Maxi Jazz's 1957 Fender Deluxe 5E3 Amp

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"As modern as tomorrow". One of the holy grail amps of the 20th century, from 1957, this Fender Deluxe 5E3. Famous in its own right, this one was also owned by multi-musician and DJ Maxi Jazz. God Is A Deluxe ;-).

Most, dare I say all of us wouldn't think guitars when we think Faithless. Turn of the century electronica, yes. Insomnia, God Is A DJ, We Come 1, the global dance hits, yes. Classic guitars, never. But dig deeper, and it turns out that Maxi Jazz, one of the mighty trio behind those hits, was as keen and talented a guitarist and collector as he was rapper, DJ, and motorsports enthusiast (yes, really!). Sadly, it took his passing in 2022, and the auction of his collection of more than 30 guitars, plus associated gear and awards, for many of us to realise quite what a player and collector he was. Check out Bonhams' Maxi Jazz Collection for some of the classic guitars and amps, both vintage and modern, that he played over the years.

Including this 1957 Fender Deluxe 5E3, one of those legendary tweed amps from the golden age of small Fender amps. Sadly, there's no particular provenance for this amp - of Maxi playing it, or of its previous owners. Intriguingly, though, it came with a handwritten tag attached to it reading "57 DELUXE + STRATOCASTER SOLD AS A PAIR". The previous lot in the auction was a 1957 Fender Stratocaster, named by Maxi as his "New York City Shirley". That Strat does have some provenance: previously owned by Willard 'Will' Snide, from new in 1957, for forty years to 1997, and played with The Melody Boys (1957-1958) and The Rockers (1958-1962, and again 1964-1970). But the provenance doesn't mention the amp, so while I'd make the confident guess that the amp was sold to Maxi paired with the Strat, it's just conjecture whether they were a pair all the way back in 1957.

I'm not even sure how much Maxi would have played this Deluxe - though you have to believe he tried it at least a few times! The only reason I say that is that it came with the original US 2-pin power cable. Which means two things: 1) it needs a voltage transformer to step down the power supply from 240V to 110V and 2), it needs to be earthed to be safely used in the UK Both things now rectified (and, yes, I've kept the original power cable!). But both things that would have made it more of an effort (and risk!) to play in the UK.

Which is a shame, because this amp absolutely sings, just as it did when shipped in 1957. The technical reasons for its unique sound and its tendency to slip into glorious warm overdrive at low volumes are well-documented by the experts, and less well-understood by most of us. But what we can all do is hear it, and then we understand. Throw away your overdrive pedals. Unless your Holy Grail is incomprehensibly crystal clear tone, this amp delivers what most of us have been looking for all our lives. This is the one.

And while I'm sure the best pairing for this amp would be that 1957 Stratocaster, I've given in and had to make do with this 1965 Fender Stratocaster . . . just about makes the grade ;-).

See & Hear It In Action

Dialing In The 5E3 Tweed Deluxe - Jay Leonard J (2022):: Presented by the super-talented, super-enthusiastic Jay Leonard J, this is without doubt the most comprehensive amp demo I have ever seen. Jay takes us through every tone combination you could hope to achieve with the Fender Deluxe 5E3, using the near-perfect clone RYRA Elegante tweed amp. And even if your interest isn't in a Deluxe 5E3, I guarantee you'll learn things about amp tones and how to achieve them that you would only otherwise find through hours of experimentation,. Unadulterated gold dust!
What Is The Tweed Sound? - Rhett Shull & Joe Bonamassa (2020): Well, there's an endorsement for you. A broader perspective, covering the history and the full range of classic Tweed amps. "We wouldn't have modern music today without these amps." A bold claim, but you'll come round to it ;-). But, when it comes down to it, of all the Fender Tweeds, Rhett's favourite is the 57 5E3 Twin Deluxe - and the one he spends the most time playing throughout the video. No question!
The Edge Signature Deluxe: Scotty Moore, Neil Young, Keith Richards, Billy Gibbons are all well-known for their love of the Deluxe, but it was U2's The Edge who got his own Signature Deluxe in 2016. And there you have it: Vertigo!

Feedback

"You have chosen . . . wisely". Be the first to take your turn with this Holy Grail amp!

Specification

Make

Fender

Model

Deluxe 5E3

Year

1957

Serial Number

D-03808

Valve/Transistor

Valve

Power

25 Watts

Speaker

Jensen Alnico 5 PM P12R

Channels

MIC

INSTR

Additional Features

2 Inputs Per Channel

Volume Control per Channel

Overall Tone Control

External Speaker Socket

Weight

11.6 kg

Accessories

Original Victoria Luggage Gray-Brown Water-Repellant Covert Cloth cover

Modern CUSTOM padded cover

Further Information:

Perhaps no surprise, but with the multiple design and ownership changes, highs and lows, changes in serial numbering conventions, and the mystical adoration that goes with the AC-30, it's quite a task to pinpoint the year and spec of an early AC-30.

I say that because, although Alan Williams bought his first AC-30 in 1968, this one has a number of features that seem to date it a little later. I wouldn't know that except for the brilliantly researched history and compendium that is The Vox Showroom. If ever you want to date or find out more about a Vox amp, there's nowhere better to start.

Some things are true to the character of those original 60s models: the valve configuration, the hand-wiring, the pair of Celestion 12" Silver Alnico speakers. Basically, a design that had been there from the heady JMI days of the early 60s and reinstated in the leaner VSEL days of the late 60s.

But there are a few features that indicate a later build date, from the Dallas Arbiter period - a time of renaissance for Vox, with a return to the designs and hand-build that had characterised those hugely-prized JMI-era amps. Geek alert, I know, but I've done the hours, and I'm damned if I'm not going to share the results . . . the distinguishing characteristics include:
- The company name "Vox Sound Limited", introduced by Dallas Arbiter when they bought Vox in 1972;
- The "D" in the serial number, commonly applied across all Dallas Arbiter builds;
- The gold VOX logo, with a single horizontal line, a restoration of the original JMI-era logo;
- The configuration of 6 narrow air-vent grills, a design modification from the mid-70s - plus the specific voltage selector design, introduced in 1975;
- And then the speakers, which are original and stamped with a date code for April 1975.

So, a 1975, built to the internal spec of those beloved JMI models. In other words, a pure gem.

And, of course, none of the geekery matters a jot when you plug in and play. This is the real deal - the British amp that led the 60s revolution and still holds the guitar gods rapt today. Pure valve warmth, crystal-clear sound fidelity, and cranked up, it absolutely cooks!

Sources & Links

Fender Catalogue (1957): If you can resist the temptation to linger over those Stratocasters, Telecasters, Esquires and Precisions, page 13 is where the action starts. All twelve of those fabled amps, including the Deluxe. It's "as modern as tomorrow and will give long-lasting satisfaction to the user." That hasn't changed. Though the same can't be said of the $129.50 price tag . . .
The Fender Deluxe 5E3, Courtesy of The Fender Guru: Quite simply the Fender Deluxe 5E3 "once and for all confirms that Leo is a God of tone and that he loves us all." Just the right level of spec and history, and a lot of love from The Fender Guru, two ampoholics sharing their wisdom!
How The Deluxe 5E3 Works - Rob Robinette: As you might have guessed, I've grown to know a bit about guitars. But beyond the basics, the internal workings of an amp are a mystery to me. So thank God for Rob Robinette who has collated the most astonishing detail behind every component of the 5E3 circuit. Surely the definitive guide!