Tweed Deluxe - Clones...some questions

eksfiles · November 21st, 2006, 03:46 PM

I don't want to sound absurd, but would it be inpossible to find a manufacturer that would be able to make the control panel of a tweed deluxe amp, that would face the player, and not be reversed like the original?

The reason I ask is that I like to tweak the tone control from time to time, and I just find it more logical to face me, instead of looking upsidedown at it.

I'm thinking of emailing sligo amplification and asking them. Does anyone have any experience with these kit-built amps? It seems they have the best price at $755.00, for a hand-wired Tweed Deluxe clone.

Any comments always appreciated.

lewis · November 21st, 2006, 03:51 PM

Building your own would be easy.
Here's Weber's version of a 5e3 head. Just turn the whole shabang around.
I agree, difficult to read upside down.

https://taweber.powweb.com/store/kits_50a.htm#5E3H

Rick S · November 22nd, 2006, 02:03 AM

The controls work the same way no matter which way you look at it. Clockwise to increase, counter to decrease. So, the only difference is in the panel labeling and how the knob is positioned on the pot.

Basically what you are looking at to flip it is a custom silkscreen layout for the chassis labeling. It could be done, but it would be costly and take some time. Considering you are looking at entry level amps, I would think it's probably cost prohibitive.

After using the amp for a while, it's something that you would probably never think about.

eksfiles · November 23rd, 2006, 10:25 PM

Anyone else have some insights into Sligo Amps???

JohnnyCrash · November 23rd, 2006, 10:53 PM

I've yet to build from a kit, but all of my scratch builds have front facing controls - except my reverb unit.

Maybe you can get a chassis kit and then buy a different cab for it.

Perhaps you can use a slant face Fender style cab and buy a slant faced combo from MojoMusicalSupply.com?

the guy who invented fire · November 25th, 2006, 12:35 AM

I won't comment on the face issue...personally it makes no difference to me but I could see where it might bother somebody.

The Silgo stuff looks OK but if I were gonna do a tweed clone be it buying a working amp or a kit I would go with Bruce Collins at Mission Amps...again!

Bruce built my 5B4 Plow Front Super and I couldn't be happier...I've had it almost a year now and it still blows me away how killer of an amp it is!

charlie chitlin · November 25th, 2006, 01:43 PM

I tweak my amp all the time...a little more or less tone...amp volume up with guitar volume down and vice versa...
It would bug me to have the knobs on the back.
It's the only thing that keeps me from selling one of my children to get a Swart AST.

JohnnyCrash · November 25th, 2006, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by charlie frey

I tweak my amp all the time...a little more or less tone...amp volume up with guitar volume down and vice versa...
It would bug me to have the knobs on the back.
It's the only thing that keeps me from selling one of my children to get a Swart AST.

It is easy to get used to after a little while.

Otherwise, build it from scratch... I've got a Champ head and tweed Twin head that I run into a 1x15" cab I built. Just as light and easy to carry as a combo. I still prefer my heavier closed back 2x12", but that's got wheels on it anyways :)

Punching the tube socket holes in Hammond chassis is easy.

eksfiles · November 26th, 2006, 12:16 AM

I suppose I could get use to playing with the controls on backwards.....
Are Tweed deluxes really set it and forget it type amps?

The reason I'm considering Sligo is because they are the most affordable tweed deluxe clones on the market. $755 all hand-wired, all weber parts, is a tough thing to pass up, no matter what anyone says.

Problem is I wish there were a few more reviews on these amps.

petebradt · November 26th, 2006, 12:24 AM

Tweed Deluxes are definitely "set and forget." Too simple to be otherwise. Volume controls and tone. that's all.

Jaybird · November 26th, 2006, 01:56 AM

http://www.stf-electronics.com/STF Electronics sells two different 5E3 Fender Tweed Deluxe kits. The Deluxe Head, which I built, is a great sounding amp and easy to build. They also sell a Tweed Deluxe Reproduction . The deluxe head cost $305 for the kit, a pretty good price. The Deluxe Reproduction $359. You can add extras if you wish(Sprague caps, CTS pots, or whatever) worth checking out. The people at STF are super friendly and helpfull, answering any questions you have promptly.

Spiffpeters · November 26th, 2006, 02:16 AM

Mission Amps puts out a very nice, very well documented kit.

$755 for parts and labor, for this amp at least, seems kinda high to me.

Having built Bruce's 5E3 kit as a newbie, I didn't have any problems. Good stuff.

eksfiles · November 26th, 2006, 02:09 PM

$755 includes shipping. The amp itself is actually around $700. I don't build my own amps, and I wouldn't have the slightest clue as to how to assemble a kit.
I think that Sligo seems to know what they're doing. From the limited reviews I've found, Steve Clark (owner) seems to be very helpful and easy to contact.

The Mission amps look good too. But if they can't match the price, well, I'll be sticking to Sligo.
Remember, he uses Weber parts, so it can't be that bad.

Jaybird · November 26th, 2006, 02:22 PM

STF uses Weber, mojo, and Hammond parts also . Deluxe assembled is 475, a lot less than Missiom amps, it is worth checking out.

November 21st, 2006, 03:46 PM	#1 (permalink)
eksfiles Tele-Meister Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Windsor, Ontario CANADA Posts: 148	Tweed Deluxe - Clones...some questions I don't want to sound absurd, but would it be inpossible to find a manufacturer that would be able to make the control panel of a tweed deluxe amp, that would face the player, and not be reversed like the original? The reason I ask is that I like to tweak the tone control from time to time, and I just find it more logical to face me, instead of looking upsidedown at it. I'm thinking of emailing sligo amplification and asking them. Does anyone have any experience with these kit-built amps? It seems they have the best price at $755.00, for a hand-wired Tweed Deluxe clone. Any comments always appreciated. __________________ ...a little less conversation, a little more action...

