Fender Harvard Model 5F10 Tube Amplifier (1960)
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Fender Harvard Model 5F10 Model Tube Amplifier (1960), made in Fullerton, California, serial # H-03276, tweed fabric covering finish.
This is a wonderful "ragged but right" later production example of the Fender Harvard 5F10, the Princeton's Collegiate big brother. This is a simply a fantastic example of the big-sounding 10-watt "Steve Cropper Classic", one of the secret weapons in the Fender arsenal. It looks to have seen some use over the last 60 years but remains in far better condition than most.
First introduced in 1955, filling the gap between the 5-watt Princeton and the 15-watt Deluxe, the Harvard 5F10 circuit uses two 6V6 tubes in push/pull, yielding about 10 watts, with a 12AX7 phase inverter and a 6AT6 input tube. Its fixed-bias power section was only shared at the time by its nearly identical sibling of the following year, the Tweed Vibrolux. This gives the amp a tight low-end and more clean headroom than most Tweed Deluxes and a roaring and distinctive breakup. This amp's tube chart has a stamped code of JE, indicating assembly in May of 1960.
Steve Cropper, Memphis session guitarist and member of Booker T. and the MGs famously used his Esquire (or Telecaster) and Harvard amp on nearly every Stax hit of the 1960s. These ranged from the mellow arpeggios on Otis Redding's "I've been Loving You too Long" to the biting distorted riff of "Green Onions" by Booker T. and the MGs. This amp will do all that and more, one of Fender's most tuneful if often overlooked creations.
Height is 16 1/4 in. (41.3 cm.), 17 3/4 in. (45.1 cm.) width, and 8 7/8 in. (22.5 cm.) deep.
This Harvard is overall relatively well preserved. The old-style tweed covering shows a fair bit of wear and a darker patina, with typical scuffs to the corners and edges, but nothing too serious. The faceplate is nice and shiny with mostly unsullied plating, save for a few minor blemishes and minor signs of pitting overall. Practically all the stenciled lettering is intact. The grille cloth is in wonderful shape; taut and with no visible tearing or fraying. A new, high quality handmade repro handle has been fitted.
Internally the amp is nicely original. The original Jensen P10R is stamped 220-006, dating it to the 6th week of 1960. It has been professionally reconed and sounds great. Both the power and output transformers are marked 66079-B and 606-943, respectively, the latter dating to the 43rd week of 1959. The pots appear original and their solder joints look untouched. The amp has received our typical maintenance and servicing, including replacement of all electrolytic capacitors, all sockets, pots and jacks cleaned, a new grounded 3-prong power cord installed and biased to spec.
Despite its stellar history the Harvard remains one of Fender's less well-known gems and a shop favorite -- and an increasingly rare find well into the 21st century! This is one of the nicest-sounding Harvards we have had, and a very "attractively worn" example, ready to gig with a clean bill of health! Overall Very Good + Condition.
This is a wonderful "ragged but right" later production example of the Fender Harvard 5F10, the Princeton's Collegiate big brother. This is a simply a fantastic example of the big-sounding 10-watt "Steve Cropper Classic", one of the secret weapons in the Fender arsenal. It looks to have seen some use over the last 60 years but remains in far better condition than most.
First introduced in 1955, filling the gap between the 5-watt Princeton and the 15-watt Deluxe, the Harvard 5F10 circuit uses two 6V6 tubes in push/pull, yielding about 10 watts, with a 12AX7 phase inverter and a 6AT6 input tube. Its fixed-bias power section was only shared at the time by its nearly identical sibling of the following year, the Tweed Vibrolux. This gives the amp a tight low-end and more clean headroom than most Tweed Deluxes and a roaring and distinctive breakup. This amp's tube chart has a stamped code of JE, indicating assembly in May of 1960.
Steve Cropper, Memphis session guitarist and member of Booker T. and the MGs famously used his Esquire (or Telecaster) and Harvard amp on nearly every Stax hit of the 1960s. These ranged from the mellow arpeggios on Otis Redding's "I've been Loving You too Long" to the biting distorted riff of "Green Onions" by Booker T. and the MGs. This amp will do all that and more, one of Fender's most tuneful if often overlooked creations.
Height is 16 1/4 in. (41.3 cm.), 17 3/4 in. (45.1 cm.) width, and 8 7/8 in. (22.5 cm.) deep.
This Harvard is overall relatively well preserved. The old-style tweed covering shows a fair bit of wear and a darker patina, with typical scuffs to the corners and edges, but nothing too serious. The faceplate is nice and shiny with mostly unsullied plating, save for a few minor blemishes and minor signs of pitting overall. Practically all the stenciled lettering is intact. The grille cloth is in wonderful shape; taut and with no visible tearing or fraying. A new, high quality handmade repro handle has been fitted.
Internally the amp is nicely original. The original Jensen P10R is stamped 220-006, dating it to the 6th week of 1960. It has been professionally reconed and sounds great. Both the power and output transformers are marked 66079-B and 606-943, respectively, the latter dating to the 43rd week of 1959. The pots appear original and their solder joints look untouched. The amp has received our typical maintenance and servicing, including replacement of all electrolytic capacitors, all sockets, pots and jacks cleaned, a new grounded 3-prong power cord installed and biased to spec.
Despite its stellar history the Harvard remains one of Fender's less well-known gems and a shop favorite -- and an increasingly rare find well into the 21st century! This is one of the nicest-sounding Harvards we have had, and a very "attractively worn" example, ready to gig with a clean bill of health! Overall Very Good + Condition.