Fender Blues Deluxe Reissue 112 Combo

Have been statet already, but one point: the two channels are indeed quite similar in distortion; there's really no big difference. I wish, the clean channel wouldn't break up so early. A channel boost (more drive like the hotrodded ones), a bias poti for the power amp tubes and a more reachable panel would be no real luxury.

So the sound is - to no surprise - Fender tweedish. But that is really it. The range between clean and dirty is quite narrow.
So this amp is likely only little versatile.
What decreases my rating the most is the lack in quality control concerning the tube mounting and construction in general.
I had two factory new amps and both had the same problems: a snaring caused by the power-amp tubes. Fender has built an aluminium cage around the tubes which touches the tubes and causes the snaring sound when the cage starts vibrating - a realy stupid construction.
After altering the cage's position there was still a sound like microphonic tubes, which could not be resolved by exchanging them. So the first amp went to the german main technical centre and they exchanged a relais.
Back at my store I could compare the "repaired" amp with an additional amp, that was ordered: the shimmering tone was still audible and the new amp had all the same problems plus a annoying noise while switching channels.
While becoming a bit more critical in testing these amps it has to be stated, that both start to rattle in their housing really early (at about 6 on the master dial)
So what is the Fender QC doing before shipping their products? Checking if the Fender sticker is readable?

See above!

Technical support in Germany seems not to be one of the best.
Remailing an amp, which causes an unacceptable noise that would be caught by any mic in front of the amp is really weak.

What use is an amp (or two) that cause annoying noise , which disturbs the mainly ok overall sound?
So this was the first and last of this kind. There are a lot of good amp mnufactorers out there that produce good amps with great fender-like or even better tones eg. Rivera, Crate, Bogner. I think I'm going to save a little bit more and pay even the double for an amp that sounds AND works great.

'06 amp. 2 channel, clean and distortion. Play small to medium clubs. You guys know the features. Ungodly loud for a 1 X 12 amp. I was looking for a 1 X 12 tube amp w/ switchable clean / distortion channels for a plug and play kind of deal. I'm tired of hooking up all those pedals and lugging that 2 x 12 Marshall '78 JMP to get the 'grail' tone. Does the amp have the features? Sure. Do they fit what I need? No. But for features, it has a lot of options.

Using a '95 Les Paul standard. The amp is quiet. The clean channel is impressive and I'm sure it would distort, but unless you are playing Madison Square gardens, I doubt you will be turning it up that loud. The distortion channel. Not as impressive. The amp has minimal gain even when using my PRS, which has slightly hotter dragon II pups. I play blues / classic rock and this amp does NOT achieve that type of low gain. I'm sure w/ a pedal it would, (and probably sound awesome doing it) but we're not reviewing pedals here. of note, for those of you unfamiliar w/ Fender amps, they tend to have a certain shrill / piercing note to them especially on the bridge pickup of any guitar. Be forewarned. Not to say that great tones haven't been elicited by the greats, just that those volume levels, pedal set ups, etc... are not representative of this amp at normal levels. The clean channel is good if that's what you are looking for. Sorry, but I wanted my cake and eat it too. I already own a single channel amp that blows this one away.

Don't know, will be trading it for a Rocker 30 Orange.

Don't know, judging by all the reviews here, Fender support sucks.

I'n not trying to rag on this amp, but they are advertising it as a 2 channel amp that you basically should be able to plug straight in and acheive the desired results. Not so, like I said, with pedals, this amp would flat out rock. Alone, it doesn't deliver. If you are looking at these, buy the Hot Rod version. Much more flexibility for the same money. Don't get hung up on the pretty tweed, chrome don't get ya' home...

I bought this reissue in June 2005. The features have been duly noted by other submissions = 2 channels, effects loops, footswitch for channel/reverb switching. 40 watts of TUBE delight / 1 X 12.

I use this amp in my studio at home, but would not hesitate to gig with it, if needed. The power rating is perfect - not too loud when breaking up - but not dangerous to the eardrums, either.

I began by using a Fender Strat Vaughan Strat that comes with special pickups with a little edge added on. Since the pu's are single coil, they are a little noisy, but you can live with it since, in a way, this adds character to the sound. I thought the sound was total shimmering Fender "clean" on the normal channel; however, was not that thrilled with the sounds coming on the boost channel. Now, I'm using a Gibson Les Paul Standard with Alnico V Burstbuckers and it totally rounds out the sound. The amp breaks up around 6-7, but I move it on up to 8 to get the "tone." I am thinking about replacing the EV speaker with a Celestion Vintage to see if it will break up a little sooner. I welcome feedback on this idea from anyone who had a little expertise with doing this. Bottom line: vintage Fender tone that will not let you down.

