Frenzel Super Deluxe Plus

I'm going to review the amp critically and honsetly, unlike some guys who may rate everything at "10" as a means to remedy their buyer's remorse. That said . . .

The amp was bought used on Ebay, for $520. Since the amp sells for $695 new, this is good resale value. Several guys bid on the amp and a last minute snipe was require to win.

It's a loud 40 watts. See the website for details/specs.

The amp has all the features you would expect from a vintage-style amp, the requisite three-band tone stack, plus the preferred presence (with some sort of boost that really opens it up), and tube rectifier. Since it didn't not have any feature I wanted, it is a perfect ten in this respect.

That said, it rates a nine in this category because I feel the chassis should be a little less flexible

It's a good sounding amp. I've owned a Matchless Clubman, a couple of Tophats, and a couple of Fargens. It doesn't sound as good as the TC-18 did, or the clubman. It is on par with the Fargen mighty-plex. That said, it will absolutely shame any production amp.

The amp does the bassman and plexi tones well. I don't really hear a tweed deluxe in this box. It is really it's own amp.

I find the amp to be on the clean side, althought it is running 6550's now. The amp does clip with my SG, but not with my 69 LP Deluxe. When I hit it with my Austone Millenium Overdrive, it really lights up and I can squeeze JCM 800 tones out of it. So Mick Mars would approve. Country guys with a tele would like the amp as well.

I've read some other reviews that state the price should be doubled on this amp . . . don't agree, but it is a $1000 amp for $695 or whatever you end up paying used.

Haven't owned long enough to say, so won't rate. Again, chassis should be thicker and flex less, especially given that a head cab is not standard.

Can't say, have not reached out.

Good amp at a great price. The price should go up, not to $1400, but $999 or so. And he should include a cab or use less flexible chassis. I'd. like to buy another Frenzel and he is here in Texas

Brand new, June 2007, custom made for ME by Jim Frenzel, this is the Frenzel "Super Deluxe Plus" amp head (in the cab). I've had it for three weeks now, and have rehearsed and gigged with it several times already, and in different sized venues.
Most of Jim's amps are open-chassis models -- which look cool! -- but this one comes with a vented cab. All the technical info is online: http://www.frenzeltubeamps.com and it is fairly detailed, so check it out. I will tell you this is a 40W all tube amp (including a tube rectifier!), with Jim's dual inputs that are distinctly voiced in "Fender" and "Marshall" tones. You can get an A/B-Y switch, and go back and forth, or even use both preamps, which provides a unique, monster sound! Other standard features: effects loop, line out, Ohm switch (4-8-16), Presence knob with a crazy "Edge" pull-out function (opens up the sound). It typically comes with just one speaker output, but I asked for two, and Jim did it no problem, and no charge!
This amp has versatility stamped all over it! I'm still getting to know all the tonal variations, which is amazing seeing that it's a fairly straight-ahead sort of amp (no bells and whistles or modeling stuff here). I play mostly jazz in a quartet (sax, bass, drums, & guitar), and we play a lot of modern-ish stuff (NOT "smooth" jazz!) and some bluesy things, and so far the amp is perfect! I can dial in a big, traditional jazz sound if I want, but I often play a bit brighter than that. You can get excellent sounds for jazz, blues, and classic rock stuff pretty easily; I plugged in a Fulltone OCD (overdrive) pedal, and the amp screamed!
I gave this section a "9" rating, mostly because I like reverb, and there's no reverb on the amp. I think Jim now makes another model with reverb, but in general his amps don't have it -- I think because it adds a lot of weight and a lot of price, and it's maybe not even necessary! In fact, I don't miss the reverb at all; I have a chorus or echo pedal I've used if I wanted to add a little sumpin'.

As mentioned above, tonal quality and variation are what this amp is about! I play through EarCandy Cabs (the best!), and have two 1x12" cabs with Eminence "Tonker" speakers. At first I was concerned whether 40W would be enough for some of my gigs, but boy, I had nothing to worry about! This thing'll knock walls down, maintaining a sweet sound the whole time. I've played through it using a single humbucker jazz box, and a dual humbucker, chambered guitar. Both guitars sang through the amp, and it was quite responsive to the different pickup configurations.
The amp is super quiet -- which will be great for recording -- even at higher volumes. Each preamp channel has its own gain knob, so you can play with the gain-master variations to create different sounds as well as different types of distortion.
The amp "breathes" like a tube amp is supposed to do, and is very sensitive to dynamics in your picking. Clear as a bell.

