January 2026: Neil Young 'Spec' Deluxe

Happy New Year! This latest build is a custom-order based on Neil Young's Deluxe using a custom output transformer, RecPro capacitors, NOS sockets and resistors, new production 6L6 based tube set, and a super-clean 1964 Jensen C12N rebuilt by Rondo using a special cone and coil. Cab has a relic treatment and includes a premium "English bridle" leather handle. Looks great, sounds great. Also, it's louder than a stock 5E3 with about 23 watts RMS output. Just a beautiful (heirloom worthy) amplifier.

Please feel free to contact me (Rondo) if you are interested in a custom build of any type.

December 2025: New Studio Track: Cool Moe Dee

This is a brief Head-Solo-Head format 'Modal Blues' track in the spirit of the Cool Jazz/Hard Bop era of the '60s. Basically a straight up 5 piece instrumental featuring dual Les Pauls playing harmony in the head sections and a single Les Paul on the solo section. (There's also a funky rhythm Strat in the B section of the solo.) All guitars are straight in to a Speed Shop 5E3 'E' Series Combo with a B12Q speaker. Single 57 on the dustcap and a bit of reverb in the mix. I was going for a tight Eagles (Long Run) dual guitar vibe in the head sections, and a Don Felder-ish lead tone in the solo. Solo influences are Leslie West, Clapton and Felder. Alternate video showing Cubase sequence available here.

December 2025: Premium English Leather Handles!

Now optional on all custom-cab orders, the finest full-grain English bridle leather handles. These beauties are the best on the planet. Super strong, yet flexible with great dimensions; and they'll also break-in nicely while developing a beautiful patina with regular use. As easy on the hand as they are on the eyes. Why go to such extravagant lengths? Because these special amps deserve the finest appointments, of course... and anything less would be uncivilized!

(P2P 'Relic' combo with lightly distressed handle, pictured.)

Speed Shop Combo Cabinets.

November 2025: Vintage Amp Service

1964 Fender Princeton Reverb and 1964 Fender Mustang. Pre-CBS, all-original, pair of beautiful instruments from Fender's golden era. Brought in for service by the original owner! The Mustang is Daphne Blue with a Brazilian rosewood fretboard and flame maple neck. Great tone and feel, while the tremolo stays in tune very well. Very cool guitar. The Princeton needed a few caps and a couple of tubes (NOS of course), a 3-prong cord, and some general maintenance (pot cleaning). Truly a great amp!

Speed Shop Vintage Amp Service.

October 2025 - Tweed Deluxe Speed Shop: 2025 Update!

Rondo explains what's new at the Tweed Deluxe Speed Shop for 2025. Including recent 5E3 amp revisions, A12Q/B12Q/A10Q speakers, TD58OT output transformer, RPA 'Hybrid' capacitors, custom cabs and chassis, L-pad attenuator, and more.

September 2025: Speed Shop 'Neil Young' Spec 5E3-6L6

Chassis builds pictured here are in testing before installation into their cabinets. Among them is a Neil Young spec model which is a very cool amp. Louder than your average 15 watt 6V6 Deluxe with 6L6 power for about 23 watts RMS output. Very smooth saturated leads and tight rhythm tones. Punchy with a warm top end. Neil Young (Larry Cragg) spec 5E3s are available... feel free to contact me for more info.

June 2025: Rondo Demos a New 5E3 With Some Clapton-esque Blues

Speed Shop 5E3 w / Custom 5D3 Cab / B12Q Speaker. Gibson Custom Shop '60RI w / Wizz PAFs. No Pedals. No Processing. Raw Audio.

June 2025: Speed Shop 5E3/5D3 Combo

Very cool combo. The mid-fifties 5D3 wide-panel cab is a little smaller than the late-fifties 5E3 narrow-panel, and also has a different baffle arrangement. 5E3 chassis bolts right in. This one is a Base Combo build with TD58OT and a B12Q speaker. Also has the GT Mod. A little gem.

Tweed Deluxe Speed Shop Base 5E3 Combo