Classic 5E3 Tweed Deluxe

Be sure to ask about out NOS/HiFi quality tube sets for this amp. Pricing varies based on supply so contact us for current pricing.

Description

The 5E3 Tweed Deluxe is one of the most revered small tube amps of all time. At 15 watts it’s a great club amp. It has been played by greats like Billy Gibbons, Neil Young, Don Felder, Eric Clapton and countless others. It is a truly classic design. The amp yields harmonically complex bell-like clean tones at low volumes and milkshake thick overdrive as you turn it up. There’s a good reason it so popular!!

My version will stand toe to toe with any original amp yet be more reliable and have less floor noise. Every detail is poured over. No one builds a better 5E3.

Each one is carefully and meticulously built and tested. 90 Day warranty on tubes and 2 years on everything else.   Working chassis do not carry a warranty.

The Low Down

The Classic Tweed Deluxe is great for smaller gigs and recording.  It does not have a lot of clean headroom but what is there is divine and the overdrive sounds are rich and dynamic responding to your pick attack.  It will need to be mic’d or used with an extension cab for larger shows. I offer a couple of mods that will increase volume and headroom for those interested.

Features

• 15 Watts All Tube Power (Two 6V6's, One 12AX7, One 12AY7, One 5Y3)

• Cathode bias no need to be biased to change tubes

• Meticulously Hand wired

• Improved grounding system and DC elevated heaters minimize hum

• Improved layout guarantees low noise and best tone possible.

• Bright and Normal Channels

• Interactive Normal Channel Volume, Bright Channel Volume and Shared Tone Control

• Hi and Low inputs for both Channels

• 8-ohm Extension Speaker out

• OFF/ON and Standby/Play Switches

• Available as a 12-inch Speaker Combo and Working Chassis

• Combos and heads are made of Solid Finger Joined Pine with Lacquered Tweed.

Extension Cabs:

We build matching ext. cabs in 1x12, 2x12, 2x10, 2x8, 4x10, and 1x15 configurations. Contact us for current pricing.

 Parts

Weber Vintage Series 12-inch Alnico speaker (on combos), Classic Tone USA or Hammond power transformer and custom wound USA made Output Transformer, Carling Switches, Switchcraft and  Neutrik Jacks and plugs, Mallory 150 tone caps, high-quality long-life filter caps, Special resistor selection for the best tone and least noise, finger joined pine cab on combos.

CPC-15T With Clean Boost

What People are Saying About the Classic Tweed Deluxe: 

“Hello Carl!

I got the amp today, and I am blown away at how great it sounds. It has beautiful cleans, and it gets really chewy and creamy when you push it, but the top end maintains a smoothness that's perfect. Nothing spikey or harsh in it. The fit, finish, and attention to detail is second to none. I've played a 5e3 before, but this one is on another level. It really is the every day amp I have been searching for.

I also have one of your Tweed Champs that I bought second hand. It's the same level of care and quality. Tune to open G, crank it, and it's instant Keith Richards Brown Sugar tone. Amazing!

Thanks again, Carl!

Richard”

Carl,

I don't know why I didn't buy one of your custom amps sooner! This rig sounds fantastic! I think I'll have to spend some time exploring its possibilities. 

Your work is excellent!

Thanks so much.

Marty

NOTE: Marty has the Classic Tweed Deluxe and Classic Tube Reverb Unit. A killer combination.

“I purchased one of your 5e3 amps second hand. It was built in fall 2021. Simply one of the nicest sounding amps i have played (this is my first 5e3).”

AJ Davis

“Hi Carl,

Just wanted to let you know that the 5e3 Deluxe arrived safe and sound. It looks and sounds great. I'm sure that it'll get even better as the speaker breaks in. One of these days, when I go to visit my family in Alburquerque, I'll try to visit your shop.

Shaun G.”

“Hey Carl!!

