Frenzel FM-5E3 DELUXE PLUS

The amp comes with the following features:
Two different inputs with separate gain controls; one F input (for more Fender 5F6 smooth sounds) and one M input (with more focus on the high mid frequencies), a 3 band EQ section (bass, middle and treble), one presence control with a no-negative feedback switch (to get less compression and more open sound) and a Master control. The amp is also equipped with a Line out with a Line out level that one for example can use to plug in to a computer for silent recording (if no speaker is connected an internal load is activated so no need for a attenuator, i.e you can crank up the pre amp and/or the power amp sections and just adjusting output levels with the Line out level)
The amp comes with 3x 12AX7, 2x 6L6 and one 5U4 rectifier tube but it is possible to change for 12AT7's or 12AU7's in the pre amp and KT66, KT88, 6550, 5881 and EL34 tubes in the power amp (without adjusting bias!). It is a 25 W amp (but it's really loud!!) All in all, I find this amp to be extremely versatile and with all this flexibility it is easy to get exactly the tones you want.
For some bucks extra you can also get an effects loop and a bias selector switch added to the amp.

This is simple. I have never heard a better sounding amp, period. I have mainly played Fenders (deluxe reverb, hot rod deluxe, vibrolux, ect) but my latest amp was a peavey classic 30 (which I never got along with). When I first plugged in to the Frenzel it was like a revelation: The tones were so smooth but still every not was heard in great detail. This was the sound I had been looking for. The distortion is is very smooth too, no grainy barb wire distortion which you find in so many amps on the market today. This is how a tube amp should sound like! Although one gets quite some distortion when fully cranked (think Neil Young solos) this is not an amp for the metal person, this is a retro sounding amp (blues, jazz and rock) but with more features and versatility than the standard retro amp. I love the sounds from both inputs (F and M) and I am using an AB/Y pedal to switch between both inputs or playing both at the same time!
The amp is very silent too.
I have found the sound I have been looking for and I will never buy another amp than a Frenzel, that's how good I think this thing sounds.

No problems whatsoever so far. The amp is hand built with point-to-point wiring, I had a look inside and it is a piece of art. Looks really well built and solid.

This is another reason for me to stick with Frenzel amps from now on. Jim Frenzel gives the best customer support you can get! He replies to emails very promptly and takes time to answer questions (and I have asked a lot of (stupid) questions)in a very informative, helpful and friendly way. Best service I have ever got (for any product)! Thanks Jim!

I have been playing for about 20 years and I have tried quite some gear over the years. Never have I came across a product of this value though. It sounds very "high end" and costs much less than something that would be able to match it in terms of sound quality and versatility. I have found my tonal "home" in this amp and I will make sure that I have one around for as long as I am playing music.

May 2008 build.
See Frenzeltubeamps.com for specs
Upgraded Hammond output trannie.
No effects loop. 4/8/16ohm switch.
I forgot to ask Jim to add a headphone jack. I'm sure he'd do it if only I could bear to part with it long enough for him to do it.
Bedroom practice and small gigs but mike it into the PA for larger venues and I'd have no concerns.

Use Fender American Strat, Les Paul Standard, Carvin DC127M, Schecter c-1 Special w/P90s.
Great response to pick attack and all types pickups.
Loves pedals. Quiet.
Great clean XLNT crunch.
Play covers + originals.

Brand New

Couldn't find a more helpful or friendly guy.
I emailed Jim with my equipment list and style of music and low powered light weight amp desries and he led me to this amp and I'm happy!
Great customer service.

Playing off and on since '64. Go ahead and buy those old oops "vintage" amps if you want I'll take this one.
Especially since I played those vintage amps when they were new state of the art techno.

I also use Rivera Amps and this fits right into the mix.
Metal Heads need not apply.

True point-to-point wiring.
Dual channels with Fender & Marshall voicing.
5F6 Presence control with "Edge" switch.
Variable speaker impedance (4-16 ohms).
Fixed or Cathode Bias switching.
Can run power tubes from 6V6 to KT88 just by re-biasing.
Rectifier interchangeable with 5Y3, 5AR4, or solid state.
Master Volume.
Top-quality components.
Excellent price.