I am giving this section a "9" rating simply because I've only had the amp a relatively short time. Maybe I'll update in a year?
The amp, however, is built like a tank, and is immaculate, so I'm guessing it's going to last for a while. Although I gig regularly, I "baby" my gear, so it'll be safe. Jim is pretty reliable, so I'm sure if I had any problems, he'd address them (see Customer Support).

All corresponence for discussing, ordering, and now critiquing the amp was via e-mail with Jim. I usually prefer speaking with the person over the phone or in person, but Jim was so prompt and thorough with his e-mails, that there really was no need for a phone call. He had even purchased my CD and listened to my "style and sound" in order to help me best determine which amp model to buy! Extremely helpful overall.
Since the amp is hand-built upon ordering, it takes a while to get. Jim estimated 4-6 weeks, and it took 6 weeks, but certainly well worth the wait! [I'm used to custom luthiers' time frames, which are typically double what they tell you!]

I've been playing guitar for over 30 years (ugh!), and have a degree in music, too. I've owned other tube and solid state amps, and they're all gone now!
If this amp were stolen, the question is: "Which Frenzel amp should I buy now?" In fact, that's the question right now! He has a cool "Matchless-style" amp that looks killer . . .
More jazz cats need to look into Jim Frenzel's gear! There's so much discussion about "tube-like" sound from this or that solid state amp, and getting a "big" sound -- well, throw away your SS gear and get a Frenzel!
I know, some gripes about tube amps are that they're heavy and expensive, especially the "boutique" builders. Well, this amp is only about 20 lbs., which ain't bad, and the cost is ridiculous compared to XYZ boutique amps, which charge at least double -- if not triple! -- the price of a Frenzel. This IS point-to-point, boutique amp at its best. So, spend $2500 on XYZ amp, I don't care.

The amp has just what you need to get allot of awesome tones. I especially like the fact that it comes with a Feder and Marshall voiced input.Check out their website to find out more information. I put in two EL34 xf3 Mullards in place of the stock EH6L6s (multi valve technology) and a Sylvania military version of the 5U4 in place of stock and a 60s Tesla ecc803s in the V1 slot and 12AX7 short plate Brimars in the other two slots because that combination sounded awesome. The amp liked the inkyness of the Brimars and the deep fullness and broad spectrum of sound from the Tesla.

It can do anything from 1974 down remarkably well. Without a pedal hard rock past that time will be hard pressed without a pedal......But add a good overdrive-distortion pedal and watch out Bogner 'cause there's a new king of overdriven tones, I know 'cause I got one, which I am now selling, already sold my VHT's, and it does "those" kind of tones better. Oh my goodness are the lead tones sweet.......the kind you've always dreamed of....probably Eddie and Jimmy too. I'm serious the tone is that good and I am selling my Bogner which I thought I'd never do.....of course I intend to buy some more Frenzels. Oh yeah I added an ABY switch which just gave me that much more flexability with the tones I can create due to the face that it has a Fender and a Marshall input.

Seems to be built well.....I'll get back to you in 5 years.

Awesome nice folks.

I've been playin' for along time and I have been searching for these kind of tones for a long time. I'm glad I stummbled on the Frenzel or I'd still be fumbling around searching for awesome tones.....Now I have found them!

The amp has just what it needs and nothing else. You can go to his website if you need to know the specifics, which I suggest you do. Then if you have the money I suggest you buy one. Comes with good sounding electronic parts well match to the tone he was going for. Good job Mr. Frenzel!

The amp makes lots of nice tones and is capable of covering allot of ground. Will it do hard rock? Well not anything later then the early 70s type of tones, not out of the box. Won't do metal either without a pedal. But what it will do is everything else really, really well. It inspires die hards shredders to play clean, because the tone really moves you. I haven't been Moved to play anything else since it's arrived as a matter of fact.....But I did hook up my Maxxon tube overdrive-distortion pedal and oh My God what sweet sounds it makes. Right now I'm just using an open back 2 X 10 cab loaded with Weber alnico silver bells and it sounds really good, but I'm getting another cab a 2 X 12 from Avatar to load with a couple of Alnico Tone Tubbys which might even sound better.

It appears to be made really, really well.

Seems to be a nice guy, cordial, very knowledgable about what he does. So far I have only heard good things about him and his products. Everyone can't be wrong!

Been playin' 20 years. If it were lost or stolen I'd forgive the culprit, then buy another.....no use interruptin' the Flow.....it ain't worth it. I have a '71 Blackfaced Fender Twin with Weber Siver Bell and Blue Dog Speaker, Mercury Mag Ot, etc. which I am now selling because of this amp. I also have a Bogner Ecstacy 101B. Just sold 3 VHTs so I can but a Blue Tone 50 from his son. I have another boutique amp as well. I don't collect amps. I only keep the ones that really, relly move me. I'm keeping this amp! Best deal on Ebay! Best deal in the amp world right now.

