Fender '65 Deluxe Reverb Reissue

This is a reissue of the original 1965 version of the Deluxe Reverb. It has two channels (each with two inputs), spring reverb, and vibrato. Power-wise, it is 22 Watts which is plenty loud for the small venues I play. In a larger place, it could be mic'd up easily. No effects loop, but it is built to vintage spec, so I didn't expect that. No master volume, but will start breaking up relatively early on the dial. Comes with a vintage-style footswitch for the vibrato and reverb.

This amp is the perfect fit for my sound.

It is extremely versatile, as long as you're not looking for hard rock/metal tones. Even then, this amp loves pedals so you can probably put something in front to make it achieve "teh brewtel" tones. It stays clean until you get the volume knob to "5" at which point it begins to produce very warm, smooth overdrive tones. In terms of volume, it will give you power-tube distortion without blowing the windows out of your house. This is one of its nicest features.

There are two separate channels on the amp. The "normal" channel does not include any reverb, and is the darker voicing of the two. It has two tone controls, one for treble and one for bass. The first input is for lower-output pickups, while the second is for pickups that crank out a hotter signal. I love this channel! It is perfect for my style of playing, giving me a nice jangly clean tone without the ice-pick quality of my Blues Jr. It punches through recorded mixes incredibly well, and is very easy to mic up and get good tones. The only drawback to this channel is its lack of reverb, but I use a Verbzilla pedal for 'verb so it is a non-issue for me.

The "Vibrato" channel is much, much brighter than the normal channel. This is the only channel which includes the trademark spring reverb, as well as the vibrato feature. The vibrato will oscillate the volume on your signal, and you can control both the speed of the oscillation and its intensity. My playing style really doesn't need this sort of feature, so I'll probably never use it, but it does what its supposed to. (Think of the solo in "New Slang" by The Shins) I find it harder to get a tone I like out of this channel due to its natural brightness. I have to roll down the tone control on my guitar and take away some treble on the panel in order to get things under control, and even then the tone just doesn't quite make me happy. There is (supposedly) a simple mod that can be done to the vibrato channel to eliminate this treble-boost, but I have not attempted it and probably never will. The normal channel is so good, I really have no use for the vibrato channel.

The amp will give you nice overdriven tones at reasonable volumes, but I bought it for the cleans. It has a jangly, punchy tone that can't be beat. For overdrive, I usually use my Jeckyll/Hyde pedal, and I've been very happy with the sound.

I haven't had it for very long, but it is going to be my main gigging amp. I have heard few complaints about its reliability. I suppose, like any tube amp, you have to be careful when you move it around. Compared to other amps, however, I don't see it as being particularly delicate.

Haven't dealt with them.

I traded in a Mesa Rect-O-Verb 50 for this amp, and it was a move I should have made a long time ago. Don't get me wrong--I loved the Mesa, and it was a reliable amp. The only problem was that it had features I never used which, unfortunately, were its strengths. The ROV was best at distorted, hard-rock tones, and I mostly play blues. The cleans on the ROV were fine, but not spectacular and the thing way to loud for my needs. The DRRI solves all of my problems. It is light, easy to transport, loud enough without being ear-splitting, and its strengths coincide with my own playing style. At its current price point, it is one of the best deals around. Outside of purchasing an expensive boutique amp (Victoria, Headstrong, etc), I think I have found my perfect fit.

This is 6 month old FDRR. Standard deluxe reverb controls. 22 watts.

Stock amp with the break-in sounds really good. I use the standard efx pedals, Compressor, O.D.,Micro-vibe, Delay, chorus. Most of my playing is with no efx on though, they are just that...effects. For the most part I use Reverend guitars, humbuckers or P-90s. Sounds great. Also sounds nice with Fenders,(duh). Gibson, Epi, Dano, just a really good amp.
Now here's the deal. If you want something super cool, forget new tubes, or a speaker. Put Mercury Magnetics transformers in it. WOW!
What you wind up with is one of the sweetest sounding amps you will ever hear for the money. The volume and tone controls are so effective. It has "THE TONE" from 2 to 10 and anywhere in beetween.

I assume that everything is going to be O.K.

Never needed it

I have about $1200 in the amp, parts and tech work.It is light weight, Looks cool. Sounds awsome.A few of my friends are scranbling to get themselves one. Nuff Said.

