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Fender Excelsior
This product is no longer available.
Alluringly refined yet harboring tones from polite to raw to raucous, the Pawn Shop Special Excelsior model is undoubtedly one of the most distinctive tube combo amps in Fender history. Its brown textured vinyl covering, smartly stylish E grille design and bold crossed-swords front-panel badge convey a decidedly stately vibe with a marked air of cold-war cool.
To say nothing of its admirable tone and power. The 13-watt Excelsior elegantly encloses a single 15 Special Design speaker, with a bottom-loaded primary chassis and top-loaded control chassis for operating convenience and low noise (powered by two 6V6 output tubes and two 12AX7 preamp tubes). Distinctive features include GTR, microphone and accordion inputs that each have individually optimized circuitry; tremolo circuit with speed control, bright/dark tone switch (for treble or bass emphasis), volume control and 1/4 internal speaker disconnect that lets the amp drive an external speaker enclosure. For playing at home, smaller gigs and studio sessions, the Excelsior is a class act that brings a fresh and unconventional new vibe to your playing.
Unique Features:
13 Watts of output power, Two 6V6 output tubes, Two 12AX7 preamp tubes, 15" Special Design speaker, GTR, Microphone, and Accordion inputs, each with individually optimized circuitry, Bottom-loaded primary chassis with top-loaded control chassis for low noise and operating convenience, Volume control, Tremolo with speed control, Treble/Bass tone switch, 1/4 speaker plug may be disconnected to use Excelsior with an 8-ohm, 15W minimum, external speaker enclosure
To say nothing of its admirable tone and power. The 13-watt Excelsior elegantly encloses a single 15 Special Design speaker, with a bottom-loaded primary chassis and top-loaded control chassis for operating convenience and low noise (powered by two 6V6 output tubes and two 12AX7 preamp tubes). Distinctive features include GTR, microphone and accordion inputs that each have individually optimized circuitry; tremolo circuit with speed control, bright/dark tone switch (for treble or bass emphasis), volume control and 1/4 internal speaker disconnect that lets the amp drive an external speaker enclosure. For playing at home, smaller gigs and studio sessions, the Excelsior is a class act that brings a fresh and unconventional new vibe to your playing.
Unique Features:
13 Watts of output power, Two 6V6 output tubes, Two 12AX7 preamp tubes, 15" Special Design speaker, GTR, Microphone, and Accordion inputs, each with individually optimized circuitry, Bottom-loaded primary chassis with top-loaded control chassis for low noise and operating convenience, Volume control, Tremolo with speed control, Treble/Bass tone switch, 1/4 speaker plug may be disconnected to use Excelsior with an 8-ohm, 15W minimum, external speaker enclosure
Q & A
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Reviews
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An Ingenuic Gem for the Tube Connoisseur 2 of 2 customers found this review helpful
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Product Experience I own it
Closest Store Calgary Chinook, Alberta
WHO SAYS YOU CAN'T GET VINTAGE, THERMIONIC TONE FOR $299 or less!
Well, many would, especially with bias tremolo.
First and foremost, this amp has TREMENDOUS POTENTIAL for tonal improvement, thanks to Fender's simplistic old-school combo construction.
Off the shelf, Excelsior sounded great with both my mim Stratocaster AND mia Jazz bass strung with flatwounds. Tones achieved covered the entire spectrum at the turn of a (volume) knob. From Bright and articulate, to raucous crunch. It's true tube tone baby!
...however, IMO, Excelsior was locked; lacking an organic drive 50's and 60's tube amps produced, undoubtedly.
With the help of simple upgrades, like an alnico woofer, nos tubes (incliding a 5751 in v1)
AND A VOIDED WARRANTY OF COURSE
The amp now sounds amazing; like none other.
Excelsior now makes it possible for any of my passive guitar's or bass's to sing that true blooming, vintage vibe, at bar-gig volume too.
I can't thank them enough. Fender has designed an extraordinary amp at a next- to-noting price!
Grab one while ya' can...You'll be surprised at what this amp CAN'T DO!
