Fender 1958 Deluxe 5E3 Tweed with Factory 1963 White Tolex Recover

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I thought I was seeing things when I stumbled into this 1958 Fender 5E3 Deluxe - a Tweed Era chassis and cab wrapped in early 60s style, rough white / blonde tolex.  

Several things about the amp show that it was sent back to Fender early in 1963 to be recovered and regrilled.  

This is how I made the determination that the work is Fender's:

The materials are all exactly as Fender used, from the grille, to the tolex, to the black staples holding the grille on the baffle.  I bought four rough-white-tolex Fender piggyback amps just before I came across this Deluxe.  The piggyback amps are 100% original.  Comparing the methods used to wrap all of the amps shows that the Deluxe was done in exactly the same way as the piggyback amps.  

There are stamps added to the chassis and the cabinet.  One of the stamps says RA0763.  The other says FEB151963.  Fender is known to have marked items returned for work with numbers to track them, most typically guitars and basses that were sent for refinishing.  Guitars are usually marked with an RR code.  It is said RR stood for Restore and Refinish.  RA is an abbreviation that manufacturers usually uses for "return authorization" when the manufacturer accepts an item from an end user or dealer for repair or replacement.  The process typically triggers a form with a record number - the "RA number".  I believe the RA stamp is most likely the RA number.  The date stamp is either the date the amp arrived at Fender or the date it left when the work was complete.

The amp clearly did not go back to Fender for work on the circuit, which was 100% original when it arrived here.  The original electrolytic caps were very much in need of replacement.  I put the new caps inside the sleeves of the originals and retained the original parts.  They will be included with the amp.  I swapped out the power cable with a gray, grounded one.

The speaker is changed to a 1960 Jensen C12R.  The cable to the speaker is changed as well, but the connector looks original.  The speaker is a perfect match for the amp.  I assume that the speaker has been reconed at some point.

The amp runs perfectly and sounds just as it should with the classic breakup you want from a Tweed Deluxe.  

The Fender Deluxe 5E3 (1958) is one of the most iconic amplifiers of all time, prized for its warm tweed-era tone, touch sensitivity, and legendary breakup. Built during Fender’s golden years, this amp delivers around 12–15 watts of power through dual 6V6 tubes, producing rich, harmonically complex overdrive at player-friendly volumes.

Known as the go-to amp for countless blues, rock, and country guitarists, the 5E3 circuit offers sparkling cleans at lower levels and smooth, compressed overdrive when pushed. Its responsive tone makes it a studio favorite and a stage companion for players who demand authentic vintage character. This 1958 example embodies everything collectors and musicians seek—historic Fender craftsmanship, classic tweed aesthetics, and the unmistakable growl that defined a generation of recordings.

At Mahar’s Vintage Guitars, every amplifier is carefully vetted, professionally photographed, and setup-ready, ensuring confidence whether you’re buying to play or collect.

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Specs

• Case/Cover?: No
• Color: White
• Dimensions: W20" x H16.25" x D9.75"
• Weight: 25lbs
• Watts: 15 Watts
• Date: 1958
• Where is Date Noted?: Serial#, Codes
• Speaker 1 Brand: Non Original Jensen Concert C12N - 1960
• Speaker 1 Size: 12"
• Speaker Code: See Pics
• Speaker 1 Cone: Reconed
• Power Transformer Brand/Codes: See Pics
• Output Transformer Brand/Codes: See Pics
• Extension Speaker Out? No
  
• Reverb or other effects?: No
• Rectifier Tube: 5Y3
• Rectifier Tube Brand: RCA
• Power Tubes: 2 x 6V6
• Power Tube Brand: Sylvania
• Preamp Tubes: 2 x 12AX7
• Preamp Tube Brand: Tung Sol, GE
• Filter Caps: Replaced, orig included
• Pedal: No
• Pots/Codes: Original
• Tolex/Tweed: 1963 White Tolex Recover by Fender
• Grille: 1963 ReGrille by Fender
• Knobs: Original
• Handle: Original
• Power Cord: Replaced with grounded, orig included
• Notes: 

Shipping policy:

When you purchase this item you are hereby agreeing to this shipping policy. We remove tubes from amps that could be damaged in shipping.  This requires the buyer to do some assembly on delivery, but we make it easy by labeling tubes and the proper installation locations, and you can always call us for some help.  We do this because we have experienced shipping issues in the past, and this is our prevention measure.  Vintage amps are sold as-is because they can need service intermittently.  Everything is tested here in our shop on the way into our inventory, and again before shipping.  We will cover shipping damage, but we cannot be responsible for the failure of vintage components in 20-to-50-plus year old amps. Shipments will require signature on delivery, no exceptions.  If there is damage, the buyer must retain all packing materials intact and picture them immediately and send them to sales@maharsvintageguitars.com.  Less than 1% of our shipments are damaged in transit, and we are committed to making sure your item arrives safely, but we are taking these additional measures to make sure you are happy with your purchase.