Fender Tremolux Model 5E9 Tube Amplifier (1955)
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Item # 10792
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Fender Tremolux Model 5E9 Model Tube Amplifier (1955), made in Fullerton, California, serial # 0093, tweed fabric covering finish.
"The Enchantress" is a worn-in but super vibey and VERY early example of the narrow-panel tweed Tremolux, one of Fender's classic period amps and among the rarest and most sought-after of all Tweeds today. It was originally introduced in 1955 alongside its smaller cousin the Vibrolux, the two amps pioneering the company's first built-in tremolo effect. The initial 5E9 circuit is essentially a 5E3 Deluxe with the added on-board effect. Like the Deluxe, it features four input jacks, two normal and two bright, a volume control per channel, a master tone control and speed and depth controls for the tremolo effect. Both amps sport a dual 6V6 power section that yields around 13-15 watts into a single Jensen 12" speaker.
This amp has a tube chart code "EF" dating to June 1955 and the serial number suggests this is one of the first hundred or so examples assembled. This initial Tremolux was housed in the same size cabinet as the 5E3 Deluxe. The tremolo is lush and deep and has an impressively wide range. The effect is distinguished by an interesting circuit modulating the bias of the paraphase phase inverter, effectively making the effect consistent regardless of the volume setting, while adding compression and taming the overall volume as the effect depth is increased. This rendition of the circuit also features an on/off switch on the tremolo depth control.
Fender only sold around 650 of these amps in 1955, which even for this early period is a fairly low number. Somewhere around 3,200 Deluxe amps went out the door at Fullerton this transitional year, so by comparison this is a rare model. As noted this one bears serial number 0093, and while the pre-stamped chassis were not assembled into complete amps in strict order this still suggests it was built in the first few weeks of production. The Tremolux is a Fender connoisseur's delight; besides its spectacular trem effect it is the perfect amp for those gigs when the smaller tweeds just don't quite have the power to cut it.
Height is 20 in. (50.8 cm.), 22 in. (55.9 cm.) width, and 10 1/2 in. (26.7 cm.) in depth at deepest point.
Cosmetically, this amp is quite worn-in appearing to have had a long life as someone's well loved companion. The handle features an engraved custom-made brass plate reading "ENCHANTRESS - E. J. Hal - Flashing Beauty". Whether this is in reference to an act of some sort or a pet name given to the amp itself, we don't know, but we like to think it’s the latter!
The original Tweed covering shows significant wear overall with tearing at the corners, moderate amounts of scuffing and a couple patches of missing tweed at the lower front and upper rear edges of the cabinet. The covering is lifting a bit on one of the sides as well. Oddly enough there are no cigarette burns; perhaps unusually for the period E.J. Hal did not smoke! The grille cloth is original with some typical staining, wear and a couple minor punctures, but is still taut and nicely intact overall. The faceplate shows moderate wear with some pitting and corrosion around the tremolo controls in particular, but otherwise retains much of its shine and most of the stenciled lettering is still intact. The first volume control knob was at one point replaced with a different style "chicken head".
Electrically, the amp is nearly all-original: the speaker is the original Jensen P12Q marked 220-518, dating it to the 18th week of 1955. The power transformer is the original 8156 Triad and the output transformer was at some point supplanted with a later Fender CBS-era Deluxe OT dating to the 18th week of 1972. Visible original pots codes date to the 47th week of 1954, with the two volume controls being newer replacements. The power switch was also replaced at one point.
The amp has been given our typical servicing, which includes replacement of all electrolytic caps and some coupling caps. All sockets, pots and jacks were cleaned, the power section was biased to spec and a grounded three-prong power cord installed. The circuit is original and no alterations have been made other than standard maintenance to ensure reliable operation for many years to come.
This amp sounds truly phenomenal and is one of our favorite tweeds in the shop currently. It looks to have had a colorful life already and will be an outstanding musical companion for another few decades, at least! Overall Very Good Condition.
"The Enchantress" is a worn-in but super vibey and VERY early example of the narrow-panel tweed Tremolux, one of Fender's classic period amps and among the rarest and most sought-after of all Tweeds today. It was originally introduced in 1955 alongside its smaller cousin the Vibrolux, the two amps pioneering the company's first built-in tremolo effect. The initial 5E9 circuit is essentially a 5E3 Deluxe with the added on-board effect. Like the Deluxe, it features four input jacks, two normal and two bright, a volume control per channel, a master tone control and speed and depth controls for the tremolo effect. Both amps sport a dual 6V6 power section that yields around 13-15 watts into a single Jensen 12" speaker.
This amp has a tube chart code "EF" dating to June 1955 and the serial number suggests this is one of the first hundred or so examples assembled. This initial Tremolux was housed in the same size cabinet as the 5E3 Deluxe. The tremolo is lush and deep and has an impressively wide range. The effect is distinguished by an interesting circuit modulating the bias of the paraphase phase inverter, effectively making the effect consistent regardless of the volume setting, while adding compression and taming the overall volume as the effect depth is increased. This rendition of the circuit also features an on/off switch on the tremolo depth control.
Fender only sold around 650 of these amps in 1955, which even for this early period is a fairly low number. Somewhere around 3,200 Deluxe amps went out the door at Fullerton this transitional year, so by comparison this is a rare model. As noted this one bears serial number 0093, and while the pre-stamped chassis were not assembled into complete amps in strict order this still suggests it was built in the first few weeks of production. The Tremolux is a Fender connoisseur's delight; besides its spectacular trem effect it is the perfect amp for those gigs when the smaller tweeds just don't quite have the power to cut it.
Height is 20 in. (50.8 cm.), 22 in. (55.9 cm.) width, and 10 1/2 in. (26.7 cm.) in depth at deepest point.
Cosmetically, this amp is quite worn-in appearing to have had a long life as someone's well loved companion. The handle features an engraved custom-made brass plate reading "ENCHANTRESS - E. J. Hal - Flashing Beauty". Whether this is in reference to an act of some sort or a pet name given to the amp itself, we don't know, but we like to think it’s the latter!
The original Tweed covering shows significant wear overall with tearing at the corners, moderate amounts of scuffing and a couple patches of missing tweed at the lower front and upper rear edges of the cabinet. The covering is lifting a bit on one of the sides as well. Oddly enough there are no cigarette burns; perhaps unusually for the period E.J. Hal did not smoke! The grille cloth is original with some typical staining, wear and a couple minor punctures, but is still taut and nicely intact overall. The faceplate shows moderate wear with some pitting and corrosion around the tremolo controls in particular, but otherwise retains much of its shine and most of the stenciled lettering is still intact. The first volume control knob was at one point replaced with a different style "chicken head".
Electrically, the amp is nearly all-original: the speaker is the original Jensen P12Q marked 220-518, dating it to the 18th week of 1955. The power transformer is the original 8156 Triad and the output transformer was at some point supplanted with a later Fender CBS-era Deluxe OT dating to the 18th week of 1972. Visible original pots codes date to the 47th week of 1954, with the two volume controls being newer replacements. The power switch was also replaced at one point.
The amp has been given our typical servicing, which includes replacement of all electrolytic caps and some coupling caps. All sockets, pots and jacks were cleaned, the power section was biased to spec and a grounded three-prong power cord installed. The circuit is original and no alterations have been made other than standard maintenance to ensure reliable operation for many years to come.
This amp sounds truly phenomenal and is one of our favorite tweeds in the shop currently. It looks to have had a colorful life already and will be an outstanding musical companion for another few decades, at least! Overall Very Good Condition.