Up for sale, a 1954 Fender Deluxe in excellent condition and in perfect working order, outfitted with a full vintage tube set. The precursor to the narrow panel 5E3 circuit (released in 1955), this very late ‘54 5D3 "wide panel" Deluxe has a notably similar tonal flavor to the better known 5E3 variant. Incredibly dynamic and harmonically rich, the Deluxe can be glassy and clear at low volumes, but for most players the magic is in this amp's overdrive capabilities. Especially when connecting the two channels on the three input circuit with a small jumper 1/4" cable, the interactive pair of Volume controls can dial in everything from fully saturated roar and snarl, to the particular sweet buzzy qualities with ideal midrange bite. This amp reacts well to a host of effects pedals, but truly shines with the guitar plugged straight into the amp, using your volume knob to coax clean rhythm tones and singing leads with the twist of a knob.

The circuit retains the original Triad power transformer, with a replacement vintage-spec Hammond output transformer, and the chrome-plated chassis is quite clean. The preamp has been recapped with replica “dynamite” caps that mimic the tonal qualities of the original Astrons, retaining the stock Stackpole pots (with visible date codes from the 49th week of '54) and carbon comp resistors. The power supply has been cleanly recapped, along with the electrolytics in the preamp, with the new caps sleeved in the original Astron Minimite wrappers. The power cable has also been upgraded to a modern three-prong. Power tubes comprise a matched pair of properly biased RCA 6V6GTs, along with a vintage GE 5Y3 GT rectifier, and a matched pair of Amperex 12AX7 preamp valves.

The speaker is the original Jensen P12R alnico 12" driver with a clean dark green frame. This speaker dates to the 46th week of '54 and retains the original speaker harness with cloth covered wire and stock 1/4" input as well. The other most pertinent date code is the "DL" stamp on the very clean tube chart, which translates to December of '54.

The chrome on the chassis is quite clean, although much of the white silkscreened text has been worn away over the years, and the stock chicken head knobs are all present. The original tweed has ambered, with a few bald corners and various scuffs and marks. Both back panels are original, as is the grillcloth, and the leather handle has been replaced with a premium replica.