So I think I'm going to get some type of Deluxe Reverb / Clone?

[ToneChef]

Shopping for amps has left my head spinning, 65amps, germino, Dr. Z, Divided by 13. They all seem to offer their own spin on classic tone. I think I am just going to stick with something classic that I know I will love for years to come. Something that will be suitable for my apartment but will also work on a friendly jam session. A deluxe reverb!

That being said... which are the most desirable silverface years?

And who makes the best brand new deluxe clones, its important for me for it to look very vintage. Headstrong amps seems to make a deluxe clone, has anyone played one of theirs?

I think im going to get a new clone vs an older silverface.. still not sure though...

[eljayski]

i went thru this same affliction a couple of months ago and was thinking strongly about either headstrong or allen. then i chatted with jim at li'l dawg amps--i bought a li'l dawg last summer--and he built a princeton reverb clone with 12" spkr from a mojotone kit for me for a good price. great amp!

mojotone also offers a DR kit.

pm me if you'd like more details. eljayski

[ToneChef]

Ahhh.. 65amps has a 6v6 20watt amp that comes in a small head form and has amazing tube tremolo with a LED flashing indicator! Ahhh.. this is the amp for me.. $1895

I really dont want to haul around a 40lb deluxe combo.. i had a dr. z maz18 combo and that thing was heavy as hell to carry around, who says a combo is easier than a small head w/ 2x10 cab?

[RubyRae]

Originally Posted by ToneChef

I think im going to get a new clone vs an older silverface.. still not sure though...

tube-tone
firebelly
vintage sound
allen amplification

[Steve McGinnis]

Fantastic Deluxe Style tone, I had a 67 Deluxe Reverb and have a 66 Princeton Reverb and I prefer the Rambler (better bass, stays clean longer but will break up, 14watts or 28 watts, princeton style vibrato) . Lots of info and sound samples on Youtube...

[openbar]

You really think a Deluxe Reverb is hard to move around? Unless you have back problems, it's very portable. If I were you I'd probably consider a silverface - still easy to get for not too much money, and sound great. No need to "blackface" them, though sometimes a better speaker is a worthwhile upgrade.

[Robin Nahum]

Originally Posted by ToneChef

...I think I am just going to stick with something classic that I know I will love for years to come. Something that will be suitable for my apartment but will also work on a friendly jam session. A deluxe reverb!

That being said... which are the most desirable silverface years?...

The DR never suffered the ignominious fate of being reincarnated in an ultra-linear form with a SS rectifier (although there was a DR II that was).

My guess would be that the most desirable silverface years are the earlier ones when the SF circuit was close or identical to the BF. This is not a scientific assessment but rather a reflection of likelihood of capital gain based on popular taste as I understand it from the Tele Page.

So, I would be looking for one with a GZ34/5AR4 rectifier. I would also make sure that it hasn't been modified.

Looking at:

http://www.ampwares.com/amp.asp?id=60

you can see when the SFDR started to be "messed with".

[tomfarnan]

Also think about a Headstrong Lil King amp with a 12" speaker. It's a princeton reverb clone but they go pretty loud and get better bottom end with the 12" speaker.

You might save a few bucks on the same tone and not have to service too much or replace speakers.

[T Prior]

As usual I have a take, sometimes my business sense gets in the way for the GOOD and other times for the BAD. When I buy gear the business sense always arrives..

If you buy a SF Deluxe Reverb,( or BF) you can sell it everyday of the week, 24/7, 365 days a year for what you paid...

Can you do that with the other amps mentioned ?

It doesn't mean they are not good amps it just means they may not be as market desirable, the DR is currently one of the most popular amps on the planet. Buy smart, buy low, SELL high !

SF Deluxe Reverb would be my choice

There is one common thread going around all of us players...
we buy and sell stuff all the time even though we say" I am never going to sell this, ever"...

good luck on the journey...

t

[stevieboy]

The Allen Accomplice is a great amp. Not an exact clone, it's basically a deluxe that has extra features that make it more versatile than a deluxe, and I think more suitable to going from home practice to stage or jams. Volume, master volume that work well together, the "RAW" function that lets you push it toward the tweedish side, ability to use 6V6's or 6L6's if you need a little more power (and easily rebias it yourself). Hand built by David Allen, who does great work and gives excellent support if you need it. Doesn't have a vibrato channel though.

An SF Deluxe Reverb might well be the right choice for you, but I would recommend googling Allen and having a look at the Accomplice. I don't think I'll ever buy another amp. I've had it for a few years now, and I know I'll never sell it, ever...

[Ed Storer]

I built an Allen Sweet Spot kit. Lovely little amp; I used an Eminence L'il Texas neodymium 12 and the whole thing weighs 28 pounds. It differs from the Deluxe in the 12AX7 cathodyne splitter (vs long tail pair 12AT7) and the tube modulation vibrato circuit (vs optocoupler). I got it with Tung Sol 12AX7's and JJ 6V6, and found it was a little aggressive for my style - switched out the JJ's for a pair of Tung Sol and it mellowed right down to Baby Bear's porridge! For comparisons sake, I also have a Fender 65 DRRI with the same speaker - damn fine amp, but the Allen sounds just enough better that the Fender stays in the practice room.

[getbent]

tone king imperial. 2 deluxes in one, plus a knob to dial in british tones. The best tremelo ever and lush, perfect reverb....

I could have whatever I wanted... and I picked tone king.