November 21st, 2006, 03:51 PM	#2 (permalink)
lewis Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Colorado Posts: 1,880 28 Photos	Building your own would be easy. Here's Weber's version of a 5e3 head. Just turn the whole shabang around. I agree, difficult to read upside down. https://taweber.powweb.com/store/kits_50a.htm#5E3H __________________ "I'm a maestro, I'm a maestro," Taj Mahal, 8/20/05.

November 23rd, 2006, 10:25 PM	#4 (permalink)
eksfiles Tele-Meister Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Windsor, Ontario CANADA Posts: 148	Anyone else have some insights into Sligo Amps??? __________________ ...a little less conversation, a little more action...

November 25th, 2006, 01:43 PM	#7 (permalink)
charlie chitlin Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Bucktown, Pa Age: 47 Posts: 2,355	I tweak my amp all the time...a little more or less tone...amp volume up with guitar volume down and vice versa... It would bug me to have the knobs on the back. It's the only thing that keeps me from selling one of my children to get a Swart AST. __________________ Nil illigitimi carborundum http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm...6-bf3537901a07

November 26th, 2006, 12:16 AM	#9 (permalink)
eksfiles Tele-Meister Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Windsor, Ontario CANADA Posts: 148	I suppose I could get use to playing with the controls on backwards..... Are Tweed deluxes really set it and forget it type amps? The reason I'm considering Sligo is because they are the most affordable tweed deluxe clones on the market. $755 all hand-wired, all weber parts, is a tough thing to pass up, no matter what anyone says. Problem is I wish there were a few more reviews on these amps. __________________ ...a little less conversation, a little more action...

November 22nd, 2006, 02:03 AM	#3 (permalink)
Rick S Tele-Meister Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Tulsa, OK Posts: 493	The controls work the same way no matter which way you look at it. Clockwise to increase, counter to decrease. So, the only difference is in the panel labeling and how the knob is positioned on the pot. Basically what you are looking at to flip it is a custom silkscreen layout for the chassis labeling. It could be done, but it would be costly and take some time. Considering you are looking at entry level amps, I would think it's probably cost prohibitive. After using the amp for a while, it's something that you would probably never think about.

November 23rd, 2006, 10:53 PM	#5 (permalink)
JohnnyCrash Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Lost Angeles and Orange County Posts: 7,128	I've yet to build from a kit, but all of my scratch builds have front facing controls - except my reverb unit. Maybe you can get a chassis kit and then buy a different cab for it. Perhaps you can use a slant face Fender style cab and buy a slant faced combo from MojoMusicalSupply.com?

November 25th, 2006, 12:35 AM	#6 (permalink)
the guy who invented fire Tele-Holic Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: The ATL Posts: 619	I won't comment on the face issue...personally it makes no difference to me but I could see where it might bother somebody. The Silgo stuff looks OK but if I were gonna do a tweed clone be it buying a working amp or a kit I would go with Bruce Collins at Mission Amps...again! Bruce built my 5B4 Plow Front Super and I couldn't be happier...I've had it almost a year now and it still blows me away how killer of an amp it is!

November 26th, 2006, 12:24 AM	#10 (permalink)
petebradt Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Niner Country Posts: 3,433 12 Photos	Tweed Deluxes are definitely "set and forget." Too simple to be otherwise. Volume controls and tone. that's all.

November 26th, 2006, 01:56 AM	#11 (permalink)
Jaybird Tele-Meister Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: California Posts: 199 9 Photos	http://www.stf-electronics.com/STF Electronics sells two different 5E3 Fender Tweed Deluxe kits. The Deluxe Head, which I built, is a great sounding amp and easy to build. They also sell a Tweed Deluxe Reproduction . The deluxe head cost $305 for the kit, a pretty good price. The Deluxe Reproduction $359. You can add extras if you wish(Sprague caps, CTS pots, or whatever) worth checking out. The people at STF are super friendly and helpfull, answering any questions you have promptly. __________________ Blaaaa blaaaaa, waaaaa waaaaa, razzle dazzle, do dah, zzzzzzzzzz.

November 26th, 2006, 02:16 AM	#12 (permalink)
Spiffpeters Banned TDPRI Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 40	Mission Amps puts out a very nice, very well documented kit. $755 for parts and labor, for this amp at least, seems kinda high to me. Having built Bruce's 5E3 kit as a newbie, I didn't have any problems. Good stuff.

November 26th, 2006, 02:09 PM	#13 (permalink)
eksfiles Tele-Meister Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Windsor, Ontario CANADA Posts: 148	$755 includes shipping. The amp itself is actually around $700. I don't build my own amps, and I wouldn't have the slightest clue as to how to assemble a kit. I think that Sligo seems to know what they're doing. From the limited reviews I've found, Steve Clark (owner) seems to be very helpful and easy to contact. The Mission amps look good too. But if they can't match the price, well, I'll be sticking to Sligo. Remember, he uses Weber parts, so it can't be that bad. __________________ ...a little less conversation, a little more action...

November 26th, 2006, 02:22 PM	#14 (permalink)
Jaybird Tele-Meister Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: California Posts: 199 9 Photos	STF uses Weber, mojo, and Hammond parts also . Deluxe assembled is 475, a lot less than Missiom amps, it is worth checking out. __________________ Blaaaa blaaaaa, waaaaa waaaaa, razzle dazzle, do dah, zzzzzzzzzz.