Product: Fender Deluxe Reverb Price Paid: UNKNOWN
Submitted 09/19/2009
at 11:34pm
by hotrod88
Email: hotrodpunk19_88 at hotmail<dot>com
Features
:10
original 1963 blackface. the first year fender made em and the first one that the little music store in temple texas got. mines still all OEM dont see a need in messin with it it plays everything great. blues, country, rock, metal, with the right effects pedal itll handle anything and gives it all its own warmth that no other amp will put out.
Sound Quality
:10
one of the best sounding and most sought after amps ever made. havnt played with the reverb on it much because the tank messed up shortly after my grandpa gave it to me. but i even play rock on it with a boss metal zone pedal and it sounds awsome. cant beat the classics man. oh and if anyone knows which reverb tank i would need feel free to email me (the one in it doesnt have the numbers on it anymore)
Reliability
:10
still works great except i need a new reverb tank for it. other than a few tube changes over the years its all still original from 63
Customer Support
:No Opinion
Overall Rating
:10
holds its value very well. treat it nice and itll last u forever
Product: Fender Deluxe Reverb Price Paid: UNKNOWN
Submitted 04/22/2009
at 06:53pm
by PhilVis
Features
:9
Mines a Silverface 74 traded a 90s Marshall JCM 900 Reverb 100/50 watt Combo straight across-NO REGRETS
Sound Quality
:10
My Pops bought me a new one in 1971, with an Oxford in it. But to keep up with the loud drummer I played it on 10 at all gigs, now this was in the early 70s and if you had a Shure Vocal Master or Bogan Pa with Horns you were ****tin in high cotton. So nobody miked anything but horns and vocals. Needless to say I had to replace my speakers on a regular basic which were always Jenson cause of the cheap price and availibity! But when I came across this trade and the amp had the speaker Weber recommends using, I had to jump on it. The tubes and caps were just replaced and the Weber increases the Volume(22 watts?) so I'm in Fender Heaven and having used every amp from AC30s to JC120s, Brown and blond Fenders from Bassmans to Vibroverbs this DR even though its Silver(like the 71 model my Dad bought me) this light weight tone master is the best Fender ever came out with. I won't be blowing speakers anymore since everything is miked, and the tone even on 1 is the best! Like the guitar wielding Gilligen said to the professor on the island make mine a Fender Deluxe Reverb, with a side of Ginger!
Reliability
:No Opinion
Never had to worry but if I get a deal on another I'll buy it, in case of gig break downs.
Customer Support
:No Opinion
Never dealt with Fender.
Overall Rating
:10
Best clean sound and the warmest brown sound imaginable!
Product: Fender Deluxe Reverb Price Paid: UNKNOWN
Submitted 02/07/2008
at 07:49am
by tony burkys
Email: tonyburkys<at>gmail dot com
Features
:10
I have a 67 deluxe reverb --- one of the last blackface amps. The
original oxford speaker ( now sadly deceased ) has been replaced
by one of the new jensen P12N ceramic speakers. Also through the extension speaker outlet I run an old vox 12" speaker ( not a celestion ) but with a very similar warm sound to the new jensen.
Combined these two speakers make for a very big sound --- not volume
,but more importantly,tone. Another mod is replacing the original
6V6 output valves(I'm Australian) with 6L6's (recomended by my amp
doctor.
Sound Quality
:10
The 6L6's provide more clean headroom (they are biased fairly low)
but that lovely classic deluxe reverb angry but musical overdrive
distortion is still there when needed. My guitars ( 67 gibson es330 &
recent epiphone casino --- P90 city ) all sound great. I have the amp
voume on 4, treble on 8, & bass on 5 --- reverb on 3. I play rock, blues, jazz, country, hawaiian ---- all on these settings. I may vary things on the guitar controls(actually all the time) but the amp
itself , through it's simplicity & quality of tone creates it's own
variety.
Reliability
:10
Valve amps require maintenance --- finding a good amp doctor is just
as important as finding a good accountant. Still it's usually a case of replacing worn output or pre-amp valves. My orginal oxford speaker
was made in 1966 & was replaced in 2006 --- not bad.
Customer Support
:No Opinion
Not applicable --- any service was done independently.
Overall Rating
:10
I've been playing for 41 years. This is my second deluxe reverb. I had to sell the first in hard times many years ago. This one cost me nothing, it was a direct swap for a bass amp with a good friend of mine who knew it was coming to a good home --- I'm forever gratefull.I also have a voxAC15 --- also a beautiful amp.I sometimes
A/B them together which is just sublime.Many people have said this
before but the fender deluxe reverb is the desert island amp.
Product: Fender Deluxe Reverb Price Paid: USD 150 USED
Submitted 11/21/2007
at 12:18am
by RIck
Features
:10
CBS era; bought it used in 1985 from Sodja Music in Cleveland.
It's a Fender tube amp. 'Nuff said.
Sound Quality
:10
Big fat bold sound for electric rhythm and lead. Great for shows and recording.
Reliability
:10
I've played the thing for 22 years, and it was well-used when I got it. It has the original speaker and no mods.
Customer Support
:10
Never bothered Fender. Local boys can fix any of 'em.
Overall Rating
:10
If this baby were stolen I'd buy another old one tomorrow (assuming I found one).
I love it because I can just turn it to 10 and control my sound from the guitar (L6-S).
I am extremely biased toward Fender - I have owned not other brand amp. I've played Bassman, Twin, and Dual Showman and this is by far my favorite model.
Product: Fender Deluxe Reverb Price Paid: USD 1800
Submitted 01/21/2007
at 12:11am
by steviepz
Features
:10
Mine is a 1965 blackface. the features have been covered perfectly by the other reviewers. everything a classy guitarist would need. it's a 10 by my book.
Sound Quality
:10
WOW! i play original indie rock, blues, and bosa nova stuff. Unless you play loud country or as loud as hendrix, you will love this amp. this is a tone machine. believe me, i've owned and played nearly every classid amp you can think of. blows all of them away. virbroluxes, twin reverbs, princetons, marshalls; i've owned many of them. this is the most toneful of them all. i'm not trying to cut down the other amps; they are all good in their own right, but if you want the greatest tone imaginable, get one of these amps before the collectors put them all behind glass.
Reliability
:10
built like the UUS Enterprise
Customer Support
:No Opinion
N/A
Overall Rating
:10
IMHO the greatest amp ever made for every style of music one could imagine. Can you tell I love this amp?
Product: Fender Deluxe Reverb Price Paid: UNKNOWN
Submitted 12/22/2006
at 10:34am
by Larry
Features
:8
Mine is a 65 black face Deluxe Reverb. My parents bought me this amp brand new for my 18th birthday, and I'll be 60 this coming February, so I've had it almost 42 years. BTW, I think they paid about $150 for it brand new, but that was 1965! Just a basic 22 watt amp with few features, but it does what it does superbly. It has two non-switchable channels, one dry and one with reverb and tremolo (although they call vibrato). It has the best reverb of any amp I've ever owned. I play country, classic rock and southern rock, and this amp is perfect for that.
It was the only amp I had or used during the 60's and 70's, but I had to get a more powerful amp in the 80's when I joined a band that played larger venues. I then bought a 100 watt Peavey Heritage VTX, but it never matched the tone of this baby, which I was still using for practice. When we finally got a big enough board to mike all the instruments, I started using my Deluxe Reverb again on gigs. I quit taking it on gigs permanently after my parents passed away, because it is just to valuable and irreplaceable to risk it. The sentimental value of outweighs everything else to me now.
Sound Quality
:10
This amp is clean up till about 5 on the volume control. After that it starts distorting, but it is the best sounding distortion you'll ever hear. It's not brutal, just a creamy wail, really nice.
I have played teles, strats, LP's, SG's, Peavey T series and many others through this amp, and they all sound great. My main ax now is a 71 Gibson SG Deluxe, and I use an 82 Peavey T-27 as a backup. I still have an 88 American Standard Strat, but I prefer the SG and T-27. I disagree with the post that said humbuckers don't sound as good through this amp. It makes my SG absolutely sing.
Reliability
:10
I think it is very reliable, but as I said, I don't gig with it anymore for sentimental reasons. The only things I've had to replace were a couple of tubes, and I replaced the two prong power cord with a grounded three prong cord for safety reasons. I didn't like the idea of getting electrocuted through the lips, although I later discovered that this problem can be completely eliminated by using Shure SM-57's for vocals.
Customer Support
:No Opinion
After nearly 42 years I'm sure the warranty is expired by now. Never had to deal with Fender, but I know a good tech that I can entrust this baby to for repairs and maintenance. I think the speaker has finally crapped, so I'll be taking it to him in the near future. I hope it's a tube instead of the speaker, because I'd like to keep the original speaker in it if possible.
Overall Rating
:10
I've been playing for almost 45 years now, and I've gone through a lot of gear, most of which I still have. I have a Dean Markley RM-40 that I gig with now, which is a good sounding amp, just not as good as the DR. I also have an 83 Peavey Heritage VTX, a 97 Peavey Studio Pro 112, and a Sunn Concert Lead head that I have no idea what year it was made, but it's old. Most of my stuff is now vintage, even though most of it was purchased new. The Sunn head I inherited from a friend of mine who died in 1988. I also have a lot of sound gear from Peavey and Carvin.
If my Deluxe Reverb were stolen or lost, it would be almost as bad as losing a member of my family. I have two daughters and two granddaughters who don't play, but I have made them promise to keep the Deluxe Reverb and the SG in the family to pass along to future generations after my demise, in the hope that someone in my lineage will again take up the guitar. Any of my other gear they can sell, but not those two items.
Product: Fender Deluxe Reverb Price Paid: UNKNOWN
Submitted 08/30/2006
at 06:39pm
by SJA
Email: sja53<at>verizon dot net
Features
:7
this blackface deluxe reverb was made in early april 1965. (no logo)
although it's awesome, i need to use some pedals with it for some coloration. (I KNOW!)
i play classic rock (40 years)
two channels with plenty of tubes!
my band plays mostly outside during March thru October so it's floored mostly.
enough power for the jobs i do. sm57 takes care of any shortcomings.
i dont need "features"
Sound Quality
:10
sound is perfect,,more than perfect when it's dimed. first time i used the amp, i came offstage and said "i've been blackfaced". i use a les paul junior, sg special, fender strat, danelectro 12 string, ibanez rg320, and rg120 for slide. all axes sound just great thru this amp. p-90, humbucking, lipstick, strat single coils. this amp likes them all!!! not too noisy floored. distortion is smooth as silk, not brutal like my marshalls.
Reliability
:10
reliable as hell because i had it rebuilt. caps, cord, etc. this amp was given to me for FREE!!! that's right, FREE!!! this deluxe reverb was owned by an old friend (BB) who played guitar with Stevie Wonder for 16 years. it fell off the back of their truck once, shattering the baffleboard, which was replaced with a piece of wood from an anvil case. my friend gave it to me when i promised i would never sell it, and said this was the amp he used & Stevie listened to in the studio for all those years. (he said i could tell that story).at one point someone from the Allman Bros. band attempted to mod the amp in some fashion,,,,but the guy was a hack! hence the total rebuild. talk about a tough amp life!
it was not working correctly when i got it, so my friend Jim (a very talented amp builder & lover of all blackface fenders) gave it the onceover. "it was a labor of love to rebuild this amp" Jim actually owns his grandfathers blackface "deluxe" (no reverb) which was used for keyboards. he builds amps from scratch as well. i own one. cabinet is really in good shape considering the age and the miles it has seen. it has a lot of vibe!! you can sense it just looking at it!
kind of brings me back to when i was 13 (1965-66) and hangin out down the street listening to a beach boy cover band. saw my first fender amps and guitars when they invited me in to listen. dual showmans and bandmasters WOW!!
Customer Support
:No Opinion
what corp. backs a 42 year old amp? it's a relic!
Overall Rating
:10
playing 40 years,,i'm 53 yo. i also have a marshall dsl2000 100 watt half stack, an 18 watt 1-12 point to point clone, (awesome!), a crate half stack for those humid rainy outdoor gigs, and lastly a marshall master reverb 30. many amps have gone thru my hands in these 40 years including brown fenders, white and blackface bandmasters (5), plexi marshalls (50 & 100's), silvertone 2-12, a rickenbacker (yuck), harmony. i'm a guitar and amp junky, really!!
how can you replace this without emptying your bank account? last one i saw at guitar center sold for $2000. it was cleaner than mine i must admit,,but again, mine has some major mojo!! and pedigree to boot. don't steal it,,i'd kill you dead!
Product: Fender Deluxe Reverb Price Paid: UNKNOWN
Submitted 07/30/2006
at 07:08pm
by Kenny
Features
:10
I beleive it's a '74, non master volume. Pete Cage, amp tech guru, worked on the number one channel to include reverb and turned it into what he calls the "brown sound". This is a very very cool useable channel now.