Posted by T.J.G. on Jan 8, 2014
For Ingenuic Conosieurs 2 of 2 customers found this review helpful
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Product Experience I own it
Closest Store Calgary Chinook, Alberta
Posted by anonymous on Jan 8, 2014
N/A 1 of 1 customers found this review helpful
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Closest Store Calgary Chinook, Alberta
Im from calgary and order the thing 6 days ago and it just arrived this morning (which means late delivery). But when I open the box, the thing is perfect. No Issues at all, the jewel light doesnt flutter, tubes ok. So I guess either I am lucky or LnM check their items before every shipment. All in all the waiting 'is not' in vain.
Posted by anonymous on May 17, 2013
Fender Excelsior 2 of 2 customers found this review helpful
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Product Experience I own it
Closest Store Nanaimo, British Columbia
I joined 'Club X' at the end of 2012. It took almost three months for the Excelsior to arrive (I imagine a good sign of the amp's popularity).
In a sentence, this amp is so very good and so very frustrating all at the same time. It's fun as hell......but it hums and buzzes (especially in D or D#).
There's quite the online community after the amp's first year of production to discuss modifications, remedies and upgrades.
As for myself, I may kick myself in twelve months time.....but I'll be drinking the full glass of the Excelsior Kool-Aid. I'm purchasing a second one and investing in the mods, DI box, AB/Y and true bypass pedals.
Posted by Mike on May 5, 2013
A Loud Bang For The Buck..AFTER MODS! 1 of 1 customers found this review helpful
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Closest Store Moncton, New Brunswick
After reading about this amp before and after mods, I thought I would give it a "try". I replaced the tubes with JJ's and changed the Pre-amp tube to a 12Y7 to allow more headroom. I replaced the speaker with an Emminence 1518 and then replaced the Tone Switch with a Non-Linear POT. It became a new amp!!! I play mostly Country and Classic R&R and after playing 2 gigs (one with my Tele, one with my Gretsch 6120) it has become my go-to amp. I just LOVE the tone and the Tremolo rocks. I highly recommend this amp.
Posted by Orville H. on Apr 1, 2013
Best tube combo amp I've heard 2 of 2 customers found this review helpful
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Product Experience I've tried it
Closest Store Sydney, Nova Scotia
Went to take a look at an Epiphone Les Paul someone had for sale (he happens to be the first review of this product) and he had taken me upstairs to check out the amp. He played a little Slash tune and MAN that thing had a great sound. He had the volume on 1 and I could feel every strum. Put it up to 2 and the doors were rattling. This one amp has plenty of power and a magnificent tube amp sound. It's a definite sale for the price. If you need an amazing amp at a low price, this is what you're looking for.I'm low (and when I say low I mean LOOOOWW) on cash, but once I make up the price I'm getting one for myself with no hesitation.
Posted by Matthew on Feb 15, 2013
My First Tube amp! 1 of 1 customers found this review helpful
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Closest Store Edmonton Mayfield, Alberta
Relatively new to electric guitars, I bought a Line-6 Spider Jam as my first amp until I could find the tone I wanted in a tube amp. I was prepared to eventually spend $1k on a decent tube amp. But one day I heard someone testing out the newest little Fender I was amazed. The Tone was Perfect, the Look was unique and when I saw the price tag it was an instant sale.
I have a Gretch 5420, a Les Paul Studio and my first electric ...a Fender Classic Vibe 50's Tele (Squire). They all sound amazing but the cheapest one (Tele) is still my favorite.
As mentioned, the Single Coils really shine on this little amp. My next guitar will likely be an American Standard Strat. I figure I owe it to myself for saving myself a ton by getting this little gem of an amp for a song!
Line 6 digi will be sold on Kijiji soon.
I have Noticed since I bought my Excelsior a couple months ago, the dealers cant keep them in stock, they are flying off the shelf as fast as they arrive so get one while you still can.
Posted by Mike B on Nov 28, 2012
wow 1 of 1 customers found this review helpful
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Closest Store Calgary Royal Vista, Alberta
great amp replaced a fender mustang 2 which i am keeping like it too. going to run a box 63 reverb through the beast.
