Fender Super-Amp Model 5C4 Tube Amplifier (1954)
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Fender Super-Amp Model 5C4 Model Tube Amplifier (1954), made in Fullerton, California, serial # 5410, tweed fabric covering finish.
The revolutionary double speaker "Super-Amp" combo amplifier was one of Leo Fender's earliest and most important creations, and changed the world of instrument amplification (for the louder!) forever. Released in late 1946 initially named the "Dual Professional" this model followed the beautiful but fairly crude holy trinity of "Woodies", Fender's first full-production amplifiers. The twin 10" speakers, covered finger-jointed pine cabinet, eyelet board, on/off switch and jewel light were all firsts for the company's line-up that would set the pattern for future Fender product and up the ante on competitors. By late 1947, this model was re-named the "Super-Amp" and the covering was changed to a diagonal tweed fabric that became the staple look of Fender amplifiers throughout the next decade. The Super is said to have been Leo's personal favorite amp and the circuit he would most frequently tinker with in pursuit of tonal perfection.
This amp is the third major iteration of the Super, known as the "wide-panel". Interestingly, this design overall bears a closer visual resemblance to the earlier V-front models than its immediate TV-Front predecessors. The new aesthetic changes came with the 5C4 circuit revision, with earlier models still using the predecessors' 6SC7/6SL7 preamp tubes, and somewhere in late '53, "new 12 volt miniature glass tubes", aka 12AY7s and 12AX7s were implemented (this amp features the latter). Later models also feature the addition of a standby switch. The amp features four inputs, two labeled "microphone" and two labeled "instrument" and a volume control for each pair, along with a master tone control. Sporting a pair of 6L6 output tubes into the two 10" Jensen speakers, the Super puts out around 25-30W of power, and despite its relatively high power-rating (for the era), it offers a fair amount of compression and smooth breakup at a manageable volume.
The tube chart in this amp is stamped DG, indicating an assembly date of July 1954. It also features hand-written corrections from the older printed tube spec for the newer 12AX7 and 12AY7 preamp and phase-inverter tubes. This amp was lovingly wired by Julia and her masking tape tag remains in the chassis. These 1950s Supers are fairly rare today. Although the Pro model was technically above it in the line-up, many players have always preferred the Super's twin-ten layout to that model's single larger speaker. By 1954 Leo's designs had changed the world of electrified music forever and this model was the spearhead of the Fender sonic revolution.
Height is 18 1/4 in. (46.4 cm.), 21 3/4 in. (55.2 cm.) width, and 10 1/4 in. (26 cm.) in depth at deepest point.
Externally, this amp is in remarkable shape for being just about 70 years old. The finger-jointed pine cabinet still sports its original tweed covering, which is in fantastic cosmetic condition considering its age and fragility and features a nice and attractive lighter amber patina. The brown linen speaker cloth is in fantastic shape as well and remains nicely taught and unblemished. The chrome-plated control panel is about as shiny and mirror-clean as we've ever seen and practically all the stenciled lettering is intact, save for a bit of lettering around the on/off and standby switches. The handle is a handmade high quality replacement. The amp also comes with what appears to be its original cover, which looks identical to the ones made by Victoria Luggage Co., albeit with no tag present.
Electrically, this Super is nicely original. Both Jensen P10R speakers appear original to the amp, the left bearing the code 220-243, dating it to the 43rd week of 1952. The output transformer reads 1848 and the power transformer 6516, both made by Triad and original to the amp as well. Two of the pots date to the 5th and 6th week of 1954 and one to the 49th week of 1953. The amp has received our typical maintenance servicing, including replacement of all electrolytics, a 3-prong grounded power cord, cleaning of all sockets, pots and jacks and biased to spec. The amp still sports some of the original "firecracker" Astrons, all of which test and sound great, hence we left them in to sensibly conserve as much as possible of the amp's history. The Super sports a great set of vintage Westinghouse 6L6G power tubes, a Raytheon 5U4 rectifier, and two GE preamp tubes.