I have a new 2007 model with the Jensen C12K speaker. I play classic rock and blues in small to medium venues and the amp is perfect for it. The two separate independent channels are great, allowing me to keep my acoustic plugged into channel 1 and electric into 2.

This amp has such beautiful clean tone, and it breaks up at just the right volume. It responds to pedals extremely well. I also find that it sounds noticely "bigger" than most 1x12 combos, maybe because it has a relatively larger cabinet. Anyway, my only regret is that I spent so many years (and so much money) searching for the right amp, when all along it was right here, under my nose. Importantly, I absolutely agree with the previous reviewer regarding the stock Jensen C12K speaker. I likewise experimented with different speakers, including the Weber 12F150 and Emminence Cannabis Rex (also frequently recommended), and to my ears the stock Jensen is clearly the best match for this amp, for the same reasons stated by the gentleman below. I'm surprised that so many feel compelled to replace the stock speaker.

It appears well made, and so far so good. However, I never gig without a backup (Crate PowerBlock).

Been playing 30+ years and own way too much equipment to list. I have quite a few amps, including some expensive stuff (Dr. Z, Soldano, THD), but the DRRI is now my "go to" amp for gigging, and that says it all. I think it is pretty much perfect the way it is and would not hesitate to buy again. Thanks.

Very basic. Volume, Bass, Treble, Reverb, and Tremolo. 2 channels with each channel having 2 inputs. The second input in each channel features 6 db less than the first input. It's not too significant but noticeable.

The sound quality of this little beast is phenomenal. It's like every tone imaginable can be brought out with this thing. If any amp could be called the industry standard, the "65 Fender Deluxe Reverb" is it! If more sound is needed, an external speaker jack is on the chassis in the back. If you need more loudness, just mike it. It's just as good or even better than the original.

Fender amplifiers are tried and true. I think the fact that the originals are still around and are even coveted speaks volumes.

I have no experience in this catagory.

I've been playing off and on for about forty years. Over those years, Not too many amps. I had an original Deluxe Reverb, Vox Buckingham, Gibson Titan II, Acoustic 150, Acoustic 270, Pignose, (if you can call that an amp) Original Fender Vibroverb with a K130 and now the reissue, '65 Fender Deluxe Reverb. If I could have one more amp I'd like another "FDR".

Very basic. Volume, Bass, Treble, Reverb, and Tremolo. 2 channels with each channel having 2 inputs. The second input in each channel features 6 db less than the first input. It's not too significant but noticeable.

The sound quality of this little beast is phenomenal. It's like every tone imaginable can be brought out with this thing. If any amp could be called the industry standard, the "65 Fender Deluxe Reverb" is it! If more sound is needed, an external speaker jack is on the chassis in the back. If you need more loudness, just mike it. It's just as good or even better than the original.

Fender amplifiers are tried and true. I think the fact that the originals are still around and are even coveted speaks volumes.

I have no experience in this catagory.

I've been playing off and on for about forty years. Over those years, Not too many amps. I had an original Deluxe Reverb, Vox Buckingham, Gibson Titan II, Acoustic 150, Acoustic 270, Pignose, (if you can call that an amp) Original Fender Vibroverb with a K130 and now the reissue, '65 Fender Deluxe Reverb. If I could have one more amp I'd like another "FDR".

not sure what year this amp was made in, probably recently, within the last 10 years or so. the amp is more than versatile for the styles of music i play, which includes psychobilly (the arkhams), country punk (the black market band) rockabilly (mike mok and the em-tones) and more! there really isn't a style of music that this amp can't do! its like all the rest of the deluxe reverbs-- 2 channels, reverb and tremolo on the 2nd channel, 2 6v6 power tubes, jensen ceramic speaker (which sounds great!) no channel switching, or effects loops, but who needs them anyway? theres nothing i wish it had, as this is probably the most perfect amp i have ever owned. i use this amp everywhere-- live, rehearsing, recording, jamming. i plug straight into this amp usually with no effects, but occasionally a memory man, voodoo labs sparkle drive, boss EQ pedal (my favorite, except, now i rarely have to use it!) and it really doesn't need anything. i also rarely, these days, even use reverb!