Sound Quality
:10
I got this amp from Pete Cage of Cage amps. Pete's a personal friend, jamming partner and a top rate amp tech. After some discussion with Pete I found there wasn't a big difference between the BF Deluxe Reverb and the SF. I beleive there is slight difference in the transformers, not necessarly a bad one, tone wise. We replaced all the caps with Fender Blue Molded found in BF amps. These are difficult to find. I happened to find a BF Bassman eyelet board with all the correct value caps ($100). Wiring the board as BF, using the Blue caps and tubing with NOS RCA Blackplate 6V6's and RCA Blackplate preamp tubes put the electronics in order. An original BF uses a GZ34 rectifier tube but the '74 transformer can only handle a 5U4GB. To my understanding this has to do with something called plate voltage. I personally like the "sag" of the 5U4GB, it's a bit more squishy, so not being able to use the GZ didn't bother me. Also a speaker swap to the direct Weber (12F150) replacement for the DR. Personally this speaker is THE speaker for this amp, period. I find this amp to be near perfect for clubs. Great clean sound and it will breakup nicely for solo work. I play blues so I don't require over the top sustain. I run the amp volume at 7 and use the guitar volume to control the gain. I play a '54 Gibson Historic (P90's). The combination of this amp and guitar get's me where I want to be. I haven't AB'd this against an original BF but I'm sure it's right there. It was 1/3 the cost. I'm not afraid to take it out, wind it full up and PLAY. It's not a collector's piece it's a tool.
Reliability
:10
No problems
Customer Support
:10
pete@audiocage.com
Pete is the best!
Overall Rating
:10
I've been playing for 37 years. Throughout my life I've had tons of music equipment and this set up suits my needs at this stage of playing. I sometimes think about a Vibrolux or a Vibroverb but I'm so familiar with this amp it's like an old friend. Thanks Pete!
Product: Fender Deluxe Reverb Price Paid: US $800 used
Submitted 06/26/2006
at 09:22pm
by fn
Features
:8
Mod 70's FDR - no frills - 2 channel w/ vibrato and the best reverb in the business.
Sound Quality
:No Opinion
Tone machine - all the way. I play a fender deluxe strat, hendrix reverse strat, and prs singlecut - all sound fantastic - only 2 pdeals - fuzz and wah - vintage cry baby - the only thing I have left from the 60s - 70s when I had fenders, etc and oroginal treeds - all under the bridge now. Style is mostly blues, R&B, some rock - various pop and jazz depending the the melody and chord variations. No metal or punk - no can do, just can't comprehend. With a little distortion can go for a bs&t or cream sound - strange brew or jimi's wind cries mary.
Reliability
:10
The best - rock solid.
Customer Support
:No Opinion
Overall Rating
:10
The reason I wrote this - is to save all of you time - for 800 or less there is nothing that can touch a 70s sf deluxe reverb and if you are fortunate a black face (will cost some extra $$). Used to find these old fenders (vibros, bandmasters, dual showman) in swap shops all day long - bought a tweed for 20 bucks once - thats gone now. Loook around though they are still out there. I know everbody likes boogies, bogner, etc but for let it ring piano clarity sounds fender is the ticket. In my book #1 and #2 tone macines are bf vibro and deluxe.
Been there, later dudes
Product: Fender Deluxe Reverb Price Paid: 1300 Euros
Submitted 06/21/2006
at 10:03am
by rhum66
Features
:7
First, excuse my bad english, i'm french and i don't practise a lot
" la langue de shakespeare "...
This is a deluxe reverb 65 reissue.
i 'm fed up with technology and was looking for a good "plug and play" moderatly powered tube amp .
Second, i 'm a blues rock player and play easy jazz with pleasure.
third, i'm a strat man (U.S vintage serie.), with an exception for a les paul special with P90.
For the features, go on the fender website... i would say that this amp cover all the sound of the sixties (stax record, motown, southern rock and so on ...), when you play, you can hear a little beat of those sounds.That's the real mc coy for me ...
So, the sounds is pretty cool.I play it with a TS-808 all the time, and tha box is a part of it now !
You get those creamy overdrive with sustain that make your solo sound very expressive.
Unfortunetly, i don' t gig a lot and play at home witch mean that it 's hard to crank it up, but with the TS808, i can' get crunchtones at a correct volume...
I wish fender could built the same with a master volume.
Sound Quality
:10
-It is great with both single coil and P90.The sounds are rootsy.
-For blues rock it is perfect.You can play some surf souinds too with the tremolo and the reverb (you know the james bond theme and surfaris
stuff ...
-Yes it is noisy but it comes from the strat and the P90, but who care when you play loud (it sounds ery loud for a non professionnal like me...)
-you catch the breakup around 5-6, beneath use a TS808 to get crunch at low volume ( the sound is still great .)
-the natural overdrive of that amp sound very "rural,dirty and roots".
Reliability
:No Opinion
Customer Support
:No Opinion
Overall Rating
:10
-I ve been playing for 23 years now, and i try to play standards of blues rock correctly.This amp make me realize that the sound come from the fingers first, and i improve my playing since i got it.
-I tried Msall DSL 401 (pretty cool ...), hot rod deluxe (no comparaison with the DR.) and the peavey classic 30 ( cool but beneath the DR.).I appreciated the blues junior for the master volume that allow crunch tone at low volume.But none of those had the expressivity of the deluxe reverb.
Product: Fender Deluxe Reverb Price Paid: Vibroking used
Submitted 05/03/2006
at 06:35am
by bluesbernie
Email: Ralfbernschein at aol<dot>com
Features
:7
Mine is a 1966 and came with 100 % original specs. 2 channels, one with reverb and vibrato (though it really is tremolo). Not so many features nowadays, but for texas blues rock a very good choice. Though it's a one trick pony, it's my first of all Amp for small club gigs and medium stage venues.
Light weight and handy also as a session amp.
Too expensive of course (gave my Vibro King for it, no regret at all)
Sound Quality
:10
I solemnly use the vibrato channel, so I pulled the V1 for a higher gain. Mostly use it with a hotplate in first position and it's still loud enough and harmonizes with my passive Leslie-cabinet perfectly. Sometimes a TS808 gives it a hit in the back and it really sings.
The clean sound ends at 3 of the volume knob and obviously created "that legendary Fender sound".
In Position 3-5 of the volume-control I'm used to find my sweet spots for all of my (single coiled) Alamo, Fender and Gibson guitars.
This crunch is what I had been looking for in all of my previous amps (Boogies,Music Man, Vox and Fenders and Marshalls).
Though cranked more than 5 on the volume the amp looses it's dynamic response and becomes undifferenciated.
And also finally it has a most useful reaction on the guitar's volume control.
I'm gonna give it a 10 because it exactly hits my needs/dreams.
Reliability
:10
40 years old and still in good condition (exept the speaker, it was blown after 39 years)
No word more to say
Customer Support
:No Opinion
never dealt with Fender, so I don't know.
Overall Rating
:10
I've been playing for more than 25 years and I used a lot of gear and I mean "a lot of".
I also have got a 1966 vibrolux in similar condition which is really a killer, and a silverface Twin, and german amps of that years and also new stuff , but if I had to decide which to take to the island, there's no question for me.
Though I would be despaired if it was stolen, I regularly use it for my gigs, because this baby shouldn't go to seed at home but scream and cry on stage together with the fat B3 of our organist.
Product: Fender Deluxe Reverb Price Paid: US $650 used
Submitted 04/04/2006
at 07:24pm
by Larry Hakim
Features
:10
Well its time to add my voice to the chorus singing the praises of what authors John Teague and John Sprung appropriately call one of the all-time great amps. Mine is a 1969 Deluxe Reverb, without the drip edge but with the Blackface AB763 circuit. Bought last year off ebay from a longtime owner, the amp was all original right down to its tubes and Oxford 12L6 speaker (not 12K6) with '69 date code. The features have already been exhaustively described so I'll simply say that the amp merits a 10 for versatility and quality of tone. I use my DR at Church exclusively but must run it through a WeberMASS because as others have found out its a loud 22 watts.
Sound Quality
:10
Once again a solid 10 (if not higher). I use a 76-77 Travis Bean TB1000, and occasionally a 1967 Guild Starfire II. My playing style nowadays is in the vein of Clapton, Beck, Page, Buchanan, Green and Bloomfield so its important that my amps respond to my pick attack and are sensitive to playing dynamics. With the Bean straight in and no effects, and the amp's volume on 7, treble on 5 and bass on 3 the overdrive tone has a beautiful "soaring" quality that I've never heard from any other amp. Really open sounding in the midrange too. Even with the reverb off (the reverb sounds great BTW,) the amp's tone still has this "lush" and open quality. This is also the first BF/SF era Fender amp that I've heard that does not sound overcompressed when the volume is at 10. In fact diming the volume, treble and bass controls yields a nasty but musical tweed-type tone. In contrast, my old 1974 Vibrolux Reverb just sounded harsh, flubby and overcompressed when everything was dimed. I normally just plug straight in but will sometimes use an original 1967 Vox Crybaby, and a Dice Works 'Union Jack' which is a Solasound Tonebender MKII/Supa Fuzz clone that sounds really cool. The amp also sounds cool with Tone Bone el-84 triode adaptors. A word about the Oxford speaker in this amp which is a 12L6 (as opposed to the lower power 12K6)--one reads alot of negative comments on the internet about these old Oxfords but I actually PREFER the sound of the Oxford in this amp to my original Vox alnico Bulldog, and prototype Celestion V30 (OEM in my Marshall Studio 15), both of which I've tried with my DR. As players have known for decades now the Deluxe Reverb excels at virtually every style of music and with a simple twist of the tone/volume knobs any guitarist should be able to get the best jazz, country, blues and rock tones(the reviewers who said they can play Allman Brothers songs with their Deluxes were not kidding!) Easy to understand why Groove Tubes' founder, Aspen Pittman picked the Deluxe Reverb as the quintessential desert island amp.
Reliability
:10
I gigged with this 37 year old amp after unpacking it following its cross-country journey. How's that for reliability???
Customer Support
:No Opinion
I don't anticipate ever getting or needing Fender's help with my amp, not that its bulletproof or perfect, but because any competent tech can work on this very famous and fairly simple circuit.
Overall Rating
:10
This is the one amp out of all my great sounding vintage amps, that I wished I had bought when I started playing guitar nearly 30 years ago. It may very well be the last vintage amp I ever buy and probably the last one I'd sell (if I were forced to). Can't think of a higher compliment to pay to it. If anyone wants more specific info please feel free to email me at larryhakim@hotmail.com
Product: Fender Deluxe Reverb Price Paid: US $1400 used
Submitted 02/25/2006
at 03:13pm
by Jeff Gaul
Features
:9
1968 Deluxe Reverb, with original footswitch.. I bought this off of eBay. Cosmetically it's incredible. A couple of performance issues-first, the Vibrato didn't work. Replacing a tube fixed that. Second, after a couple of months of playing, the speaker coil wire began to come loose, resulting in a distortion during playing , and particularly noticeable as the notes rang and decayed. Had the speaker rebuilt, using the original frame, and now it's great. Standard features-2 channels; Volume, treble, Bass, reverb, Vibrato.
Sound Quality
:10
I play Fender strats (Amer. Standard and a Clapton model), an Amer. standard tele, and a Gibson ES335. I've played for 42 years, and do a variety of styles, but particularly country, rock, and blues. My signal chain goes through the pedalboard that includes a Boss tuner; Volume pedal; Vox keeley modifed wah;Boss Compression sustainer; Boss Blues driver; Ibanez TS808 keeley modified; Whirlwind A/B/Y pedal. The tones I get are clean, with pretty good headroom, to overdriven. I use the pedals to improve the sound quality I'm looking for, rather than overwhelm it with effect. The deluxe (at 22 watts) holds it's own (easily!) in regards to volume when rehearsing with a band, or playing smaller gigs. I also use a 1964 twin reverb and a Vibroking. I do have to adjust to the lack of a Middle tone knob when going from the Twin to the deluxe, but the tonal quality is still very good. besides the obvious Tele sounds, I've found that the Clapton strat, with lace sensors, can summon up some great country tonal range. I also appreciate the reduction in weight when carrying the deluxe to a rehearsal or gig, as opposed to the Twin or the Vibroking. The 335 matches up great with this Deluxe. With the Boss compression and the Blues driver or the Ibanez TS it can get some screaming tones and sustain. The amp is pretty much original (right down to the two-prong plug) so there is some hum, but not enough to be distracting.
Reliability
:8
After doing the initial repairs when I bought it, I've had no problems. I've owned Fender amps forever, and find I only have to infrequently get minor repairs done (probably because I prefer older vintage amps).
Customer Support
:No Opinion
Never dealt with Fender on amp or guitar issues. I have easily found Fender authorized repair guys though, and they've been great.
Overall Rating
:10
When looking for an easily transpotable amp I considered Top Hat,Mesa Lonestar, and others in addition to the Deluxe reverb. They all were great choices, and I would have probably liked them all (as I tried them out in local music stores). I chose the vintage Deluxe reverb because of it's tone, design features, clean headroom, and my previous success with the other fender amps I own. If it were stolen, I would definitely look for another like it. You pay a premium price for vintage amps in good shape, but they provide you with the sound and usually the reliability you'reearching for.
