Critique of New Fender '57 Deluxe?

[ArtB]

Has anyone out there test driven and/or popped the hood of Fender's "authentic recreation" of a '57 Deluxe? Care to share your opinion? At $1,900 a copy, it makes the build-a-kit-yourself option look pretty good. But I was wondering what folks who are familiar with building 5E3 kits and have seen this Fender Custom Shop offering think.

OK - I now found comparison pics in "5E3" sub-forum - sorry for not checking previous posts more thoroughly, but I thought that the new Fender was brand new. Also saw HCentral reviews.

So I guess my question's been answered, but would still take any observations anyone wants to share (about the amp, not about my research skills).

[Bruce / Mission Amps]

I think they sound very good.
They use good parts and transformers, correct rectifier, nice cabinet (kind of cheap looking finish in them) ...but not worth the selling price of $1800 to $1900 ... especially when there are so many handmade 5E3 type amps out there that sound at least as good and for under $1100.00.

[Bruce / Mission Amps]

Ooops ... double reply

[richon]

I builded a Clone (no kit) with excelent results and i didn't spend more than 400-450 US$

[Chris - CMW amps]

It's not very reasonable imho to compare products (also without even noticing different brands of parts so different parts-costs) with different points of sales;

- retail (incl. taxes for builder and shop who both have to make a living) + warranty
- factory-direct (incl. taxes for the builder who als has to make a living) + warranty
- self built kit in (your) spare time + no or less warranty

But it's way cool to build your own amp if possible

[richon]

It's not very reasonable imho to compare products (also without even noticing different brands of parts so different parts-costs) with different points of sales

You're right but i didn't want to compare KITS with known "BRANDS" or with anything, just wanted to point the other example of people who don't live in the states or in places where you can buy kits, or brands at a affordable cost.

This is why here (in my country) some dudes build their amps in a OLDFASHIONED way, only importing : tubes, OTs, and Caps.

I've never ment to say some brands or kits are overpriced there..... sadly "here" this is not affordable.

[Rick Erickson]

The new Made in Italy Jensen P-12Q speaker is horrible sounding. No Bass response and the overall volume (efficiency) is about half of my original frame, reconed (with the correct parts) P-12Q. Add to that; the amp in it's released from the factory form, when viewed with an oscilloscope into a non-inductive resistor load, has a very distorted, weak, unbalanced output, not like the original at all. I have owned an original 5E3 and currently have an original 5C3 and both stomp all over the re-issue. Not that that makes it a bad amp necessarily, but it's a mere shadow of what it should be.

RE

[Bruce / Mission Amps]

With all due respect, I think, "The new Made in Italy Jensen P-12Q speaker is horrible sounding." is a real stretch Rick.
Yes, they don't have the right paper, nor the classic sound of a late 50's P12Q... and they are not as efficient, but they still sound pretty good.
However, at an absurd list price of close to $2600.00 (around $1800.00 usd on the street)... even with the ubiquitous and grossly overpriced Mercury Magnetic trannys, it really is way too much for that amp.
A great speaker in the amp is a Celestion Alnico Blue.

[Rick Erickson]

With all due respect, I think, "The new Made in Italy Jensen P-12Q speaker is horrible sounding." is a real stretch Rick.

Well then, let me put it this way: if you don't know what a real one should sound like than I suppose it's a fine sounding speaker. It does make a sound - just not a very pleasant one to my ears. Even after having the RI Italian P-12Q reconed with the correct kit, it came closer to the tone but still not the efficiency of an original.

RE