1951 Fender 5A3 Tweed Deluxe in Great Condition
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- čas přidán 17. 07. 2018
- In this video, we take a close-up look at a really nice old 1951 TV-Front Fender Tweed 5A3 Deluxe, then dissect it to see all the interior details, and finally, "tune it up" for good performance. There is a schematic review, in which the two types of 5A3 are compared: dual 6SC7 vs 6SC7/6SL7 (which this amp is). Jack demonstrates another disappearing trick and we all go for a musical drone flight over Hueco Tanks State Park (well, not quite "over", since the park rangers threatened dire consequences if the drone entered park airspace ;)
If you enjoy our advertising-free videos, please subscribe to our channel and consider becoming a Patreon patron at: / uncledougsvintageamps or making a PayPal contribution to dldcam@aol.com. Thanks !!! - Hudba
So glad you started making videos again Uncle Doug, hands down the best information about tube amps and electronics in general on CZcams.
Wow, thanks so much, Mark. We Texans have to stick together :)
Any day with an Uncle Doug video is a good day! :-) I wish I'd been in the right place/right time when you were teaching. With each of your videos, I learn without getting a headache (no mean feat, I assure you!). As always, thanks for another gem...and drone tour that lowered my blood pressure by 20 points!
Thanks so much, Norm. I'm glad you were headache free and enjoyed the video :)
"Sounds like the beginning of Jayne Mansfield's measurements." - LOL! Uncle Doug just made my day!
Glad you enjoyed it, Jeremy.
Beautiful amp! Thank you for another wonderful video, Uncle Doug (and Jack)!
You're welcome, NW. Thanks !!!
Another great video Uncle Doug!! I always learn something with your videos. Thanks
You're welcome, Joe :)
Got my beer, got my chair ... today is a great day /... great work maestro.
It sounds like you're ready for the video, MM. I hope you enjoy it :)
Thanks, CG. Then I guess heroin and meth are off limits :):)
I will admit it, I hope for a new video from you every day when I check the mail. Today was really worth it. Great amp, Epic drone shots, and your music that just cuts to my soul. Heavenly. Thanks Uncle Doug.
You're welcome, Julia, and thanks so much for your very nice comments :)
Another great video, Uncle Doug. It made my day. Thanks!
That's great to hear, B55. You're welcome :)
Great video. The tune at the end--let it be me-- reminds me
of the 60's and the everly brothers. I miss those days and
hearing music like that on the radio. This amp and myself
are the same vintage. Keep up the good work. Thanks
So happy to see a new Uncle Doug video in my YT feed! Awesome video.
Thanks, Thomas :)
Great Video as always, thanks Uncle Doug
You're welcome, RG :)
Another great video Uncle Doug! Wow! Love your drone flights and your Hot Rod trucks as well as the vintage amps!!!
Thanks, Harold :)
Great Video Uncle Doug ! Absolutely wonderful! Between you and Brad, I, as admitted Vintage Amp Tube Junkie, your videos are both inspiring and likewise very intertaining. The irony is the ‘51 Fender Deluxe, and the both of you servicing them separately during a short time span, as these are rare, and quite desirable. Great work, I am awaiting your next video! 👍🏻
Thanks so much, Joseph. I'm glad you're enjoying the videos :)
💙 By watching your videos I have been able to improve all my skills. Thanks a lot Uncle.
That's great news, Nuno. You're welcome :)
Another great old amp Doug! Thanks for sharing with us all!