Product: Fender Deluxe Reverb Price Paid: US $100.00 used
Submitted 02/16/2006
at 11:00pm
by Rod Peal
Email: rpeal<at>everestkc dot net
Features
:10
Mine was made in 1964. I got it in a pawn shop. Went there one day and saw it behind the counter. Asked about it, almost bought it and someone stopped the transaction and said the guy was still paying on it. Damn. Went into the same shop 1 year later, there it was in almost the same place. I asked about it and the lady said "$100" I said sold. I could hardly contain my excitment. I think I floated out of the store. I was playing through an early 70s Orange OR80 and a 4x12 cab at the time so it was quite a bit different sound than I was doing. I didn't use it very much for a while. I had been using a THD power soak with the OR80 so I hooked it to the DR and played my 69 Ampeg Dan Armstrong (with the bad ass humbucker) through it and DAMN!! Heaven. That has been my rig ever since. That DA pickup just drives this amp wild. I keep it pegged on 10 through the soak even on stage usually. If I don't use the soak it's still just a little loud for the clubs, I like to keep it reigned in a little and mike it. The ONLY complaint I have about it is the Trem is not very pronounced. I love the reverb. I had it for about two years and finally the vib channel gave out so I took it too the shop and dropped $200 for the complete overhaul. QTS by Lawerence KS. those guys are Very good!!.
Sound Quality
:10
The distortion is as brutal as you need it to be, in a vintage tube context. Amp is very responsive. I love it.
Reliability
:10
So far it seems really solid and reliable for it's ripe age.
Customer Support
:No Opinion
Yeah, right.
Overall Rating
:No Opinion
I'm a lucky guy to have it. If something were to happen to it I would go into a deep depression because I know I'll never be able to afford another one like it.
Product: Fender Deluxe Reverb Price Paid: US $799
Submitted 02/09/2006
at 08:58am
by Ed Pavy
Email: pavy at tciway<dot>tc
Features
:10
The features are as easy as it gets. Bass, Treble Reverb, Tremolo and Volume. Real easy to get a sound. Start by adjusting the tone and then just crank the volume till you get the desired about of tube overdrive.
Sound Quality
:10
I usually play a Les Paul Standard, an ES 335 or a Strat. Captures the sound of each of these guitars nicely. Majority of the stuff I play would be R & B covers, Blues and Jazz. The amp has a very rich tone and responds to your touch beautifully. I love the fact that the conrols are so simple. I also own a Mesa Boogie - it gets a nice sound with Humbuckers but requires a lot of tweaking. The Deluxe is a plug in your guitar and play type amp.
Reliability
:10
So far so good however I bought a second one as a backup
Customer Support
:No Opinion
Never used them yet
Overall Rating
:10
I really love this amp. It delivers a classic rock sound that you have no doubt heard before on a ton of recordings. The sound most Boutique Amps charge way too much money for and never quite nail exactly.
Product: Fender Deluxe Reverb Price Paid: US $1100.
Submitted 11/28/2005
at 04:28pm
by Brian Lane
Features
:6
"72" Silverface Deluxe Reverb. This amp works only O.K. for the stuff I play, Simply because it's very loud, too loud!
The Deluxe Rev. has two channels, one for reverb, and one normal. It doesn't have a fx loop,or a headphone jack, or master volume,or any other modern day features. What it does have is point to point wiring, no printed circuit boards, and really, really great tone, and feel and volume.
Sound Quality
:10
I play a 2001 57 ri Goldtop with Tom holmes pick ups, a 2000 Deluxe American Strat, and a 96 PRS McCarty. I'm almost fifty years old, and I play a lot of older tunes Allman Bros., Beatles, Stones
Hendrix Clapton ect. This amp Does that stuff perfectly albeit loudly.
O.K. kids, nuts and bolts time.
With the strat, and the volume at three, the treble at four and the bass at three, the tone is clean and warm with beautiful note separation. Turning up the volume to seven this thing is kicking like a mule. With the Strat wide open you get nice compession which goes away as you roll your volume back, still all the while retaining great note separation. At ten, the Deluxe is singing like a bird on steroids. Simply wonderful tone, very much like my Blockhead Plexi clone, only not as loud. With the Goldtop, at low volume the tone is warm like a nice blanket that just came out of the dryer. With the volume at halfway,and a little reverb, Harrison's "Something" is spot on. Open it up all the way, Cream, Allman Bros.,Free, there all in there. Oh yeah, Don't forget the all American original... Surf.
My Deluxe is fairly noisey, but manageable.It is probably a great match for every style of music exept for metal, But a good pedal will probably take you there too.
Reliability
:10
I purchased My Deluxe from Roger's Amp in Naples, Florida. Larry Rogers, the owner, Specializes in Building custom, and Restoring tube amps. He warrants his amps for life, including, old Deluxes. As long as you keep fresh tubes and caps in your amps, your amps should never fail you. These amps, (point to point wired) were designed to be serviced, and serviced easily. Take care of your amp, and your amp will take care of you.
Customer Support
:No Opinion
Larry is the best amp guy I've ever worked with. I dont need Fender or Marshall service, I've got Larry.
Overall Rating
:10
I've Been playing for over thirty years, and if this amp were lost or stolen, I'd call Larry Rogers and ask him to find, or build me an other one. This is my all time favorite amp. It is just too loud for home or studio. But the tone and feel is beyond measure. Pick one up and just play it. Just play it when noone is home. the rewards are well worth it. Thanks Fender, Thanks Larry,
Product: Fender Deluxe Reverb Price Paid: US $300
Submitted 09/12/2005
at 06:13pm
by JohnyyGuitar
Features
:9
Early 70's, you know the features, so let's move on. I use the amp for gigging, bars, weddings, etc. Playing blues and rock.
Sound Quality
:10
I play a standard american strat, but my favorite guitar is a mixed parts strat, mexican body, carvin neck, custom shop Tex Special pickups. Anyway, the amp sounds great. I've gone thru some other amps and also have a Fender Blues Deville 2X10, well the Deluxe sounds a lot better, is plenty loud and a lot easier to haul around, if you've ever picked up a Deville, heavey !
I never really was satisfied with the sound of the Deville, then I got the Deluxe which sounds much better, the Deville always sounded like it was inside a box, just doesn't have the sound, not sure why them make them to sound like that.
Anyway, I sent the Deluxe to Kendrick Amps in Texas to get it over-hauled, they replaced caps, etc, it was cheap, but considering what I payed for the amp, I pretty much had a brand new point to point wire tube amp at 1/2 the price, not to mention it was a Fender Deluxe. So Kendricks said they didn't have to do anything to the amp to get it back to 'blackface' specs because it already was. Seems the electronics on these amps didn't really change until sometime later in the 70, contrary to what some people say or think, when the top amp guys (Kendricks) in the country see your amp fix it and tell you what it is, well I'd guess they'd know. So if you can get an early silver face, get it, it is a blackface at 1/2 the price, all you paying for is a black plate and bragging rights.
Anyway I can the orginal speaker out, trying Celesion green back and aniversery models, currently using the aniversary, sounds great and has a tighter bottom than the green back,
So the sound....well, it's great, anyone that own ones will tell you that. If that's the sound you want just go find an early silverface and have it completely serviced up front by a good amp guy and skip all the other, try this and try that amp, for get all amp modeling stuff, and reissue, just get the real deal, I got into mine for 300 (around 1998) a good deal, and then dropped another 700 for service and speakers, so 1000 bucks, now I got was is basically a new hand wire tube amp, it's a no brainer.
What you gotta be carefull with is, as you can imagine, is you don't want to pay to much for these amps, silver or blackface, becuase you can drop some bucks getting them redone, with cap jobs etc. As any good amp tech will tell you, electronic parts like caps (capacitors) don't last forever, and if the amps ain't never had a cap job, they need it. Even though they still can sound some what good with the orginals in there. I find it best, depending on the amp, to just get it re-do, BUT get a good amp guy, like Kendrick, they really don't cost much more than the so called local expert. Guys like Kendricks know their shit.
Oh did I mention, It's blues tone, blues tones is what I'm after and this amp does it fine. I can't really speak to other styles, and even though I think this amp could be setup to handle country, I think there might be better amps for other styles, I don't think people get Deluxe amps for loud clean tone, it's not what this amp does best.
Reliability
:No Opinion
Mines been doing fine, since I had it over-hauled from the get-go, it's been doing fine. I did break the reverb spring wire, had it fixed localy for like 40 bucks, guess I bounce the amp to hard in the pickup.
Customer Support
:No Opinion
You know, I just don't think I'm going to be calling up Fender about service on this amp.
Overall Rating
:10
Overall, I ain't complaining. It's a 22 watt 12 inch amp, and sounds like, well, a Fender Deluxe. I should be saying something that so many other amps try to be and sound like a Deluxe. We're not talking 10's of thousands of dollars to get into one of these, as prices of amps go, getting any early silverface and redone is a no brainer.
The only complaint I hear about these amps, is that you get just a Deluxe, sounds great but you just get that one sound. Some players want/need versitity in a single amp, lots of head room, etc, So I not one over those guys that says you can use it for country, rock, blues, etc. I just use it for blues and don't pretend or even know if you could use it for a bunch of other stuff.
Anyway, I've had this amp for about 7 years, and haven't even thought about shopping for anything else since. This is the kind of amp you get and just keep for ever. So other equiptment may come and go, but the Deluxe will go to the grave with me.
Product: Fender Deluxe Reverb Price Paid: US $800 used
Submitted 08/21/2005
at 07:44pm
by Anonymous
Features
:9
Mine is a 1976 Silver Face Deluxe reverb that was purachased about a month ago. I overpaid about $100 or so and when buying a used tube amplifier, be prepared to put some money into it. I recommend getting new tubes and when buying it buy one with the original speaker. Also, unless you are very familiar with old vintage tube amps, make sure you take it to a trusted amp tech/friend before buying or at least make sure that they will actually HONOR there warranty.
Anayways, I was looking for a full warm clean tone tube amp and had previously had a fender hot rod deville 212. This amp is nice because it is perfect volume for small gigs as well as home playing and it's smaller/lighter than carrying around a 2x12 amp. The only feature I wish it had was a control for mids. Otherwise it has everything I want. beautiful warm yet snappy clean fender tube sound with ass-kicking reverb as well as a lush vibrato that i now use for getting a leslie type of chorus sound. Why buy a uni-vibe. I have to give it a 9 and not a 10 due to the fact that there is no mid control.
Sound Quality
:10
I play a 1995 Bibson ES-335 as well as an American Deluxe Strat with the vintage noisless pickups. With the new JJ 6V6 output tubes I got from Doug'stubes.com (he is a great guy and helped me out a lot) and with a little bit of service to readjust the bias after putting in the new tubes as well as fixing an off-value phase inverter?/transister?, This amp is so #*&^%$ SWEEET!! Channel 2 (Vibrato) is alittle more noisy than channel 1 (Normal) especially with my 335. With my 335 using the original oxford, I set the volume at about 3 or 4 for that nice point where the amp starts breaking up and is crisp and full. However, if you are looking to use a semi-hollow or hollowbody guitar w/pickups you might want to think about getting a different speaker for more clean headroom without the speaker farting out on the low end. I actually just purchased a weber california 12" with H-screen but I had to return it because it got damaged in shipping (god damn UPS) but Ted Weber is a really nice guy and is actually paying for me for the shipping back to his shop and he is going to replace it for me.
With my strat, the oxford is fine though very trebbly so you must roll down the tone knob on your guitar or turn down the treble on the amp. I can go up to around 6 on the volume and it will still be clean with a nice smooth breakup/snap to it that makes my mouth water.
This amp suits my style of funk/jazz/fusion/rock/blues/reggae/jam music (think John scofield meets trey Anasatsio meets Robben Ford). It is really great for using stompboxes because this has the ultimate clean tone as well as portability that all musicians who do a lot of live giging need.
I was using a Marshall JMP-1 through my deville before this but I have actually just bought a TS-9 and sent it to analogman to have it modded to the silver mod. I am also receiving an analogman comprossor ( I used to have a ross compressor) and can't wait to have that great ts-9>compressor tone that I have been striving for. In a couple of days my final setup will be Gibson es 335 > TS-9 silver mod > CompROSSor > Teese RMC2 wah > Digitech Whammy 4 > Line 6 DL4 > deluxe reverb. This setup is going to kick ass.
Reliability
:9
Point to point vintage amps are a lot cheaper to service however make sure you have these gone over by a tech before doing a live show. Mine hasn't broken down yet. Just throw in some tubes of your choice whether it be NOS RCA's or JJ's, and if you would like upgrade your speaker to one of your desire (I recommend a weber california for big clean tone that also gives the amp more volume or a weber 12F150 for that legendary C12N tone but even better). I don't have a backup amp anymore so I use this by itself.
Customer Support
:No Opinion
Haven't dealt with fender but Michae's Music would definitely get a negative ten because he is just looking to scam people.
Overall Rating
:9
I think this amp is really where it's at. I've been playing for about 9 years and I think this amp really has all of the tones that everybody is searching for or tries to emulate. Plus the fact that it's only a 1x12 this makes it a lot easier to take out to jam/gig and still has enough balls to play with a bass and drummer. though a lot of people also get an extension cab which I'll probably due in the future when I win the lottery or star on some god damn new reality show on VH-1 in which the contestants have to be the biggest TOOL to win some money. If you can rely on ebay, go for it but you'll most likely have to put in more work than you expect. otherwise, be PATIENT when purchasing, unlike me and I got duped. try to find someone who is selling it privately and has owned since before you may have been born. Otherwise just talk down those corporate music store chains like samash and guitar center. However if you check out the Guitar center in NYC you will see some of the NICEST used vintage fender amps that are in absolutely perfect condition. You just got to offer cash and threaten to walk out if they don't meet your demands. but since stores like that have actuall policies that they abide by, they will take care of any problems you may have and you also get money back guaruntees.
