Fender Deluxe 5E3 Owned and Used by Joe Satriani Tube Amplifier (1960)
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Fender Deluxe 5E3 Owned and Used by Joe Satriani Model Tube Amplifier (1960), made in Fullerton, California, serial # D-09493, tweed fabric covering finish.
The Fender 5E3 Tweed Deluxe is considered to be the most desirable version of this long-running model and undeniably one of the finest small combo amps ever designed. This is a very late example, made in the waning days of 1960 not long before the launch of the all-new brown Tolex covered model for the 1961 model year. The tube chart marking "JD" indicates assembly in April of 1960. This particular amp was owned and used for recording by Joe Satriani and comes with a certificate of authenticity.
The 5E3 started production mid-'55, 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 other early Deluxe models, offering more balanced gain staging between the power and preamp tubes and has its own unique snarl when turned up.
The control layout also changed from the earlier Deluxe models, now featuring two channels (normal and bright) both having a high and low inputs with each channel having an independent volume control and sharing 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 dated the 5th week of 1960. This is a really great sounding amp and though not the sort of unit the casual fan would usually associate with the Long Island guitar wizard has a tone that a player in ANY format can love!
Height is 16 1/4 in. (41.3 cm.), 19 7/8 in. (50.5 cm.) width, and 9 1/2 in. (24.1 cm.) deep.
The amp remains in very good shape, considering its history of use over a now 64 year lifespan. Externally the cabinet shows some typical wear and scuffing, most notably around the edges and seams of the rather frail, lacquered tweed-covering, which features a nicely attractive amber patina. The original handle is still present and still has life left in it! The faceplate is beautifully clean with only very minor signs of wear and practically all the stenciled lettering nicely intact. The grille cloth is in great shape as well with no notable tearing. The amp comes with a Victoria Luggage Co.-style cover.
Electrically, this Deluxe is nicely original. The speaker is the original Jensen P12R, marked 220-946, dating it to the 46th week of 1959. Both the Triad power and Schumacher output transformers are original and are marked 6452-E and 606-010, respectively, the latter dating to the 10th week of 1960. The amp has received our typical routine maintenance where necessary, including replacement of any majorly out-of-spec or failed caps, but has otherwise been left as original to when it was in Joe's possession as possible. It sounds fantastic and is simply just about good as it gets for tone from clean to cranked! Overall Excellent - Condition.
The Fender 5E3 Tweed Deluxe is considered to be the most desirable version of this long-running model and undeniably one of the finest small combo amps ever designed. This is a very late example, made in the waning days of 1960 not long before the launch of the all-new brown Tolex covered model for the 1961 model year. The tube chart marking "JD" indicates assembly in April of 1960. This particular amp was owned and used for recording by Joe Satriani and comes with a certificate of authenticity.
The 5E3 started production mid-'55, 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 other early Deluxe models, offering more balanced gain staging between the power and preamp tubes and has its own unique snarl when turned up.
The control layout also changed from the earlier Deluxe models, now featuring two channels (normal and bright) both having a high and low inputs with each channel having an independent volume control and sharing 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 dated the 5th week of 1960. This is a really great sounding amp and though not the sort of unit the casual fan would usually associate with the Long Island guitar wizard has a tone that a player in ANY format can love!
Height is 16 1/4 in. (41.3 cm.), 19 7/8 in. (50.5 cm.) width, and 9 1/2 in. (24.1 cm.) deep.
The amp remains in very good shape, considering its history of use over a now 64 year lifespan. Externally the cabinet shows some typical wear and scuffing, most notably around the edges and seams of the rather frail, lacquered tweed-covering, which features a nicely attractive amber patina. The original handle is still present and still has life left in it! The faceplate is beautifully clean with only very minor signs of wear and practically all the stenciled lettering nicely intact. The grille cloth is in great shape as well with no notable tearing. The amp comes with a Victoria Luggage Co.-style cover.
Electrically, this Deluxe is nicely original. The speaker is the original Jensen P12R, marked 220-946, dating it to the 46th week of 1959. Both the Triad power and Schumacher output transformers are original and are marked 6452-E and 606-010, respectively, the latter dating to the 10th week of 1960. The amp has received our typical routine maintenance where necessary, including replacement of any majorly out-of-spec or failed caps, but has otherwise been left as original to when it was in Joe's possession as possible. It sounds fantastic and is simply just about good as it gets for tone from clean to cranked! Overall Excellent - Condition.