Posted by anonymous on Oct 29, 2012
Excelsior Amp 2 of 2 customers found this review helpful
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Product Experience I own it
Closest Store St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
What can you say, what a bang for the buck, great lil amp that I picked up,can't say enough good things about it.If you get a chance to try one out, do it, you won't be disappointed
Posted by Gilbert on Oct 8, 2012
N/A 1 of 1 customers found this review helpful
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Closest Store Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
I'm currently running two of these little tone monsters in "stereo" with an AB/Y selector box - awesome tone! Essentially 2 x 15 speakers (ala "Dual Showman" cabinet style) makes it a great combination for intro-surf rock. You can't beat the price, and it really is a cool, vibey retro amp. Get one while you can ...
Posted by anonymous on Sep 18, 2012
Nice job Fender! 1 of 1 customers found this review helpful
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Closest Store Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Walked into my local L&M not expecting to walk out with a new amp! This little guy took me by surprise ... what a great, funky, lo - fi tone machine! I ran a 50th anniv. Fender Jaguar and a Tele with hb's thru it and it sounded amazing. Clean to gritty and some compression. Definately a bargain for the price and a great little tube practice amp! Get one while you can!
Posted by anonymous on Aug 20, 2012
It's Even Better In Person 1 of 1 customers found this review helpful
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Product Experience I own it
Closest Store Brampton, Ontario
Okay - for all of those that have been interested in this amp for some time waiting for them to become available and in the meantime watching whatever video's become available on YouTube - you need to play and hear this for yourself.
Like most of us, I have owned a few different amps of all makes, models and sizes over the years. Included in my current "stable" of equipment is a Tone King "Imperial" which is one heck of an amplifier and you can't reasonably compare the Fender Excelsior to that kind of equipment. That said, the Excelsior seems to have been given a lot of bad reviews that I feel are unjust. I too just picked mine up this past week and from the minute I plugged it in it gave exactly as advertised. I am almost exclusively a Strat player and the tones coming out of my various Strat models were all "spot on". However, when I plugged in my guitars to either the microphone or accordion I couldn't believe how good those sounded. Those options add a whole new dimension to this amp and one that I think is really underrated. Then I plugged in some of my favorite pedals all of which sounded great including a Boss ME-50 multi-effects board which is fairly finicky about the amps I try and match it up with. It seemed to instantly love the Excelsior and I have just begun to to experiment with it. So, for the money, and the versatility this amp affords the player, I don't think it can be beat. Don't listen to the negatives - go out, find one, play your favorite "axe" through it (or any "axe" for that matter) and listen for yourself. There is pretty much something in there for everybody.
Posted by Dan A. on Aug 1, 2012
Excelsior Amp 1 of 1 customers found this review helpful
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Product Experience I own it
Closest Store Edmonton Mayfield, Alberta
Just bought it this week and what a great amp. The tremolo with the bright switch really adds depth and sparkle to the sound. I like it better than my blues jr's and that's pretty hard to do. Great price and I think Fender has a winner..
Posted by Druce on Jul 30, 2012
The Retro Classic that Fender just invented. 1 of 1 customers found this review helpful
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Closest Store Lethbridge, Alberta
Fender has (re)created a classic amp that pays tribute to those old department store amps of the 50's and 60's. They were simple devices that went from clean and smooth sounding to compressed and distorted in the twist of the volume knob. Like many old amps it features an excellent tremelo and no reverb, The tone is either bright or dark and works in conjuction with single coils or humbuckers to deliver many useable tones. The big 15'" speaker and the 6V6 tubes combine with smallish transformers to deliver that quirky garage band vibe that many old dudes remember and some guys like Jimmy Page used to created classic sounds in the studio. The Excelsior has it's own sound and cool looks which is a nice change in a world where most amps look and sound too similar.
Posted by anonymous on Jun 22, 2012
This thing rocks! 1 of 1 customers found this review helpful
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Closest Store Sydney, Nova Scotia
I was looking at a vox ac 30 but was told it really was to loud.....then i thought ok maybe an evil robot...or the ac 15.....well i was debating for a year and then one day i tried the epi vol only 5watt amp combo and i liked it but it was a little too small....then my main guy at L&M pulled out this. i loved the look...and i hate fenders amps......but i really loved the look..so i plug into it and i think it took all of a minute to decide that bang for buck this thing kills the competition.the tone is awesome and with a couple pedals you can do anything with this. its not a ac 30 but this thing is loud....and for 300bucks there really is no better deal for a true tube amp combo with a 15inch spk. it sound awesome with anything but loves the 3 les pauls i have. if you want a great deal for a great amp....and you can find one of these.....get it before there gone.
