1955 Fender Deluxe 5E3 Tweed Neil Young Touring Amp Tweed

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Here's an amp I teased a while back, one with a storied past to make it desirable for not only those who are after killer, tweed 5E3 tone, but also for the provenance of this particular piece. It is also a very early version of the narrow panel, large box Deluxe, an important part of guitar history in and of itself.

The amp was purchased from Neil Young's long time tech, Larry Cragg.

He traveled the globe with the band, played on their records, shot pictures that became album covers, and all the while he amassed a collection of tweed amps.

This particular amp was one of a fistful that was in the regular tour rotation with several others, because of course you must have backups if you're going to tour with vintage amps.

We'll have a video soon, taken during our visit with Larry. He explained to us the formula that he and Neil cooked up. The quest led to changes to the amp, the most visible being the change to a brown label Fender Jensen ceramic speaker.

They ran these amps with 6L6 output tubes and 5AR4 power tubes. We have returned 6V6s and a GZ34 rectifier to the amp. The Ruby Tube preamp tubes tested good, and they are the ones that Larry and Neil preferred, remaining in the amp from its prior life.

When we took the amp in and went through it we found the speaker to be really tired from the road. It has been reconed by Speaker Repair Pros in Orange County, CA.

All other changes were performed by Larry prior to our acquisition of the amp. Some were out of necessity, others were choices made to meet Neil's tonal desires.

The power switch was likely changed when the original failed, as is the case with two pots. The filter caps were updated somewhere along the line as a maintenance move and they test well so we left them there. The output transformer appears to be original, but one of the leads is spliced - perhaps it was borrowed from another at some point. The power transformer is original. The power cable has been changed to a grounded one.

Near the tube chart stamp we found a Cesar Diaz stamp. I didn't catch this when I was hangin with Larry so I'll have to ask him about that!

The cabinet, tweed, grille and grille cloth are original and are in remarkably good condition considering the fact that the amp was used professionally as it was. The chrome panel and lettering are in great shape as well. One of the tube covers is not original, and some of the back panel screws are changed.

The amp runs great and the amp sounds strong. The speaker will need some breaking in, and it will sound even better when it is. We'll get started on that for you!

Your chance to grab a piece of rock and roll history.

The new owner will receive the video of our visit with Larry, and when he's back from vacation we'll also put a narrative down on paper and get it signed to seal the provenance.

Case/Cover?: No
Color: Tweed
Dimensions: 20" x 17" x 9.25"
Weight: 28lb 0.4oz
Watts: 15w
Date: 1955
Where date is noted: Tube Chart / Serial #
Speaker 1 Brand/Model: Fender
Speaker 1 Size: 12"
Speaker 1 Code:
Speaker 1 Cone: Recently Re-Coned
Power Transformer brand and/or codes: 6452
Output Transformer brand and/or codes: 50246
Extension Speaker Out? Yes
FX Loop?: No
Reverb or other effects?: No
Rectifier Tube: 5Y3 GT
Rectifier Tube Brand: ?
Power tubes: 6V6 GT
Power Tube Brand: RCA
Preamp Tubes: 12AX7
Preamp Tube Brand: Ruby
Filter Caps: Replaced
Pedal?: No
Pots, codes:
Grill Original?: Yes
Knobs: Yes
Handle: Repro
Power cord: 3 Prong
Notes: