Fender Concert II 112 Combo

My 82 is just like all the others so there's no need to go into detail

Here's where credit comes due, this amp is one the best sounding amps Fender has ever produced, I've owned and played through almost every amp Fender has ever made and the only one I ever owned that I would rate with this amp is the Fender Super Six. I know beauty is in the eye of the beholder or in my case ears.

I have never had any problems with this amp, it is now Nov. of 2009 and my amp blew its first fuse and I'm fixing to replace the power tubes.

I have never had to contact Fender

What can I say, when you have already given them all ten's where else can it go.

2 channels, fx loop , extension speaker jack, recording jack,,distortion reverb,,,,,,,mid boosts..

Sound is awesome I have also put a celestion gold speaker in it and It wails... parkling cleans and gritty leads.....

Hand wired Like the good old days....great

I give this amp a 10 cause I love it and it covers many different sounds,,,,and works with pedals great.....Put a good speaker in and away you go!!! These are starting to get expensive so buy one now before there 2000.!!

I recently purchased this amazing amp after searching for one in my price rnge for the last 2 years. this review applies to my specific amp only because i was incredibly lucky enough to score a 1983 Fender Concert 112 Combo that was personally hand modifed by Lee Jackson in 1984 while he was still working out of a music store here in Reseda CA and had just left Fender. I am only the 3rd owner - the gal I bought it from (thank you Maureen) bought it from the music store owner in 1986 and owned it for 22 years. This amp has ALL the standard Lee Jackson mods plus a 17" reverb pan and Rever circuit mod as well as what appears to be an additional knob added to the rear to provide on the fly Bias adjustment - all done by Lee himself. It also has a Celestion Black Shadow (Mesa) speaker that really opens up the voice at both ow and high volumes. The sound of this amp can only be described as Heavenly and awer inspiring. I am a very happy camper indeed. Oh BTW - I got an amazing deal (don't ask). This amp has every feature I could ever want - well documented in other reviews here - the most important being lots of volume and TONE TONE TONE.

Channelswitching provides an amazing array of tonal options - the clean is ure Fender gorgeous and the Reverb is great - and the drive channell makes me wonder why nobody is copying this kind of circuit - I'll be putting away my 2 overdirves and fuzz pedal for awhile that's for sure. I have 8 guitars and 7 samps - 6 all tube - and this is now by far my favorite (I have a Fender 65 Deluxe RI, a Harmony 304A combo, a Marshall Studio 15 (yes, I know) a late 70's Champ, a Fender 25R SS combo (don't ask) and a 1959 sound project 3 watt tube amp. All reat stuido and recording amps but this will be my go to live amp for years to come. Allthe tubes are GT's and they are at least 20 years old - one is wheezing a bit (probably the 12aT7) but I won't let my tecvh touch this til I've put another 20 hours on it. So far it loves my 84 Tele, MIJ Fotoflame strat and Mustang - but when I plugged in my Epiphone Korina Explorer I almost fell over. Dear God! What have I done to deserve this glory? I think I need to take some more lessons - I don't deserve this good of an amp.

I can't begin to guess what kind of things have been rerouted, caps replaced, resistors swapped or eliminated etc. But this is a hand wired PTP amp so whatever the new schematic must be - it works for me. Fender obviously can't even make an amp like this anymore - or don't want to. This thing is rock solid - weighs 60 lbs - and I'm already looking for a flight case - but it is built like a hand made amp. The back panels alone must be 1/2" thick birch - makes my DRRI look like Chinese crap by comparison - nd I like that amp. But I wouldn't trust this to anyone but my devoted tube guru (Bob Heman here in Reseda - AceAmps - he's amazing and is devoted to his craft) so I don't expect any problems we can't handle now or in future.

Fender USA?? Give me a break - I'd sooner take it to the local Guitar Center (freakin idiots).

I have an apartment full of vintage 60's furniture, stereo equipment and guitars and amps. I am only a middling guitarist at best but I really believe Leo Fender and Jim Marshall belong inthe Pantheon of the gods. I can now add Paul Rivera and Lee jackson to that short list. If you think you know tone - you'll love this amp. But Like I said mine is one in a million - so I can't speak for the others - but if this one is any indication, the potential is in there for a mind-blowing sonic experience. I've been to the top of the mountain.. now escuse me while I go bug the neighbors some more.

same as other reviews . NOTE if you need a footswitch for this amp go to tubeampparts.com and pick one up for $50.00 . your welcome.
My amp has a single 12" celestion gold. real nice!!