I have not gigged out with this amp - it stays in my studio. Otherwise it seems very dependable. As with all tube amps, though, I know it will need TLC if moved around alot (i.e., warm up, cool down time).

Never had to use it with Fender. However, I bought the amp from Musicians Friend and, personally, will give them a 10+ for their customer support. I once returned a Blues Jr. that arrived and the reverb did not work - no problems whatsover with them.

I've been playing for 30 years and through all of that have owned and used about anything you can imagine. Besides a little roland modeling amp, this is all I am using at the moment, plus the two guitars already mentioned. My effects are a rackmounted TC Electronics G major ( set up through the effects loop on the amp) through a wireless setup. Pretty good sound, if you ask me. I could stand a little more gain on the boost channel, but I've been used to Marshalls, so that may have spoiled me on this requirement.

I would likely replace this amp if lost or stolen or maybe move up to a Twin Reverb. It would be nice if an extra 1 X 12 matching cab were available to compliment and augment the setup.

I'm Back using the White Groove Tubes power tubes. Although highly recomended,Rubys and JJ's were too fat with less punch in a performance
situation.
I'm keeping the Ruby preamp tubes that replace the Groove Tubes preamp, I think they are a bit warmer.

I would like to try some TAD short bottle power amp tubes.(used in some Two Rock amps) I hear they're even more punchy.

With the original 'whites' power tubes my Fender sound is back.I prefer this sound live. This is the sound that sold me on the amp in the first place.
But in my frontroom at lower volumes I did prefer the Rubys over the whites or the JJ's.. The punchy sound of the whites works best live for me.



Tubes do make a difference and with the adjustable bias, switching tubes is a snap. The amp is simply a 'cathedral' for the tubes anyway.
Right?

But there must be more because it has that 'Fender' sound. It's beyond just the tubes.



I'm totally sold on this amp. Great Fender tone. Great price $460.00

I'm settling into this amp and it has the sound I've been looking for.

I erased all the lettering and numbers on the control panel and replaced it with my handwritten version. I used paint pens. IT NOW FACES THE CORRECT DIRECTION. Much more comfortable and funtionable.
Looks cool too.
Someday I'd like to shallac the cab for that 'old' look.

I also made an amp stand for it. This greatly helps balance the low end so it's not so 'fat'.

This is a great amp. Give it your love.

This amp is a 2005 Fender Blues Deluxe Reissue. I have been using primarily Line 6 POD XT devices for the last couple of years for practical reasons. First, they sound great. Second, they work quite well in bedroom studios where volume (neighbor's) is an issue. I started thinking about getting a simple tube amp when I learned that these devices called attenuators could help keep the speaker volume down and still let me push the amp into tube-saturation. I wanted a basic tube amp that could be used for blues, jazz, alt-country, and alternative music. My influences include Jerry Garcia, Joe Walsh, Lowell George, Bonnie Raitt, Eric Clapton, Mark Knopfler, Steely Dan, Bob Dylan, The Band, Neville Brothers, etc. Basically in the 70's funky blues tradition. After reading countless reviews here and elsewhere I realized the Fender Blues Deluxe Reissue was probably the amp I was looking for. Man, was that a correct choice! Upon receiving the amp I changed out the stock Groove tubes for (2)SED C wing type output tubes and (3) JJ 12X7 types. This cost about $50 which I plan to recoup on Ebay to some degree by selling the Groove Tubes. The warmth, sustain, mojo is incredible. I also bought a Weber Load Dump attenuator which allows me to set the clean channel at 5 or 6 and use the attenuator at 2. This attentuator is crucial in getting a true tube saturated sound without earbleed. The "breakup" is still a little to early so I will experiment adjusting the bias so I can achieve a little cleaner sound on the clean channel. I've seen where many have complained of the drive channel being useless but I have to disagree. It may have to do with the tubes in some cases but I like the growl and bite this drive channel gives. Remember, if you need extreme distortion there are pedals that will accomodate that perfectly. It doesn't mean the drive channel is useless. I use my POD XT Live thru the effects loop and I've taken the advise of those before me who suggest turning the POD XT's amps off. The combination of real tubes and POD XT modeling is incredible. Best of both worlds. I am stunned and can't put this freaking Guild S-100 guitar down. This is fun! I like this amp because it doesn't try to do everything and is basic. But it "basically" is awesome. I could envision using this amp to perfection either in the studio mic'd or live mic'd. Also, it's quite purty in my studio. Vintage cool. I also am going to replace the stock Emminence 12" with a Weber California. I should be able to recoup most of the cost ($90) by selling the Emminence on Ebay.

