Fender Pro Amp 5D5 Tweed 1954 12AX7 Preamp vs Earlier Octal Preamp

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You really have to see the demo video of this amp - scroll to the last picture in this listing to see it.

This is a 1954 Fender Pro 5D5 (labeled internally as a 5C5)— an 18-watt, 1x15" tweed combo that represents one of the most tonally commanding amplifiers Fender produced in the pre-CBS era. The wide-panel 5D5 circuit, driving a 15" Jensen P15N through a Triad output transformer, produces a wide, deep, room-filling sound with a generous clean headroom that gives way to a smooth, warm breakup under pressure. Overall cosmetic condition is excellent: the pine cabinet and baffle are intact, and the tweed covering is original.

The Pro occupied a position above the Deluxe and Bandmaster in Fender's 1950s lineup, distinguished by its 15" speaker and correspondingly full low-end response. The 5D5 circuit, used from 1954 into 1955, is the wide-panel version of the Pro — named for the wider control panel introduced after the TV-front era. These amps were designed for working musicians who needed to fill a room without a PA.. Original wide-panel tweed Pros are increasingly difficult to find in this condition, and the 5C5 specifically is considered a significant circuit variant among collectors and serious players.

The cabinet and baffle are pine, original, and in excellent condition with no repairs or changes. The chassis has been altered to fit a vintage replacement power transformer. The Triad output transformer (code 1846) is original to the amp. Potentiometers are original. The Jensen P15N speaker is a 15" unit with manufacturer code 202 — it has been reconed but is otherwise correct for the amp. The rectifier is a Phillips 5U4GB/5AS4A; power tubes are JJ 6L6s; preamp complement is one 12AX7 and two 12AY7s with RCA and similar branded tubes. All the tubes were tested to make sure they're good to go.

Filter caps have been replaced and the amp has been fully serviced here in our shop. The power cable was upgraded to a grounded three-prong prior to the amp's arrival here — a standard and sensible safety modification on any amp of this age. The handle is a replacement.  We had to go through this one pretty completely.  Someone did work prior that was taken from the 5C5 schematic, not noticing that the circuit inside was different.  It now runs beautifully.

Weight is 36 lbs 5.5 oz. Dimensions are 22" W × 20" H × 10.25" D. 

SPECIFICATIONS

• Date: 1954
• Where Is Date Noted?: serial#, codes
• Weight: 36lbs 5.5oz
• Dimensions: 22" W × 20" H × 10.25" D
• Watts: 18 watts
• Case/Cover?: no
• Covering Material: tweed
• Covering Color: tweed
• Covering Original?: yes
• Cabinet Material: pine
• Cabinet Condition: excellent
• Cabinet Repairs/Changes: none
• Cabinet Original?: yes
• Grille style: brown cloth
• Grille Condition: excellent
• Grille Original?: yes
• Baffle Material: pine
• Baffle Condition: excellent
• Baffle Original?: yes
• Baffle Repairs/Changes: none
• Chassis Material: sheet metal
• Chassis Condition: Good
• Chassis Original?: yes
• Chassis Repairs/Changes: altered to accommodate changed power transformer
• Knobs Original?: yes
• Handle material: leather
• Handle Original?: no
• Speaker 1 Brand: Jensen P15N
• Speaker 1 Size: 15"
• Speaker 1 Manufacturer Code: 202
• Speaker 1 Cone Code: P15N
• Speaker 1 Condition: excellent
• Power Transformer Manufacturer: Universal Power Transformer
• Power Transformer Manufacturer Code: UPT
• Power Transformer Date Code: 3
• Power Transformer Original?: No
• Output Transformer Manufacturer: Triad
• Output Transformer Manufacturer Code: 1846
• Output Transformer Original?: yes
• Reverb Onboard: no
• Tremolo Or Vibrato Onboard: no
• Rectifier Tube: 5U4GB/5AS4A
• Rectifier Tube Brand: Phillips
• Power Tubes: 2 x 6L6
• Power Tube Brand: JJ
• Preamp Tubes: 12AX7, 2 x 12AY7
• Preamp Tube Brand: RCA, etc
• Potentiometers Original?: yes
• Filter Caps: replaced
• Internal Repairs: serviced throughout
• Power Cable: grounded upgrade
• Accessories Included: none
• Documentation: none
• Speaker Cone Original?: no, reconed
  
• Smells?: None

Excerpts from real online end-user reviews:

"Well-built and designed simply, it is difficult to exaggerate the tonal properties of this robust, historic amplifier." - Reverb user review
"A clean original Tweed Pro, goes from clean to smooth and warm breakup to aggressive breakup." - Garrett Park Guitars
"It's got a great open tone!" - Reverb listing description
"It was the best amp I've ever played. The distortion was incredible." - Reddit / r/GuitarAmps

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By completing your purchase you are agreeing to this shipping policy. Shipments require signature on delivery, no exceptions. Less than 1% of our shipments are damaged in transit, and we are committed to making sure your item arrives safely. If there is damage, retain all packing materials intact, photograph them immediately, and send the photos to sales@maharsvintageguitars.com.

Amplifiers: We take additional precautions to prevent common shipping damage. Depending on the amp, this may include removing tubes, pulling the chassis from the cabinet if heavy transformers present a drop risk, or removing heavy speakers that could crack baffles in transit. Reassembly is required on delivery — we label everything clearly. These measures add to shipping costs but reflect hard-won experience. Vintage amplifiers (20 years or older) are sold as-is — all amps are tested in our shop upon intake and again before shipping. We cover shipping damage but cannot be responsible for the failure of vintage components in instruments that are 20 to 50-plus years old.