You're welcome, PC :)
Uncle Doug+ You are truly a plethora of electrical knowledge. You set the standard for what and how the youth should be doing. I adopted one of my grandsons and he's as healthy as a ox, but I see him sprawled out on the couch watching TV or playing his tablet and I have to tell him to mow the lawn as I'm still working and creating things, things like I've shown you. I make him watch your video's and tell him guy should retire and go on vacation, but you never will because it would drive you crazy. Finally I'm doing electronics like I always wanted like designing my own PCB and figuring the components. The kid see's this and asks me why I bother. It's my love. Back in 1998~99 I had a medication eruption and they told me I should have expired 4 months before and told me I didn't have long and I laughed in their faces. The medication Prevacid seemed benign and thought it was only for stomach acid so I took it and when I got sick that's when they told me, but they said it wasn't that, but it turned out I was right because it always made me sick when I took it. I had multiple cancers and autoimmune Sjogrens from it and I feel like I have the flu every day, but I keep going. People like you are a inspiration. This amp you have here has 10 years on me and in much better health, but when I have to work on a old amp, I go to your search box. You my friend are the man.
Thanks so much, Mr. B. I really appreciate your very nice comments. Your adopted grandson will probably come around when he finally discovers something that resonates with his interests. Let's hope it's something constructive and good :) Sorry to hear of your ailments. Best of luck and health to you.
I agree, I told him to go around the block and look for tall grass and mow some lawns. I looked out my window and seen him mowing the lawn across the street. He came home with a huge smile and $20 in his hand, I looked at him and said addictive isn't it? He said yeah, why is that, it's because you earned that on your own. He still has that same $20 in his pocket. He said he was embraced to ask, it never slowed me down. Some of these people are praying for some kid to ask because they can't do it for various reasons I gave him a high five.
Maybe he is a budding (no pun intended) landscaper, Mr. B. Let's hope :)
Bonjour Doug, nice video as usual ! Thank you for sharing all that stuff with us, you rock !
I'm sure my pronunciation was atrocious, Sylvain, but I just wanted to acknowledge our European viewers. You're welcome :)
I've seen so many Uncle Doug videos. I can't believe I hadn't subscribed until today. The trip to the desert with the Everly Bros tune was way kool. And yes the share of knowledge is awesome.
Thanks for subscribing, LK :)
Always great to see another video.
Thanks, SG :)
Another great video. Lovely sounding amp. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.
You're welcome, Ima. Thanks !!!
I have learned so much by you great vids!! especially the series teaching tube electronics,,Tnx!
You're welcome, Jan. We're glad the videos were helpful :)
Real nice amp .thanks for the review ,and also the view.
You're welcome, Stephen :)
Very nice Doug. Liked the music part at the end as well.
Thanks,, Jim :)
Good to see you Uncle Doug, have a good one!
Thanks, Charles. Always !!!
So glad to see you back Uncle Doug !! My yorkie "Dutch" misses growling at Rusty when he sometimes makes an appearance on your postings.
Thanks :) I can see his growly little face in your icon photo, AW. Sadly, Rusty passed away about a year ago......so I guess Dutch will have to do his growling at Jack (the cat) and me now :)
Wonderfull video Uncle Doug , love the drone video also !!!!!!!
That's great to hear, German. Glad you liked it.
Another nice video Doug. Always learning from the master.
I love the drone videos. They remind me how much I am glad I don’t live in the desert any longer. Growing up and picking pockets full of sand out of my eyes walking home from school was tiresome. The wind never stops.
Thanks, James. It does get windy in the Spring for sure, but the rest of the year is generally great weather.......other than the hot-as-hell summers :)
Awesome video, Great content, and the drone footage/music at the end was awesome.
Thanks so much, T :)
What a great video! The double-ended champ sounded so sweet after your tune-up. And the drone footage was beautiful. The music during the drone flight sounded like "Let It Be Me" with some really nice ad lib variations. Sooo nice.
(btw. "Let It Be Me" is the song that my wife and I call "Our Song". After 39 years of marriage, we both still feel "Let it be me".)
Thanks for all the wonderful things you put in your videos. Like Norm Jaques said, "Any day with an Uncle Doug video is a good day!"
