where to find a good tweed Champ or Deluxe clone?

[Taildragger]

I bought a new Clark Beaufort Special last year and love it to death. Have seen two really clean ones sell on eBay recently just within your price range. If I hadn't already gotten one, I'd of bought one of them in a heartbeat.

Build quality and appearance of the Beaufort is head-and-shoulders above some of the other clones I've seen.

[appar111]

Just got an email from Jim at Little Dawg. He's in the midst of moving and won't be building cabinets for a while, and will only be working on chassis (which would also have a wait time). He said he has a waiting list of about 100 (yikes!) so it's difficult to say when he'd have an amp ready for me.

I think I'll have to look at some other options.

Let's see:

Little Dawg - too long of a wait
Clark Beaufort - possible, but I'd need to get one used
Mission - too expensive if I want to get it pre-assembled
Victoria - again, expensive, not sure on the wait time.

Isn't there anything in the Tweed Deluxe, Tweed Princeton or Tweed Champ category for around $500-600 new? I may just have to keep my eyes peeled a little better for something used.

[RomanS]

Over on TheGearPage the Tweed Deluxe clones built by Sarah Richter and sold on Ebay get very good reviews (no personal experience, though).

[appar111]

Originally Posted by RomanS

Over on TheGearPage the Tweed Deluxe clones built by Sarah Richter and sold on Ebay get very good reviews (no personal experience, though).

I'll check 'em out-- thanks RomanS!

[RomanS]

Well, here's some reading material for you:

http://www.thegearpage.net/board/sho...hlight=richter

http://www.thegearpage.net/board/sho...hlight=richter

http://www.thegearpage.net/board/sho...hlight=richter

http://www.thegearpage.net/board/sho...hlight=richter

http://members.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI...sarasmiles1820

[Califiddler]

I, too, have been looking at the Tweed Deluxe clone issue. If I am reading these web pages correctly, Electrosonic Amps will build you a clone from the Weber kit for $625 (the kit itself costs $490, so they are charging $135 for the build):

http://www.electrosonicamplifiers.com/reproductions.php

Marsh will build you a clone from his own kit for $795 (the kit itself costs $624, so he is charging $171 for the build):

http://store.marshamps.com/index.php?cPath=49

These prices certainly compare favorably to the $1,800 for the Fender 57RI Tweed Deluxe.

[Taildragger]

In addition to the Clark Beaufort Special, I have a Weber 5E3-sized cab with a 5F1-sized chasis cutout. There's nothing wrong with the Weber cab, but the tweed job on the Clark is significantly superior in appearance (in case that matters to you). I haven't tried his kit or the Electrosonic-assemblied version thereof, but I have several different Weber speakers which are excellent and Ted has always given me timely answers to questions and excellent service.

Another reason (other than price) that you might want to buy a Clark used (if that's what you end up choosing) is that he also a long waiting list. If memory serves, I ordered in August and took delivery in December.

[BrianF]

Originally Posted by Califiddler

I, too, have been looking at the Tweed Deluxe clone issue. If I am reading these web pages correctly, Electrosonic Amps will build you a clone from the Weber kit for $625 (the kit itself costs $490, so they are charging $135 for the build):

http://www.electrosonicamplifiers.com/reproductions.php

Marsh will build you a clone from his own kit for $795 (the kit itself costs $624, so he is charging $171 for the build):

http://store.marshamps.com/index.php?cPath=49

These prices certainly compare favorably to the $1,800 for the Fender 57RI Tweed Deluxe.

With the amount of labor involved in building an amp...either one of those prices are a great deal. Figure 16 hours? to build one....thats slightly higher than $10 / hr.

[xStonr]

Have you checked out ceriatone.com. They offer kits or will build them for you at reasonable prices. The folks over on the TGP seem to like them a lot.

[petebradt]

www.hullettamps.com

[nonvintage]

FWIW: fenderforum.com classifieds has a used one for sale.

[appar111]

Originally Posted by nonvintage

FWIW: fenderforum.com classifieds has a used one for sale.

Cool, I'll check it out!

thanks!
J.

[JoePops22]

Originally Posted by CancerLeoCam

Hmm, maybe. Some may think you're a shill for his company. Watch out.

No, just a very satisfied customer. I've had my Champster Special for almost a year now (only had to wait 4 months back then) and couldn't be happier.

The one year waiting list is a testament in itself regarding Jim and his Tweed amps. There are many excellent Tweed options out there (pretty basic circuitry) so I don't think one can go wrong with any of the other companies.

[Durtdog]

Quick thread highack--
I've been on Jim's Lil' Dawg waiting list since Nov. '06.

Have recently emailed him and have gotten no response. Anyone heard anything from him? Is he ok?

[appar111]

I just got an email from him yesterday. He's fine, just in the midst of moving, so me may not have had a chance to get back w/ you.

[maestrovert]

both kits & turn-key amps are available from:
www.stf-electronics.com
i have one of their 5E3 Deluxe heads that i'm quite pleased with !

[appar111]

Originally Posted by maestrovert

both kits & turn-key amps are available from:
www.stf-electronics.com
i have one of their 5E3 Deluxe heads that i'm quite pleased with !

For the price, there might be other options that look a little better. The red silkscreening and red chickenhead knobs on a tweed amp just don't match--- uuuugly.

[appar111]

Originally Posted by Califiddler

I, too, have been looking at the Tweed Deluxe clone issue. If I am reading these web pages correctly, Electrosonic Amps will build you a clone from the Weber kit for $625 (the kit itself costs $490, so they are charging $135 for the build):

http://www.electrosonicamplifiers.com/reproductions.php

Marsh will build you a clone from his own kit for $795 (the kit itself costs $624, so he is charging $171 for the build):

http://store.marshamps.com/index.php?cPath=49

These prices certainly compare favorably to the $1,800 for the Fender 57RI Tweed Deluxe.

Califiddler-
I must have completely missed this post! Electrosonic has some great prices for their built amps and alot of options.

The Marsh stuff looks great too. The tweed Princeton is looking quite tasty.

thanks for the links!

[teletard]

i have recently discovered swart amps. they are very special. there is a smaller one that is suitable for gigging if you mic it. for 799.99 5 watts sound samples galore on the home page. there is a bigger brother, 1775.00 which is a 20 watt 2 x 6v6 which is like a princeton reverb combined with a tweed. it kills. i am trying to sell my 65 all original blackface princeton reverb to obtain one.

[Natstrat79]

While they may still need a little work from a competent tech to make them completely functional there are a few vintage amps that will get you into tweed deluxe territory for under 1000.

Gibson GA-6, GA-20, and GA-18t are all in the tweed deluxe vein.
Ampeg Rocket, Mercury, and Jet, the early ones with 6v6's and 6sl7's
Silvertone 1482 not as close as the others and the construction quality isnt on the same level but they can be picked up on ebay for cheap.

Put in a new speaker some new tubes and a tune up from your tech and these amps will roar.