This amp has a veritable rainbow of sound possibilities, from clean Fender to crunchy Marshall. In a head-to-head comparison with a Divided By 13 amp, the Frenzel came out on top. It had more sparkle and punch than the 13, and better tone control. I use a Weber 12F150, 25-watt speaker in an open-back Lopo Diamond series cab and will be getting the same thing in a closed-back configuration to compliment it. The Fender preamp works best with the open-back speaker, but the Marshall side seems to sound best with closed-back cabs. I use 2 custom-built Tele's and a Gibson Lucille. All the guitars sound incredible through this amp - enough so that my old Super Reverb's are going down the road.

I would gig this amp anywhere, any time, any venue with no hesitation and no backup. The quality of the components and construction are too good to worry about at all.

Customer support has been stellar. All of my questions were answered quickly and in a most friendly manner. Warranty work requires shipping the amp back to Texas, but I don't anticipate ever having to do that.

I've been playing R&R and Country for 40+ years, and have owned just about every major amp brand out there. My favs have always been Deluxe and Super Reverb's, but the Super's are too bulky to pack around, anymore, and too loud. The Frenzel covers all of the bases at acceptable volumes, and the tone is wonderful. I would buy another one in a heartbeat.

So, it's a hand built all valve head with point to point wiring.
Low noise tubular polypropylene caps, metal film resistors, ceramic sockets, switchcraft jacks.
3x 12ax7, 2x 6l6, 1x 5u4 rectifier. Effects loop, bias selector, worldwide transformer, 2 inputs, voiced for fender and marshall tones respectively, 3 band eq, master volume, presence with bright pull switch, line level out with line out volume, fx loop with volume, off/standby/on rotary switch, and impedance selector, 4, 8 and 16 ohms.
You can substitute the 12ax7 valves with at7 or au7 valves, the 6l6 can be swapped for 5881's, kt66's, kt88's, 6550's or el34's, and the rectifier can be replaced with 5y3, 5ar4, or solid state rectifier.

I use a prs custom 24, a custom superstrat built for me, a heavily modded strat, fender bullit(telecaster), heavily modded turser les paul.
Depending on the job, I use either vox tonelab se, or various high quality pedals, deelay analogue delay, holier grail reverb, modded dunlop wah, modded ibanez tk999 valve tubescreamer etc.

This amp is EXTREMELY quiet (noise to signal ratio)just what I need in my studio.
The fender and marshall voicings are exactly that, and there is a good deal of warmth to be had.
The way this thing responds to pick pressure is awesome! It's one of those pieces of kit that actually make you re-evaluate the way you play, because it gives you so much more than normal amps.
This isn't a thrash machine, but set it up to the sweet spot, (7.5 on the volume and master, eq it, slip in a good overdrive pedal and you have a sound that is quite simply ALIVE.
The test of an amp, guitar set up is this....if you record it, and you don't feel the need to have anything else on the track, voices, instrumentation etc, then you know you have a tone worth listening to.
That's what this amp does, and that's very, very rare.

Only just got it so can't really comment on reliability, but I honestly can't envisage Jim Frenzel skimping on quality ANYWHERE.
He really doesn't strike me as that sort of bloke.
I'd gig this now, without a backup.

The ultimate in customer support! Fast response to emails and this bloke can't do enough to help you.
Far and away the best I've ever dealt with.

I've been playing 25 years, country to pop, to rock, to avant garde. Covers, originals, studio and live work, solo to 5 piece band.

I've owned marshalls, laney lc50's, a session valve amp, (very rare!), and various other bits of kit.
I've gigged with a rack full of fx, and also gone out with just an amp and an overdrive, (no reverb on the amp).

I know how to recognise GOOD tone. Had to work with a lot of crap gear in the past, trying to squeeze the best out of a guitar or amp, that just hasn't got it to give.

This to me, is the core of my guitar recordings. Quiet, multiple voicings, high quality, highly responsive, excellent tone.
Going to get another for live work.

PLEASE....do yourself a favour. Buy one now. I now have an amp that will compete with a ??1500 boutique head, and I paid a third of that.

You cannot get better.

Thanks Jim.