UralTone 5E3 tweed deluxe tube amp kit v2.0

5E3 Tweed Deluxe is perhaps the most legendary guitar amplifier of all time. Its popularity only seems to grow year after year as players once again want easy-to-use, naturally sounding amplifiers whose tone can be flavored with pedals when needed. Around ten watts is perfectly sufficient for gigs, yet it will not break your ears at home or in studio use either.

The sound has loads of natural character, but also personality. The circuit has been modified by many manufacturers, but the original sounds so good that it does not require major modifications. A 5E3-type amplifier with very linear overdrive also teaches the player to control the tone more through playing dynamics and the guitar’s volume control. Traditional 1950s circuits reproduce exactly what they are told and do not flatten the player's nuances into a uniform wall of sound. We highly recommend it!

Features

• Approximately 10-watt Tweed Deluxe style tube amplifier
• Headroom control for power and overdrive management
• Impedance selector for extension cabinets and different speaker impedances
• Eyelet-type circuit board for easier assembly
• Hammond output transformer
• UT Custom power transformer
• High-quality branded switches
• F+T, Sprague Atom, Mallory or TAD capacitors
• Switchcraft connectors
• Japanese carbon composition resistors
• Tube Amp Doctor tubes or equivalent quality alternatives
• Not a cheap kit assembled from Chinese parts
• Suitable also for beginners
• Assembly time approximately 1 day for experienced builders, 1–3 days for hobbyists

Kit instructions

Assembly instructions for the kit can be found here:

https://en.uraltone.com/blog/tweed-deluxe-5e3-2-0-build-guide/

You can also download the layout image, parts list, and other required documents from the instruction page. A wiring diagram is supplied separately in some cases.

Browse through the instructions beforehand so you can see what the building process looks like and what kind of guidance is available. The parts list shows the components included in the kit at the time of sale.

We do not include printed instructions with the package.

What does the UralTone 5E3 Tweed Deluxe kit include?

The price includes all necessary parts for building the amplifier. Does not include a speaker, speaker cable, or wooden cabinet.

Links to related products

Head or combo cabinets
Capacitor upgrade kits
Speakers

Who is this kit suitable for?

For anyone interested in tube amplifier building and great traditional guitar tones. The kit is also suitable for beginners. It is important to reserve enough uninterrupted time for the build process. A cup of coffee or tea helps. Especially the 2.0 version is easy to assemble, making this project suitable for builders of many skill levels.

How quickly can the 5E3 be built?

An experienced builder can assemble the amplifier in a day. Hobbyists typically take 1–3 days.

Speaker choice?

The P12Q Jensen is closest to the original, while newer AlNiCo Jensens are even better.

When choosing a speaker, remember the basic 5E3 rule: the amplifier has somewhat excessive low end and the bass response is generally rather loose. If you use the amplifier with a speaker that has a large low-end response, the tone will no longer be balanced. The original P12Q (or WGS G12Q) sounds relatively “thin,” meaning it cuts excessive bass frequencies. Therefore, if you use more modern speakers, it is a good idea to choose the “low cut” capacitor set, replacing the 100nF coupling capacitors with smaller ones (10–47nF).

The recommendation is therefore to choose a speaker with tight and moderate bass response.

Mods and upgrade packages – wasn’t this supposed to stay unmodified?

Not necessarily. The included capacitors are high quality, but we still offer capacitor upgrade packages based on customer requests.

Jupiter RED capacitors are the closest modern capacitors to the original Astrons capacitors. It is difficult to describe capacitor tone, but many professionals consider these the best sounding. Blind tests have also often favored these. Beyond that, we will not take a stance – the choice is yours.

Also available is the Philips NOS Chicklet Low Cut capacitor set, which helps reduce and tighten the low end slightly. Recommended if you use a fuller-sounding speaker. Philips Chicklet capacitors are known for excellent quality and are becoming very rare since production ended a long time ago. A fine vintage choice!

Vitamin Q PIO NOS capacitors have surprised users positively in testing. Definitely a worthwhile upgrade to try.

Wooden cabinet?

We sell ready-made cabinets from several quality manufacturers. It is also easy to build one yourself, but not everyone has the required facilities or tools. In those cases, ready-made cabinets are the solution. It is also worth asking small woodworking companies if you want a more unique cabinet.

What kind of tools do you need to build this kit?

Basic tools are sufficient, but especially beginners should invest in reasonable quality tools.

Especially the soldering station and solder must be good enough to ensure quality solder joints. Always buy a soldering station from a proper electronics retailer that can help you choose the right one for this type of work.

We have assembled a tool kit for beginners that makes building easy and gets you far in the hobby. You can choose the tools you need from the package:

BEGINNER'S SOLDERING TOOL KIT

In addition to this, you basically only need screwdrivers. If you are unsure whether your current soldering station (perhaps inherited from your grandfather) is sufficient, send us a message and we will see if it is good enough to get started!

How can I get support if I have questions I cannot find answers to?

A properly assembled device works according to the instructions. Therefore, always read the instructions carefully. In problem situations, read this article and follow its advice:

DIY Tube Amplifier Troubleshooting

If something is still unclear, you can contact us by email. Unlimited technical support by email is always included in the price. Please note that we cannot provide support by phone or in-store, because our technical support staff do not work in the store or answer our phone numbers.

Final result?

You will get a fantastic sounding boutique amplifier that will last at least the next 100 years at a truly affordable price. For only a fraction of the cost of the cheapest proper tube amplifiers, less than half the price of robot-assembled failure-prone Chinese amplifiers, and even less than the combined retail price of the components included in the kit.

The quality and construction of our kits match the quality of the most expensive boutique amplifiers. Not mass-produced reissues or clones. We want to focus on quality and make our kits the best in the world! We do not cut corners but always choose the best possible parts for achieving the best possible sound and durability. This does not always mean the most expensive component, but rather careful design and the correct component choices. As a major component retailer, we know which components last and which ones come back as returns. We closely follow the market and update parts when necessary.

WARNING: Building guitar equipment is highly addictive!

NOTE: The kit contents may differ from the components shown in model photos, instruction images, or listed in the parts list due to component availability.