I just wanted to drop you a line and thank you so much for the 5E3 Head and Cab. It sounds incredible, and there is absolutely NO cab rattle! It is articulate, harmonically rich, and blends perfectly with my Princeton. I don’t know what tweaks you have made to the circuit, but I know that I have legit never heard a 5E3 style build react to gain pedals the way yours does! I can use every drive on my board, and it’s let me offload some of them because some pedals I thought would only work for the Princeton ended up working great with both amps at the same time! It’s awesome. My SunBender MK IV sounds the most glorious it ever has! Also, it looks absolutely beautiful as well. You completely and totally nailed the Wide-Panel look and the Grill Cloth really makes it. This was a wonderful experience and I’m so glad I went with you!

Thanks so much again!

Ricky K.”

“Hi Carl,
I am addicted to this amp. Can you build me another?”
Linh K.

“Hi Carl,

I picked up the amp at the FedEx store around 3pm today and I've been playing it ever since. This is my new favorite. I couldn't be happier.

Thanks again!

Brian N.”

“Carl,

The amp is beautiful. Thanks very much.

David W.”

“The amp arrived today in perfect condition. Plugged it in and it sounded great! Love this amp!!

Thanks for building such a wonderful guitar amp.”

Brian

“Hey Carl,

Thank you for a job well done. Tubes in yesterday, fooled around with bright and normal channels, got some feedback and clean tones. Never had a 5E3, with the mystery of the interaction of the controls and jumpering. Today I plugged in a boss tremolo for some swamp sound on the bright channel, oh boy that is good!

The tube compliment sounds perfect. I was not expecting NOS USSR rectifier and power tubes, but they sound great.

Anyway, the purple jewel looks cool, and I am one happy customer.

Best Regards,

David Flynn”

 “Hi - just wanted to say how much I'm loving my Tweed Deluxe. Initially, for whatever reason, I was baffled by the amp. Tried it with various guitars effects processors and just found it kind of dead sounding. I bought a few nice vintage Fenders and your Tweed Deluxe sat around collecting dust in my showroom (I sell and repair instruments from India). I put your amp up for sale on Reverb and got a few curious inquiries but no real bites. Two weeks ago, I bought an old Strat and I thought, hell, lets see if it jibes with the Tweed, and dayammm.... for some reason with the strat (hadn't owned one in 30 years) the amp was easy to dial in and it sounds fabulous. And with the set-up as it is now, my old Tele sounds amazing! Can't believe I almost sold it. Can't wait for this Covid nonsense to be over so I can take this out for gigs. Very Happy!”

Christian F.

“Hi Carl,

The amp arrived the other day.  Thanks again for another great amp.

I'm a walking commercial for your amps.

Thanks once again for a great product.”

Frank E

“Hi Carl the amp arrived Saturday. The amp sounds great. looks great, craftsman ship is excellent.

Thanks again,

Mike S.”

“Carl, 
My new 5E3 arrived on Tuesday and I was able to pick it up yesterday at the Fedex Store. I finally got it all set up this afternoon, Thursday, and had a chance to take it for a "test drive". Holy cow is this thing loud!! In a good way, of course. And to think that I was worried about not having enough headroom to keep the amp clean when needed or wanted. Honestly, I have not been able to get it to break up, yet, because I really haven't gotten the volume level much over 2 and that has been plenty loud. I love the quality and the tone, even though mine is "blemished". ha! It is barely even noticeable. I think it looks and sounds great! I am very happy with it. Awesome work, Carl! Two thumbs up!”

Ed R.

”Carl…..Just wanted to say a huge thanks for my awesome 5E3! I simply love this amp. Tone for miles. Everyone wants to play with me now cause my setup sounds so sweet:). “

Dylan C

"Hello Carl,

The amp chassis arrived safe and sound. I mounted it in my cab and connected up the speaker and it sounds just amazing!! The best amp I have ever owned. Thank you so much for such a great build and will treasure this forever.

Best Regards

John"
John- United Kingdom

"Hey Carl, my amp came in yesterday. Tubed it up this morning and spent the last couple of hours after work playing. This is the best amp I have ever played. This kills the reissue stuff and is absolutely smokin'. I cant thank you enough man. I'll be spreading the good word. Last thing. I never name stuff, but I'm callin' it Carol. I hope you dig Walking Dead and get the name. This thing slays. Thanks from the botton of my heart, man."