You're welcome, Steven. Yes, that was my version of "Let It Be Me" with some liberties taken in the second half of the tune. I'm glad you enjoyed it. Thanks so much for the very nice comments :)
WOW! That’s a beauty. Many years ago I picked up that model amplifier was just the cabinet. It was in the curb getting thrown away. Had no tweed, no grill cloth, no speaker and no amplifier. The badge and tube chart where still there. I put a speaker in it and man did that cabinet sing. It resonates so beautifully. I should make an exact replica of that chassis and components and get it back to order.
Thanks, Jesse. You should indeed, and then let us know how it turned out :)
Uncle Doug, you have certainly found your calling. You definitely make a great teacher.
Unfortunately I'm close to your age and still don't know what I want to be when or if I grow up.
Just between you and me, V, I hope neither of us ever "grows up" :)
Your Patreon patrons appreciate you too UD!! Thanks for another great one.
You're welcome, RF. I mean it when I say that you guys keep us on the air and advertising free. If it weren't for you all and the PayPal contributors, we'd be back rebuilding old trucks. Thanks !!!
Leo Fender was a man who lived during the Great Depression. Like most non-rich people, he knew the value of being frugal. It was necessary for survival. He used the best cheapest parts he could and it showed in the different variations of the same amps. Leo also was smart about listening to his customers. He made many changes over the years based on customer input. I think another possibility, you know much more than I about tube amps(and lots of other stuff), is that Leo's customers wanted the same preamp and phase inverter tubes for convenience. Having the same tubes was simple. Most guitar players did not know much about amps and any thing to lessen the blow of working on their own amp was a blessing. Having two tubes the same was easier and Leo wanted his amps to be the best, easiest and sound better than anyone else's amps. Where's Jack is a wonderful addition to your brilliant video content and the drone footage is also great. We get to share the views of your surroundings. I was sure some unaware motorist would come by and run over your drone, thank goodness it did not happen! Great to see you back, and although I am unable to support you on Patron, I encourage all that view and like your channel who can to give freely to help keep your channel, a national treasure, by the way, on the air or internet, or whatever you call it. Thank you again for sharing your knowledge and experience with us! From the studios of Audio Tech Labs, Thanxz
You're welcome, ATL, and thanks so much for your very nice comments and historical input on the history of Fender amps. Jack and I really appreciate it :)
Great new video! Jack and Ollie should start a band! Love your work and teaching ability!
Thanks so much, 69 Merc. I'll tell them :)
Another smashing video !!
Thanks, Mr. CC.....just like a 2x4 against the head of the guy with the drill :)
My uncle never had a super x excelsior but Uncle Doug has a poster of one next to another gorgeous knuckle (I think.)
Thanks uncle from another mother for the valuable information you provide on these amazing tube amp thingy things. Great content!!!
You're welcome, Bob. Glad you enjoy our videos and wall hangings ;)
What a piece of art, and a great sound. Behave, Jack.
Thanks, LJ :)
Thanks for the new Vid Uncle Doug. Educational as always! And dare I say... I Miss Rusty!
You're welcome, Sean. Thanks !! Yes, indeed.
God bless Rusty
Amen, Donald.
Boy Uncle Doug, that is a real sweetie! Great job!
Thanks, Tom.
Beautiful amp, I can tell from the get-go that I'm gonna enjoy this one
I hope you do, Grant :)
Great video, and what a cool amp!
Thanks, Bengt.
Wow that is a little honey! thanks for saving it Uncle Doug!
It was my pleasure, Tom :)
Wow what a beautiful gem not too often you even see on CZcams a 1951 Fender Deluxe and especially in such beautiful condition.
Thank you very much for making and sharing this video and glade you went through the circuit and expand the two slightly different versions.
My wife and I just moved out here in Las Cruces NM July 2018 we spent pretty much our entire lives in Ohio, it's been almost 30 years since I've been out west and how I missed it I noticed you're awesome part of flying the drone over the scenic view of Hueco Tanks state park were just an hour and a half from there, we'll have to check it out sometime.
