Custom 5E3 w/ Howard Dumble Mods aka Tweedle Dee 2025 - Tweed

This is a 5E3 head with modifications from OEM circuit.I’ve been repairing, designing and building amps for 40 years.  There are two known examples of Howard Dumble’s modifications to the venerable 5E3 circuit.Dumble modified a 5C3 to 5E3 with various circuit changes and added a 4th filter capacitor.  Dumble also incorporated his ideas into a custom 5E3 prototype for Fender using the original three filter capacitor scheme. The amp for sale is based on the 4 filter design and retains Dumble’s fundamental changes to the phase invertor which tightens bass and eliminates any unpleasant overdrive characteristics.  I have also added a switchable low cut filter.  This amp virtually eliminates the notorious 5E3 flubby bass.

This amp retains the Bright and Normal channel interaction which Dumble had eliminated.  As with the OEM 5E3 you can plug into the Bright channel and bleeding in the Normal volume adds bass.  The amp has three inputs: Hi-gain Bright. Hi-gain Normal.  Dual.  To access both channels at the same time you do not need a jumper cable; just plug into Dual.  Unlike using a jumper cable both channels are now high-gain.

A custom layout is used which shortens all grid wire lengths. Shielded grid leads are used internally for quiet noise floor and to eliminate possibility of parasitic oscillations. Carbon comp resisters where needed.  Heyboer transformers.  Protective diodes on the 5Y3 rectifier.  Tubes are Hewlett-Packard and Amperex 12AX7, pair of vintage RCA 6V6s and new JJ 5Y3.

If you don’t understand all the technical stuff, it doesn’t matter.  The amp sounds great, has tighter bass, more headroom and smoother distortion than a standard 5E3. Tone is organic and warm.

The cabinet is a Mojotone head (no speaker) with two coats of amber shellac and four coats of satin lacquer. The amp is also available for local pickup in the SF-Bay Area and advertised on Craigslist.

Check out Jules Leyhe at youtube. His comments:

     I can’t say enough nice things about my hand wired 5E3 amp that Rick Schiller made for me.  This has been my primary amplifier since Rick built it for me one year ago and it has gotten the job done for me every single time. I have used this amp at recording sessions, live club performances as well as performed the nation anthem at the Oakland arena. The amp has delivered in every single setting. Anyone else fortunate to have one of these amps is very lucky and I know they will enjoy the amp as I have myself. 

Jules Leyhe