In the market for a new amp, but...

SurfGreenGibby · Post by **SurfGreenGibby** » Tue Dec 13, 2011 8:35 pm

Some questions remain. I've narrowed it down to Fender, because I've liked the ones I've played in shops (for the most part) and like the sound of them on records and such and etc. I've further narrowed it down to either a Deluxe Reverb (sensible) or a Twin Reverb (madness).

Now, is it worth buying one of the re-issues and tweaking it or spending the money on, say, a Silverface (Blackfaces being out of my range at the moment)? I'd like to have this amp for as long as possible, so reliability and longevity is a concern.

Thanks in advance for the advice!

Ankhanu · Post by **Ankhanu** » Tue Dec 13, 2011 8:37 pm

You can get a silverface for about the price of a used RI... I would (and did) go that route. It takes a little patience, but, you can get a 70s Twin Reverb for <$800.

Pens · Post by **Pens** » Tue Dec 13, 2011 8:50 pm

Uh.

Scour the Used lists and get a RI. It has the blackface circuit and will sound better than a silverface. A RI is going to be better than a silverface, only trumped in mojo by a real blackface, but they sound the same.

Goes like this:

Blackface (teh Mojoz) > Reissue > Silverface

hotrodperlmutter · Post by **hotrodperlmutter** » Tue Dec 13, 2011 9:23 pm

i am *not in the camp that a blackface RI sounds the same as a vintage blackface. it's just not true, especially with the deluxe reverb.

i've read different speakers can help, but to say they're the same, minus some mojo is a bit misleading.

Pens · Post by **Pens** » Tue Dec 13, 2011 9:24 pm

hotrodperlmutter wrote:i am in the camp that a blackface RI sounds the same as a vintage blackface. it's just not true.

...What? It does sound the same, or it doesn't?

hotrodperlmutter · Post by **hotrodperlmutter** » Tue Dec 13, 2011 9:24 pm

sry, edited.

Pens · Post by **Pens** » Tue Dec 13, 2011 9:45 pm

hotrodperlmutter wrote:i am *not in the camp that a blackface RI sounds the same as a vintage blackface. it's just not true, especially with the deluxe reverb.

i've read different speakers can help, but to say they're the same, minus some mojo is a bit misleading.

Speakers, transformers, and carbon comp resistors. Those are the only things different. Yes, those three things can make some difference in the sound, but the thing is, it sounds like it does because those things are worn out. That means with any serious use, they will fail. If you get it fixed up and restored back to "like new", you have a RI.

And it still isn't that much of a difference. A RI is going to sound how a blackface did when it was new. Break it in, and it will sound the same. Aside from carbon comp resistors, which the difference in sound is not that noticeable.

SurfGreenGibby · Post by **SurfGreenGibby** » Tue Dec 13, 2011 11:47 pm

To be fair, it probably won't sound exactly the same, since nothing ever does. The reissues being PCB probably contributes, too.

It doesn't bother me, though. I'm not rich/anal/proficient a player enough to go hunting for something absolutely 100% perfect.

I'm about 90% swayed towards the re-issue Deluxe Reverb or Twin. All I need to do is find a used one that can be shipped to Canada. My local Fender dealer seems to carry everything BUT the DRRI and TRRI for some reason.

timhulio · Post by **timhulio** » Wed Dec 14, 2011 2:56 pm

Silverface Fenders are better than reissues. Deluxes always sound better than Twins too, so unless you really need a ton of horrible icepick-clean headroom you'd be better going for a SF Deluxe.

taylornutt · Post by **taylornutt** » Wed Dec 14, 2011 3:06 pm

What kind of features are you needing on the amp? Should it be light and portable or not?

SurfGreenGibby · Post by **SurfGreenGibby** » Wed Dec 14, 2011 4:00 pm

Portability is an issue, yes, which is why I've knocked the Twin off the list.

As for features, reverb is nice, hence why the Deluxe Reverb has been the top choice. 18 watts is about perfect.

The main battle that remains is between the Silverface and the RI. Logistical issues will probably keep me from getting a Silverface unless one pops up locally. My local store carries none of the reissues, but they have a Blues Deluxe I could try out. Are there at least some similarities between the BD and the DRRI so I can get a better feel
For what I might be buying?

