1959 Fender High Power Twin 5F8-A 80-Watt 2x12" Guitar Combo

This 1959 high power Tweed Twin 5F8A recently received a tune up where a grounded plug was added and the speakers were replaced with a proper pair of Jensen P12Ns with matching date codes (14th week of 1962). The transformers, Tolex, and grill cloth are original. The handle is has been replaced.

If you have never played through one of these then it is something you need to add to your bucket list. In general, high wattage tube amps have a percussive sound and feel that can't be replicated at lower wattages. The 5F8A Tweed Twin circuit adds a harmonic complexity that is present throughout the volume range. It is very touch sensitive and can break up at relatively moderate volumes when digging in.

The tube lineup includes a quad of 5881 (6L6GC) power tubes, a GZ34 rectifier, two 12AX7 preamp tubes, and one 12AY7 preamp tube. It is essentially the same as the 5F6-A Bassman, but with four power tubes, larger transformers, and a 2x12 speakers. It has a mid control and a more mid forward tone than the later black panel Twin Reverb. A Presence knob allows for additional tone shaping. Bright and Normal inputs are controlled with individual volumes and the channels can be jumpered so that the tones of each channel can be combined.