Here are some of the comments from people that have bought an SDG Vintage Amp.
Jon Woolner of the Matthew Kennedy Band(SDG 5e3 with Proluxe Upgrade)
I used the amp last night for a very important show that I had to
do. This gig was a showcase for a possible record deal with warner
brothers. The amp kicked ass! This is truly the best amp that I
have ever owned. Thank you so much for putting your heart and soul
into making a great amp.
I had the opportunity to put your 5e3 up against an original Fender 5e3 last
night. This original was in pristine condition and all original. Very cool
amp. I am delighted to tell you that everyone in the room agreed that your
amp sounded better.
It feels so good to have finally found an amp that I know I will keep
forever. I hope to get another one from you in the future.
Arnie Ceder (SDG 18Watt Chassis, Electric Wood hardwood cabinet)
I noticed you used my amp on your site...SUPERB choice. Not only did "tone and beauty collide," but in my opinion, they also consummated their love affair for all to see. Anyone who doubts this can have a listen. This amp (thanks to you, BTW) sounds as good as it looks and looks as good as it sounds...thanks to Electric Wood too. A museum piece in a class by itself.
Allan Burley (SDG Vintage Vibrotone)
"Was it worth waiting for? You bet your life it was. These two pieces of kit are just absolutely amazing from every which way. I just could not believe it, and I still can't believe it. Every time I plug in, it's just as brilliant as the first time. So guess what I have been doing most of his weekend?
Steve, this is everything I was hoping for in an amp and there is only one place to be. Vibrato channel, (with the vibrato off) just a hint of reverb and let rip.
A big thankyou for making an aging rocker very happy.
In conclusion this little project was all about Tone, Tone and more Tone and I have now got it in bucket-loads.
Speak to you very soon."
Kristian Meisling (SDG Vintage 5e3 Deluxe 6l6 Upgrade, Jensen p12Q)
"I saw one of Steve's amps (a 5e3 Deluxe) for sale on ebay. It looked beautiful, with lots of photos documenting it's meticulous workmanship. I followed the auction, but couldn't quite decide to pull the trigger, mostly because I had never actually bought anything on ebay. I did, however, exchange emails with Steve, and asked lots of questions. He was very responsive and thoughtful in his answers to questions...obviously very knowledgeable about the old Fender amps and how to build true-to-spirit replicas. Somebody else bought the amp...
I decided to "commission" a 5e3 Deluxe directly from Steve. I am a steel player and wanted a cleaner amp...something to go with my restored 1949 Fender Dual-8 Professional. Steve suggested that I go for the 6L6 upgrade to get a little more headroom. I sent him the money, and he delivered the amp in the time we agreed upon. A man of his word!
The amp is beautifully constructed, arrived well-packed, and sounds as good as it looks. It has a wonderful, full, bell-like sound, with naturally rolled-off highs or harmonic bight, depending on settings. Onset of break-up occurs at about 5 if I hit it hard, but it cleans up really nicely below that. I use the low-gain input to delay the onset of break-up. I play with a volume pedal, so I can control it to my taste. I use a Holy-Grail reverb pedal, jumped from channel 1 to channel 2...that way I get a direct signal path...a poor-man's effects loop. It works great.
The amp has startling presence, and is loud enough at about 5 to cover my small club gig. I would have to mic it for a larger venue, but it's actually quite loud. It sounds so good, I just can't put the steel down once I start playing, there's a beautiful harmonic vocal quality to the steel through this amp...very responsive to change in tone controls and volume...so actually quite a range of sounds can be gotten by playing with different channel and guitar settings.
I told Steve that I would write a note describing how I felt about the amp, so he could share with others. Steve is a first-class businessman, but, perhaps more importantly, he's an artist. He savors the subtle tonalities of these old tube amp circuits like a wine connoisseur savors fine wine. I enjoyed the interaction with Steve as much as I enjoy the amp. I am in retro-heaven. Thanks Steve!"
Rick Wise (Tweed Deluxe)
"Just wanted to tell you the delux I bought from you several months ago is still rockin. It's become my favorite amp. Every time I plug it in,it seems like a sweet surprise. Anyways,I hope to eventually buy a vibroverb from you if I can ever save up enough money. Keep up the good work."
Don Hoeber (Tweed Double Deluxe) Jensen P12N's
"Got the amp today and all I can say is, WOW. Now that’s what I hoped for all along. I cant wait to bring it to the gig and play. I’m going to do every guitar hero song I know so I can solo all night Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!"
Patrick Werle (Tweed Super)
"I received my Tweed Super and was immediately thrilled with the physical build quality...Now, rest assured, I am not a boutique amp guy by nature...I like toneful and simple...The bells and whistles are just more things to go wrong! By nature, I am also not a tech, but this amp is wired so neatly...The Big Guys should be right embarrassed! I let those tubes warm up, plugged in my 72 RI Thinline Telecaster, and hit an 'oh so sweet' open G....Here was the tone I had searched for! Man, I love the Tweeds! The Super tackles all I felt was slagging with my 5E3 ( Red Fang speaker...Also built by Steve! Nothing missing...just needed a bit more headroom!) and was the perfect compromise to the Tweed Bassman (more volume than I will ever need!) A nice Tweed overdrive, roll off the volume and she cleans up real good...I also tried jumpering the inputs which expands the options of the amp. I should also add that I did run a few pedals through the Tweed Super (as well as the 5E3..) The few pedals I use are: a Paul Cochrane TIM OD/Boost, an Xotic RC Boost, a Voodoo Lab Tremolo, and a Mosferatu OD...Both amps responded well to each of the pedals. Although, as is obvious, the 5E3 just needed that little push to go into the sweet, sweet Tweed OD (The RC Boost is perfect for this one!). My style is a hybrid "Dirty Soul-Delta Blues-Garage Rockin'-Front Porch Twangin'-Motown Swingin'-Wrong Side O' the Tracks Rock-n-Roll"....These two amps will be fittin' the bill for a long, long time (or until I get Steve to build me that Low-Powered Tweed Twin...) Have Steve build you one...It's really that simple!"
Mike Luttrell (Vibroverb Clone amp)
"I love this amp. I've played it in a club right along side of another guitarist playing a Fender re-issue
Vibroverb... and I and others felt my SDG Vintage sounded sweeter."
Patrick Werle (5e3 with a Redfang)
"Amp arrived this morning safe and sound! I've only had a few minutes
with her, but WOW! I cranked her up, adjusted my guitar volume knobs
and let her go....She's really great! Well built, sturdy, and the Red
Fang is definitely what that amp needs....Now, I'm not really a Boutique
amp guy...I play in a cover/original outfit and really use my amps....I
think your 5E3 will be the perfect complement to my Deluxe Reverb
Reissue. The only comment I have is: There should be a plate on the front with
"SDG Vintage" on it....I know I'll get questions on her and the advertising is nice, too."
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