As mentioned above I use a reissue 1997 Guild S-100 which uses humbuckers and I have a Bonnie Raitt Signature Strat with Kinman AV Blues single coils and both types of pickups respond well. Lot's of nuance in the individuals technique. It can go from clean vibey to medium warm crunch on a dime. Heavier distortion requires a pedal. No big deal. I haven't found the amp to be noisey. I have clean on 5 or 6 and it's quiet and clear as a bell. This kind of amp by itself can only do a few tricks but they tend to be jaw dropping. I could easily use this amp just by itself if I had to. Add external pedals or modelers and the sky is the limit. Very powerful amp. LOUD. Get an attenuator.

I don't know how reliable this amp is. At a gig I would have my POD XT Live as a backup. It looks pretty sturdy but I'd treat it like a baby anyway.

I have had no experience with Fender in this area.

I have been playing guitar roughly 25 years. If stolen I would undoubtedly replace it with another. It is crucial to my sound now. Tubes is magic!

This is a 2006 FBDA, the amp meets all my music needs but you do need some pedals. Won't go over the features just have to read about them any place on the web. This amp is use for gigs weekends and has enough power to play just about anywhere.

I use Rickenbacker 360 and a Ric 620 and Tenn. Rose Gretsch with this amp. For my music it is just what I was looking for.
The only problem I am having is it is very noisy called and tech. stated it might not be ground right, well that's not the problem so not sure what the problem is so will have to have it check out cause this amp is NOISY. So for that I have to give the sound a Two (2)

I never take extra amps with me cause I have always used VOX but with this amp I will take my VOX with me. This amp like my VOX get's TLC.

Called Tect support and not much help there. This will be my 1st repair on this amp. And the only place that does work on this amp is about hour drive.

Been playing over 40 years I have alot of gear top stuff. If this amp was stolen I buy another NEW VOX AMP.

Adjustable bias, ceramic tube sockets. That's nice features. I switched tubes to all Ruby tubes and I think it sounds all lot better. To me.

The white Groove Tubes are what sold me on the amp. Real wonderful Fender tone. I also tryed a pair of JJ's hoping they would sound great.
They didn't, I liked the white GT's better.

But the Ruby 6L6GCSTR tubes sound just great in this amp.

The Fender Blues Deluxe Reissue with the Ruby Tubes is the best sounding amp I've ever owned.

I've owned a Boogie Mk1 because Robben Ford and Santana used them in the '70s. that was THE sound... But in order to get that amp to sing like that it needed to be >>LOUD<<. Too loud even in brown power. So with the volumes I was playing at the Mk1 just sounded squishy. I play in clubs and the like. I've also owned a Blues Deville.

In '96 I got into Line6 and I now I have the PodxtLive. This was a great experience in that I now know what all those amps sound like.
The Line6 is an excellent mimic. I found that Fender was what I really enjoyed. Next was Vox AC30. But Fender was my 'sound'.

When I went looking for a Fender tube amp I knew what I wanted to hear
because of the Line6 experience. The Blues Deluxe Reissue was the only Fender amp under $1,000 that delivered the goods the way I like it. Add my overdrive pedal in line and a sweet tremelo or ? going through the fx loop, all true bypass and my G&L ASAT with those >>> PICK-UPS. This is one GREAT sounding guitar.

That's all I need for killer blues/jazz tone.

This amp pulled me away from buying the twice as expensive SuperSonic
or the Lonestar by Mesa. The Lonestar is a sweet amp and can get very Texas but it also goes many other places and it's pretty vast in adjusting and tweeking, you got to use your ears or you can get lost.
The SuperSonic is a great little amp but my favorite tones are not that different from the Blues Deluxe. The Supersonic can go to the METAL zone but I would not be taking it there. Bring it down to smooth Fender grind.
The Blues Deluxe Reissue seems to do this Grind thing just fine, and with the new Ruby tubes I put in it's all there. Smoother than the Groove Tubes. More harmonically rich. Definatly a different slant on the Fender tone. For the better I think.

I gotta go turn it on and play ya'all

This is a great choice for classic Fender tone

Two channel, Acoustisonic reverb, fx loop. Pretty basic but functional.

I bought mine for $460.00 because the lettering was coming off. Typical for this and some other Fender amps. I don't care really, If it becomes a problem, I'll paint it like a Z-vex fx pedal.

Why is the control panal backwards? Weird.

What's really important is the amp is simple and works well.

