Frenzel amps?

Bob Carlucci · Post by **Bob Carlucci** » 13 Aug 2024 2:55 am

Been reading about these amps and have been wondering if anyone here has one?... It seems incredible that a hand wired ,USA built all tube amp using top grade material and high end build quality can be had at these prices in the modern age.. Some are under $1000...I see guys saying they only paid $850 only recently..Cool and very reasonably priced option list, including a switchable rectifier, 5U4 or SS,, Very well thought out stuff... I hear they can out Fender a Fender tone wise, and have a separate Marshall voiced inputs on some models as well.. wondering if anyone has hands on [or ears on] experience?

James Holland · Post by **James Holland** » 13 Aug 2024 5:36 am

Ive got a Mini Bassman, with the effects loop option. It has 6L6s in it now. It functions as advertised. Having a 2 channel Marshall and Fender front end is interesting, and useful, but I assume the Marshall channel is not as faithful as the Fender channel, even with the Presence control. At 50W, its lighter than about any competitor, and the small form factor is very nice. The transformer is still large on par with what you should have in a 50w 6L6 platform. The weight savings is in the lightweight conpact steel cabinet, light chassis materials, etc. Its quiet, and compatable with all my guitars and instruments. IMO, its a darker amp but with enough controls to push it into Fender Sparkly territory. It might not be the loudest 50w amp, probably due to the cold bias, which could be changed by a tech. It is a smooth amp. Like several of my amps, it will distort at highest levels with my pedal steel and its 19k ohm George L pickup. So, my overall assessment is that it is the real deal, not a stripped design, and very competitive. For pedal steel in louder bands, Id want to try the 100w Super Bassman or Super Twin Plexi for more headroom.

David Ball · Post by **David Ball** » 13 Aug 2024 5:54 am

I've had a couple for a long time--an FM 5E3 (basically a 5E3 Deluxe circuit with both a Fender and a Marshall tone stack), an Octal preamp and a 12AX7 preamp (sold it when I got the Octal). They've all been well made, good sounding amps.

The only quarrel I have with them is that the heavy transformers sitting on top of a lightweight aluminum chassis can end up denting down into the chassis. My 5E3 arrived well packed, but the transformers had mashed into the top of the chassis. Easy enough to remedy, but I'd prefer a heavier gauge aluminum chassis or steel.

Both the Fender and the Marshall tone stacks sound good.

Dave

James Holland · Post by **James Holland** » 13 Aug 2024 12:36 pm

David Ball wrote:I've had a couple for a long time--an FM 5E3 (basically a 5E3 Deluxe circuit with both a Fender and a Marshall tone stack), an Octal preamp and a 12AX7 preamp (sold it when I got the Octal). They've all been well made, good sounding amps.

The only quarrel I have with them is that the heavy transformers sitting on top of a lightweight aluminum chassis can end up denting down into the chassis. My 5E3 arrived well packed, but the transformers had mashed into the top of the chassis. Easy enough to remedy, but I'd prefer a heavier gauge aluminum chassis or steel.

Both the Fender and the Marshall tone stacks sound good.

Dave

Yes, my chassis shows some bending under the transformer. Its under the cover and doesn't show. I assume Aluminum helps with heat dissipation and lower weight. Maybe some reinforcing doubler would fix.