Is The Fender Deluxe Reverb Worth Me Buying?

malko · Post by **malko** » Wed Dec 09, 2009 7:42 pm

I have a Blues Deluxe with a Weber 12f150 in it and while i like the tone im wondering how much of an improvement i would get by stepping up to a DRRI. I'm not too much of a reverb user and have a trem pedal so not too concerned about those. In terms of tone is it that much better? I havent tried in a guitar shop yet as its never gives an accurate opinion-too much noise in those shops, cant crank it up at all, unfamiliar room etc...

Opinions please. Cheers

kypdurron · Post by **kypdurron** » Wed Dec 09, 2009 9:06 pm

I think not. The stock speaker in the Blues Deluxe ist not so cool, but you changed it already. I'd say a 2x 6V6 amp sounds a bit more sparkly and vivid compared to the 2x 6L6 BD / HRD amps, but I found you can get enough typical Fender tone out of these, too. If you flip the BD and buy a DR, it will be losing money and power, for a slightly different tone. But it won't be totally different, exept for the (to my ears) better reverb circuit.

This may differ if you go for a vintage DR. Then you pay about as much, maybe a little more, but you gain even more sound (?), mojo and real wires inside.

paul_ · Post by **paul_** » Wed Dec 09, 2009 9:08 pm

real wires ftw

Progrockabuse · Post by **Progrockabuse** » Wed Dec 09, 2009 9:58 pm

how do you find the weber compared to the stock blues deluxe speaker? i too own a blues deluxe, which i love but find it can be quite bright at times and lacks mid range. the clean sound of a blues deluxe is really really nice, classic fender sparkle.

would you use the deluxe reverb as a canvas for pedals or crank the sucker up?

malko · Post by **malko** » Wed Dec 09, 2009 10:13 pm

Weber once broken in is a very nice speaker in this amp. When i can i crank the clean channel to about 5 or 6 and add a little OD from my MI Audio Blue Boy Deluxe-its got lots (too many!) controls to shape the sound to keep it as "transparent" as possible. At lower levels i drive the BBD or a Transparent Overdrive. All in all i really like the tone but as usual when reading forums people bag on the slightly cheaper Fenders and you come away thinking "maybe i can get the tone better with another amp" The DDRI was/is next on my list. I figure if i get a used one i can sell it on again and shouldnt lose any cash as they dont come up much used. I'm not convinced the difference will be that big though. Thing is although the BD isnt a classic tweed thats the tone i think i like more. Given its circuit is similar to a Bassman perhaps it is in more my ballpark than the DDRI-i could be wrong though To clarify i like jangle, note definition and a little to moderate crunch. The one thing i am not too keen on is the overly saturated low end. I played through a friends 50s Tremolux one time, cranked to 10 and THAT is the tone i am after.

Progrockabuse · Post by **Progrockabuse** » Wed Dec 09, 2009 10:35 pm

at the time i got my blues deluxe, it was the best sounding amp i could get for the money i had. and although i've fallen out with it sometimes, i just get rewarded by some pretty amazing sounds when everything's set right. recently i've got such a nice sound from running it higher and maxing out the mids, using a marshall flavour OD to round it out. i want to replace it with an actual marshall, but for now it's a very convincing marshall kinda sound.

toez10 · Post by **toez10** » Mon Jan 04, 2010 5:34 pm

just a personal preference, but I think the blues deluxe is a better sounding amp. If the DRRI has got the sound you're looking for, then you should jump on it if you can. Those DRRI definitely have a brighter, cleaner jangle to them.

less_cunning · Post by **less_cunning** » Mon Jan 04, 2010 9:11 pm

Chicago Mike · Post by **Chicago Mike** » Tue Jan 05, 2010 10:03 pm

I had a 2x12 Blues Deville and several DRRI's.

Not sure where the Blues Deville falls within the spectrum of the Deluxe, but I can say I liked the overall feel of a DRRI more than the Blues. The DRRI hit the right at the perfect volume for playing clubs here in Chicago and recorded very well. You could goose her up and get some nice gritty tones. I had problems with the how pedals sounded through the bright channel of the DRRI where I didn't with the Blues.

I liked the DRRI for it's portability too, but I assume the Blues Deluxes is roughly the same size/weight.

You got no master volume with the DRRI and not a whole lot of head room. You use humbuckers, you'll be breaking up around 3 on the volume and flabbering about past that but with a tele, you get some rightous grit round 8.

What about Peavey Classics? I've played a few of them and really dug'em (both 2x12 and 4x10).

**Also Used DRRI's are pretty cheap on the used market depending on where you're at. Check your local C'list if you're near a city. They're up quite often from 400-600 here but $500 usually will bag you a good shape, retubed one quickly.