I may swap the GT tubes for Ruby tubes and check that out. I've heard it's sweeter.

I did have my eyes on the new Super Sonic. Fenders first dual cascading preamp amp. I rocks. I bought one and it crapped out the first night. So I returned it. While I was waiting I played the Blues Deluxe Reissue with my G&L ASAT and it totally had the same vibe as the Bassman on the SuperSonic. Maybe better? Of course I'm talking the clean channel here. The burn channel on the SuperSonic just blows the drive channel on the Deluxe, but, that's ok. It's half the price.

This amp seems to bloom just as nicely as the new SuperSonic. Fenders new superstar. In channel one. Channel two gets lost in the dust compared to the SuperSonic.

It needs a great equalizer. Not eq but equalizer.

My great equalizer is my Greenline pedal by Smartpeoplefactory.com
I a/b'd this next to a dozen botique distortion pedals and this one easily came out on top. Tubescreamer inspired but beyond. Think Peter Green playing 'OH WELL' and you get an idea what this pedal and amp sound like. Freddie King or Robben Ford Dumble thing as well. With my ASAT. Dial the knobs a little and you have a very wonderful SRV thing. That's on the clean channel. On the dirty channel of the amp with the pedal we got tones that are punchier.The pedal has vintage and modern distorts and it also has a 'MUD' switch that boosts the lows. It's not a heavy metal pedal. I like vintage no mud the best. It's a great blues rock pedal. Check it out here at Harmony Central.

The pedal doesn't destroy the character of the Fender. It's all there.

I love this Fender tone.

This marriage of gear is hard to beat. I dont really feel I need
the Super Sonic at this time. It's easier to push the Deluxe in a club than the louder 60w Super Sonic. I like that. And It's lighter.

I was going to buy the Mesa Lonestar, but the Fender Blues Deluxe/ Greenline rig is more me.

Ok, let's cut heads.

The features are the ones listed above or Below, just enough for me.

Excelent sound ! real tube tone.

I bought it New.
After some 4 years using it, it had a problem en the clean channel. It doesn't delivers all the power and sounds with distortion if you push the volume up ( any Idea of what could be wrong ?, I'll appreciate if you a-mail me at fabianromano@argentina.com). The drive "channel" sounds still good.
I didn't fix it yet.

Never talked to Fender. I don't know if they have customer support here in Argentina.

I've been playing for 12 years, styles such as Blues, Rock, Funk, Hardcore, etc.
If it where stolen I would catch the Moth..Fu... and replace his eyes with his testicles !!, No joking, it was my first amp, and I love it, it is part of my life.
I love the sound and the reverb of this amp, I just hate that it broke.

On features I am a simpleton. I do some gigs with strait guitar and amp clean. This is the true test of the amp and the guitar (as well as my hands). I use pedals to add stuff when I need it or want it. I like the presence knob. Haven't had a Fender with one of those before. Two independant channels would be nice but for a strait up combo, I'm not going to complain.

Sounds wonderful. I have been playing semipro for about 18yrs. in Nashville (blues, soul, jazz, et....)and I had my first one in about every situation you could imagine. Delivered like the mailman. I don't like the "Sovtek" Groove Tubes. Also amp is fixed biased so when the warrenty wears out I plan to get a set of different tubes and install a bias pot. I did read one reviewer that was having problems finding the "White GT" power tubes. If you look in black under the white GT you will see that they are actually Sovtek (a Russian company) 5881 WXT tubes and most music stores that have an amp tech will have a hand full of matched sets to find some that will be biased close enough to your amp.

I bought one of the first re-issues from a pawn shop really cheap because some of the PC mounted jacks' soilder joints were loose and a reliable freind (and vintage instrument dealer) told me this was THE amp I wanted. I bought it and changed out the jacks to chassy mounted ones and never looked back. I ended up hitting some hard times (welcome to the music business) and had to sell it. Now I've just bought a new one (my first new amp ever) and it almost feels wrong. I've never had anything with a warrenty. My first one was used and abused and took it like a champ. Like most things built these days, you may have some issues from the factory (loose screws et..) but once you get everything tightened up, it will last a lifetime. Designed like a true Fender. Most music stores give a one year warrenty on new amps. Get the tech to go all the way through it and make sure it's good. It should be no charge. Especially when you're spending this kind of money.

Haven't tried

I've been playing about 27 years. I play strats and a Lucille. It's my favorite combo. A fine balance of size weight and power in a tube amp with true Fender tone. I am (as a tech) going to complain about the circuit board vs point to point but welcome to the new millineum. Did I mention it's my favorite.