What's the best tweed deluxe copy??

57or62 · April 28th, 2004, 10:19 AM

Thinking about doing a kit or maybe just buying something finished. Any suggestions?

lewis · April 29th, 2004, 08:34 AM

http://www.missionamps.com/5e3.html

This is a good kit, Bruce provides good support.

Jerry J · April 29th, 2004, 09:40 AM

here's the link:

http://www.marshamps.com/

Telecaster65 · April 29th, 2004, 12:35 PM

Though I had a 5E1 from Michael Marsh (and great support too) I believe that Bruce assembles his kits 100% while the largest part of tweeds in kit are from Mojo, Weber, etc... So if I would looking for something custom I would choose a Missionamp kit.

There's something at www.vintone.com too but not kit.

Cheers Fabio

Aaron Schiff · April 29th, 2004, 07:01 PM

Mission Amps is a good kit. If you want it finished, the best that I have played is a Clark Beaufort, even better than a Victoria. But be prepared to layout BIG bucks.

Teleman · April 29th, 2004, 11:32 PM

How difficult is the Mission kit to build? I'm reasonably handy with a soldering iron

dafack01 · April 30th, 2004, 12:35 AM

With the exception of a 5F1 champ (and similar Tweed single-ended designs), the circuit is about as basic as it can get. I'd walk out on a VERY short limb and say that if you know how to wield a soldering iron failry well, can follow instructions, and can follow a Chassis Layout, you'd be golden. I'm going to be trying my hand at a 1X12 Tweed Super this summer myself.

dafack01 · April 30th, 2004, 12:44 AM

BTW, as far as the ready-made clones, Clark and Victoria both make great replicas. I checked out Clark's website recently, and he's using audiophile grade Paper in oil caps, while Victorias use caps that in all likelihood are much more similar to the cheapo astrons that came in the original tweeds. Victoria uses specially made Orange Drops (yes, there are many different types of orange drops). However, the Clark Beaufort comes with a superior speaker (the Celestion Blue), while the Victoria comes with a jensen reissue.

I've got a Victoria 1X12 5F1 Champ clone and I love it to death FWIW. I changed the P12R reissue to a Weber 12A125 (P12Q) and It's now exactly how I want it.

You really can't go wrong with any route you go, but if you go the homebrew route, you'll end up saving several hundred dollars. HOWEVER, don't go rooting around in there without knowing that the voltages in those capacitors can KILL you. The proper safety measures are essential. If you go the kit route or get advice from a tech or something, you'll be alright if it doesn't work right the first time you fire it up.

AtomicMassUnit · April 30th, 2004, 12:53 AM

I've built some Tweed Deluxes and a Bassman. If you've got decent soldering skills, the kits are EASY to build, and I'd definitely recommend Bruce. He is very knowledgable, good natured, friendly, and offers a fine amp. With careful component selection (use the Mercury tranny, Weber Alnico, and NOS tubes) you can have a killer amp, and even the basic kit is a lot of tone for the money. The deluxe I kept for me sounds every bit as good as my old fender tweeds. One warning, once you start building amps, one or two or three won't be enough. Then your friends start calling wanting an amp like that, pretty soon you barely have time to gig!

Atomic

April 28th, 2004, 10:19 AM	#1 (permalink)
57or62 Tele-Meister Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Philly Posts: 156	What's the best tweed deluxe copy?? Thinking about doing a kit or maybe just buying something finished. Any suggestions?

April 29th, 2004, 08:34 AM	#2 (permalink)
lewis Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Colorado Posts: 1,922 28 Photos	Mission Amps http://www.missionamps.com/5e3.html This is a good kit, Bruce provides good support.

April 29th, 2004, 09:40 AM	#3 (permalink)
Jerry J Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: NoVa Posts: 660	Marsh Amps are Good Too! here's the link: http://www.marshamps.com/

April 29th, 2004, 12:35 PM	#4 (permalink)
Telecaster65 Tele-Holic Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Cisano sul Neva (Savona) NW Italy Age: 43 Posts: 840	Though I had a 5E1 from Michael Marsh (and great support too) I believe that Bruce assembles his kits 100% while the largest part of tweeds in kit are from Mojo, Weber, etc... So if I would looking for something custom I would choose a Missionamp kit. There's something at www.vintone.com too but not kit. Cheers Fabio __________________ Sleep tight, my child, sleep well For I'll be at your side That no shadow, no darkness, no tolling bell, Shall pierce your dreams this night

April 29th, 2004, 07:01 PM	#5 (permalink)
Aaron Schiff Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Cedaredge, CO Posts: 347	Mission Amps is a good kit. If you want it finished, the best that I have played is a Clark Beaufort, even better than a Victoria. But be prepared to layout BIG bucks.

April 29th, 2004, 11:32 PM	#6 (permalink)
Teleman Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Plainville, CT Posts: 393	How difficult is the Mission kit to build? I'm reasonably handy with a soldering iron

April 30th, 2004, 12:35 AM	#7 (permalink)
dafack01 Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 123	With the exception of a 5F1 champ (and similar Tweed single-ended designs), the circuit is about as basic as it can get. I'd walk out on a VERY short limb and say that if you know how to wield a soldering iron failry well, can follow instructions, and can follow a Chassis Layout, you'd be golden. I'm going to be trying my hand at a 1X12 Tweed Super this summer myself.

April 30th, 2004, 12:44 AM	#8 (permalink)
dafack01 Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 123	BTW, as far as the ready-made clones, Clark and Victoria both make great replicas. I checked out Clark's website recently, and he's using audiophile grade Paper in oil caps, while Victorias use caps that in all likelihood are much more similar to the cheapo astrons that came in the original tweeds. Victoria uses specially made Orange Drops (yes, there are many different types of orange drops). However, the Clark Beaufort comes with a superior speaker (the Celestion Blue), while the Victoria comes with a jensen reissue. I've got a Victoria 1X12 5F1 Champ clone and I love it to death FWIW. I changed the P12R reissue to a Weber 12A125 (P12Q) and It's now exactly how I want it. You really can't go wrong with any route you go, but if you go the homebrew route, you'll end up saving several hundred dollars. HOWEVER, don't go rooting around in there without knowing that the voltages in those capacitors can KILL you. The proper safety measures are essential. If you go the kit route or get advice from a tech or something, you'll be alright if it doesn't work right the first time you fire it up.

April 30th, 2004, 12:53 AM	#9 (permalink)
AtomicMassUnit Tele-Meister Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 153	I've built some Tweed Deluxes and a Bassman. If you've got decent soldering skills, the kits are EASY to build, and I'd definitely recommend Bruce. He is very knowledgable, good natured, friendly, and offers a fine amp. With careful component selection (use the Mercury tranny, Weber Alnico, and NOS tubes) you can have a killer amp, and even the basic kit is a lot of tone for the money. The deluxe I kept for me sounds every bit as good as my old fender tweeds. One warning, once you start building amps, one or two or three won't be enough. Then your friends start calling wanting an amp like that, pretty soon you barely have time to gig! Atomic