UralTone 5E3 Tweed Deluxe KIT

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

The sound is full of naturalness, but also character. The circuit has been modified by many manufacturers, but the original sounds so good that it does not require major modifications. A 5E3-style amplifier with very linear breakup also teaches the player to shape the tone more with playing dynamics and the guitar’s volume control. Traditional 1950s circuits faithfully reproduce what they are told and do not smooth the player’s nuances into an even blanket of sound. Highly recommended!

The UralTone 5E3 original version has been sold in very large numbers. This version is an authentic copy of the original without adding or removing anything. If you are looking for a slightly more versatile amplifier, we recommend the improved 2.0 version.

Features

• Approximately 10 W output power
• Authentic copy of the original Fender 5E3 Tweed Deluxe amplifier
• Linearly overdriving tube amplifier
• Hammond output transformer and UT Custom power transformer
• F+T, Mallory or TAD capacitors
• Switchcraft connectors
• Cloth-covered wires
• Japanese carbon composition resistors
• Not a cheap kit assembled from Chinese parts
• Also suitable for beginners
• Build time approximately 1 day for experienced builders, 1–3 days for hobbyists
• Optional Jupiter RED and Philips NOS Chicklet Low Cut capacitor upgrades

Build Instructions

Instructions for building the kit can be found here:

https://en.uraltone.com/blog/uraltone-5e3-tweed-deluxe-kit/

The instruction page also includes downloadable layout images, parts lists and other necessary documents. Wiring diagrams may in some cases be delivered separately.

Browse through the instructions beforehand so you can see what the building process is 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 the necessary parts for building the amplifier. Does not include speaker, speaker cable or wooden cabinet.

Links to related products

Speakers
Capacitor upgrade kits
Wooden cabinets

Who is this kit suitable for?

For anyone interested in tube amplifier building and great vintage guitar tones. The kit is also suitable for beginners. The important thing is to reserve enough time for concentration and to relax into the process. A cup of coffee or tea helps. The UralTone 5E3 version 2.0 is slightly easier to build than this version, so we recommend it for complete beginners.

How quickly can the 5E3 be built?

An experienced builder can assemble the amplifier in one 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 rule of the 5E3: the amplifier has somewhat excessive low end and the bass response is generally fairly loose. If you use the amplifier with a speaker that has a large low end, the sound will no longer be balanced. The original P12Q (or WGS G12Q) sounds somewhat “thin,” meaning it cuts excessive bass. So if you use more modern speakers, it is a good idea to choose the “low cut” capacitor set, replacing the 100 nF coupling capacitors with smaller ones (10–47 nF).

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

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

Not necessarily. However, we do offer capacitor upgrade packages based on builders’ requests.

Jupiter RED capacitors are available as replacements for the standard capacitors. The included capacitors are high quality, but Jupiter RED capacitors are the closest modern capacitors to the original Astrons capacitors. It is difficult to describe capacitor sound, but many professionals consider these the best sounding. Blind tests have also favored them. We will not comment further – the choice is yours.

Also available is the Philips NOS Chicklet Low Cut capacitor set, which slightly reduces and tightens the bass response. We recommend it if you use a fuller-sounding speaker. Philips Chicklet capacitors are known for their high quality and are becoming extremely rare, as production ended a long time ago. A fine vintage choice!

Wooden cabinet?

We sell ready-made cabinets from several quality manufacturers.

You can also easily build a cabinet yourself, but not everyone has the necessary space or tools. In that case, ready-made cabinets are the solution. It is also worth asking small woodworking shops if you want a more unique cabinet.

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

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

In particular, the soldering station and solder must be good enough to ensure proper solder joints. Always buy your soldering station from a knowledgeable electronics retailer that can recommend the right type specifically for this work.

We have assembled a beginner’s tool kit that makes building easy and will take you far in the hobby. You can choose the tools you want from the package:

TOOL KIT FOR BUILDING AUDIO EQUIPMENTS

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, feel free to contact us and we will see whether it is good enough to get started!

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

If built according to the instructions, the device will work. Therefore always read the instructions carefully. In problem situations, read this article and follow its instructions:

DIY tube amplifier troubleshooting

If something still concerns you, 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 behind our phone numbers.

What if I still cannot get the device working despite support?

We always aim for builders to solve problems independently with our guidance and the help of the instructions. But if the amplifier still does not work despite our guidance, our service department will help at a reasonable cost.

End result?

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

The quality and construction of our kit components 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 costs in the wrong places, but always choose the best possible parts to achieve the best possible tone and durability. This does not always mean the most expensive component, but rather careful design and correct component selection. As a major component retailer, we know which components last and which ones come back. We monitor the market closely and update parts when necessary.

WARNING: Building guitar equipment is highly addictive!

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