Product: Fender Deluxe Reverb Price Paid: US $650 used
Submitted 08/21/2005
at 07:40pm
by blind willie
Features
:6
1978 Silverface, like new condition. Vibrato, fantastic reverb, just the right amount of power for clubs, mic it otherwise. Not full of features, jsut tone.
Sound Quality
:10
Sounds nice with a tele or strat. Reacts well to either buckers or singles. Better with Fender guitars than Les Pauls, although my SG Junior really tears it up.
Reliability
:10
If it ain't broke by now...
Customer Support
:1
You would talk to the ocmpany that made this in a reissue? Why not just build new ones of these? they have the plans, and would they sell? Hell yes!
Overall Rating
:9
I've been playing since 1970. Only the Bad Cat Cub 2R can play in the same room as the DR. The Cub has better overdrive the DR has better clean, take your pick. The DR just has that magic tone and can hold it's own with a live combo where the cub needs a mic to fight it's way through a band. Both sound AWESOME through a 4 x 10 box, but then what doesn't?
Product: Fender Deluxe Reverb Price Paid: N/A used
Submitted 03/23/2005
at 02:02pm
by Anonymous
Features
:9
Basic Fender layout. You know em by now I'm sure. Kinda primitive compared to modern amps. Formerly an early 70's silver face amp converted to blackface specs and cosmetics. As much as I've loved the Deluxe Reverb sound and portabiity, I found myself wanting more headroom and just a bit more output. I'm also addicted to real original Fender tone. (Whether with 6v6's or 6L6's) Rather than dishing out big bucks for a boutique amp, or another vintage amp, I contacted David Allen at Allen Amps. He suggested larger power and output transformers and switching it over to 6L6's giving me in essence a Vibrolux with a 12" speaker. WOW! What a cool idea! He also tweaked the NORMAL channel and made it possible to jumper the two channels together like an old Bassman as well as having reverb and vibrato available too. The NORMAL channel also is voiced a bit more aggrssively now, somewhat Marshall like when pushed. I'm waiting for my Loooper ABY to get here so I can easily switch or combine channels. Very handy indeed!
Sound Quality
:10
This amp suits my playing styles very well. In the weekend warrior mode I need to be able to have clean, slightly dirty, and full on Marshall like crunch for all the cover tunes. With the Barber Direct Drive in front of the amp, I get all the varieties of crunch I need without too much compression. The clean sounds are awesome just like most old Fender amps. I use several guitars including a PRS McCarty, Tele w/Bardens, ES335, and a Strat. Occaisionally I'll plug in a big hollow guitar and attempt to play some mellow jazzy stuff, it sounds equally good. I had to replace the V30 Celestion the previous owner had in here. It was way too spiky! I think it would be better in a closed cabinet application. I stuffed an old Mesa Black Shadow speaker in hear and it sounds great! The enhanced first channel is great for a nice "Larry Carlton on the verge of break-up" sound as long as I don't turn it up too high. This amp isn't brutally loud but with the mods, it truly does deliver enough juice to get over the drummer. I'm in the "if it ain't loud enough now, mike it" frame of mind. I've had my fill of amps that are too powerful that only sound good when you're peeling the paint off the back wall of the bar!
Reliability
:10
I don't expect anything to go wrong with this amp. It's probably good for another 30 years with some occaisional maintenance. David went thru it and replaced caps and biased it. I've been playing various Fender amps since about 1965 and feel that if you get something manufactured in the 1959-1980 era, have it serviced by a qualified tech you'll be just fine. If it does have any problems, I'll call David Allen again. He really gets these amps! When gigging, I take along a Tech 21 Trademark 60 as a back up, (nice amp too) just in case.
Customer Support
:No Opinion
Hm...doubt if I could get any help from Fender on this one!
Overall Rating
:10
As I mentioned earlier, I've been playing since about 1965. I've gone thru lots of equipment phases from Fender amps to Marshall, to Boogie, to Roland, to Tech 21 T-60 and full circle back to an old Fender. To my ear it is THE sound. It's also a great platform for pedals. I really love the size and portability factor too. With the mods it is now about as modern as I need it to be. If it were stolen or lost, I'm sure I'd look for another one just like the other one.....
Product: Fender Deluxe Reverb Price Paid: US $550 used
Submitted 11/30/2004
at 12:41am
by Anonymous
Features
:9
1972 Fender Deluxe Reverb, HEAVILY MODIFIED...REPLACED TRANSFORMER WITH SUPER REVERB TRANNY, IS NOW 6L6 POWERED. NEW OUTPUT TRANNY, NEW WEBER C12, MODIFIED TO RUN REVERB/VIBRATO ON EITHER CHANNEL, BLACK FACED AND VOICED TO HAVE MUCH MORE CONTROL OVER MIDS...NEW PREAMP TUBES...MISSION AMPS IN ARVADA, CO...PLAY INDIE ROCK, PUNK AND HI-LIFE JANGLE. IT HAS ALL OF THE FEATURES THAT I COULD REASONABLY EXPECT WHILE RETAINING A BLACKFACE FENDER CHARACTER...PLENTY OF POWER; IT IS LOUD AS HELL WITH 33 + WATTS BEFORE CLIPPING, VERY EFFICIENT WEBER...IT WILL SILENCE ANYONE SILLY ENOUGH TO TRY TO CARRY ON A CONVERSATION AT A GIG, OMNIPRESENT. BOUGHT FOR A STEAL, VERY CLEAN ( $550, BUT ADDED BETWEEN $300-400 TO IT).
Sound Quality
:10
THE AMP HAS IMMENSE HEADROOM AND GREATER ABILITY TO SHAPE A TONE; I LIKE SCOOPED ( GOD FORBID!) VOXY MEETS FENDER TONE...I USE G&L ASAT SPECIALS, 58' LP CUSTOM SHOP WITH DUNCAN PARALLEL SINGLE COIL JB ( SH-4), RICKENBACKER 360, 68 GIBSON ES-335 12, FRANKENSTRATS...AMP IS SILENT. IT BREAKS UP MUCH LATER THAN A DR...USABLE TO 10 AND IT NEVER FALLS ON ITS FACE, IT TURNS INTO A VERY PISTOLS, POWER ROCK MACHINE WHEN GASSED. I CAN DO STEVIE RAY STUFF WITH IMMENSE CLARITY, JAZZ COMPING, INDIE/REM STRAIGHT IN OR HOOK UP A LEXICON AND IT WILL DO HUGE, DEAFENING SPACE NOISE TO ELLICIT A POLICE RESPONSE. IT MATCHES UP WELL WITH SOLDANO GTO, RADIAL TONE BONE AND EVEN A BOSS MZ-2 FOR BUZZSAW. HUGE MID SUSTAIN, RARELY USE A COMPRESSOR. OVERDRIVE IS REAL, NOT MODERN, INDISTINGUISHABLE TONE...YOU CAN HEAR THE WINDINGS IN THE STRING. REVERB AND VIBRATO MODIFIED FOR SMOOTHER MORE MUSICAL RESPONSE. TYPICALLY USED FOR RECORDING.
Reliability
:10
IT WILL OUTLAST ALL OF US
Customer Support
:10
I RELY UPON MISSION AMPS LIKE A JUNKIE NEEDS HIS DEALER AND A BORN-AGAIN NEEDS HIS BILLY GRAHAM...I ALWAYS GET WHAT I NEED!
Overall Rating
:10
I HAVE PLAYED FOR 17 YEARS..OWNED EVERYTHING AND I MEAN EVERYTHING...MISION FENDERS ARE WHAT I KEEP ( 68' BANDMASTER 6L6, 68' BANDMASTER KT66, FENDER 4X12 WITH VINTAGE 30S, 68' SUPER REVERB, 83' MONSTER CHAMP ( 26 WATTS AT SQUARE WAVE, GRRR)..ALSO A HEAVILY MODIFIED GIBSON GOLDTONE 15...I HAVE SOLD AC30, JMP MARSHALL, BOGNER, ORANGE, MATAMP, BOOGIES AND A LOT OF EXTRANEOUS JUNK BEFORE NOW. I WOULD ENJOY ANOTHER JMP, BUT THE COST OF SETTING UP A LOUD AMP ( AND THE PURCHASE PRICE) IS JUST TOO HIGH, GIVEN THAT EVEN 500+ VENUES DON'T WANT YOUR 120dB RIG...FIND YOUR TONE AT A LOWER VOLUME, LOWER COST AND BE A LITTLE DIFFERENT THAN ALL THE LINE 6, DUAL RECTIFIER GOOFBALLS...I HAVE OCD ISSUES ABOUT EVER LOSING IT, WISH I HAD 3 MORE, BUT THE PRICE HAS GONE UP AND I DON'T GIG RIGHT NOW. IT IS TAILORED TO MY TONAL TASTES AND PLAYING STYLE AND WILL OUTRIGHT SPANK ANY MANUFACTURERS' 6L6 AMP ( I HAVE AB'D IT WITH HOLLAND, BAD CAT, MATCHLESS, VICTORIA, HERITAGE...I WOULD OWN ONE OF THE OTHERS IF IT MADE ME HAPPIER...) IT LOOKS TOTALLY STOCK AND IS A REAL SLEEPER, CONSTANTLY ASTONISHING PEOPLE. MY ONLY PAUSE IS THAT I WOULD LIKE A 6V6 MODEL THAT IS NOT SO STENTORIAN AND PATTON-ESQUE IN ITS COMMAND OF THE STAGE; IT'S A BIT FRIGHTENING...THE BEST KIND OF LOUD, THOUGH. I HAVE SPREAD MY BIT OF THE GOSPEL.
Product: Fender Deluxe Reverb Price Paid: US $1,599. used
Submitted 11/03/2004
at 04:54pm
by Mike
Features
:10
1965 Deluxe Reverb w/ original speaker and guts. a few original and NOS U.S. tubes
All the standard bells and whistles of a DR. The only features I think a Blues harp player should have between their mic and the speaker.
Sound Quality
:10
No guitar pickups. This amp can handle any harp mic with balls including Hot crystals and 545's. It can also handle low tuned harps for a tenor sax sound. While it's important to develop strong personal tone, rather then try to find it in an amp this amp adds a whole new dimension to my tone. Think Paul Butterfield Live. It reproduces that "balls in your face" sound at any level. This particular unit doesn't need cranked for the speaker to start breaking up. Mine has the brown/gold series. I've owned Sunn, Roland, other vintage Fenders, Valco, Premier and Gibson amps.None have the versatility of this amp. I used it last night at an acoustic gig rather then going through the pa. It has the low volume breakup I couldn't get with other amps. It out does my GA-5 in low volume situations while keeping that Chicago sound.
The amp is noisy with the reverb on but I generally don't use reverb. Natural reverb from the cab is good enough for me. I did however swap the weak reverb tube and it improved somewhat.
Since the tube was NOS I let the amp on for 10 hours to burn in the tube. The vibrato channel requires a foot switch for it to work.
Given it's age and originality the noise is expected and tolerable in a non-studio enviorment.
I can't say enough about this amp. In a way I'm glad it took 30+ years to find it. I worked hard on my chops using lesser amps and this amp just accenuates every nuance in my technique on stage.
Reliability
:No Opinion
I'm not sure how long I can depend on it since it is mostly original and I don't know its history for the past 40 years.
Once my amp tech checks it out I'll feel more comfortable taking it alone on gigs.
Customer Support
:No Opinion
Overall Rating
:10
I've been playing amplified harp on and off since 1976. The most amps I've owned at one time was 5. The only amps I still own are a Gibson 1961 GA-5 and a 1965 Gibson Invader which is my backup amp.
My wrist has been hurting for some time now. Along with that and the fact I needed someone to help me lug the 4/10 Concert to my van and back I can easily use the subcompact car for gigs now.
I don't have the money to buy another one if it were stolen. I had to gradually buy vintage amps and trade up to get the kind of trade I got on the Concert. The dealer that bought the Concert is selling it for $1,500. I paid $1,100 for it 4 years ago. Nice investment. Btw, it was the opinions here that made me decide to trade for the Deluxe Reverb. Thanks guys.
ps. I wish I could say I traded a couple 8 track tapes and a cb for it.:(
Product: Fender Deluxe Reverb Price Paid: US $650 used
Submitted 10/27/2004
at 02:30pm
by Cheapy
I play both strats and LPs through this amp. I play in an Oldies/Classic Rock band so this amp fills the bill to a "T". Clean 'til about 4 and then I get some nice breakup. Has the classic Fender Reverb to go "surfing." I am very impressed at how well my pedals sound through this amp. TS-9 and Sparkle Drive both sound awesome! I may possibly upgrade speakers as the stock speaker gets a little "farty" on the lowend when you push it. This is typical of the stock speakers. But current speaker is definately usable for the volume level I need.
Reliability
:10
I've only owned it a few weeks but seems pretty sturdy. I've seen a ton of old Fenders still in action and assume this amp will hold up as well.
Customer Support
:No Opinion
Never owned Fender Amp before.
Overall Rating
:10
I had been looking for a quality SFDR for the past few months on ebay. (The reissues are nice amps, but I really wanted a PTP - and when you can get a SFDR for the same or less money as a reissue it's a no brainer!) Most I had been watching were in fair to good condition and going for $650 - $750 plus shipping. I just happened to stumble across this baby at a consignment store here in town. It was purchased new in 1975 from a local music store. I'm the second owner - original owner is a lady who played steel guitar through it. Judging from the appearence it must've set in a closet for the past 20+ years! Beneath the dust it is pristine. No marks on the tolex - No marks on the face plate. All original RCA tubes. I feel fortunate I was able to find it. It is in excellent shape, I didn't have to pay $50+ for shipping, and I got to play before paying! As mentioned above, I may replace the stock speaker at some point.
