Which Amp 59 Bassman ltd or 65 Deluxe Reverb

[vox Phantom]

I'm ready to buy a new Amp and these were the ones that I
was looking at. A Tone King Imperial, Top Hat Super Club Deluxe
DR Z Jaz 20/40 now all those amps are out of my price range.
I also looked at a VoxAC30H2 but that was sold so now I'm
down to a couple of amps both Fender a reissue 59 Bassman
LTD and a reissue 65 Deluxe Reverb. this Saturday I'm going
to play thru both at a local music store so which one

[dress rehearsal]

Those are two completely different amps, I don't think they are even in the same ballpark. Don't get me wrong, they both sound good, but it's apples to oranges. The Bassman is a loud amp, hard to break up without cranking it or using pedals. The Deluxe Reverb is much smaller, easier to manage volume-wise. If you need loud and clean, go Bassman. If you need a bedroom amp that can be used for club gigs, go Deluxe Reverb. I hope you're looking used, because if you're willing to spend $1400 on a Bassman Reissue, you'd be better served saving up a little longer and getting what you really want. You can pick up used Bassman Reissues all day for 6 bills.

[blues bondsman]

Both tube rectified, the bassman has a
Slightly more dynamic clean sound
If I had both in front of me and they were
Priced the same, bassman for sure !
However loud isn't a problem where I live

[backalleyblues]

It also depends on what sound you have in your head... Deluxe Reverb is the epitome of Fender Clean, heard on countless records, great amp for country, blues, jazz, classic rock. Bassman is a great amp too, but somewhat different-mids are more forward, the 4x10 create a swirl effect (that's addicting as all get out!) and they get loud-REALLY LOUD!!! When you finally do get them to give up the goods, you get one of the most soulful sounds you've ever heard, a sweet, singing, yet stinging tone heard on so many classic blues and rock records...

Seeing as these are reissues, they're probably not quite up to the original's tones... check to see what kind of glass is in there, and whether the speakers have been swapped out (OK on the Deluxe, not OK on the bassman-the bassman's speakers are usually great!). Usually, you need to do a tube swap and/or speaker swap to get them to 98% of the original... the original tubes in these amps aren't all that great, and even decent current production tubes do wonders in these amps... some people like the original speaker in the DRRI, some don't (kinda ice-picky for me)...

So, it really goes back to what I said-what sounds do you have in your head?

Franc Robert

[Big_Bend]

The older DRRIs had an Eminence speaker that sounded very sweet. The newer DRRIs use a Jensen C12K and its horrible IMO... a dull, boring speaker.

So if you're going to stay stock, I say get a Bassman. If you're willing to swap in a new speaker, like an Eminence Texas Heat or Weber 12F150 50 watt speaker, then get the DRRI.

[Del Pickup]

I owned both of these amps for a while and loved both of them for different reasons. I probably played the Bassman more than the DRRI but the Bassman was a good bit heavier to lug around and load in and out the car.

But I loved the 3D swirl/reverby tone that the Bassman could give out. The DRRI without any reverb dialled in sounded dead by comparison.

[Captain Bb]

Also worth checking to see if the store has a FSR Deluxe Reverb as that has a much better stock speaker (Jensen P12Q alnico).

[Guitar Rat]

Originally Posted by Del Pickup

I owned both of these amps for a while and loved both of them for different reasons. I probably played the Bassman more than the DRRI but the Bassman was a good bit heavier to lug around and load in and out the car.

But I loved the 3D swirl/reverby tone that the Bassman could give out. The DRRI without any reverb dialled in sounded dead by comparison.

According to the Fender website, a Bassman LTD only weighs 11 pounds more than a DRRI.

To me, that weight difference shouldn't trump tone preference unless there are back/medical issues with lifting limits.

[BobbyZ]

The only way to know for sure if an amp works for you is to buy one of each.
Gets expensive but hey it's only money !

[Gringo13]

I've owned and gigged with both amps and I love them both and for my needs, but nothing beats the vintage tweed sound. With that said though, the Bassman LTD is a LONG way from "vintage". First off, the plate voltage is way too high and the circuit is a bit different than the original '59. Also, the speakers are truly a matter of preference. The earlier Bassman RI's had good speakers, but the newer LTDs have the Jensens that I couldn't bond with (even after many hours of break in). Some people love the Jensen RI's however, so you'll have to break 'em in yourself and find your preference.

My DRRI had a Weber ceramic speaker in it and it was an awesome amp, but in my opinion my post-mod Bassman is better for MY needs (rock n roll, alt. country). With all of that said, I'm not bashing the DRRI as junk. It is a fine amp and I got as much clean volume out of it as I do out of my Bassman nowdays. My base tone is "edge of break-up" and I like "big hairy middy tweed" tone more than "blaring almost breaking up blackface" tone. I sold my DRRI, but am on the fence about either getting another blackface/silverface amp.

