Fender Pro-Amp 5B5 Tweed 1953 Mint with Original Cover

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This 1953 Fender Pro-Amp 5B5 Tweed is a museum-grade example of one of the most important amplifiers in Fender’s early history. Fully original, mint condition, and complete with its original canvas cover, this Pro-Amp represents the golden age of hand-wired tube tone. With its 15-inch Jensen speaker and classic tweed covering, the 5B5 delivers the warm, rich cleans and smooth overdrive that defined the sound of 1950s electric guitar.

The Fender Pro-Amp was among Leo Fender’s first professional-grade amplifiers, introduced in the late 1940s and refined through the early 1950s. The 5B5 version marked a turning point in Fender’s evolution toward higher headroom and cleaner output, influencing the later 5E5 and Pro-Amp circuits used by countless session musicians and early rock pioneers. Finding a mint, original 1953 example like this—complete with its cover—is nearly impossible today.

Powered by a pair of 6L6 tubes, the 5B5 circuit produces approximately 25 watts of beautifully dynamic tone—responsive, harmonically rich, and touch-sensitive. The early cathode-biased design gives it a slightly compressed, musical breakup ideal for vintage blues, country, and early rock ’n’ roll tones.

When the amp arrived here, every component remains original, including transformers, capacitors, and speaker, all in remarkable condition for a 70-year-old amplifier.  I've been listing the original tweed amps that I find in their fully original state, including in the descriptions an offer to service the amps and add a grounded power cable prior to shipping.  Everyone takes me up on that offer, so I went ahead and did the work on this one prior to listing.  This helped me make sure that I nailed everything that is needed to make the amp reliable and useful for the next owner without running into something that would delay shipment.

All the electrolytic caps were changed out - the originals were definitely done!  I hid the new caps inside the cardboard sleeves from the originals.  Yellow Astron caps are notorious for leaking voltage, which proved true here - five required replacement.  All the original parts will be included with the amp. 

The insulation jacket on the original power cable was crumbling in my hands when I removed it, so I tossed that.  I replaced it with a gray, grounded cable, which I think looks a lot better than a modern-looking black cable.  I usually land the power cable on an added lug under one of the power transformer mounting bolts.  This early amp has the power transformer mounted with sheet metal screws, which is pretty surprising given the size and weight of the transformer.  I changed two of the screws out for machine bolts (flathead to match the aesthetic) to add a ground point and secure the power transformer.

I added a couple NOS preamp tubes to replace existing tubes that were extremely microphonic - they were useless.  The rest of the tubes checked out.  Lastly, the pots and tube sockets got a proper cleaning.

This amp now rips!  The original speaker's original cone sounds solid.  The chassis is as clean as they come.  The masking tape, signed by Lily, is still present inside the chassis.  The grillecloth is remarkably clean and tight.  The original handle is there too!   

This is one of the cleanest surviving examples of an early-’50s Pro-Amp—perfect for serious collectors and tone purists.

At Mahar’s Vintage Guitars, all amps are verified, tested, and documented with care. We buy, sell, and accept trades on vintage Fender amplifiers and rare tube gear.

Explore our Fender Amplifiers Collection, Vintage Fender Guitars, or Sell or Trade Your Gear page.

• Case/Cover?: Original
• Color: Tweed 
• Dimensions: H20-1/4" x W22" x D9"
• Weight: 40lbs 
• Watts: 18 Watts
• Date: 1953
• Where is Date Noted?: Serial#, Codes
• Speaker 1 Brand: Jensen P15N
• Speaker 1 Size: 15"
• Speaker Code: See Pics
• Speaker 1 Cone: Original
• Power Transformer Brand/Codes: See Pics
• Output Transformer Brand/Codes: See Pics 
• Extension Speaker Out? Yes
  
• Reverb or other effects?: No
• Rectifier Tube: 5U4
• Rectifier Tube Brand: Sylvania
• Power Tubes: 2 x 6L6
• Power Tube Brand: Sylvania
• Preamp Tubes: 3 x 6SC7
• Preamp Tube Brand: GE
• Filter Caps: Replaced, originals included
• Pedal: No
• Pots/Codes: Original
• Tolex/Tweed: Original
• Grille: Original
• Knobs: Original
• Handle: Original
• Power Cord: Replaced / Grounded
• Notes: Wired by Lilly, masking tape intact!

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.  These cases require the buyer to re-install them on delivery - it is very easy with this amp, and we label them so you know exactly where to put them.  We remove the chassis of amps with heavy transformers and ship them separately as their weight can distort the chassis if the box is dropped in shipping.  These cases require customers to reassemble amps.  It also costs us more.  The shipping cost is higher as a result.  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.