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Original Tweed Deluxe - what are the options available today

Professortwang

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I have many pictures, some are a little to large to attach. I posted a thread a while back of a complete restoration of the '59. The photo hosting service got rid of the photos so the thread is of limited value. The Three in the picture are a '55, '57, and '59. Two of the three are mine the other was in for repair. One of the criticisms of the deluxe is that it can be a little flabby in the bass. A 5v4 rectifier and Q speaker solves the problem.
 

Professortwang

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They are kinda unique in that he puts in his fantastic Vibrato and a really good reverb unit.

It departs the Bassman mold by cutting it back to 20 amps and not putting in the 4-10's so it is slightly easier to get to the 'grind'.

Pumped through 4-10's it is closer for sure but does have a slightly different voice.

Maybe a tad clearer early on volume and dirtier up the scale after speaker break in.

I like it a lot.

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And to keep this on track, I found this used and love it because it lets me add speakers independent of the amp.

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In this vid you get the real amp unadultrated around 4.5 minutes in. Befor that he uses an overdrive which I don't like.
Thanks for the response Ren. I will keep my eye out for a Silversonic.
 
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jb_abides

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Apr 6, 2005
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Not even a Mr. Tweed here much less Lord.

I have only one real tweed, the rest are modern examples of the old art.

I dearly love them though and won't hesitate to work on them, alter them, or fix them.

Then I can sell them to the toothless who can't afford dental care.

Assume I was referring to you, Ren?

Or just a preemptive disavowal?

:cool:

I have a dentist appointment next week. I think I'll bring along some of my vintage Supro amps.
 
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renderit

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Jan 19, 2009
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I would hope you were referring to the Good Professor.

I was acknowledging I AIN'T in the same league.


Though apparently with a more open approach than some...
 

charliechitlins

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I have many pictures, some are a little to large to attach. I posted a thread a while back of a complete restoration of the '59. The photo hosting service got rid of the photos so the thread is of limited value. The Three in the picture are a '55, '57, and '59. Two of the three are mine the other was in for repair. One of the criticisms of the deluxe is that it can be a little flabby in the bass. A 5v4 rectifier and Q speaker solves the problem.
I have a p12q in my 50 Deluxe and it kills.
I had it in my 58 g20t, but the amp crapped out.
 

MrNubs

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Trigger not pulled yet, but I do have two questions ...

5E3 - how would one tighten up the low end?

and, what amp is this

thanks
 

ourmaninthenorth

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Mar 28, 2009
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Great thread this.

Man have you Lads got some superb gear, and even more acquired knowledge.

Thanks for sharing Gents, I always learn something new.

(y)
 

Professortwang

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761
I would hope you were referring to the Good Professor.

I was acknowledging I AIN'T in the same league.


Though apparently with a more open approach than some...
You have quite the collection of noise makers and fine counter tops too.
 

Professortwang

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I have a p12q in my 50 Deluxe and it kills.
I had it in my 58 g20t, but the amp crapped out.
Great sounding speaker, My GA20T came with a P12R. I like these amps a lot however they can be challenging to service because the components are underneath the board.
 

Professortwang

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761
I had a L'il Dawg that compared very favorably to my '56 and Jim was a pleasure to work with.

Frankly, with the right components there are a lot of good builders that can build a 5E3, it's not like it's the most complex amp circuit. There are so many companies out there making the parts needed. I love my Clark Beaufort, but I've heard a bunch of good 5E3s made by small builders (Speedshop, L'il dawg, Sligo, Lazy J, etc) and some homebrew tweed amps lately that sound great. Forum member ProfessorTwang and I had a big discussion recently about how good some modern tweed reproduction amps sound, and it's my opinion that some of the new ones sound as good as any made ever. He was a little towards the other side of that discussion, as he owns a lot of great vintage amps, but recently he built a tweed pro (1X15 circuit) and frankly I thought it was the best sounding tweed he had in the room. He just recently swapped the transformer and converted it into a 3X10 Bassman circuit. And although I haven't heard it in person, the clips he sent me sound great.
In the Teagle and Sprung book on Fender amps they talk about filling their van full of old tweeds when many had limited interest in them. There were few made and I think the ones that were are sitting in private collections. Mark at Victoria and Clark build amazing amplifiers! I really don't think the originals are better sonically. It is cool to own a piece of american history that is well crafted and sounds amazing. I love the fact that the woman that wired them originally put their names on small pieces of tape in the chassis. The amplifiers are collectors pieces now. Luckily there are great builders that replicate them.
 
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Professortwang

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Dec 16, 2009
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761
Trigger not pulled yet, but I do have two questions ...

5E3 - how would one tighten up the low end?

and, what amp is this

thanks
The amp looks like a Vibrolux Reverb reissue. Rockabilly 69 played one at a local guitar center and was impressed with how great it sounded. Most of the reissues are not all that inspiring, I was surprised by his love for this amp. Maybe he will chime in. Deluxe amplifiers sound best when they are cooking. The original P12R is a little flubby in the bass when you hit them hard. I like an original p12q or a replacement Weber copy. Subbing in a 5V4 rectifier also tightens things up. The circuit is pretty basic which is part of its appeal. No negative feedback loop and a cathode biased output section. I've tried many modifications on my builds and always wind up going back to the original circuit.
 

torren61

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May 11, 2010
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Both Silver Sonic and Golden Melody have a Reverberato essentially built right into them. Reverberato is the "secret" to both John Mayer's sound and Trey Anastasio among other legends out there.