If you're bored look me up I've built a 5F1 and a 5E3 and have custom voiced them both and completely rebuilt the grounds on them. I'm sure we would talk each others ears off haha good times always.
Thanks so much, Eric. It does appear that we're I-10 neighbors :) By all means, take a trip out to Hueco Tanks. On the day we went (drone flight) there was a huge rock-climbing event taking place, so we were not able to actually get into the park, but generally they will allow access, particularly during the week.
Always, Something I LIKE..!!
Thanks, Willie :)
Great info about the two different schematics. This is a great sounding amp.
Thanks, T !!
Interesting stuff, Doug! I concur with your conclusion about the concurrent production. That would seem to be the case. Another great video, sir! Thanks for your contributions to the human knowledge base.
Jayne Mansfield measurements or Christina Hendricks. For my money though, I'd take a young Ava Gardner. Wouldn't kick any of them out of bed though. ;)
You're welcome, Brad. Thanks so much for your comments :)
You must have a big bed.
Beautiful condition, even the corners look good. Invisible Jack and Ollie were jammin'. Nice to see Hueco Tanks, visited there a few times as a youth.
Thanks, Andrew. HT was a wonderful place back in the old days, but now they strictly regulate entrance and access. You can't go to most parts of it without a guide to keep an eye on you. The cars you see in line on the road into the park were waiting to be let in. The park service has really screwed it up.
Thanx Uncle Doug... I appreciate the way you let the chord decay naturally in your sound check. It tells me volumes about what that wee monster sounds like.
I'm curious about all those trails surrounding that outcropping in the drone segment.
"...without your sweet love, What would life be (?)" cheers
You're welcome, Jonny. The area is a Mecca for rock climbers and is a state park, so there are trails to all parts of it. In addition, they are attempting to subdivide the surrounding area, so rudimentary "streets" are being bulldozed, which is a real shame. Glad you liked the video :)
Bonjour doug !!! From france :) Nice vid as always !
Howdy Podner, from Texas, USA. Thanks, Pi :)
I don't know why but I really enjoy looking at the guts of these old fender amps. Almost like opening a time capsule of a forgotten era.
I feel the same way, T. It's always an adventure :)
Jack Cat Daddy’O rocking the tweed!
He and Ollie are swingin' cats :)
Oh yeah! I love these old tweeds. What I don't love is all this years of watching your videos (and not only yours) and feeding my mind with so many ideas for so many projects. And eventually all I have are ideas and plans but no execution... But maybe finally I will overcome this incapability to start doing things :D
It's time to get up off the couch and get to work, Nusior. Put all your knowledge to work......and be sure to let us know how it all turns out.
I know, I know... And I tell myself this all the time. And I hear this all the time. Maybe this time, coming from someone thousands miles away, it will finally put things in motion :)
Indeed, it only makes sense that you would ignore all those around you and heed the words of a relative stranger :)
That is exactly how it works! :)
Great video!!!!
Thanks!!
Beer: Check, Home-popped popcorn: Check. This is amazing! Thanks, Doug.
You're welcome, Nick. I'm glad you had all the proper refreshments handy :)
Wow...I think I'm drooling....seriously....
One could search a lifetime and never see one in person...
I feel honored to be able to watch you "tickle its innards."
Thanks, OW. I felt honored to do the tickling :)
A real pleasure!
Thanks, David :)
1:04 I was in a comfy chair with a beer when I clicked on the video. You read my mind, Uncle Doug!
Perfect preparation and timing, BS. :)
"Bonjour"! Lol! ...and there was me really really geared up for "Greetings Ampoholics!" I'd say you are 100% right about both being in 'production' at the same time - Fender guitars are legendary for being built from necks and bodies from different years even - whatever was handy in the pile of parts at the time! Excellent surgical and educational video, as ever.
Thanks so much, Keith. I try to cater to viewers from all countries :)
With one of those stand-alone reverbs in front, this amp would be SO SWEET..! A beauty of a survivor.