Brand new 2006 Frenzel FM-5E3 SD "Super Deluxe Plus." From what I can determine this amp is the same circuit as an original Fender Deluxe Amp but with 6L6 power tubes instead of 6V6. The power output is 40 watts instead of what a Deluxe normally is; I think about 20.

This amp also has a bunch of additional features that a Deluxe never had:

2 channels; one voiced for a Fender sound the other voiced for a Marshall sound.

Effects loop with send level control.

Bass, Middle and Treble controls, and a Presence control.

Master volume, and individual volume control for each of the two channels.

"Edge" switch that "transforms the power amp section into a no-negative feedback style amp." To my ears this seems to add "kick."

Cathode/Fixed Bias selector switch. Cathode Bias is described as having a more "traditional blues-type tone", where the Fixed Bias setting is more of a "dynamic rock" setting. This one is hard to describe without hearing it for yourself, but it definitely changes the tone.

Line out, with line level control.

There are other features as well that you can check out at the Frenzel website. www.frenzeltubeamps.com One of the cool features is the Frenzel "multi-valve" design which basically allows you to substitute power tubes "without adjusting anything." Instead of the 6L6's, you can use 5881, KT66, KT88, 6550 or even EL34's which I imagine would really put you in Marshall land.

The amp is point-to-point wired and from the web photos the construction is top notch. I haven't bothered to "pop open the hood" for a look around, but it basically has all of the high-end-type stuff that you would want: Classic Hammond transformer, ceramic sockets, metal film resistors, Switchcraft jacks, etc.

This amp is loaded with features.

First, it's very quiet. Second of all, the variety of tones is truly amazing. I was looking for an amp that I could play very clean Jazz and Chet Atkins sounds one minute, and then crank out some ZZ-Top or Zeppelin the next. And no way was I going to go to an artificial modeling amp. I want the real thing. Modeling amps are like going to Old Country Buffet for a steak dinner. It's not really "steak" but you get a lot of it.

The sounds of this amp are nothing short of astounding. I'm very critical of tone and I've gone through a bunch of amps. Fender Twins, Fender Vibrolux, Bassman, Marshalls of all kinds, Matchless, Germino, Holland, Dr. Z, Mesa/Boogie, Carvin, Crate, Musicman, Ampeg, Accoustic, several Gibsons, Silvertone, Montgomery Wards, etc. As you can see I've run the gamut from absolute junk to what are considered the finest amps ever made. This amp blows them all away in terms of versatility and is equal to the Matchless/Germino's in tone.

I'm using Crossroads pickups on my Gibson, and have a cabinet loaded with Tone-Tubby's, so what's on both ends of the head is first class. I think I could get anything from Jazz to Metal out of this. Excellent for blues, though. It's hard to say where this thing really shines because it seems to have it all covered.

I originally planned on upping the tubes to expensive NOS, but believe it or not, the EH's that came with it sound fantastic.

As far as I can tell, from the construction description, the interior photos, and the feel of everything, it seems very solid. This thing is new. Maybe in a year or so I'll update this review and give an answer then. As of now I have to give it a 10.

All contact with the company I had was through email. I always got a response within a day. Very friendly and helpful. I did have to wait a little longer than originally promised as the amp is built after you place the order. I'm the type of person that gets nervous when something is one day late, let alone one week late, especially when you pay up-front. But eventally the UPS man backed down my country driveway and away we went.

I'm a little concerned for these smaller amp builders and I want to see them succeed. Jim Frenzel obviously loves what he is doing and builds an incredible amp. For the price he almost gives them away. In my opinion he is probablly going to have to jack the prices way up to survive. His backlog continues to get longer as more and more people discover these amps. I believe the only way to keep his workload steady, but without dropping too far behind, will be to double the price.

This amp seems to be every bit as good as a Germino and it's less than half the price. If I were you I'd get one now. And if you have to wait an extra week or so, let me tell you, it's worth it.

I almost feel like getting another one. I sold my Germino to lower my overhead. Originally my plan was to buy a Fender Deluxe; one of the new ones off the shelf. Am I glad I didn't. For the same price I got a much more versatile amp that is built much better. I wasn't planning on doing any more live gigs, but now I want to get out and play. The tone is truly inspirational. I've owned at least 25 amps and this one is the best.