I play a couple times a month in an Oldies/Classic Rock band. This amp is perfect for me. At "4" I get the perfect "Cuts Like a Knife" tone. This amp is perfect for everything from CCR to the Beatles. With my Tubescreamer I can get into the cool 80's rock territory (Pat Benatar, Cars, Robert Palmer etc...)And ad my Boss CE3 Chorus and I'm in the Police! I love this amp! A great guitar sound begins with a great foundational tone. I believe this amp provides that. It's awesom all by itself, but it also will sound great when I add "gadgets" into the mix. Go buy a Deluxe Reverb today!
Product: Fender Deluxe Reverb Price Paid: N/A used
Submitted 09/22/2004
at 01:01pm
by Anonymous
Features
:8
I traded a relatively new Vox bass amp for this used Deluxe Reverb in the mid/late 60's as a teenager. I've played guitar, keyboards and bass through it since then. It's probably an early 60's model, since there was a little wear on it when I traded for it. It has two channels, one with reverb and tremolo. I'm amazed at the volume and osund quality from just 22 watts. And now, being old, I LOVE the small size and light weight (portability). I use it with an amp stand for better projection.
Sound Quality
:10
I've used it with my Gibson 335, a Strat,Farfisa organs and Yamaha keyboards. I've even used it to power a Fender Vibratone (Leslie 16, really). I've used pedals with it. Once I even used it to power an Ampex 4 x 10 speaker box. My band members stopped the reheasal to tell me to turn it down it was so loud!
Reliability
:10
Since I traded for it used nearly 40 years ago, I replaced the speaker once (there was a little tear in the speaker cone when I got it). I may have replaced a tube once or twice in that time. The speaker cloth was replaced in the late 60's.
Customer Support
:No Opinion
The local repair who replaced the diode told me never to sell it, that it was a beauty.
Overall Rating
:9
I've been playing almost 40 years, since I was a teenager in the early Beatles days, both organ, keyboards and guitar. I've never really used another amp. I've used it for amplifying my Takamine electric acoustic as well, and it sounds great. There are times I wish I had a Twin Reverb for the extra volume, but at this point I wouldn't trade for the Deluxe's small size and weight. When we do large gigs we just mike it now. I wish it had an effects loop, but when this baby was made there were no effects other than echo and reverb! I've played through Peaveys (which were nice)and other amps, but I always come back to the Deluxe. If I lost it I might buy another, but at the going rate of almost $800 I might think twice.
Product: Fender Deluxe Reverb Price Paid: 2 CBs used
Submitted 08/24/2004
at 11:06am
by Greg
Email: DeGoodG<at>AOL dot com
Features
:10
Mine is a Sept. 1965 (OI) Blackface model. I traded two CB radio's for it in 2001. Never owned an amp like this one before and I was impressed the day I took it home. Very versatile at any volume.
Sound Quality
:10
The original speaker was replaced with a Peavy Scorpion!!! (YUCK!!) I found a 12 inch speaker in a old tube radio console. The tone was much better after I replaced that junky speaker. The Vibrato was disconnected inside and the intensity pot was converted to a Master volume. I undid this retarded modification and I restored the Vibrato circuit to normal. The sound from the amp was much better. I can't believe someone would hack up such a wonderful piece. The 22 watts is a very loud 22 watts and the distinguishable tone is heavenly. I have used many guitars through this amp. I believe my Strat sounds the best through this amp.
Reliability
:10
I use this amp everyday. It is a work horse. I t will take whatever I can dish out and still have plenty of "breathing" room. The amp has only broke down on me once. It needed the caps replace in the power supply. Probably due to the modifications aforementioned. The tubes are in good shape. I don't use groove tubes. I understand they are high quality, but I like to use it just the way they did when it was new. 7025's are rare and hard to find.
Customer Support
:10
Repaired it my self. A little patience and some help from Mr. Gearhead.com was all I needed. Fairly easy to work on. Never needed to contact Fender for anything. All the info you needed is on the web.
Overall Rating
:10
I have been playing for 16 years. I will never get rid of this amp. I got a heck of a deal on it and I have finally found my sound. If you find one, buy it!! Worth the price at any cost. Also, remember to keep it as original as possible. Even if the grill cloth is stained, or the tolex is not perfect......These amps are worth more if they are kept as original as possible. Restoring may make them look nice and I know parts can vary from tolerance over time, but preserve history by keeping your gear as original as possible.
Product: Fender Deluxe Reverb Price Paid: US $686.00 used
Submitted 08/09/2004
at 06:46pm
by Anonymous
Features
:6
I have a 72 silverface model which was recently serviced and all out of spec parts replaced. The original speaker was also replaced since it sounded a bit tired and I decided to preserve it. It was replaced with a re-issue Jensen P12N. The ratings are based on this.
As you know this is a simple two channel non-master volume amp with reverb and vibrato on the second channel. Also ther is no mid control, just bass and treble. Not a versatile amp but a great sounding amp as a foundation to built your sound upon.
Sound Quality
:10
I play both an american series strat and a gibson es-335 with this amp. I also have replaced the old tubes with NOS. The sound quality is the best i've ever experienced in an amp. The amp is very pedal friendly as well. I used to own the deluxe reverb re-issue and that amp just didn't have the chime and sparkle of this one but did sound better with a better quality speaker. I eventually sold the re-issue. This amp stays clean up to 5-6 with single coils and 4-5 with humbuckers and overdrives very nicely as you get louder. I never give 10's but this is the best sounding amp I've ever owned.
Reliability
:10
It was built 32 years ago and is very simple in design and to repair. Other than some maintenance this amp should never die.
Customer Support
:No Opinion
No experience with Fender
Overall Rating
:10
If you like clean tones, Jazz and Blues this amp is the one. Classic and hard rock and nu-metal will require the appropriate pedal, but this amp will deliver.
Product: Fender Deluxe Reverb Price Paid: US $700
Submitted 07/08/2004
at 09:42am
by Mario
Features
:No Opinion
See my previous review.
Sound Quality
:10
Ok, i take back my previous review and jack it up a few more notches. I really LOVE this amp. At a good volume (around 4), i love the PUNCH this amp has. Kind of reminds me of Neil Young's "keep on rocking in a free world" - total amp distortion, not preamp. This amp has big, hairy, porkchop sideburn, balls!!! When I first reviewed this amp, it was after a week of owning it and all at '73 Silverface spec's except for true bias adjust (not balance only). Since then, I've done a cap job, replaced the dying output tubes w/ Marconi NOS, a bad preamp tube, and more minor blackface conversions to it (just removed the parasitic caps off of the power tubes). Wow, this amp really sings now. I also took out the original Utah speaker (for resale value) and installed a thoroughly broken in Jensend C12N reissue. I SERIOUSLY soaked this puppy with acetone to soften the cone material and it sounds so thick and punchy with that plump midrange bark the Jensens are known for. This amp barks big time and sings the blues like no other with either my Barber LTD, Vox Valvetone, or DDSS up front.
Reliability
:10
Hell, its lasted over 30 years !!!!!!!
Customer Support
:No Opinion
I really don't expect Fender to care about a 31 year old amp.
Overall Rating
:10
Love it, love it. I play this more than my Fuchs Od 50 just because its so damn COOL sounding. Just barks with authority and sustains like nothing else. I'm basing the total value on resale, tone, and ease of use. Love the funky vibrato!!!
Product: Fender Deluxe Reverb Price Paid: US $699
Submitted 06/29/2004
at 06:29am
by Mario
Features
:6
A loaded amp for its day, but basic in today's terms. Two separate channels (normal and vibrato). I mainly use the normal channel. Reverbe, tremelo, bass and treble, volume, etc. This is a 1973 silverface Deluxe which has been changed to close blackface spec's.
Sound Quality
:8
Here's where this amp shines. A great rock and blues amp. Not much headroom so if your playing a club, you might want to mic it up. Clean up to around 4, at 5 and above is the overdrive range. Excellent smooth tube saturation. Sound like Greenday's "When I Come Around". I think he used this amp in recording actually. I know he's a Fender man, or at least was when they first hit it big. I saw him in concert and he had a Fender behind him. Mine has been converted over to "semi black face" specs (bias changed to adjustable not cathode, caps removed off of the power tubes, etc.) I really love this amps "mojo". Great sound.
Reliability
:8
ITs lasted this long.
Customer Support
:No Opinion
Don't know, do you think Fender will support a 1973 amp?
Overall Rating
:9
A nice amp, goes well with my stable of Fuchs OD50 and handmande "boutique" 6v6 amp (Matchless Spitfire circuit). I love this amp, low power can easily grind without blowing out your eardrums and takes pedals VERY well.
Product: Fender Deluxe Reverb Price Paid: US $673. used
Submitted 05/31/2004
at 09:43am
by Jim Kay
Email: lcuky<at>juno dot com
Features
:7
Mine's a '78 I think, cuz there's no "Line/Out" jack, but there 'is', a "Pull-Boost" on the Vol. knob. (I'm trying to find out how many "watts rms these speakers are? If anybody knows, please write me @: lcuky@juno.com-Thanx!)...It breaks-up waaaaay too early!! At "4", leaving the rest of the power after about 6, useless. I'll have to take it to a Tech. An AU7 driver, will solve that problem, but I prefer AT's.
Even at 3, tho, the amp is almost loud enuff for me to "use" clean. I play Blues, so clean is essential. The reason I bought this amp was, a friend of mine's stayed clean until about 8!! The Reverb is fantasticly "deep", but I was hoping for more of a "boinky", Surf type; The "Vibrato", is pretty darn "weak" (There again: In to the "Tech."!) I paid waaaay too much for this amp ($673. w/"shipping" on Ebay), but I never saw one for "Buy It Now" for LESS than, $750. before, & this was "$640.", & recently "serviced". So I jumped on it...It's "probably" got enuff power for me, but after the Tech. replaces the appropriate resistors, & maybe, puts 6'L'6's in it instead...I'll be "perfect"! I DO like it! It just needs headroom.
Sound Quality
:7
I use 57/62 (the "new" ones, with the "original magnet material" in them) pick-ups on my Am. Strat; & Gibson 490's, & 500's (rear) in my Les Paul. I haven't even tried the "Paul" thur it, yet, cuz I figure, if it can't handle the 5.6Kohm, "57/62's", it'll never be able to handle the Gibson. I DO have a "Gibson Nighthawk" I played thru it with tho, & that don't sound too bad.
The amp, even more than other Fender amps, seems extemely "trebley"!!? And I got rid of my Cus. Vibrolux "becuz" of the "ten's" in it & too much treble!!? But, it's versitile enuff for "me", being a "Traditional" Blues Player, I INSIST on VERY "Low Volumes" of any band I work with. The distortion, like I said, is ridiculous. But Fender has done as many "stupid" things, as they have "good", in my opinion: In this case, not made this amp with "6L6's", & a "GZ343/Aru4" (instead of the weaker, AU4 "I" got in mine)...
Reliability
:9
This amp came with ALL but "one", original, "Fender Spcl Design" tubes (RCA's really, 'disquised' as...). That should tell u how "reliable" they can be!/? No, I wouldn't use it on a Gig w/o a "Back-up". There's NO such amp. I always take my "Blues Junior" (& a 1,or2 pre-amp tubes), just in case.
Customer Support
:6
Cust. Sopport doesn't exist...Not "really"-? Unless you consider , "Holding" (on the phone) for 18 hrs., customer support?
I don't use "Authorized" Fender Tech.'s. I know PLENTY of good Tech.s, better than those, & much cheeper, too!
Overall Rating
:6
I've been using "amps" for 25 yrs. (PLaying, for 40. I was a drummer, then a harp-player, etc, until '79).
I wouldn't pay $673. for another one; I'd probablly get a B/F Bandmaster head instead, for $350.They're "40W's", but really more like "30", if you don't over-do it with the "spkr.(s)"?
It "is" (Going to BE!) the best amp I've ever owned. Sooo tierd of those, so-loud-"40W" amps, that I always have to use an Over-drive pedal cluttering-up the stage, etc!!
Product: Fender Deluxe Reverb Price Paid: US $800 used
Submitted 05/24/2004
at 09:03am
by Michael "PeeWee" Dutton
Features
:9
I found tonal true love when I bought my 1966 Fender Deluxe Reverb in December of 1990. I'm a blues guitarist on the East coast and this little gem provided me with all the tone and power I needed to work in 90% of the venues I play. Prior to this amp, I had a '61 1x12 Vibrolux but really missed the luxury of a built in spring reverb and I HATE using pedals....ain't nothin' like the real thing, right? This Deluxe Reverb is pretty much stock, save for the speaker and was my workhorse for all my performance & studio work until I got my '59 tweed Deluxe in 2002. I only use N.O.S. tubes in the amp, usually Sylvania or G.E.s. The speaker was replaced with a Fender Deluxe Reverb reissue Oxford about 10 years ago after a repairman stole the original while the amp was in for routine mantainance. I've also added a grounded 3 prong A/C cord for practical purposes.