Posted by Jammie on Jun 14, 2012
Protect your investment with the Long & McQuade Performance Warranty
A warranty can be a very important factor when making a buying decision. Because repairs can be very expensive in terms of parts and labour costs, manufacturers usually only provide one year limited warranties that generally only cover items that malfunction due to a manufacturer’s defect. With an important purchase such as a musical
instrument or piece of studio gear, however, many people want to have the peace of mind in knowing that their investment will be protected should the product no longer be performing at 100%.
Because of this, Long & McQuade provides our customers with a FREE one-year Performance Warranty on most of our products. The Long & McQuade Performance Warranty supplements the manufacturer’s warranty to ensure that our customers receive complete “no hassle” warranty coverage within their first year.
How does the Long & McQuade Performance Warranty differ from most manufacturers' warranties?
- Performance Guarantee: Normal wear and tear is covered, so your product will be performing as well as the day you purchased it for the entire duration of the coverage. Band and Orchestral Performance Warranty does not include replacing pads or cleaning for woodwind instruments, unless deemed necessary by our repair staff. Ultrasonic cleaning for brass instruments will be provided if deemed necessary by our repair staff, but is not routinely offered under the Performance Warranty.
- Product Replacement: If your product cannot be fixed or costs too much to fix, we will replace it with the equivalent model for no additional charge. If this is not possible, a full refund will be provided.
- No Lemon Policy: Your product will be replaced should the same problem occur multiple times.
- Convenient: Easy drop off and pick up of the product at any Long & McQuade location.
- Guitar Setup: Guitars purchased at Long & McQuade come with 1 free setup, to be redeemed within 1 year for new guitars and 90 days for used guitars.
- Loaners Available: A loaner product may be given while the product is being repaired.
- Power Surge Protection: Your product is covered even if damaged from a power surge.
- Accessory Coverage: Any peripheral devices or accessories that come with your product (i.e. foot pedal, case) are also covered.
- Commercial Use Coverage: Music and recording professionals who purchase gear for “heavy-use” commercial purposes will still be covered.
Long & McQuade reserves the right to restrict the purchase of additional years of Performance Warranty. Used products come with a 3-month Long & McQuade Performance Warranty. Some products (i.e. computers, software, cymbals and other items) are covered only by the manufacturer‘s warranty. Consumables (i.e. strings, reeds, drum sticks, batteries, tubes, cross faders) are excluded as they are designed to be replaced. Cosmetic Damage, Accidental Damage, or problems caused by Humidity or Temperature Issues are not covered. Speakers damaged by overpowering are generally not covered. Our coverage does not provide compensation for loss of use. As of June 2018 the Performance Warranty is no longer transferable. The warranty is only valid in Canada.
Purchasing additional years of coverage
Some manufacturers provide warranties for longer than 1 year; however, these are usually limited warranties that do not provide the same coverage as the Long & McQuade Performance Warranty. Customers interested in more complete and convenient (but not necessarily longer) coverage are still able to purchase additional years of the Performance Warranty.
If you are interested in receiving this coverage for longer than one year, you have the option of purchasing additional years of the Performance Warranty. The pricing is as follows:
- NEW products: Starting at 4% of the current new selling price to double the warranty from 1 year to 2 years. Starting at 4% for each additional year.
- USED products: Starting at 4% of the current new selling price to increase the warranty from 3 months to 1 year. Starting at 4% for each additional year.
- GUITARS: 4% of the current new selling price to double the warranty from 1 year to 2 years. 4% for each additional year. $45 maximum. An additional free setup is not included with additional purchased years of Performance Warranty.
- BAND and ORCHESTRAL instruments: 4% of the current new selling price to double the warranty from 1 year to 2 years. 4% for each additional year.
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Reserve in Store
| Product | SKU | Qty |
|---|---|---|
| Excelsior | 358323 |