NIce cleans and reverb. Overdrive is smooth and real good for a fender. A compressor and or distortion pedal helps deliver endless sustain. I wish the gain could do it all so a nine!.

rock solid no problemo's.

I've had too many amps come and gone. This one is real nice and is versitle enough for me to play many gernes! I recomend trying one out
If you swap out the speaker you will be happy!

Early 80s Paul rivera designed Fender 1x12 Concert open back combo.
60 watts output from x2 6L6 tubes.
x2 12AT7s for reverb recovery and phase invertor and x5 12AX7s for the rest of the pre-amp.
Tube reverb. no tremelo. Channel switching to a complete 2nd channel with master and gain control.
Ist channel for very nice cleans.
I have found this amp not that heavy at all...some other reviewers say it is heavy.
Good foot-switch that comes with the amp for reverb and channel switching functions.
Oh....last but not least, this baby is hand wired and that does make a difference...!!

Hand wired amps have two advantages over pc board circuit amps.
Durability and maintenance of circuit are easy and functional.
2ndly...any hand wired tube amp i have ever played has better tone.!
There is better seperation and definition of the treble,mids and bass and a more 3d effect of the sound with a hand wired amp.
I`m not a snob on the subject, but have just found this to be true.
PC Board amps are ok for sure, but they just don`t have the same tone quality or circuit durability.

The single biggest/best improvement I feel that can be made to THIS AMP is to replace the loud speaker.
The EV is quality but is too focused for this amp and lacks warmth.
the Eminence stock speaker does not do the amp justice at all.

A 1x12 open back high gain combo requires a speaker that can perform several mechanical functions well...resulting in a broad spectrum of sonic balance and warmth.
The best choice for my ears to date are Celestions.
The models i think are VERY well suited are the G12-65 and the new G12T-100.
The G12T-100 is very good alround for this amp.
Cleans are georgous and the overdrive channel cooks nicely indeed.
The tones are fat and smooth and very complimentary to this amp.
The G12-65 has a little better tone for the overdriven mode (think Robben Ford)but the G12T-100 is nicer for the cleans.

Some other easy mods for this amp are really just changing out some of the preamp tubes for different sonic flavours.
Some good examples are...swapping
(V1)12AX7 for a 5751 for a really nice clean and well defined tone with a little more headroom available.
(V2)can be substituted with a 12AU7 for a warm toned overdrive channel if you like a little less grit and less gain.
With the mid-pull function activated..using a 12AU7 is a good choice if you like warm bluesy overdrive type tones.
The 12AU7 is helpful if you want more warmth in the tone,
the obvious pay-off is less gain available compared to the 12AX7 tube.
Once again the 5751 is a good choice in the(V2)position for a smooth overdrive with almost as much gain available as the 12AX7.
If you like the 12AX7 for its qualities...don`t overlook the 12AX7lps
(long plate spiral)for a more vintage type warm tone for both clean and high gain.

This amp is a real winner with the speaker change. It has absolute world class tone on tap and will suit you if you are into jazz or R&B
Blues etc.
I could well imagine Mr.Carlton happily using one of these amps if set up properly.
Without the speaker change it is a damn good amp with great potential.
Get the right speaker loaded in this baby and you`ve got a real sweet unit.
I should also add that both single coils and humbuckers are great through the Concert.
Very versatile and great reverb.I think one of the best reverbs I`ve heard.
Scores an (8) without speaker change and a glorious (10) with the right speaker loaded.

Best amp available for me and my budget. Hand wired amps are not so common anymore and these Concerts are a bargain if you can find one in good nic.
I do recommend the speaker change and even preamp yube changes if you wish to experiment a little.
I cannot afford one of the Dumble amps...this is a real blessing having this baby come along.