You're right, Jennifer. If I'd had more time for the demo, that would have been a great idea.
Ha!!! I know the feeling of wanting a time machine and a 2x4 very well!!! It’s amazing the things you see over time.
Yep......those pesky vandals are fortunate indeed that time travel isn't yet a reality.
Uncle Doug- When.I see a nearly new old stock and rare specimen such as this example, I am not ashamed to wipe the drool several times off the chin and surrounding areas. In particular, an amp with a 12” AlNiCo speaker with some bottom end. Emeril Lagasse might say “You’re playing with my emotions”. Some may hot rod a Princeton toward this configuration, but seeing this is in duality both admiration and torture, not to be missed!
Thanks, John. I agree......NOS always gets my attention :)
I like Jack's guitar style, very nifty! Beautiful scenery by the way. That drone is a good investment .. also for us viewers ;-)
Thanks, Sebastiaan.....glad you enjoyed the festivities :)
Very cool video.😊👍🎸
Thanks, Bill :)
The condition of that thing is amazing. I am going to start checking out yard & estate sales again
No kidding, Dave. It's the only way that us 'normal folks' could ever afford to buy one :)
Thank you Uncle Doug. I did worry about whether a 5Y3 could drive a pair of 6V6 output tubes. You have convinced me. This amp would only sound good to guitarists. Tnx.
You're welcome, Willy. Yes, but guitarists are exactly who it was built for.
A good way to hide unsightly wires like on that new transformer is to buy some thin paracord in vintage colors, cut it to length, then pull out the central nylon strands and slide the jacket over the wire.
We do this in the PC world all the time for making custom cables, and it works great.
Thanks for the tip, Barbs.
Nice!
Thanks, Henry. It's always good to hear from you.
Absolutely beautiful amp, How in the heck did the owner keep the tweed so blonde don’t they usually turn amber over time? Leo Fender apparently took a page out of Delbert Dickerson’s book with buying surplus 6SL7’s when they came along. I guess the 100pF cap was put in to stop parasitic oscillation in the 6SL7. I bet the “Ladies” wiring those amps probably cringed every time Leo walked through the door with a box of tubes wondering what wiring changes they were going to have to make right in the middle of a production run and how long it would last. The video and music literally brought tears to my eyes, gorgeous scenery, beautiful photography an music. It made me want to go jump in my pickup and head West, if for no other reason to breathe some dry air and see a sunset over the mountains. Here in North Texas the lowest humidity recorded on my weather monitor station has been 35% this year. At 900 feet elevation, when you grew up at 4000 feet, sometimes It is like breathing mud. And we still get the heat, been 110 degrees everyday this week. Another great video my friend.
Thanks so much, Mark. Some tweed was shellacked or varnished and became yellow as a result. This amp's tweed appears to be either uncoated or very lightly coated......yet it was able to remain nearly flawless for all these years. I agree with your assessment of the 6SL7's and the ladies' responses :) I'm glad you enjoyed the video and background music.....and I can definitely understand your homesickness for the desert Southwest :)
I have a 5b3 copy and also use adapters to occasionally use 12ax7. Such a great amp/circuit. Having a non originally allowed for a ppimv and speaker options. Settled on a Weber 12a150a which is their Tweed Twin speaker (more than it needs).
Thanks for your input, NYC :)
great vid :)
Thanks !!! :)
Cool Cats....... crickey thats hard country out where you live......It reminds me of Outback Australia, my favourite type of country to go camping in........I will have to get some drone footage for you, although our Rocky hills are much more "Rounded" and weather worn, the places look very similar.....thanks again for the Video Uncle Doug......I really look forward to them.
