I haven't played a new Fender 5E3, but I don't doubt that it's a good (great) sounding amp. And I don't want to fault anyone else for spending their amp money where they see fit. However, I think my money could be spent better elsewhere.
With the kits and kit-builders out there, you can get what is arguably just as good of an amp for a lot less money. Now, one could argue that with the Fender you get the brand name, waranty, support, etc. that a kit-builder likely does not provide. So lets take a bit more apples-to-apples look at what some other companies can provide in a 1x12 configuration:
- Dr. Z Carmen Ghia 1x12 combo: $1229
- Dr. Z MAZ-18 Jr. 1x12 Combo: $1629
- Dr. Z MAZ-18 Jr. "NR" 1x12 Combo: $1429
- Dr. Z MAZ-38 Sr. "NR" 1x12 Combo: $1599
- Dr. Z Z-28 1x12 combo: $1479
- Allen Sweet Spot 1x12 combo: $1,499
- Allen Accomplice Jr. 1x12 combo: $1,449
- Allen Brown Sugar 1x12 combo: $1,599
- Allen Old Flame 1x12 combo: $1,599
- Winfield Amps: Winfield EL84 18 watt combo: $850 (plus the speaker)
- Winfield Amps: Winfield 6V6 combo: $1150 (plus the speaker)
- Winfield Amps: Brat 6v6 compbo: $840 (plus the speaker)
A comparison like that makes me feel that the Fender is over-priced by several hundred dollars.