Thanks for the advice so far!

Pens · Post by **Pens** » Wed Dec 14, 2011 4:21 pm

timhulio wrote:Silverface Fenders are better than reissues. Deluxes always sound better than Twins too, so unless you really need a ton of horrible icepick-clean headroom you'd be better going for a SF Deluxe.

I'm really trying to figure out what you mean here. Reissues have the original circuits that actually sounded good before CBS took over and started changing everything.

And Deluxe sounding better than a Twin? What?

taylornutt · Post by **taylornutt** » Wed Dec 14, 2011 4:30 pm

I used to have a Musicmaster Silverface Bass amp and loved it. Very portable, but only has Volume and tone. Low on options, but high on tone.

Use your ears. Nothing wrong with Silverfaces. I prefer them for looks actually and I always like the less desirable stuff anyway (70's Fenders, etc). If the Silverface does the job and sounds good go with it. If you don't like how they sound, go with something else.

If you have a big store near you, you could tryout all the amps and then hit the used market for some additional savings.

paul_ · Post by **paul_** » Wed Dec 14, 2011 5:59 pm

Pens wrote:And Deluxe sounding better than a Twin? What?

It's a personal preference thing. A lot of people think Fender amps should be able to get dirty, plus find a TR to be overkill in many of today's live audio applications, so they prefer the DR.
I personally don't want my Fender amp getting dirty at all because I think old Marshalls sound better for that, and I consider TRs more or less THE Fender amp, because I associate Fender amps with a loud, clean, bright mid-scoop.

SurfGreenGibby · Post by **SurfGreenGibby** » Thu Dec 15, 2011 3:14 am

My preference would be for the Twin as well, because intend on using pedals for my distortion sound and would like a lot of clean volume.

Alas, money and practicality have put the kibosh on the Twin. There's always next year...

Pens · Post by **Pens** » Thu Dec 15, 2011 4:55 am

Silverface Bassman would be my recommendation then. That era stayed clean and loud, and are cheaper than a TR. The Blackface Bassman was sought after because it would get dirty when turned up. The Silverfaces that my friends have had are loud as hell but stayed clean. They are also somewhat portable.

I just scoured Craigslist until I found a TR RI for $550. I've never needed any other amp since then, as it'll handle any gig I've ever had to play with ease.

serfx · Post by **serfx** » Thu Dec 15, 2011 6:02 am

i'm really digging my silverface bassman, highly recommend, great for pedals, loads of head room.
i run mine through a 2x12 traynor cab at 4ohms..

i haven't done a demo of it yet, as i still need to do the 3 prong power chord mod..

SurfGreenGibby · Post by **SurfGreenGibby** » Sun Dec 18, 2011 2:00 am

I ended up buying the Deluxe Reverb.

It's quite good, if a bit trebly. I have a feeling that the somewhat ice-picky accents on my pick attack will fade as I get better at controlling them/the speaker cone breaks in. I'm not used to using something this loud, so my ears have to adjust to the volume before I can really start dialing in the tones I want.

Strangely enough, I couldn't get it to distort, even with the volume all the way up. I imagine it did break up a little, but my ears were overcome (I WAS sitting about two feet away from it) so I didn't pick it up.

I didn't buy this amp so I could distort it, anyways. It really seems to like pedals; my normally mucky and indistinct Big Muff sounds like it should now. I imagine my brand-spanking new Empress Multidrive (taking wayyyyy too long to come through the mail) will sound totally boss, too.

I'd like to thank everyone for their advice!

Haze · Post by **Haze** » Sun Dec 18, 2011 4:27 pm

i've always thought that deluxe's don't take pedals that well, twins as well. Get it up to a reasonable gigging volume, say 5 or 6, hit it with an overdrive that you know really well [like a big muff ie] and the amp will overdrive and sag and fussing up the pedals a bit too much. Then again, maybe you love that! This is just my experience/opinion with multiple RI and a '64 Deluxe thats in my family, ymmv.
If you are finding it a bit bright try out the normal input for a change. Or keep the treble at a reasonable level and implement your tone knob

cobascis · Post by **cobascis** » Mon Dec 19, 2011 3:02 am

My bassman is DIRTAY