You're welcome, HE. The movies and documentaries I've seen on portions of Australia definitely have a resemblance to our Southwest. You would feel right at home :)
I have two modern-day versions of these TV Tweed amps basements 150 watt with the two-tone staff in a 350 watt with the two tone stack and I course I have a 59 reissue 410 which I upgraded tubes in made adjustments here and there I use these for bass guitar I love them especially for my fretless and upright mostly it's lovely to see what it is in real life though the real deal thanks a lot
You're welcome, Charles. Please visit our channel more often :)
Sweet amp... and great drone flight. I’m all in to the drone thing these day, so that was a nice addition. But... ... that dry area makes me thirsty! Ha ha
Thanks, BC. Glad you enjoyed the amp and flight :)
Hi Doug, probably been said in the 417 comments but i'm to lazy to run through them. I have a late 5a3 and both the 6sc7 are crossed on the tube chart for 6SL7 , and two 6SL7 is what the amp has. Cheers, thx for your great videos by the way, lots of info to be passed on!
Thanks for your input, BVC.
was that "You are my special angel" on the drone footage?!
great project, thanks so much for sharing!
You're welcome, SF. I was trying to play "Let It Be Me" by the Everly Brothers.
Thanks for the video. I have the same 5A3 amp sn#4864 I need to freshen up when I get around to it. Unfortunately mine was painted black at one time and most of the black has been removed. Mine has always had 2 6sc7's in it since I bought it. Mine has a replacement P12R and the OT is mounted to the baffle board.
You're welcome, Mike. Even with the problems, I'll bet it's still a great amp :)
After some thought, here’s what I’d do. Get a 1% resistor of 7.25 kilohms at the right power rating, and use that in place of the 7k (or 7.5k) resistor; this is an average between the two designs. Remove the “extra” capacitor, but save it for later experimentation. Now obtain a DPDT slide or toggle switch, and find a place to mount it, and drill out the mounting hole. Mount the new switch with the hardware so the slider or toggle operates vertically. For this discussion, “up” will be the 6SC7 position, and “down” will be the 6SL7 position.
Looking at the back of the switch, I’m numbering the pins 6,5,4 on the left side from top to bottom, and 1,2,3 on the right side from top to bottom.
Wire pins 1 and 4 of the switch together, and to pin 3 of the tube socket, and cut the wire from the grid circuit (which was going to pin 3) and hook it to pin 2 of the switch. Now hook pin 3 of the switch to pin 1 of the tube socket. This switches the grid circuit to the 1st grid depending on which tube you want, and on the switch selection.
Now, wire pin 5 of the switch to pin 6 of the tube socket; do NOT disconnect the wire(s) already there! This part hooks the 1st cathode of the 6SL7 to the 2nd cathode when the switch is in the down position, but does nothing in the up position, since the 6SC7 has only 1 shared cathode.
I recommend making these changes to a COPY of the schematic to familiarize yourself with the new changes. Then, make the changes to the set, keeping in mind; 1) don’t mount the new switch near the power transformer and its 60 Hz hum, 2) keep the wire runs short to cut down on noise pickup/unwanted oscillation, and 3) you may still need to use shielded cable for the parts going to the grid 1!
Finally, insert your tube, then flip the switch to match, and put some sort of label near the switch for the 6SC7 and 6SL7 positions. Enjoy!
Thank you for your very detailed recommendations, William. Perhaps a viewer with one of these amps will try your modification and let us know how it turns out.
Oh Doug.....what a gem!!! Again, thanks for taking the time to pass along your knowledge and share amps like this 5A3 Deluxe. Gives me goose bumps every time I think about it. I've watched the video three times already.....a hopeless amp junkie!
I purchased a 5A3 cabinet at auction a few months ago. The tweed is rough, but still there. It has an intact original speaker with bell (220105 & P12R C4397 3), good grill cloth, a lower back door and clean tube chart (SN 2243 and (2) 6SC7's). I plan to make a new upper back door for it and add an output transformer. I guess my only option is to build a new chassis for it, but can't seem to locate anyone who will fab the 5A3 sheet metal.....do you know of any options? I'd like to brig this thing back to life!