Sound Quality
:9
My main guitar with this amp was a 1961 Stratocaster or on occasion a Gibson ES-5 with P-90 pickups. I also played an ES-335 for a short period of time. I always thought that the amp breathed better with a single coil pick-up, so I no longer have any guitars equiped with humbucking pick-ups.
For something so simple in design, it's one of the most versatile amps I've ever owned; and I've had ALOT over the years including Mesa Boogies and other Fenders! She'll start to break up just @ 4 and will really get "creamy" when run a bit to the hot side, say @ 5-6. For cleaner tones, I'll just roll back to volume control on the guitar and it's like a baby Twin in clarity and tone.
Reliability
:9
In the 12 years that I used this amp exclusively, it has NEVER let me down. The only problems that have occured have been so minor, that they've never been an issue; usually just a tube going bad or a loose connection from being jostled on the road. I still use this amp on occasion, usually with the ES-5....it really gets that "old time" tone with just enough cleanliness to hear each note and just enough dirt to make it funky! It's now my main back-up amp.
Customer Support
:No Opinion
N/A
Overall Rating
:8
I've been a guitarist for 25 years and also own a 1959 tweed Deluxe Amp (my new #1), a 1966 Super Reverb Amp, a 1963 Tube Reverb unit and a 1995 Pro Junior. The type of gig dictates what guitar or guitars I'll use. My main instrument these days is a Gibson '56 Les Paul Historic Authentic, which I bought in '02. I also will use a Fender '56 Relic Strat, the Gibson ES-5 or for slide work, a '60's Kingston...just like Hound Dog Taylor's old thing.
What I love about the amp is it's versitility and compactness, sure beats lugging around my old Super Reverb. Realibility is another asset. On the downside, what makes it so great is also sometimes a liability; it's only a 22 watt amp. I found that it was a little thin for certain dates and had to resort back to the Super Reverb to really push the air that was needed to be heard well. But like they say, "it is what it is".
I believe if anything ever happened to this amp, I really wouldn't know what I'd do. I literally played through 23 Deluxe Reverbs before I found this one. All of the others paled in comparison and had various problems with them. I guess that I'd start the "quest" again, but really doubt that I'd find another this nice. Honestly though, since I purchased my tweed Deluxe, I haven't used the amp very much and would probably look for another tweed.
Product: Fender Deluxe Reverb Price Paid: $1,300.00 (Canadian) used
Submitted 02/12/2004
at 07:06pm
by Randy Tucker
Features
:10
This amp (pre CBS)has exactly the features needed...no more - no less. Two channels, reverb, tremelo, all the good stuff. 22 watts and a 12 inch non - original Vox Bulldog speaker round the package off.
Sound Quality
:10
I use a Fender Custom Classic Strat with Van Zandt pic-ups, and a Les Paul with P-90s. I play light jazz, blues, R & B, country, and some rock. The amp does it all perfect. I set my volume and both tones on 5, reverb on 3. I never use tremelo. After 5 the amp just gets distorted (very musically) but not any louder.
Reliability
:10
It is the only amp I own. I have had it for 4 years. I do all my own repairs. All I have done is filter caps, tubes, 3 prong plug, and biasing (by ear). It has never done anything wrong, and I play regularly at clubs.
Customer Support
:1
I bought a cover and a new handle. I would never let anyone touch this amp but me....ever!
Overall Rating
:10
I have been playing professionally for 34 years. I have had lots of Fenders and almost every other kind of amp ever made. This is my first Deluxe-Reverb. This is where it ends. It was stolen 4 months ago. I got it back in two days. I am well known in the city I work in, I guess they got scared because they coughed it up. I had to pay a $150.00 ransom/reward, but I was very lucky. I was scared because they are so hard to find now. I will be even more careful in the future. If I hadn't gotten it back I would have scoured the earth looking for a replacement. I would never consider using any other amp. It suits what I do perfectly. Leo Fender was a design genius. The re-issues are better than most other amps out there, but not even close to the originals. That is truly amazing. If you are a guitar player and get a chance to buy one, do what ever you have to do to get it. Don't worry about the price because in ten years they will be selling for over three grand. Count on it!!!
Product: Fender Deluxe Reverb Price Paid: US $250 used
Submitted 11/04/2003
at 10:54am
by Steam Furnace
Features
:7
1973 Silverface that I use for classic rock, blues, and country. 2 channels, reverb, vibrato, 22 watts (plenty), that I use in small clubs, parties, etc.
Sound Quality
:10
I use it with an '87 American Standard Strat, a '62 Tele re-issue, a new Stratosonic, a '73 Les Paul Deluxe and a Roger McGuinn 370-12 Rick. It is super quiet when idle, but loud enough for our small band un-miked with a lush reverb and vibrato. Clean sound to about 6. I don't over-drive it, for distortion I use a Realtube pedal.
Reliability
:10
Amp has never broken down in 15 years of use (except a failed power tube) I gig without a back-up, but do have a 65 Deluxe Reverb re-issue at home, just in case.
Customer Support
:9
Long out of warranty when I bought it in 1989, but I have had it serviced (re-tubed, biased, new caps, and three prong cord) by my local Fender dealer to great satifsaction.
Overall Rating
:10
I have been playing for 30 years, and own 3 Strats, one Tele, one P Bass, one Rickenbacker 12, one Les Paul, a new Stratosonic, and a Guild Starfire IV. I love the sound of the amp with all of the above, clean, bright, with a tight bottom-end. My 65 Re-issue sounds close, but this one is still the sweetest; I wouldn't change a thing. If it were lost or stolen, I would try to replace it.
Product: Fender Deluxe Reverb Price Paid: #100 (Sterling (plus p/x)) used
Submitted 10/09/2003
at 01:46pm
by Tim
Email: tim-russell at o2<dot>co<dot>uk
Features
:No Opinion
This was purchased from Humbucker Music in Leicester, part-exchanged for a Laney LC30 amp and a few old pedals I didn't use anymore. It is a late 70s silverface model; the one with the volume boost and line out jack (two features I would never use). Some people say these are inferior to the earlier silverface models but that doesn't really worry me - it's still genuine fender point-to-point hand-wired all-valve combo, so it's already better than most modern day amps, especially when you consider its infinite customisability. Features are as listed many times below.
Sound Quality
:10
When I tried it in the shop, I thought it sounded OK, but knew that it was behaving suboptimally. It was loaded with a Celestion G12M-R speaker (which, I believe, is very much a 'rock' speaker) and, as I later discovered, had the wrong valves in it. I decided to take it to a local amp & valve specialist (Mark at Hot-Rox in Nottingham - absolutely top bloke) who gave it a good going over, replaced a few components and re-valved the thing. Now it was starting to sound more like it. The icing on the cake came when I replaced the Celestion for a Jensen P12R - now it was truly a great amp.
I play a Gibson ES135 (stock P100s replaced by Kent Armstrong 'Vintage PAF' humbuckers) for jazz/soul/rock 'n' roll sounds, and a Fender Japan 60s re-issue Strat (stock single-coils hopefully soon to be replaced by Kent Armstrong 'Tweed Tones') for the rest. I have a bunch of pedals (all analog, mostly rather old - wahs, phasers, fuzzes, overdrives, choruses, vibes, delays, envelope filters, and a H&K Tube Rotosphere) which I use when appropriate, but love the sound of the guitars straight into the amp.
As you probably know, these amps aren't the loudest (rated at 22W), and get crunchy without too much effort. I can get the most delicious, warm, clean sounds up to about 3+1/2 on the volume (guitar vol backed off a little), above which I get an extremely natural and non-grainy sounding overdrive which is very responsive to guitar volume. I can totally nail the intro to Them's version of 'Baby Please Don't Go' like this, and all manner of classic blues and jazz tones are possible, from BB to SRV, Benson to Burrell.
For the record, I also own a 70s silverface Twin Reverb and, although the Twin is the best for loud, clean strat sounds, the Deluxe wins hands down for blues and jazz (plus it is so much more portable).
This truly is a beautiful sounding amp. The reverb is spot on (although not as deep as on the Twin) and the tremolo is extremely useable, although you won't get heavy heavy 'How Soon is Now' or REM effects with it.
Reliability
:No Opinion
Haven't gigged with it yet. Obviously this amp is going to require some maintenance, but that's part of the joy of owning and playing one.
Customer Support
:No Opinion
Who needs customer support when you've got Hot-Rox??
Overall Rating
:10
I've been playing long enough to know that this amp is staying with me for a very long time. It does everything I want it to (ie amplify my guitar), sounds amazing, looks cool, is eminently portable, and very customisable (I'm considering 'blackfacing' the Vibrato channel and converting the Normal channel into a 50s tweed type amp and linking it up to the reverb and tremolo, thus creating two classic amps in one). I probably wouldn't pay the #700+ asked by some crazy dealers, but, for a good price, this baby is the dog's.
Product: Fender Deluxe Reverb Price Paid: US $465 used
Submitted 09/28/2003
at 10:06am
by Jerry Trominski
Features
:7
Mine is a 1980 "back to blackface" model. These are identical to the late 70's silverface amps, but the faceplate is black, similar to the mid 60's amps. I'm the second owner and was able to get it for a steal from the original owner who had stopped playing and just wanted to unload it. Way back when, he'd gotten the BF mod done and disabled the pull-boost knobs. It's in great condition, but the original speaker was worn out and I replaced it with a Celestion Vintage 30. Otherwise, the features are common to the others reviewed here. Not many, but enough to take care of just about anything I'll ever use it for.
Sound Quality
:10
Without a doubt, this is the best sounding amp I've owned, and that's a fairly long list that includes several other Fenders (incl a '59 RI Bassman), Vox, Marshall, and Ampeg. I play mostly classic rock, using an American Std Strat with Fralin Blues pickups and a Les Paul studio with the stock humbuckers. This amp just sings with either guitar. I love the "edge of break-up" tone. I don't bother with any pedals other than a DOD Icebox Chorus, which I use sparingly. I like to just dime the volume control on the amp and adjust the amount of overdrive with the guitar's volume control. This Deluxe is plenty loud for gigging, unless it's an outdoor setting. But even then it's just fine miked into the PA.
Reliability
:10
It's 23 years old and never needed anything other than the speaker replacement I mentioned above and an occasional tube replacement.
Customer Support
:No Opinion
It's beenout of warranty for more than 20 years. Why would I ever call Fender?
Overall Rating
:10
I've owned this amp for about a year and a half. It's become my number one and I've sold all of my other amps except for an Ampeg J-12R that I use for practice. I wish I would have gotten it back in the early 80's when I started to play guitar, then it would have saved me the expense and effort I've spent on all the other amps I'd purchased over the years. It's perfect. No other amp I've ever played through measures up to it.
Product: Fender Deluxe Reverb Price Paid: N/A used
Submitted 09/01/2003
at 11:05pm
by Anonymous
Features
:10
I just purchased this amp off of ebay for $1200 USD. It is an all original 1966. If you are reading about this amp you know the features. It has everything that you need and nothing more.
Sound Quality
:10
I'm playing a custom shop relic strat, Gibson Les Paul Standard and occaisionally a tube screamer with this amp.
At first this amp sounded pretty good but I could tell it needed some work. I brought it to my amp tech and he replaced the filter caps, tubes, and a few resistors and capacitors that had drifted off of factory specs. I also had the bright cap removed from the volume pot which makes the tone controls more useable in my opinion.
The final step in resurrecting this amp was adding a WeberVST 12F150, 50 watt, doped speaker. Man does this amp sound fantastic now. The bass response is much better and the overall tone is dramatically better. I definitely recommend this speaker to any one with this amp who wants a little more headroom but likes the sound of the amp.
This thing smokes the reissue amp that I rented prior to purchasing this on ebay. I'm glad I bought vintage because the sound is much better, they are easier to service, and much easier to get your money out of them if you decide to sell.
I have a fairly large collection of vintage Fender amps to compare this too including the following:
59 Bassman
64 Super Reverb
65 Twin
66 Vibrolux Reverb
65 Pro Reverb
54 Twin
Several smaller tweed amps as well as piggy back white tolex amps.
This thing is my favourite of them all except maybe the Vibrolux Reverb. (You should check out the vibrolux - they are fantastic)
Reliability
:7
I'm sure I'll have a few problems here and there after all this is an old tube amp
Customer Support
:No Opinion
N/A
Overall Rating
:10
Fantastic. Buy one and you'll see what I mean. I recommend upgrading the speaker to a Weber 12F150, 50 watt, doped.
Much better value than the reissues - especially long term. You will make money on these amps if you decide to sell in the future. (How many new amps will you be able to do that with?)
Product: Fender Deluxe Reverb Price Paid: US $650
Submitted 08/13/2003
at 09:09pm
by Derek See
Features
:10
Do you know what year the amp was made in?
c1973
Is the amp versatile enough for you and the styles of music you play?
absolutely, this amp "is" music.
What are those styles?
Whatever your fingers dictate.
How many channels? 2
Does it have channel switching? Effects loops? Headphone jack?
no, no no!
What features do you wish it had? Why?
It is typical Fender amp PERFECTION
Are there features you never use? nope.
Where do you use this amp?
small clubs, home
Does it have enough power for you? yup
Feel free to enter any other features: all tube, point to point wiring. Nuff said. Stay away from the reissues!