this amp can make any sound that your geetar can make, which means that there is endless variety to it, however, it all sounds the same unless the player knows how to play, then it cooks! i only plug into channel 2 of this amp, and its never completely clean, but never completely dirty, just sounding good, for whatever my heart wants to play at that moment. the distortion is very musical sounding--- you can play jazz with it! i currently use a gretsch electromatic g5129 (exactly like the 50's gretsches with dearmonds), a Rickenbacker 330 (modded to 345 specs-- a 3rd pickup in it and a bigsby), an epiphone casino with p90's, a les paul junior with one p90, and a tokai breezy sound telecaster. i also some times use a danelectro six string bass through it (like a baritone geetar) my favorite pickups to usae with my geetars are p90's, and they sound great through that amp! sounds thick and juicy with plenty of spike in the high end and punch! it suits my styles to a tee! rock n roll, merseybeat, surf, psychobilly, punk rock, r & b, soul, old school country, you name it, good music! its not noisy unless the pickups are noisy. p90's are very noisy, so the amp is somewhat noisy with them! when i plug in the gretsch and play in the middle position, the amp is dead quiet!

i can depend on this geetar for sure! ive gigged without a back up and so far so good! i got a really good repair guy who fixes amps, but so far so good! i change the tubes every 6 months, so i almost never need to worry about that so much!

never dealt with fender-- i odnt like that company that much, id rather deal straight through NY music repair-- they know my amps like the back of their hands!

i have been playing for the better part of 20 years, and own tons of other gear; this is the first fender that i like the sound of in a band--- the twin reverb is lifeless and cant seem to break up enough! if ever lost or stolen, i would buy the same thing, and then cut off the hands of the person that stole it! theres nothing to hate about this amp! i chose this one since i am used to the 1-12 configuration that i can piggy back onto an 8 ohm cabinet. i currently use a no name cab that i loaded 2 Jensen p12q's into! it sounds great, i must say! nothing this amp don't have!

I have two of these - one an '06 and one an '07 model. There are no differences between them. Features as stated in previous reviews. It isn't the most versatile amp but does the "Fender Clean" like no other.

I love these amps. Like everyone else says, they have beautiful clean tone and a sweet breakup when you push them. I bought a second one as a backup. I play mostly clean type stuff and it's got superb tone. Add a five year warranty and you can't beat these things. I even had an original '65 Deluxe that I compared my DRRI to and I must say the DRRI sounded every bit as good to me. Maintenance is a draw back with the Reissue, but that is what the warranty is for. Overall, the DRRI is PLENTY good enough to justify saving the money on what an original costs -which is AT LEAST twice the price of the Reissue.

ON THE SPEAKER: I bought into the hype about Weber speakers when I got my first DRRI and replaced the Jensen C12K with the Weber 12F150 Ceramic model. The Weber has 50 watts. The Jensen is 100 watts. I had originally thought the Jensen was a bit bright - and the Weber DID tame SOME of that - a LITTLE....but it was at the complete and total expense of bottom end and power. When I got my second DRRI I put them next to each other and compared them and, I'm telling you, the JENSEN speaker provided so much more bottom end it wasn't even funny. A MUCH fuller sound all around. The Weber has a little bit more mid-range and a maybe a rounder high end --- but, honestly, once you break in the Jensen speaker it really is a fantastic fit for this amp. It provides MUCH more clean headroom and power which makes a 22 watt amp so much more useable. It has a wonderful, big, fat bottom end that the Weber just COMPLETELY lacks. I mean, why would anyone want a LOWER power speaker in this amp? The Weber speaker farted out at 4 on the volume knob -- and I'm playing a Strat with low output pickups. Very annoying. The Jensen, on the other hand, NEVER did that and easily took higher volumes with no problems. My personal advice would be keep the Jensen speaker and spend some time breaking it in before you part with more of your hard-earned cash on an aftermarket replacement. I took the Weber out and put the Jensen back in.

There are other things you can do (cheaper) to address some of the "thin" highs that you can sometimes get with this amp. I swapped the stock preamp tubes with some JJ's and that helped - along with providing a smoother breakup at high volumes and a bit more mid-range to the tone, to my ears. Another thing you can do is adjust the bias a little hotter - which is SO EASY with this amp it makes me laugh to see stores charging upwards of $50.00 to do it for you. Do yourself a favor and buy a multimeter and go online for the simple instructions on how to do this. It literally takes about 3 minutes from start to finish.

With good tubes, adjusted bias (to your personal preference - there is no "right" or "wrong" bias) and a properly broken in speaker this thing is ready to go.

So far so good....we'll see in a few years. Get a backup while these are still cheap!!!

never used them.