You're quite welcome, Bill. It sounds like you have quite a project underway. Cabinets like yours are quite rare and will be the basis for a wonderful build. Several amp kit vendors offer beautiful chromed and lettered chassis for the Deluxe amp. Check out the Weber site as well as MOD and several others. They also offer complete transformer kits, to make your build easier and correct.
Oh can you imagine having that with a 53 Tele,,,, just to mess around with,,hehehe. Good vid Doug,,, Thanks pal.
I never cared for Tele's and Strats through old tweeds. Those amps have too much umph in the mids for Fender guitars. They sound a ton better with Gibsons, and it's mostly Gibson players you see using them. I never could get a really usable tone out of my 5E3 clone with a Tele. The BF and SF fenders with a mid scoop just work so much better with a Fender guitar.
Thanks, Carl and Bill. I appreciate your input :)
Great stuff, I find an Ecc82 works well in the first stage of the preamp of my Pro Junior. - Just wish it was point to point wiring like the early ones!
Thanks, Tim. P to P rules :)
obrigado mestre
Você é bem-vindo, Jorge.
Hi Doug, I think the amp had two 6SL7 and has been modified.
The socket of the 6SC7 has an old solder joint and cut off wire on pin 1. There is no reason to have solder and a wire in pin1, if it was wired for a 6SC7 originally. Someone must have cut the grid wire from pin 1 and rewired pin it to pin 3. The cathode wire has been moved from pin 3 to pin 6. Therefore the joints of pin 3 & 6 look newer than the other solder joints on the socket.
Regards Thomas
That's a very interesting observation, Thomas. I agree, there is no reason for solder to be on pin 1, and it would match the tube chart......however, I've never seen a schematic for a Deluxe with two 6SL7's (which doesn't mean that one does not exist).
I couldn't find a schematics :o(
In the music-electronics-forum someone was asking for help to fix a 5A3 Deluxe with two 6SL7. Unfortunately that was 2011 and there is only an archived version of thread available without the attachments.
Thanks for following up, W. You may well be correct about this.
I was thinking the same thing
Here is a prime example of the 2-6sl7 "Deluxe", insides and label included! www.creamcitymusic.com/g-e-smiths-vintage-1951-fender-deluxe-10w-1x12-tube-combo-amp-tv-front-5a3/
WOW! Jack and Ollie can Really pick a tune! Well, we should've expected that from critters with built-in guitar picks!
They are surprisingly talented, especially for feral cats, whose skills are generally limited to spraying walls :)
Another fantastic video, Doug. Really enjoyed it. Just out of curiosity, did the owner bring it to you with any specific issues, or was this merely a maintenance visit?
It was bought at a guitar show and never checked out, so he was worried, also, he thought the tone was a bit "mushy" and devoid of clarity.......which isn't uncommon with the old tweed Fenders. This all seemed to be resolved by the cleaning, biasing, etc.
Ah, a wise man! And it couldn't have been in better hands!
6SL7 and its lower gain brother 6SN7 tubes. Very ideal for phase inverters and you don't have that pesky small B9A base to worry about, nice big octal socket. Would recommend including in your next amplifier build if you want to spice things up a bit.
Thanks for the good suggestion, LH.
Your so kind uncle Doug. and sorry for the miswriting of your name.
No problem, Andres. Thanks !!!
Say hello to Jack!
I will, CS :)
We need more Jack.
I would include him a lot more.......if I could ever find him :)
So...does Jack fret and Ollie strum or what? Whatever, they are sounding good. Good to hear you too Uncle Doug.
Ollie is better at rock while Jack is more of a jazz cat.....so they take turns :) Thanks !!
Great video! I don’t know how you are ever able to find Jack. He must be part chameleon.
He is indeed the Master of Concealment :)
Like the planet mars
With all that red sand and rocks.
There definitely is a resemblance :)
I've learned alot from your vids Doug. Do these preamp tubes in the Deluxe predate the 12AY7s that were used in the Fender Bassman?