Matt M ---Canada

"Hi Carl, 
Received my amp about a week ago. It is everything I had hoped for. Unbelievable how good this amp sounds. The demos on your web-sight are very representative of how the amp really sounds. The build is of top quality. Your lacquered tweed finish is excellent. I appreciate the time you took with me to answer questions and keep me posted on my build time. This amp is a keeper! Look forward to doing business with you in the future. I am a VERY satisfied customer!"
James M

"Hey Carl,
it’s been a little over a year since I received my Tweed Deluxe from you and I just thought I would drop you a line and tell you thanks for building me a great amp.  I love it and I’m still surprised by the fact that it’s hard to get a bad sound out of it.  I am frequently asked by others about it and I always direct them to your site.  It’s a well made little workhorse, consistent, and it rocks.  I primarily use one channel now, but I also just experiment with the other side and sometimes jump channels which I did when I first received it, but really I find that using a single channel just gives pedals a little more boost.  anyway, keep making amps Carl.  If I ever need anything else amp wise I’ll be back to you."
Richie H

Hi Carl,

First of all, thanks for always being available to answer any questions I have and explaining things so well.. that really means a lot.

The amp is truly a pleasure to play through.. I expected good and got great! Very happy..

My guitars have never sounded better..

Sounds great and looks great!!

Thanks again, Tom

Hi Carl,

I wanted to send a quick note and let you know the amp arrive yesterday.  Great little amp!  I got it tubed up and it sounds fantastic.  The build quality, fit and finish are all excellent.  Looking forward to getting the speaker broken in a little and getting everything settled in.  I really appreciate working with honest people that do great work!  Thanks!

BRYCE WA

All guitarists eventually succumb to the never ending quest for the ultimate amp that will resonate the ultimate tone. It's a quest that can be expensive and disappointing along the way -- buying and selling amps that just don't make the cut. And what is that holy grail of tone . . . bass without the flub, chiming cleans that sustain to the next strum or balanced articulation between each plucked string? Is it an amp that can also delivery beautiful fidelity and roar deeply with every overdrive pedal . . . or an amp that doesn't go brittle in the highs or muddy in the lows?

Well . . . the internet is full of testimony from countless gear heads who have tried every amp, speaker, pedal, etc. and have validated their opinions. But the opinions never reach 100% consensus leaving a margin of error and reason to keep buying the next amp. Eventually, one goes off the beaten commercial path and seeks out the small craftsman who hand wire with the best parts. Their price reflects the missing marketing and distribution costs that bloat most of the big name boutique makers. There are a few out there and Carl is one of them . . . offering the biggest bang for the buck.

After circling the wagons at NAMM, for the last eight years, and cycling thru Marshalls, Fenders, Bogners, Riveras, Bad Cats, Carrs, etc, etc. . . . I gave this unknown amp maker from New Mexico, a few bucks and a shot at hand wiring one more chance at putting the quest to rest. Bingo . . . when the classic tweed deluxe arrived, I was stunned at the quality and tone for the price. Though I wish I simply bought this amp from day one, I probably would not have appreciation the richness of tone after trying some many of the other renown amps. This is a great amp and the only amp I need! Add a mic and drive it thru the high end Meyers PA systems, and nobody will believe the big sound came from this little 12" combo.

Oliver Caldwell CA

"Sweet amp, good communication, very pleased with my purchase!"

Ebay Buyer

"Special order mods handled well. What a deal!!!"

Ebay Buyer

"Wow ... a great little amp. Well put together and quality made. A+++"

"This is the best sounding damn amp i own.a joy to play"

"Carl's tweed is A+. It is responsive - an instrument"

Ebay Buyer

"...I am really impressed with the Amp. I have a 66 blackface bassman, a couple vintage Ampegs, and a DR Z. Your amp seems of equal quality any of the above."

Ebay Buyer