Fender 57 Custom Deluxe - Amplifier Manual

Introduction

The tweed-covered Fender Deluxe of the 1950s was a medium-powered amp designed for the simple needs of that era's guitarists. As blues, western and rockabilly bands began getting louder and wilder, the overdriven tone of a cranked-up Deluxe amp charged its way into countless live and recorded performances. Originals are harder to find today, and their prices continue to escalate.

The '57 Custom Deluxe amp continues that glorious legacy, with all-tube hand-wired circuitry and premium components. It faithfully recreates the tones of the original classic 5E3 design, delivering about 12 watts of clean output power easily pushed into warm, compressed distortion. An all-new Special Design 12" alnico speaker by Eminence® is voiced for tough yet incredibly sensitive and versatile response, and new reverse-engineered '50s vintage "Yellow" tone capacitors add subtly nuanced tonal magic. Along with custom transformers, a cathode bias circuit that allows easy substitution of various 6V6 power tube types, Instrument and Mic channels, finger-joined solid pine cabinet, lacquered tweed covering and more, the result is a richly rewarding Deluxe amplifier experience that's pure Fender.

The '57 Custom Deluxe amp's harmonically rich clean tones are perfect for recreating classic guitar styles, while today's pedalboard enthusiast will also find an ideal tonal canvas for creating new sounds. And with the volume cranked, the naturally touch-sensitive overdrive tone is simply electrifying.

Register your '57 Custom Deluxe amp online at www.fender.com/product-registration.

Control Panel

1. STANDBY SWITCH: Disables speaker output while power is on. To extend tube life, leave switch in STANDBY position for first 60 seconds after turning POWER (C) on. Instead of turning amp off during short breaks, set switch to STANDBY position to further extend tube life and to avoid tube-warmup delay when resuming play.
2. FUSE: Provides electrical over-current protection. With power disconnected, replace a blown fuse only with one of the type and rating specified below the fuse holder.
3. POWER SWITCH: Turns amp on and off. Both the POWER and STANDBY (A) switches must be on for audible output.
4. POWER JEWEL: Illuminates while amplifier is on.
5. TONE: Adjusts amplifier's tonal characteristics.
6. INSTRUMENT VOLUME: Adjusts volume level of both instrument inputs.
7. MICROPHONE VOLUME: Adjusts volume level of both microphone inputs.
8. INSTRUMENT INPUTS: Plug instruments in here. These inputs provides greater treble response than the MICROPHONE INPUTS (I), and input 2 has lower sensitivity (-6dB) for cleaner response with high-output and pre-amplified instruments, and for darker tone. Input sensitivities are identical when using both inputs simultaneously.
9. MICROPHONE INPUTS: Plug microphones and instruments in here. It was common in the 1950s to use guitars and microphones simultaneously with tube amps, and these inputs produce a distinctive alternative guitar tone. Input 2 has lower sensitivity (-6dB) for cleaner response with high-output and preamplified instruments, and for darker tone. Input sensitivities are identical when using both inputs simultaneously.

Chassis Rear View

Rear panel, tube cage, preamp tube shields and other parts removed for illustration.

10. POWER CORD: Connect to a grounded outlet in accordance with the voltage and frequency specifications noted on the amplifier information label, which is located inside the cabinet on the left when viewing from the rear.
11. RECTIFIER TUBE: Single 5Y3 rectifier tube converts AC voltage from the amplifier's power transformer into DC voltage required by the power (L) and preamp tubes (O). It should be replaced only with an identical rectifier tube.
12. POWER TUBES: Dual 6V6GC power tubes drive the power section of the amplifier. These should be replaced only with identical power tubes or those with a comparable rating and quality.
13. INTERNAL SPEAKER JACK: The '57 Custom Deluxe's single internal speaker connects here. A single external speaker can also be used instead of the internal speaker, but it must be rated at 8 ohms and a minimum of 12 watts, and it must be connected to this jack and not to the Extension Speaker Jack (N) (note that this requires disconnection of the internal speaker).
    Note that the amp can be damaged by using a single external speaker with a rating other than 8 ohms, or by using a single external speaker of any rating plugged into the Extension Speaker Jack (N) with nothing plugged into the Internal Speaker Jack.
    Whether internal or external, an 8-ohm speaker must be connected to the Internal Speaker Jack when the power is on, or the amplifier can be damaged. Also note that using the '57 Custom Deluxe's internal speaker and an external speaker simultaneously is not recommended.
14. EXTENSION SPEAKER JACK: The extension speaker jack is for use only when using two external speakers (note that this requires disconnection of the internal speaker). When using two external speakers, they must be rated at 16 ohms and a minimum of 12 watts each, to achieve the acceptable combined rating of 8 ohms (use of two external speakers with ratings other than 16 ohms each can damage the amplifier). Also, as noted above for the Internal Speaker Jack (M), using the '57 Custom Deluxe's internal speaker and an external speaker simultaneously is not recommended.
15. PREAMP TUBES: Dual preamp tubes drive the preamp section of the amplifier. These consist of one high-gain 12AX7 preamp tube, and one 12AY7 preamp tube for original-era lower-gain tone. These should only be replaced with identical preamp tubes or those of comparable rating and quality. A second 12AX7 tube can be substituted for the 12AY7 tube to achieve a more modern higher-gain tone.

For questions and troubleshooting, contact a Fender specialist at:
1-800-856-9801 (U.S. toll free)
1-480-596-7195 (International)

Specifications

Product specifications subject to change without notice.

www.fender.com

Documents / Resources

References

• http://www.fender.com/product-registration
• Fender Guitars | Electric, Acoustic & Bass Guitars, Amps, Pro Audio

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