It's a 1982 to 1985 Concert Amp. This is the series that included a second Gain Channel for the first time in Fender history.
The amp has two channels, is all tube (also tube driven reverb) and has a line out as well as an effects loop that can be adjusted with two control knobs. Has ext. speaker jack. That's all I look for in an amp. It misses a mid control in the clean channel, but I can live with that. I play Rock and need clean as well as crunch and lead sounds. I depend on a effects loop for modulation effects and delay. All is there.
60W out of 2 6L6GC do the trick on most smaller gigs. If you crank this thing, you can skip the monitor. To really rock, you will need a 1x12 extension cabinet.
It has a footswitch and if you buy this amp make sure you get it with it. This footswitch has 2 LEDs (one bicolor) and two cables. Switches channel and Reverb. You can get replacement on the aftermarket (TAD has em) but they are darn expensive.

I use it with Fender Strat w/ Lace Sensors and Gibson Les Paul with 496/500T pus. The clean chanel is what you'd expect from a Fender. Nice and lush, good saturation at the upper end.
The gain channel starts to come alive at Mster Vol 3,5 before it lacks bottom and attack. It uses two cascading preamp tubes with seperate controls (vol and gain). You can overdrive the first, the second or both tubes. Typical Rivera feature, I guess. I have experimented, but for me it works best to set both at 7 and do the rst with the vol on the guitar. Gain channels needs experimenting, but with the midboost engaged it gets pretty mean. Not metal but pretty serious hi gain. You rub your eyes: This is a 1980ies Fender Amp? The tone control is pretty lame. Especially the mid and bass control don't do a lot. I'l have an amp tech check that.
I use the stock speaker right now. It has an aluminum calotte but still sounds surprisingly warm. I have connected to an EVoice and the stock Twin Amp speakers. I'll probably replace the speaker at some point but it seems to harmonize well with the amp.
Oh and it is extremly low noise. The hum balance seems very well adjusted. No noise. I thought it wasn't working when I first switched it on. A perfect ten but drawbacks are the less impressive lead sound on lower volume and the less effective tone control in this channel.

I have replaced the reverb drive tube. Was the stock tube, so no complaints after 20 years. Built like a tank. Handwired point to point.
This amp will not let you down if you treat it right.

I emailed for a manual and FMI emailed a pdf the next day! (Thanks, David!) Try and find that at another company for a product that has been discontinued 20 years ago.

For the price paid it's a steal! Handwired two-channel all tube amp for 350! I was looking for used Hot Rods but I'm glad I found this. This has more character and is built better than the contemporary stuff.
This is the little brother of my Twin and great for smaller gigs. Heavy but not back-breaking heavy. I love it. Lot or stolen? I'd start looking for one again.

Rivera designed, etc. - you know the specs. I sold my Mesa Blue Angel 4 x 10 to try something different. I went into everyone's favorite music mega store and saw this Concert, which had been there for several weeks. I threw out a low ball offer and they took it. I like the channel changing; I have come up with some great ways to get different tones out of this baby. It isn't missing anything from my standpoint.

I've had it for about a month now, and I replaced the stock Fender speaker with an Eminence Red Ryder. The speaker isn't broken in yet, but it alreaedy has made a huge difference in the sound. The speaker is rated at 120 watts, and belts out some serious bottom end, which was missing with the stock speaker. Also, since the speaker is rated so high, there is no speaker breakup, which I don't like. The result is a tight focused bottom end with smooth highs and an awesome silky overdrive. I play a G & L ASAT semi hollow through the following chain - Boss digital delay, Homebrew Germania, Analogman Chorus, Homebrew CPR compressor. I haven't expiramented with the effects loop, but I plan to. Using a few combinations of clean channel, clean channel with Germania on, Dirty channel, dirty channel with Germania on, and various guitar volume settings, I get anything from Fender clean (really), light grit, smooth light overdrive, and full on blast. This amp really loves the Germania. I would try any treble booster, and you will love the sound. This baby pumps 60 watts, and I tested all 60 of them the other day when my wife was out with the kids. Thumping bottom, signing highs, and I can't even figure how many levels of harmonics kicked in. I'll be honest, I don't love the dirty channel by itself. I sort of like it, but no love here. But when I kick in the Germania, man, it sounds so freakin' awesome. I used the Germain on the Mesa Blue Angel, and it sounded pretty good, maybe a little to trebly. But this amp seems to be a match made in heaven for a treble booster. Add in the superb sustain from the CPR compressor, and this is my favorite rig, EVER.

