Deluxe Reverb circuit question...

jdfoosh357 · October 8th, 2006, 07:57 PM

There's a 1969 SFDR, all origninal, at a local place for $800. I'm seriously considering it, it's a good price I believe.

Does this amp have the same circuit as the Blackface DR? I know that they started using master volumes in the 70's.

This amp has a Fender speaker, with a blue label, and the frame has several circular holes in it. What speaker is that? I know some people don't like the oxfords, but I can't tell what it is.

Thanks,
Jon

Glen W · October 8th, 2006, 09:19 PM

Except for maybe the 1200 pF caps on the power tube grids, .01 instead of .001 cap going into the PI, they're pretty much the same as a bf. Not sure how the prices are on these nowadays, so I can't tell you if it's a great price or not. Probably an Oxford speaker in it. Lots of good choices in replacement spks out there, if you don't like the Oxford or just want to preserve it.

quackerz · October 8th, 2006, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdfoosh357

it's a good price I believe.

I see a good amount of SFDRs selling for $1,000 ~ $1,200 on eBay. I'd snatch it up for $800. You can always sell it without getting hurt if you don't like it for some reason.

Mitch Roberts · October 10th, 2006, 09:15 PM

Beware that it is likely not the same as a BF. You really need to open it up and look at the chassis to be sure, and you need to know what to look for. By 69 they had moved to the cheap brown tone caps and thin computer grade wire. There was some weirdness during the early SF transition years - 68-69. You might get lucky, you might not. If they have a return policy, you could get it, post a pic of the circuit board, and we'll tell you what it's got. Good luck.

Dacious · October 10th, 2006, 10:07 PM

I don't know about the comparative pricing of that one, but if the externals are OK, I'd say hit it. Harder to get new tolex, faceplate and chromework.

The good thing about a Silverface is it sounds pretty close anyhow, and not too much work will get you nearly all the way to a B/F in spec. The most money you may need to spend might be the speaker. Good tubes, good caps, good speaker. Then you have your 20-year amp.

No MV on any SF Deluxe, they had a pullboost but not until late 70's.

trag-o-caster · October 10th, 2006, 10:48 PM

GET IT NOW!!!

I have a 69 DR and it's BF, and I believe it's that way from the factory. If there's any change, it wouldn't be very much that early in the SF stage.

I gigged with my 77 Pull Boost DR without having it BF'd for a long time, and it still sounded great. The difference after the BF mod was very subtle. I'd emphasize changing out the speaker over the BF mod myself.

$800 for a 69? That's an excellent price.

GO GET IT NOW!!!

jdfoosh357 · October 10th, 2006, 11:50 PM

Thanks guys, big help on this one, I'm gonna get it. I'm not too worried about BF vs. SF, it sounds good, it's pretty loud, and there's little buzz.

I just moved to Cincinnati, so I need to find a tech to take a look at it. Scotty Anderson lives here, so I may try to get in touch with him to see who he uses.

Thanks again,
Jon

October 8th, 2006, 07:57 PM	#1 (permalink)
jdfoosh357 Tele-Holic Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 566	Deluxe Reverb circuit question... There's a 1969 SFDR, all origninal, at a local place for $800. I'm seriously considering it, it's a good price I believe. Does this amp have the same circuit as the Blackface DR? I know that they started using master volumes in the 70's. This amp has a Fender speaker, with a blue label, and the frame has several circular holes in it. What speaker is that? I know some people don't like the oxfords, but I can't tell what it is. Thanks, Jon

October 8th, 2006, 09:19 PM	#2 (permalink)
Glen W Tele-Holic Join Date: May 2003 Location: CT Age: 60 Posts: 815 12 Photos	Except for maybe the 1200 pF caps on the power tube grids, .01 instead of .001 cap going into the PI, they're pretty much the same as a bf. Not sure how the prices are on these nowadays, so I can't tell you if it's a great price or not. Probably an Oxford speaker in it. Lots of good choices in replacement spks out there, if you don't like the Oxford or just want to preserve it. __________________ Go big... or stay home.

October 10th, 2006, 09:15 PM	#4 (permalink)
Mitch Roberts Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: NYC Posts: 449	Beware that it is likely not the same as a BF. You really need to open it up and look at the chassis to be sure, and you need to know what to look for. By 69 they had moved to the cheap brown tone caps and thin computer grade wire. There was some weirdness during the early SF transition years - 68-69. You might get lucky, you might not. If they have a return policy, you could get it, post a pic of the circuit board, and we'll tell you what it's got. Good luck. __________________ I think, therefore I jam.

October 10th, 2006, 10:07 PM	#5 (permalink)
Dacious Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Godzone Posts: 2,623 35 Photos	I don't know about the comparative pricing of that one, but if the externals are OK, I'd say hit it. Harder to get new tolex, faceplate and chromework. The good thing about a Silverface is it sounds pretty close anyhow, and not too much work will get you nearly all the way to a B/F in spec. The most money you may need to spend might be the speaker. Good tubes, good caps, good speaker. Then you have your 20-year amp. No MV on any SF Deluxe, they had a pullboost but not until late 70's. __________________ My other Telecaster is a Thinline The Tele Bible, Ch 1, v 10 Love thy Telecaster, covet not thy neighbour's Strat!

October 10th, 2006, 10:48 PM	#6 (permalink)
trag-o-caster Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Flushing, Michigan Posts: 4,631	GET IT NOW!!! I have a 69 DR and it's BF, and I believe it's that way from the factory. If there's any change, it wouldn't be very much that early in the SF stage. I gigged with my 77 Pull Boost DR without having it BF'd for a long time, and it still sounded great. The difference after the BF mod was very subtle. I'd emphasize changing out the speaker over the BF mod myself. $800 for a 69? That's an excellent price. GO GET IT NOW!!! __________________ Timothy Jon Lamb

October 10th, 2006, 11:50 PM	#7 (permalink)
jdfoosh357 Tele-Holic Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 566	Thanks guys, big help on this one, I'm gonna get it. I'm not too worried about BF vs. SF, it sounds good, it's pretty loud, and there's little buzz. I just moved to Cincinnati, so I need to find a tech to take a look at it. Scotty Anderson lives here, so I may try to get in touch with him to see who he uses. Thanks again, Jon