Fender Deluxe Model 5B3 Tube Amplifier (1953)
LOADING IMAGES
This item has been sold.
Item # 12222
Prices subject to change without notice.
Fender Deluxe Model 5B3 Model Tube Amplifier (1953), made in Fullerton, California, serial # 7362, tweed fabric covering finish.
This is a "rugged, but right" example of a wide-panel tweed Deluxe, one of Fender's all-time classic amplifier designs. The Deluxe saw many iterations in the first few years of this decade, this being the new "wide panel" styling, which replacing the earlier "TV Front" cabinet design right around this time. The tube chart carries the code stamp "CD", indicating a production date of April 1953. The chassis serial number (7362) would be one of the very last recorded iterations of this circuit (5B3), as numbers "reset" starting with the 5C3 models. Curiously, the tube chart has an earlier/later serial number written in: 3663, which is either a typo/error, as that serial number would coincide with the earlier TV-front cabinets (which this certainly is not!), or its a later 5C3 cabinet paired with an earlier 5B3 chassis.
This version of the Deluxe features three input jacks, two instrument and one microphone, volume controls for each channel and one master tone. The cathode-biased push-pull 6V6 power section yields around 10-12 watts of power into a single Jensen 12" speaker. The 'B' iteration still featured the metal octal preamp tubes and the on/off switch incorporated into the tone control.
The Deluxes from this era are regarded as all-time classics and one of the best small gigging and recording amps ever designed. This worn-in example has mojo to spare and remains a very fine-sounding unit, both clean and cranked to "12"! And yes, that's one past "11".
Height is 16 1/4 in. (41.3 cm.), 18 in. (45.7 cm.) width, and 8 5/8 in. (21.9 cm.) deep.
This amp appears to have seen some major use over the last 70 years and has a "Real Relic" look to show for it! Externally the tweed shows some heavier wear and tear, mostly around the front panel and around corners and edges with several spots showing frayed and small patches of missing tweed. The chrome panel shows moderate signs of corrosion and some light pitting, but minimal loss to the graphics and is cleaner than many overall. The grille cloth is in good shape, taut and no notable punctures or tears, mostly only showing some light discoloration from the inner baffle edges. The handle is a very high quality replacement.
Electrically, the amp is nicely original, save for the speaker which is a period-correct Jensen P12Q, bearing the code 220-535, dating it to the 35th week of 1955. The speaker still bears its original cone and both tests and sounds great, and would by many be considered a favorable upgrade from the P12R that would typically be fitted in a Deluxe! Both the Triad-made power and output transformers are original, bearing the codes 6452 and 71246, respectively. Visible pot code dates to the 8th week of 1953. The masking tape strip inside the chassis bears a name we've never seen before; it appears to be Jessica, or at least that's our best guess!
This amp looks "beat but sweet' and sounds fantastic, with a lot of clarity at lower volumes, and really roars when pushed. Overall Very Good + Condition.
This is a "rugged, but right" example of a wide-panel tweed Deluxe, one of Fender's all-time classic amplifier designs. The Deluxe saw many iterations in the first few years of this decade, this being the new "wide panel" styling, which replacing the earlier "TV Front" cabinet design right around this time. The tube chart carries the code stamp "CD", indicating a production date of April 1953. The chassis serial number (7362) would be one of the very last recorded iterations of this circuit (5B3), as numbers "reset" starting with the 5C3 models. Curiously, the tube chart has an earlier/later serial number written in: 3663, which is either a typo/error, as that serial number would coincide with the earlier TV-front cabinets (which this certainly is not!), or its a later 5C3 cabinet paired with an earlier 5B3 chassis.
This version of the Deluxe features three input jacks, two instrument and one microphone, volume controls for each channel and one master tone. The cathode-biased push-pull 6V6 power section yields around 10-12 watts of power into a single Jensen 12" speaker. The 'B' iteration still featured the metal octal preamp tubes and the on/off switch incorporated into the tone control.
The Deluxes from this era are regarded as all-time classics and one of the best small gigging and recording amps ever designed. This worn-in example has mojo to spare and remains a very fine-sounding unit, both clean and cranked to "12"! And yes, that's one past "11".
Height is 16 1/4 in. (41.3 cm.), 18 in. (45.7 cm.) width, and 8 5/8 in. (21.9 cm.) deep.
This amp appears to have seen some major use over the last 70 years and has a "Real Relic" look to show for it! Externally the tweed shows some heavier wear and tear, mostly around the front panel and around corners and edges with several spots showing frayed and small patches of missing tweed. The chrome panel shows moderate signs of corrosion and some light pitting, but minimal loss to the graphics and is cleaner than many overall. The grille cloth is in good shape, taut and no notable punctures or tears, mostly only showing some light discoloration from the inner baffle edges. The handle is a very high quality replacement.
Electrically, the amp is nicely original, save for the speaker which is a period-correct Jensen P12Q, bearing the code 220-535, dating it to the 35th week of 1955. The speaker still bears its original cone and both tests and sounds great, and would by many be considered a favorable upgrade from the P12R that would typically be fitted in a Deluxe! Both the Triad-made power and output transformers are original, bearing the codes 6452 and 71246, respectively. Visible pot code dates to the 8th week of 1953. The masking tape strip inside the chassis bears a name we've never seen before; it appears to be Jessica, or at least that's our best guess!
This amp looks "beat but sweet' and sounds fantastic, with a lot of clarity at lower volumes, and really roars when pushed. Overall Very Good + Condition.