In order to get my Bassman where I wanted it, I had all of the caps and electrolytics replaced, rebiased it to use an NOS 5R4 rec and 5881 tubes. I switch out V1 tubes regularly between 12ax7, 5751, and 12ay7. The plate voltage is now around 400 instead of 450 or whatever they come stock. I also replaced the Jensens with two Emi 1028k's and two Weber Sig10 S speakers. With this set up, I can have loud cleans or I can get overdrive without peeling paint. If I wanted more cleans though, I could run the ay7 in V1, 6L6 power tubes, and put the stock 5AR4 rec tube back in. Regarding the weight issue, the Bassman LTD is a pine cab so it's lighter than the Bassman RI's that were plywood. The pine cab plus four speakers does created an amazing "swirl" and a very pleasant resonance and sustain. Obviously, I have a major crush on mine.

Don't get me wrong... even though I've done a few mods to mine, the Bassman sounded great stock, but the new sounds are so much better than stock that I can't even consider NOT having a Bassman without them. Again, these are for my needs and not a hard and fast rule.

Finally, the other obvious difference is the DRRI has onboard reverb and tremolo. In my opinion, it MUST have these effects to sound "alive", whereas once the Bassman's volume is up to 3, the "swirl" creates some natural reverb.

Good luck... both are great amps

[vox Phantom]

Gringo13 I'm going with the Bassman I do have a couple of
parts for it. The Amp is used and my goal is to get parts a
little at a time. There will be no rush About two months
ago I played thru the Amp and a Vox AC30H2 and a Gretsch
Playboy and to my ears the Bassman sounded the best with
my Telecaster. I also played a DR Z Jaz 20/40 and that Amp
sounded good but it's now to much money. I play the music
that I grew up with the 60's As for the Reverb and Trem
i will get Pedals for that. I know that there are other post on
how to mod your 59 Bassman LTD and when it's time I'll PM
others who have all ready did the mods. I'm going to the music
store this weekend to get the amp

[Groberts]

I too just scored a Bassman LTD Reissue. Love the amp, the Jensen's? ...Not so much. They have a nice clean tone at low volumes, but when I get the volume up, they are easily harsh, a bright, brassy and edgy sounding. I've read too many posts where people dislike them. Paired with my personaly experience, I am not inclined to try and break them in, only to learn there are better sounding speakers. I might also try a pair of Webers Ceramics and maybe a pair of Weber Alnico's. Althought the Emi Blue Frames are highly regarded, I believe the new Eminence blue frame alnico's might not be much different from 1028's 0r 1058's.

Still, LOVING the vibe, the fullness and richness of the amp! Congrats on your new Bassman LTD. Keep us posted!

[bo]

Both are great, but I wouldn't bother with the Bassman unless you're in a band or volume isn't an issue. Having reverb and trem are nice too.

[Groberts]

Originally Posted by bo

Both are great, but I wouldn't bother with the Bassman unless you're in a band or volume isn't an issue. Having reverb and trem are nice too.

Totally understand this sentiment. If the Bassman was my only amp, perhaps it would make more sense to have an amp with reverb and/or Trem. But if those are not priorities and you want a killer sounding amp that puts out amazing, rich clean tones at low volumes, takes pedals well for OD sounds at low or band volume, the Bassman LTD will deliver. It inspires me at home, even at bedroom levels.

[Marky D.]

I've tried both and if you like tweaking tubes and stuff, the bias pot on the Bassman (LTD) is way easier to get at.

I'm currently running my early 90s BMRI with different combinations of low gain preamp tubes and JJ6V6s.. and it compares very favorably with my Victoria 45410..

But the DR is nice too... see if they'll let you take 'em home overnight to help you make your decision.

Good luck!

[bo]

Originally Posted by Groberts

It inspires me at home, even at bedroom levels.

With a four speaker amp in an apartment the term "bedroom level" can mean many different things to many people. On stage it's wonderful. My Bassman is one of those amps I did wish I had back, but nobody whines about the DR.

[Gringo13]

Originally Posted by bo

With a four speaker amp in an apartment the term "bedroom level" can mean many different things to many people. On stage it's wonderful. My Bassman is one of those amps I did wish I had back, but nobody whines about the DR.

The four speakers doesn't necessarily make the Bassman louder... they just move more air so it seems that way. My DRRI with the Weber ceramic 12" could be blaringly loud for home use if I wasn't careful, whereas my Bassman has some lower-efficiency alnico speakers in it that allow me to easily coax awesome sounds out of it at very low volumes. Also, IMHO, the DRRI sounds kinda thin and wimpy until you get the volume up a little (3.5-ish on volume). My take-home point for the OP or anyone comparing these amps is that if the Bassman is too loud for an apartment, then the DRRI will probably be too loud as well.

Also, you can unplug a couple of speakers from the Bassman chassis if you want to cut it down a little.... I do at least. No fires yet

[vox Phantom]

I found a used 59 Bassman LTD at one of our local music
stores. So this Saturday I'm going there to play it they also
have a brand new one in stock I will find out what they want
for the new one and if the price is right maybe I can get that one