Point to point wiring. What else can you say? It's a tube amp, so it does require maintenence and such, but that's just part of the deal. You can live in paradise, but sometimes you have to deal with hurricanes or Tsunamis.

Your on your own with an older Fender. But any amp tech can fix a point to point amp, so don't sweat it.

Been playing for over twenty five years. Spent endless money on whims and changes in style, mood, underwear. You can't go wrong with this baby. Sure to gain more popularity in the ensuing years.

1982 Fender Concert II amp designed by Paul Rivera. Two channels & both are useable which is odd for Fender. Loads of clean headroom. Mid boost is a nice feature. Reverb is extremely lush. THIS IS A POINT TO POINT HAND WIRED AMP. Effects loop, line out for direct recording, external speaker jack, etc??..! I had no footswitch when I purchased this amp in 1994 but I have managed to find an aftermarket variac footswitch that switches channel and turns the reverb on and off. Two 6L6?s in the power stage and 12AX7?s everywhere else except for the phase inverter. This one has the EV speaker designed for Fender. Rivera should be commended for this exceptional design.

I use the amp on stage with a Keeley compressor, Keeley Katana Boost, Keeley modded TS9 and Maxon AD80 analog delay. My guitars are 2002 G&L ASAT semi-hollow, 1986 G&L ASAT, 2000 G&L Comanche and G&L Climax. I cover everything from ?Redneck? Jazz to Country to Blues. The EV speaker is unspectacular at bedroom volume??but when turned up beyond 5 the EV really shines. Beautiful, clear mids and shimmering highs. Loads of clean headroom. This amp/speaker combination is a real test for lead guitarists as it will expose any weakness in your playing. If you have good command of your guitar the combination of amp and EV speaker will reward you in superior dynamics??..but having said that, the stock speaker is quite capable and the Weber speakers are always good choices. This is a Class A set up and is VERY loud. You will have no problems keeping up with the most aggressive drummer. I agree with a previous poster that the on-board reverb is as good or better than any I?ve ever heard.

The amp is a workhorse. I have been using is live since 1995 and have the amp chassis ?cleaned? and the tubes tested regularly. I have only had to replace tubes??..but I play many hours every week.

I have never dealt directly with Fender.

At the moment these amps are a steal but I?m not sure how long that will last, as point to point wired boutique amps are getting extremely expensive. This was the best bang for the buck I could find in a used amp under $1200???period!!!!!!

1982 Fender Concert. 60 watts. Uses 2 6L6GC tubes and 12AX7 preamp tubes (except for the phase inverter which is a 12AT7 tube) POINT TO POINT WIRED! This is a crucial feature for folks who are looking to replace caps or modify the amp later. Two channels with reverb from a pan. Effects loop. Mid boost. Bright switch.

Awesome cleans with more headroom than a DeLuxe. Think of it as more than a DeLuxe and less than a twin. The reverb is better than my Deluxe Reverb reissue in that it is more usable at the lower settings (doesn't turn into a cavernous pit by the time you reach 2 on the dial.) This amp was purchased with the original 20 year old tubes in place and there was some noise as a result, especially when reverb was used heavy. The drive channels aren't very good (as usual for Fender) I think you'd be better off using a pedal for that.

It's 25 years old with all the original components...easily servicable with the ptp wiring.

There are a few mod kits out there for this amp. Torres Engineering makes one, and Lee Jackson has a video out showing how to modify the amp for better drive, and better a better mid range control. If you are looking for a point to point wired Fender amp with lots of power cheap...this is the one.

I have been using an early 80's Concert 2, as a part time pro for 15 years in an eight piece jump/blues band. I have never used the overdrive channel, effects loop, or line out features.

I believe that complaints regarding the high end are due solely to the EV speaker in some models. The high notes produced by the EV, while not as noticeable on stage, will drill holes in your head about 20 feet out. I have found that the Jensen C12N produces much warmer, thicker high notes with this amp. Especially if you're using a single coil pickup on the clean channel as I am. To my ear, the EV doesn't match this amp. It gets too brittle. The speaker choice makes a big difference.

A total tank. Not a problem in 15 years.

I love this amp. I'd recommend players get one now before the collectors catch on and spoil the party.