cord, electrolytic capacitors and out-of-spec components replaced, all sockets, pots and jacks cleaned and power tubes biased to spec.
This beautiful and very rare example of the iconic 5E3 Deluxe certainly sounds fantastic and is simply just about good as it gets for pure 1950s Fender mojo and unmatched tone. Excellent Condition.