Would definitely replace if lost/stolen. Honestly, these have got to be one of the best clean tones for the price that you can get on the market. Lightweight and very toneful. If the "fender clean" is what you are looking for in a 1X12 package and you like tube amps - and lack the $2,000.00 for an original - look no further than this reissue.

20 watt all tube amp (including rectifier), Bias adjustment, two channels (non-switchable), one channel is brighter and has reverb and tremelow, other channel has no reverb or trem and is less bright. Each channel has it's own set of pre-amp tubes which is great as you can tweak each channel idependent of each other by swapping tubes.

You get that classic Fender clean sound with guitars with low output pickups. Humbuckers drive the amp into overdrive unless you roll the volume knob back to about 5 or so. You can also plug the guitar into input jack number 2 to tame humbuckers and thus get a cleaner sound.

When using humbuckers to drive the amp into natural overdrive you get that great classic blues overdrive that no pedal seems to really duplicate.

I swapped the pre-amp tubes from 12AX7's to a lower output type, I put in JAN-Sylvania 5751 and even tried a JJ 12AT7's for the first position tube. I got more clean tone with humbuckers with the tube swapp and still have great tone and plenty of volume.

The biggest improvement with this amp was Biasing the power tubes. I put in JJ 6V6's and set the Bias at 25ma and what a difference! Much warmer, richer and musical. Biasing also help with the highs and it helped the speaker sound great, no speaker change needed.

I use a DigiTech Bad Monkey overdrive when I want something different than the amps natural overdrive, it seems to complement the amp amp well.

Nice tones clean and overdriven and at low to moderate volume.

To new to say

Never used them

The amp delivers what it's adverstised as, and after a Bias adjustment it does what a Fender should do and thats deliver the tone there known for.

I bought this in 2007 new! I play classic rock and blue &play mostly club gigs it has great features to me I dont need alot of bells and whistles on an amp!!!

I play a modified 82 SC-3 G&L Guitar with Joe Barden pu's(well worth the money)it seems like it only starts to start sparkling when you get it past 4 on the volume I like it between 4-6 on the volume, 7 on the bass, 5 on the treb, 2.5 on the rev.I only use one pedal after trying tons. a boss blues driver most of the time its off and I get my od tone from having my guitar on 10 and on 8 when I want to clean up my tone! the tone is just smooth all the time. I have a 67 twin rev. and can only get that tone at high volumes too loud for clubs!

Ive owned lots of fender over 26 years of playing some good some bad just in the tone dept. none have ever given me reliability problems!

never had too!

If something happen to this amp I wouldnt hesitate to get another!!!

The legendary 65 Deluxe Reverb. Made in 200X?? Rock, Blues, Jazz, this amp can take care of it. 2 channels - you can actually plug in at the same time. On some gigs I had it used with GR-30 plugged into channel 1 and regular guitar on Channe1 2. No need for channel switching. My Tech21 TM60 still has it's place

Playing long.. since 70's never owned a Fender. Mesa, Sunn, Marsahall, Tech21, Teisco, Elk, but never a Fender. I thought Line6 Flex tone was end to all my quest. NOT!! always struggled with too clean or distortion with sizzle!# what ever you call it out of focus, artifact. something missing. Then I plug into DRRI - this is the way guitar should sound. Very musical. It's not about frequency response or tube or what ever. It has to sound musical. like the notes comes to life. and DRRI does it. My set up is Fender Strat. Brian Moore iGuitar with SD, Ephi Casino with TS-9 (Analogman Modd)- Metal Zone, Digitech Delay. Thats it. I gave up chorus/phasor ugg.. and DRRI made it easier to put all that shwashi... away. clean sparkles without coloring with chorus. A bit of delay and you are done. So much responsive to stomp boxes. My TS-9 shines. It does sound like a fat tube amp. Trying to experiment with Metal Zone for little more versetile distortion tone. Still searching. My Voume is at 4. Treble 5 Bass 3. Touch of reverb,

Had it for about 1 year. No problem.

No need yet

It is one of the best amp I ever owned. I kind of lied when I said I quit using chorus. My TC-Electronic G-Major rests because DRRI has no effects loop. G-Major is designed to use ONLY through effects loop. I got heavy hissing noise when I plugged into front end. So I am living with no modulation tone.. but I am not missing it with DRRI.. because it sounds so beautiful even without the chorus. And my TS-9 it's all the fuss is all about.. smooth singing tone.. and the crunch. I don't need another amp.