Sound Quality
:10
What guitar and pickup styles are you using it with?
an arsenal of Fender/ Gretsch/ Rickenbacker gear
How does it suit your music style (and what is that style)?
perfect. Rock, blues jazz are all reasonable with this amp.
Is it noisy? nope, only if I want it to be :)
What kind of sounds can the amp make? Musical ones
Is the clean channel distorted at high volumes? yes and I wouldnt have it any other way.
How brutal is the distortion? its MUSICAL pure tube overdrive!
Reliability
:10
Fender amps (pre '75) keep on ticking with regular maintenance. Very reliable, thats reason #487,263 why they are CLASSICS.
Customer Support
:No Opinion
Overall Rating
:10
Stay away, repeat, STAY AWAY, from modern circuit board amps. They sound terrible compared to vintage amps, and cost a FORTUNE to repair/service. And they have plenty of built in planned obsoloescence. There are plenty of deals out there, and a good amp tech will get it cookin for you (note: watch out for jerks who try to tell you your vintage speakers are blown. More than likely they are trying to steal them.)
Product: Fender Deluxe Reverb Price Paid: N/A
Submitted 05/28/2003
at 05:06am
by Anonymous
Features
:10
two channels, regular and verb/trem. Footswitch control for verb and trem. No effects loops, master vol or other junk. All tube, point to point wired. this is an early silverface (68) and so not much altered
Why use this amp or amps like it? I won't try to describe the sound except to say that it's really good--no matter where the knobs are, clean or overdriven, it sounds good--pleasing to the ear, musical. Can you "cop" the tone of this or that famous guitarist? Sure, I guess so, but that's not the point
People use these fender amps because they are the perfect foundation for whatever you're doing--the basic sound is just great--it makes you smile. Put your pedals and effects junk on top of it, an it still sounds good, because the foundation is there. Simple circuits make for great sound, and they are easy to fix and repair, and rugged
The perfect club amp--enough volume to keep up, but not like lugging an anvil. Is it versatile? Absolutely--you can play ,rock, blues, country, jazz on this amp and they all sound great. Can you footswitch in a preamp buzz mesa tone? No. So maybe it isn't versatile if that's what you think versatile means. But try bringing that Boogie to a jazz gig
Sound Quality
:10
Classic fender blackface sound--sparkly clean, cut mids, great overdrive. The amp is quiet and solid. Rich reverb, deep trem. The lows are more solid than on a princeton, but not as tight as on a 6L6 amp. The attack is warm and easy, smooth--6V6's sound "sweeter" to me.
Ok, you could tweak here and there, look for more of this or that, I'm not going to claim it's tone nirvana because that's an illusion. You could tweak it to be closer to whatever you like, but even if you don't tweak it, it still sounds great. It's a working tool that will help you make music--it will never get in your way
What guitar and pickup styles are you using it with?
Telecasters (blues, soul, country) and archtop (jazz)
How does it suit your music style (and what is that style)?
Lots of styles--it's versatile in the best sense. whatever syle you want, except maybe death metal, and it sounds good
Is it noisy? On what settings, and in what environments?
Nope, no noisy
What kind of sounds can the amp make? How much variety?
See above--classic fendr clean, classic fender creamy spongy overdrive.
Is the clean channel distorted at high volumes? In what settings?
Starts to breakup around 5
How brutal is the distortion?
Is the distortion "brutal?" I would say no, it's not brutal, it's musical, ya want brutal, look elsewhere
Reliability
:10
extremely well built by design, easy to maintain and repair
Customer Support
:No Opinion
There's a good reason people pay a lot for these things
Overall Rating
:10
prcey, but worth it. A good tool that won't let you down and always does what you need--the right tool for the right job, works, feels right
Product: Fender Deluxe Reverb Price Paid: US $750 used
Submitted 05/22/2003
at 07:14am
by Moondawg
Features
:7
Mine is a first year Silverface, identified by the silver beading around the grill cloth. (I'm sure the collectors could quickly say the year; I can't) What this means, I have been told, is that the cosmetics are 'silverface,' the guts are pure blackface.
Features: Few. Two channels ('plain' and w/ reverb/tremelo) Ech with dual inputs (high and low sensitivity) Three tone controls (Bass, Mid and treble) reverb and tremelo controls. That's it.
The Deluxe Reverb has two things going for it that one could call "features": True classic fender tone AND low wattage output. Whaythis matters... (see "sounds")
Sound Quality
:10
I regularly play several different guitars. Most commonly a Les Paul Custom (SG style), an ES- Artist, a Epi Sheraton II and a Fender Tele reissue. All sound great through this amp.
The glory of the D.R.'s tone is, as seaid above, based on two factors, the classic Fender amp sound AND the low maximum power of this amp; only 22 watts.
That means one can realistically turn the thing up and overdrive both the pre-amp AND (this is important!) power amp.
s
In a few words: Great tone = overdriven 6L6s. (or EL 84s for clasic Marshall sound lovers)
Having just one 12 inch speaker is important here for the same reason: Distortion and compression come on at lower, more easily reeached, volume levels.
Played clean (moderate volume) or driven, single coil or HBs, this things simply sounds good.
The one thing I miss is a circuit that would allow electronic compression between the amp's stages.
Reliability
:10
Approx 30 years and she stills rocks. Only "repair" is replacment of 2 preamp tubes.
Customer Support
:No Opinion
Overall Rating
:10
Playing 40+ years. Blues, and primitive rock.
I lived and played thru the sixties and early 70s. Saw the emphisis in power and volume kill the appreciation for TONE. If you younger guitar slinger get the chance to really spend time with one of these early DRs you'll quickly come to seee what was lost.
Product: Fender Deluxe Reverb Price Paid: US $100(1978)
Submitted 03/25/2003
at 06:06pm
by Steve
Email: cole<at>townsqr dot com
Features
:10
This is a silverface purchased used in '78. Stored in a closet while I went through digital-peavey-crate-effects-carvin futile search for tone. I got this out a few months ago and plugged a new fat strat texas special into it. What the **** was I thinking. THIS IS THE TONE.
Sound Quality
:10
Again the Texas special, American Fat Tele. I play mainly country and the twang and punch is there. I have a Mesa Mk III with an EV and it makes my buddies jealous, but this thing brings evil to their eyes. This amp has an ALTEC-LANSING 12" speaker with a huge magnet. I think this why it out does the other deluxes I've tried. The bass is outstanding as well as the usual fender tones. I don't try to distort this amp that's what the boogie's for.
Reliability
:10
As far as I know there has never been a problem. I had a tech check the tubes and he said they were original. There could have been rewiring before I owned it my buddies says it sounds too good to be silverface. I don"t know if speaker is original.
Customer Support
:8
I have no idea but making a good product to start with speaks well I think.
Overall Rating
:10
I have been playing since I was 9 yrs old. I'm 42. I neglected this amp for 20 yrs, thank goodness for closet space. If it were stolen I would hunt it down. I have at my disposal through friends all the good tube amps to play except matchless and bad cat this is the cleanest,fattest and brightest amp I've played.
Product: Fender Deluxe Reverb Price Paid: US $1500- used
Submitted 03/15/2003
at 03:05pm
by Jim DiGregorio
Email: JimD23<at>aol dot com
Features
:10
Hi, Mine is an early 1966 with JBL Black K-Series 12" speaker (as opposed to the JBL Grey D-Series Speakers that were actually produced and factory installed on custom order for Fender during the amp's 1964-1967 origional production era). I've had my Blackface Deluxe Reverb for about 1 and one-half years now. I origionally bought it for $1500- cash from George Alessandro,(Alessandro Amps) at the 2001 Philly Summer Guitar Show. It was really funny, I showed up with Bernie Brausweater from BB and the Stingers, (those in the northeast know who I mean), and Gerry Weber of Kendrick, (who's crazy for Bernie's playing, as is George), was at the table right across from us with every amp he had in stock. We A/B'ed this baby (which was personally overhauled and tuned up by George) against tons upon tons of Vintage Fenders and every Kendrick in creation. This amp easily won Hands-Down! Kudos to all of you Fender Blackface Deluxe Reverb Owners. You Are Right! There is no Better Reverb-Equipped amp for PURE TONE.......PERIOD! As for Veratiliy, all you need is you guitar, (in my case a Strat) a cord, and This Amp. Your HANDS Will Do The Rest! I'm a Blues Player (playing about 22 years), and this Amp is the Absolute KING for Blues Tone!!! (Tweed Deluxes Also Rate Really High in My Book). If you think that you need more features, then you need to practice more.
Sound Quality
:10
I really Don't want to piss anybody off but I'm going to be Very Upfront Here. First, in my opinion Tweeds, Brownfaces, and Blackfaces RULE and while I'd give up a night with the finest babe for a Tweed Deluxe, (the purest of tone), Blackfaces do have that nice Reverb and Vibrato, in addition to that "forgotten channel" without it. Leo Fender, You were a true genius! BUT, I think that there are alot of falicies that people tend to create. To be honest, the Reissues Can't Even Compare with the Origionals, NOT EVEN CLOSE, These Reissues (while I am glad that they made them), are printed circut boards with Mexican parts assembled by minimum wage workers with green cards. GIVE ME A BREAK!!! Why don't you just go out and buy a SQUIRE and call it a Vintage Strat! No wonder why these reissues break down so often! Even the most basic Point-To-Point Silverface can Blow These Reissues Away! As an example, I owned a Vibro-King before my this and because of the sub-quality parts and low-quality assemblers, It was the Biggest Piece Of Unreliable CRAP I've Ever OWNED!!! Fender needs to stop trying to save on the price of machine screws and get their act together again. I honestly think that anybody on these Forums could do a better job for the players running Fender than whoever is running it now! Look all you 12 year olds, see the Awesome New Colors!, Now run out and tell Mommy and Daddy to buy you one so I can go Vacation in Bermuda with my Secretary on the Company's Expense Account!!! (Just Don't Tell Her Husband or My Wife and Kids, Oh, By the way, Because of Neccessary Costs, The price of all Fender products will increase by 10% as of next year, Thanks for your Understanding and Continued Support!!!) Next, Silvefaces, especially prior to 1975 are KILLER amps, I OWN 2 OF THEM (a 1972 Vibrolux and 1973 Vibrochamp, both of which are built like tanks, are in near-mint condition and have tons of headroom) That Vibrolux has stood up for me night after night after night at jam after jam after jam with conuntless guitarists playing through it! BUT, in relation to The Silverface Is Blackface Hallucination, NO WAY, NOT EVEN CLOSE!!! But....You Don't Understand, MY Silverface is THE 1968 Deluxe Reverb With The *SILVER RIM* Around The Grillecloth and BB KING stuck this piece of chewing gum inside of it in 1968, The guy I bought it from at Guitar Center for $2000- told me so!, NO WAY, NOT EVEN CLOSE!!! Do You really think that Fender would take all the trouble in 1968 to spend all of that money for redesign costs for the outside cosmetics and NOT CHANGE THE ELECTRONICS??? ,GET REAL!!!, A/B One Against the Other as many times as I have and if you still think that they Sound and React EXACTLY THE SAME, Then TRY SMOKING LESS CRACK!!!
Reliability
:8
Let's Get Real, these amps are almost 40 years old, BUT they are some of the most User Serviceable Amps EVER MADE, They WILL have their share of Maintainance Needed from Time To Time (Unless The Past Owner Abused The Amp with Alot Of Pedals), BUT in general, all you need is to obtain Quality Replacement Parts From The CTS Replacement Catalog and be able to Turn a Bias Screw While Reading a Meter and THESE AMPS WILL LAST FOREVER!!!
Customer Support
:5
The MAYTAG Guy at the back of the Fender Building is Still Asleep, BUT, If you Feel Like Paying $100- to Change A $5- Input Jack, Then Fender WILL BE HAPPY to refer you to the NEAREST AUTHORIZED SERVICE CENTER!!!
Overall Rating
:10
At this point, this amp is like having a Car for me, IT'S ESSENTIAL!!! If this amp were ever stolen, I'd Probably Filp Out! , But I do confess that I Probably WOULD Shell Out the Bucks To Replace It With Another One (and I Know EXACTLY WHERE to get those Old JBL's, and it's Nowhere Online), BUT I would HATE to Go Through Another Year Of Fine-Tuning and Working The Kinks Out Of Another Amp. Overall, I think that this amp RULES, Especially for BLUES and is Well Worth The Investment for the Serious Guitar Player. BUY ONE TODAY BEFORE THEY ALL END UP IN JAPAN!!! P.S. I plan to take this amp out alot including alot of jams (tone machines like this are meant to be used), and I am one of these nice guys who will let you play through the amp if you are Respectful and Don't Use Any Pedals, I play and jam in and around N.J. Thanks to everyone who takes the time to raed this, Jim
Product: Fender Deluxe Reverb Price Paid: $Bargain$ used
Submitted 12/29/2002
at 08:35pm
by Jerry Jerdine Jr
Email: jerdinej at yahoo<dot>com
Features
:7
Mid seventies Silverface in excellent aesthetic condition. Standard features of which I never use the vibrato effects. This tube amp has potential for what I paid for it!
Sound Quality
:7
I run either an '84 Ibanez Roadster II or an '02 Fender Strat Deluxe through it for my church worship team which specializes in everything from acid-paced disco praize to slo-motion australian hillsongs worship. It usually compliments my musical style when I run it in stereo with a Boss effects processor & compressor/limiter. It can get that clean twangy country sound at low gains but often buzzes out when I boost levels.