Mark Baier at Victoria has been leading the game since 1993. Other amp builders can't buy his parts, it's just that simple.

Again, it is almost offensive to suggest these other brands and companies in the same discussion.

Swart!?!? That had to be a joke?!
Okay, hang on. I own a Swart AST Master and it is a very nice amp and very well built. I have never played a Victoria but I have played and owned a LOT of old Fender amps. I won't get rid of my Swart because it sounds great and has tremolo and reverb. Why don't you dial back your attitude a few notches? I'd be willing to bet the guy who makes Victoria Amps would probably tell you "Dude, chill."
 
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renderit

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Jan 19, 2009
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Okay, hang on. I own a Swart AST Master and it is a very nice amp and very well built. I have never played a Victoria but I have played and owned a LOT of old Fender amps. I won't get rid of my Swart because it sounds great and has tremolo and reverb. Why don't you dial back your attitude a few notches? I'd be willing to bet the guy who makes Victoria Amps would probably tell you "Dude, chill."
I always wanted one of those Swart Stereo units.

Swart makes good stuff. The dude there has a great imagination.
 

ADP

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Jul 16, 2015
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No offense to Swart in particular - all of these guys are using off the shelf parts and putting these amps together with no real-world, professional artist feedback knowledge. They're all bullshit poser products marketed to the inexperienced.

I'm sure the guy at Victoria knows how exactly right I am. With the exception of He and Alessandro, nobody building tweed amps knows shit from shine. It's just the way it is. The entire backline of the Chicago Crossroads fests were Victoria Amps.

Make your own educated purchase. Learn the hard way or ask a real pro.

Green Day's whole American Idiot album was recorded with a Victoria Deluxe. It actually won a grammy regardless of what you think of the band - they know tone.

You know Reverberato is John Mayer's secret weapon, right? Same with Trey?

Do you want to actually sound good and have world class tone? Or do you want a cool looking amp to fiddle around on in your living room?
 

torren61

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No offense to Swart in particular - all of these guys are using off the shelf parts and putting these amps together with no real-world, professional artist feedback knowledge. They're all bullshit poser products marketed to the inexperienced.

I'm sure the guy at Victoria knows how exactly right I am. With the exception of He and Alessandro, nobody building tweed amps knows shit from shine. It's just the way it is. The entire backline of the Chicago Crossroads fests were Victoria Amps.

Make your own educated purchase. Learn the hard way or ask a real pro.

Green Day's whole American Idiot album was recorded with a Victoria Deluxe. It actually won a grammy regardless of what you think of the band - they know tone.

You know Reverberato is John Mayer's secret weapon, right? Same with Trey?

Do you want to actually sound good and have world class tone? Or do you want a cool looking amp to fiddle around on in your living room?
You actually have no idea how ignorant that comment is, do you? That's my last response to you.

“Never argue with a fool, onlookers may not be able to tell the difference.”​


― Mark Twain
 

ADP

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Hey man, enjoy your Swart. What can I say?

If the OP wants to know what the very best Tweed Delixe he can buy new it's a Victoria.
 

Professortwang

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Dec 16, 2009
Messages
761
No offense to Swart in particular - all of these guys are using off the shelf parts and putting these amps together with no real-world, professional artist feedback knowledge. They're all bullshit poser products marketed to the inexperienced.

I'm sure the guy at Victoria knows how exactly right I am. With the exception of He and Alessandro, nobody building tweed amps knows shit from shine. It's just the way it is. The entire backline of the Chicago Crossroads fests were Victoria Amps.

Make your own educated purchase. Learn the hard way or ask a real pro.

Green Day's whole American Idiot album was recorded with a Victoria Deluxe. It actually won a grammy regardless of what you think of the band - they know tone.

You know Reverberato is John Mayer's secret weapon, right? Same with Trey?

Do you want to actually sound good and have world class tone? Or do you want a cool looking amp to fiddle around on in your living room?
Swart builds fantastic sounding amplifiers. The build quality is top notch and he has his own designs. I own a little Swart STR. As for off the shelf parts; everyone utilizes parts from outside manufacturers. Fender used: Allen Bradley, Triad, Schumacher, Sprague, Oxford, JBL and Jensen. I'm perplexed by your vitriolic responses.
 

charliechitlins

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Nov 16, 2021
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Great sounding speaker, My GA20T came with a P12R. I like these amps a lot however they can be challenging to service because the components are underneath the board.
Yes.
Mine is all original and came with a P12R.
It had NO headroom.
Not that there's anything wrong with that ;)
The p12q made it much more versatile.
Now I think the PT is shorted and I'm sad.
It was a minty original.
 
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