This rare early Fender creation is a truly phenomenal sounding amp and one of the cleanest Supers we have had the honor of featuring in our showroom! Excellent Condition.
The revolutionary double speaker "Super-Amp" combo amplifier was one of Leo Fender's earliest and most important creations, and changed the world of instrument amplification (for the louder!) forever. Released in late 1946 initially named the "Dual Professional" this model followed the beautiful but fairly crude holy trinity of "Woodies", Fender's first full-production amplifiers. The twin 10" speakers, covered finger-jointed pine cabinet, eyelet board, on/off switch and jewel light were all firsts for the company's line-up that would set the pattern for future Fender product and up the ante on competitors. By late 1947, this model was re-named the "Super-Amp" and the covering was changed to a diagonal tweed fabric that became the staple look of Fender amplifiers throughout the next decade. The Super is said to have been Leo's personal favorite amp and the circuit he would most frequently tinker with in pursuit of tonal perfection.
This amp is the third major iteration of the Super, known as the "wide-panel". Interestingly, this design overall bears a closer visual resemblance to the earlier V-front models than its immediate TV-Front predecessors. The new aesthetic changes came with the 5C4 circuit revision, with earlier models still using the predecessors' 6SC7/6SL7 preamp tubes, and somewhere in late '53, "new 12 volt miniature glass tubes", aka 12AY7s and 12AX7s were implemented (this amp features the latter). Later models also feature the addition of a standby switch. The amp features four inputs, two labeled "microphone" and two labeled "instrument" and a volume control for each pair, along with a master tone control. Sporting a pair of 6L6 output tubes into the two 10" Jensen speakers, the Super puts out around 25-30W of power, and despite its relatively high power-rating (for the era), it offers a fair amount of compression and smooth breakup at a manageable volume.
The tube chart in this amp is stamped DG, indicating an assembly date of July 1954. It also features hand-written corrections from the older printed tube spec for the newer 12AX7 and 12AY7 preamp and phase-inverter tubes. This amp was lovingly wired by Julia and her masking tape tag remains in the chassis. These 1950s Supers are fairly rare today. Although the Pro model was technically above it in the line-up, many players have always preferred the Super's twin-ten layout to that model's single larger speaker. By 1954 Leo's designs had changed the world of electrified music forever and this model was the spearhead of the Fender sonic revolution.
Height is 18 1/4 in. (46.4 cm.), 21 3/4 in. (55.2 cm.) width, and 10 1/4 in. (26 cm.) in depth at deepest point.
Externally, this amp is in remarkable shape for being just about 70 years old. The finger-jointed pine cabinet still sports its original tweed covering, which is in fantastic cosmetic condition considering its age and fragility and features a nice and attractive lighter amber patina. The brown linen speaker cloth is in fantastic shape as well and remains nicely taught and unblemished. The chrome-plated control panel is about as shiny and mirror-clean as we've ever seen and practically all the stenciled lettering is intact, save for a bit of lettering around the on/off and standby switches. The handle is a handmade high quality replacement. The amp also comes with what appears to be its original cover, which looks identical to the ones made by Victoria Luggage Co., albeit with no tag present.
Electrically, this Super is nicely original. Both Jensen P10R speakers appear original to the amp, the left bearing the code 220-243, dating it to the 43rd week of 1952. The output transformer reads 1848 and the power transformer 6516, both made by Triad and original to the amp as well. Two of the pots date to the 5th and 6th week of 1954 and one to the 49th week of 1953. The amp has received our typical maintenance servicing, including replacement of all electrolytics, a 3-prong grounded power cord, cleaning of all sockets, pots and jacks and biased to spec. The amp still sports some of the original "firecracker" Astrons, all of which test and sound great, hence we left them in to sensibly conserve as much as possible of the amp's history. The Super sports a great set of vintage Westinghouse 6L6G power tubes, a Raytheon 5U4 rectifier, and two GE preamp tubes.
This rare early Fender creation is a truly phenomenal sounding amp and one of the cleanest Supers we have had the honor of featuring in our showroom! Excellent Condition.