Reliability
:4
I can barely depend on the performance of this box, but I think some maintenance applications are in order. I would use it as a third combo because it has not performed with stability on the road.
Customer Support
:No Opinion
N/A
Overall Rating
:6
I have played for nearly 18 years in that same venue (Faith Community Fellowship Church, Inc.) If it were stolen, I would buy a new with a good warranty and try to max its potential within the first year. I love the light weight and performance of the 22 watt model. I have no reference to compare it to other than perhaps a Mesa Boogie I tried out about 6 years ago at Morrison Brothers Music in Jackson, MS. I wish it could talk back to me, I'm sure it would have some interesting commentary. God bless the USA!
Product: Fender Deluxe Reverb Price Paid: US $499.00 used
Submitted 12/22/2002
at 08:52pm
by Jethro
Features
:10
I bought two Deluxe Reverbs in 2002. First one is August 1966. Cost $625.00 (mods up the ying yang, treble boost, pentode/triode switch, master volume, cab beat to s#*t) Still a bargain.
Second one is a Sept. 1966 model. I bought it last week in a shop that specializes in Metal Guitar players- I got a 100% original (footswitch intact, two prong cord,RCA clear-top 6V6's,Telefunken P.I's, Mullard, RCA preamp tubes- all tested strong transformer codes from 1966, Oxford speaker from 1966 cab & Tolex are 9.5) Someone traded it in for a new Peavey amp(aaaaaarrrrrrrrrrgggggghhhhhhhhhh). I snatched this one for $499.00!!!! It is PERFECT!
Sound Quality
:10
Use with Gibson Explorer,Tele Strat.
rock, country ,blues
two prong is noisy but I don't want to change a thing on this amp- it should be in a museum.
Sounds unreal. REAL LOUD! Super clean up to 6 then breaks up and goes psycho-sonic. Does everything except Metal (Line 6 does the metal for me)
I play in a cover band with a Line 6 Flextone(the way to go for gigging IMHO). The Deluxe is for home and band jams.
Reliability
:10
Got two of them and they work fine. My tech loves working on Blackfaces. Says they are real easy to deal with
Customer Support
:No Opinion
Why bother?
Overall Rating
:10
If stolen I would just sit by the side of the road and cry. I don't think I'll ever be able to replace them. I bought two 1966's in 2002
for a grand total of $1100.00. How could you possibly beat that?
Product: Fender Deluxe Reverb Price Paid: US $20 and a 8-track player
Submitted 10/03/2002
at 02:31pm
by Tim Ellis
Features
:10
1968 Silver Face with silver edging. 1st year out. Really a blackface. Stays clean at lower volumes. It really sings at different levels depending on the guitar - single coil vs humbuckers. I can play Rock, Blues, C&W, Folk etc... with it. Use the amp for home recording and jam sessions. Use to use it for gigs but I had to find a real job.
Sound Quality
:10
I use it with a Tele, Strat, Rickenbacker 12-String, Gretsch Country Gentleman, Les Paul Studio, and Firebird V. All sound great. With the humbuckers I turn the Treble, Bass down to 4-5 setting, otherwise it sounds far to dirty. Single coil I turn up the Treble and Bass to 7-8 a bit... I swapped out the 12" Oxford speaker that came with the amp, with a JBL... that really fattened up the sound.
Reliability
:9
I'm the 3rd owner. The prior owners gigged hard with it for the first 5 years. Got it in 1972... traded an 8-track player and $20 dollars for it... It developed a hum in the mid 1990's. In 2000 I had it recapped and a tube changed... That reduced the hum considerably... still has a minor hum... So for 30 years its been real stable. It has never broken down... just needed some standard maintainence...
Customer Support
:No Opinion
N/A
Overall Rating
:10
I've been playing since 1969... I own a Marshall's AVT20 as well etc... which is really nice but the Deluxe Reverb is still the prize. I can use it anywhere... from basement jam sessions to medium size clubs... It is light enough to carry around... Thought the older I get it too appears to be weighing more.
Product: Fender Deluxe Reverb Price Paid: US $140 used
Submitted 09/19/2002
at 08:18am
by John
Features
:9
This is a 1965 (recently checked the serial #'s), which came with a factory installed 12" JBL speaker. I have never seen a bigger magnet on a 12" speaker-its huge.
You know the drill-two channels, vibrato (play "Empty Heart-Stones), and you'll fall over), and that amazing, deep Fender reverb.
When I was in a high school band, I played with a mic and a guitar running through this baby.
All tube, it has a handy electric plug in the back.
Vanilla amp, but it supurbly does what it does.
Sound Quality
:10
PRS, Tele, Gibson 125TC, Dano 12 string--they all sound great.
Very loud, stays clean to 7, then gets a bit gritty, in a wonderful way. I play classic rock and blues, and its great. You have to watch out for the treble, especially on a Tele. Dogs start barking, if you aren't careful.
Reliability
:9
I bought this used in late 1966, for $140. Its been in the shop for some minor repairs over the years-a few tubes replaced, the orignal wire is long gone, new fuse and fuse holder. Lost the original cover,too. Except for a few times, its held up like a tank, but I do baby it-with good reason-I want it to be around for a long time.
It is old enough, though, to make a back up amp a good idea.
Customer Support
:No Opinion
Never contacted them.
Overall Rating
:9
Been playing 38 years. Have six guitars, two amps (the other is a 2002 Fender Hot Rod Deluxe-it actually sounds very similar to my DR, but not as good). Lots of effects, and recording equipment.
Using a POD 2.3, its all I could ever need, sound -wise (until I get GAS again). I have a Heritage 535 , with lots of options, on order. Will report on that when I get it (almost seven months waiting....and waiting...)
If this were stolen, I'm pretty sure I would not pay the $1800+ that these seem to be going for. That's a lot of money. I might buy a really good Fender Custom Amp Shop. Hopefully, I won't have to make that decision.
Product: Fender Deluxe Reverb Price Paid: N/A
Submitted 09/13/2002
at 01:23pm
by Anonymous
Email: taffmartin at aol<dot>com
Features
:10
68 with silver edging round speaker cloth,don`t need anything apart from a tele and a pick !!
it stays clean upto about 4 then depending how you play starts to sing
or drive if you realy dig in
Sound Quality
:10
i just use a home made tele with b-bender and a peavey EDI box for DI`ing through pa sounds huge,tremolo is not great on this one my old twin was better.
all tones from clean sparkle to roy buchanon wails are available at the twist of the volume and how hard you play,VERY RESPONSIVE...
Reliability
:9
not gone wrong yet ,its 34 years old what more do you want!!!!!!
Customer Support
:No Opinion
NA
Overall Rating
:10
been playing `bout 25 years, had all types of amps ,marshall,boogie,peavey,vox.nothing compares for sheer tone!
Product: Fender Deluxe Reverb Price Paid: #450 used
Submitted 09/11/2002
at 03:29pm
by Bryan Ashford
Email: bryan dot ashford<at>btopenworld dot com
Features
:5
Not sure when this amp was made late 70's I 'd guess brought it second hand 'silver face front, usual fare single channel and reverb and vibrato, no effects loop but who cares! 22w 1x12 all tube not a transistor in sight and its loud! but I did'nt buy it for the volume I run this amp with a Route 66 overdrive and a H20 (both Visual Sound)and I get goose bumps!(see sound quality)
Sound Quality
:10
This amp is everything I ever wanted! I tried all sorts looking for MY holy grail it is so warm in tone, my toes curl when I stroke a cord. No I 'm not the best guitarist in the world I happily play with my buddies in a pub band, but this amp does make me sound good! Its very much a bluesy amp very traditional in its sound, no thrash here (thank god!) Clean sound is great but what is really nice about this amp is the way it breaks up at number 5 on and it very sensitive to how you play - hit it hard it breaks up, gently does it and its nice and soft almost bell like in character, I have only played with strats and teles and it feels and sounds like as you would expect, they were made for each other, I love SRV and I think this as close as I am gonna get to that sound without buying a twin and blowing the pub doors off!
Reliability
:No Opinion
? lets keep our fingers crossed here!
Customer Support
:No Opinion
I think it may be out of warranty by now!
Overall Rating
:10
If it were stolen I would give up the will to live, I nealy brought a blues junior instead of this but I tried this and it felt so good I had to have it, I understand you can 'blackface' these but I would like to know more, it has been retubed (Chinese tubes) and I think it could be made even better with better valves I dont hate anything about this amp we play small gigs in pubs and clubs and its dead easy to lug about, the car boot looks empty, it really is plug and play I have tried Marshalls Laneys PODs and SS Fenders but this amp is just what I wanted it's just simply a great amp the dog's bo***ks!
Product: Fender Deluxe Reverb Price Paid: 800 (au) used
Submitted 07/22/2002
at 01:54am
by Dominic Carroll
Features
:7
Blackface Deluxe reverb.
Not many features, but that's a good thing.
Sound Quality
:10
Bluesy stuff, works perfectly. I occasionally use a tubescreamer, but it makes it different, not necessarily better. Used with a squier strat (cheapo mexican crap) and a es335, the gibson won hands down.
Sometimes my friend and I use ours together with a delay pedal, for a stereo & slight slap echo effect. It is unreal. I'll be getting another one identical as soon as I see one for the right price (i'm broke)
Reliability
:No Opinion
Yep. doesn't break. But i don't abuse it
Customer Support
:No Opinion
Overall Rating
:10
Buy this amp. Don't argue, buy. Also, get a powerbrake or something.
BTW, the guy who is dissing this amp because it didn't have a gain knob or a mids knob, you're a sad, sad little boy. You were GIVEN a deluxe reverb and you'd rather have a solid state marshall. Go buy your solid state amp, run it for a while, and you'll notice that the power fets getting hot too. Why do you think they sell solid state amps on the basis that they sound like tubes? Sad.
Product: Fender Deluxe Reverb Price Paid: N/A
Submitted 07/21/2002
at 10:53pm
by Find me in the forums- ask for mook.
Features
:10
For the guy under me, hes a complete idiot, a marshall mgd100 better ? WOW, thats pretty dumb. This amp is like the marshall jcm800 2204 and 2203's it has one channel, and its the best at that. Thhe feature are perfect, more knobs=less tone.
Sound Quality
:10
now for sounds, this amp and its big brother are the BEST clean sound. The amp is wonderfulwhen played clean, thats it job, is clean, thats why its such a good amp. when its cranked to 10 i can get ac/dc tones since the tubes overdrive themselves. Don't let the 22 watts fool you, this thing is a screamer, easily loud enough for titty bars. I run a 1965 fender mustang through it, and it sounds nice.
Reliability
:10
well (knock on wood) nothing ahs broken in 37 years, im the only owner, the tubes are stock, and still rocking.
Customer Support
:10
haven't delt with them.
Overall Rating
:10
if your looking for the best clean amp available, and to get ac/dc type of tone stock, this amp is for you. the more its cranked the more tone your gonna get. Like i said don't let the 22 watts fool you, their a powerful 22 watts, thats for damn sure. This amp is quite versatile, can play blues, country, rock, heavy polka, hell is doesn't matter.
Product: Fender Deluxe Reverb Price Paid: $800 and $900 (Canadian) used
Submitted 05/22/2002
at 12:02pm
by DB
Features
:10
Best reverb and tremelo. No extra features that suck tone.
I hate channel switching and preamp tube distortion, so to me it's got every feature that won't hurt the sound.
Sound Quality
:10
Good for every style of music.
I use an original Ibanez TS-808 for distortion. There is no better OD.
I replace the stock speakers with oiginal Celestion grey "Vox Bulldogs" 003 cones. There is no better speaker. This is the magic combination.
I also use Svetlana 6l6's having found other tubes unsatsfactory especially Sovtex 6v6's and 5881's.
Reliability
:9
Every tube must be checked to see if it's strong, toneful and free of microphonics. New power tubes once a year at least if played hard and often. New filter caps every 10 years. I change and upgrade all the small caps with orange drops, silver micas, and other goodies from Hoffmann Amps. Old amps deserve this going-over. 9 because tubes fail so carry extras. Buy one with rust-free transformers.
Customer Support
:1
Nada. But any good tech knows Fenders.
Overall Rating
:10
I have a"67 Blackface and a Silverface.
The Blackface sounds a little nicer even after I made them identical.
Why? Lower plate voltages on the Blackface plus a real wood floating baffle board. Make sure that the cab is solid and rattle-proof. Both of mine are. After taking apart many amps, I settled on Deluxe Reverbs as perfect because of tone and portability.
Product: Fender Deluxe Reverb Price Paid: US used
Submitted 01/22/2002
at 12:29pm
by paulj
Email: judejacob at yahoo<dot>com
Features
:No Opinion
71 redone to blackface specs.
Sound Quality
:9
Wow, after trying to get these sounds with a mesa for a couple of years I finally found a really good one. It's great for blues and country and rock. I use an distortion pro pedal for that srv tone and have to say I'm really pleased with this amp. If you don't want it to break up so soon just hook up to the second input. The reverb is amazing and the tremelo is superb as well. It's also plenty loud for a small club. My clapton strat sings through it.
Reliability
:8
Only had it a month but it seems sturdy enough.
Customer Support
:No Opinion
Overall Rating
:10
Very cool amp. I corresponded with a guy in Lebanon who knew his stuff and he inadvertantly talked me into it. Thanks man!