I believe the 12AY7 was used in the 5F6A Bassman, introduced in 1958, so this circuit predates it by 7 years.
Hi Doug,,, Super great video,, Nice surprise Hide and Seek from Jack :),, Can you tell me what the 100pF cap connected across the Anodes of the 6SL7 Tube does? Thankyou.
Thanks, Terrence. To be honest, I'm not exactly sure......and why for the 6SL7 and not for the 6SC7? Also, if it serves an important purpose, then why don't we see this in all DE amp circuits ?
What a great amp! I wish I will be in such a shape when I'm 70. Maybe without an ugly useless hole drilled in somewhere...
Amen, Murrat :)
Not a fan of the sound of this particular Fender amp, but really fascinating insights here!
Beer and chair ready...........this'll be good, as always :)
I hope so, Z. If not, there's a double-your-beer-back guarantee :)
Can you make us a ¨Jack&Rusty higlights from the lab¨ one day when you have nothing of interest on your workbench?They are two educational geniuses! not to mention Rusty´s great camera-work from the old day´s.
I hadn't considered such a homage to two of CZcamss greatest technical geniuses, Hans......but will definitely keep it in mind. Thanks !!!
Great as always, if you don't have a name for your band yet, may I suggest "Tremolo Hound and the Cathode Followers".
Thanks, ST. I like it !! How about "Barking Mad and the Kitty Slickers" ?
I saw the Title of this video in my "recommended" feed and let out an audible cheer! This is a perfect amp for an Uncle Doug tour! (I love when Uncle Doug's hair stands on end and maybe he wants to hit vandals in the head with wood.) I'm curious, did the FTDO-59 Tone Clone work well enough to make us forgive the "crazy straw" pattern on the wiring? Was the speaker well repaired? Did Jack give it the smell test? I'm assuming it was all tip-top because that amp sounds great! To any of you reading this who have one, let Uncle Doug clean up your old 5E3... we'd all go nuts to see that. Thanks to Uncle Doug and Jack.
Thanks so much for your very nice comments, Jensen. Yes, the OPT was excellent (it should be for the price :), the speaker re-coning was very well done, and it passed Jack's cat scan (or I wouldn't have worked on it :). I would most definitely be willing to work on any and all amps of this age and caliber.
If there ever was a justified use for a 2x4 then it's to go back in time and punish the vandal who drilled that hole in the control-panel. But I'm not so sure: Being from Europe I see your videos around 4:30am-5:00am and as a devoted UncleDoug & Jack-disciple I follow your advice to the letter, and even though I usually don't drink alcohol, if the word is "Grab a beer", I grab a beer first thing in the morning ... no questions asked! Maybe it's the beer that makes me susceptible to "justified violence". On the upside: it also made the Jane Mansfield-reference funny as heck and I swear I saw 2 Jacks under 2 towels revolving around each other in your bathroom :D Great job, Sir, thanks for sharing!
You're welcome, KL. Beer and vigilante justice go hand in hand, so grab a cold one and a nice 2x4......regardless of the time......and let's go watch Jayne Mansfield movies and bust some vandal a$$ :):)
Hey Doug. I was have been a subscribed viewer for some time now and love your videos. Thank you for sharing your knowledge, wisdom and experience. I have been interested in tube amp repair for along time but repair people around here in Virginia are getting scarce, most are retired. I find myself in need to repair my own and friends amps. I would like to get a better education on the matter but I am not finding any place that teaches Tube amp repair anymore, are you aware of any schools that teach this still? I know a lot of people got most of there training from the Military but they are not even teaching it anymore. Any wisdom you could assist me with would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
I wish I could make some good recommendations, Tim, but I'm afraid that the only way to learn tube amp electronics is the old fashioned way: experience. If you could possibly find a person in your area who is a qualified tech, you could work with them, like an apprentice, until you were up to speed. I honestly can't think of any other way. Good luck.
Thanks for your prompt reply.
You're welcome, Tim.