Fargen Blackbird vs SF Deluxe

ol man · May 16th, 2007, 05:42 AM

I'm seeking an "american-sounding" complement to my 18 watt Marshall clone.
Been thinking about a Fargen Blackbird 20 watt and now there's one
for sale in my neighbourhood. Don't know if it's the 6L6 or 6V6-version
Any love for these? Pros and cons?
How does the Blackbird compare to a SF Deluxe Reverb?
(the latter being ridiculously expensive here in Sweden)

Thanks for your input!

marc sosnoff · May 16th, 2007, 07:54 AM

i had a blackbird years back its 6V6 and it sounded like a 100 watts in a 20 watt chassis the amp roared great blues amp and it had many tones from classis fender and beyond all in all a great amp

i have owned 3 fargens all were amazing

Rev9Volts · May 16th, 2007, 09:45 AM

I have the 40 watt 6l6 version and love it. You need to play both I suppose. It has more head room than a 20 watter. I have never played a sfdr but want one.

2nd_degree · May 18th, 2007, 02:17 PM

I have owned a SF and BF Deluxe (VERY similar to each other). This is my standard/benchmark amp for many years. I had a Fargen Blackbird 40W 1x12 combo (like in the pic) a couple years ago for more than a year. Great amp. I got it to replace my deluxe and it did. Smooth and gradual breakup compare to the Deluxe. More polite and controlled, better low-end than DR. Had a Weber 12" Cali in it. If you can get a good deal on this amp,

grab it. Can you try it? I have a Sewell Texaverb 1x12 50W now that I like a little better than the Blackbird, and that is saying a lot.

Poppatwang · May 18th, 2007, 02:27 PM

You know what the wife will say. "Another Fargen amp"!

imapicker50 · April 12th, 2008, 11:33 AM

I have never owned a Fargen but I only hear great things about his amps. I have a few Sewell's. Try a classic version if you like the tweed fender tones. i have a 40 watt Sewell Classic and a 27watt Classic [as well as the Texaverb and Texaplex and Blistertone] If you can get your hands on one of Sewells amps, they are keepers. Very articulate, tonefull, responsive, amazing underpriced at this point. My 27watt is a lot like a Fender Delux with more power and has the footswitchable volume boost which acts like a gain stage. That function is awsome. Like I said Fargen amps must be wonderful machines....Sewell amps are equal to anything you could buy at any price.

May 16th, 2007, 05:42 AM	#1 (permalink)
ol man Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Sweden Posts: 215	Fargen Blackbird vs SF Deluxe I'm seeking an "american-sounding" complement to my 18 watt Marshall clone. Been thinking about a Fargen Blackbird 20 watt and now there's one for sale in my neighbourhood. Don't know if it's the 6L6 or 6V6-version Any love for these? Pros and cons? How does the Blackbird compare to a SF Deluxe Reverb? (the latter being ridiculously expensive here in Sweden) Thanks for your input!

May 18th, 2007, 02:27 PM	#5 (permalink)
Poppatwang Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: St. Paul, MN Posts: 1,836 13 Photos	You know what the wife will say. "Another Fargen amp"! __________________ The Dieselfitters http://www.dieselfitters.com Roy Hubbs http://www.royhubbs.com

May 16th, 2007, 07:54 AM	#2 (permalink)
marc sosnoff Tele-Holic Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: new jersey Age: 55 Posts: 525 7 Photos	i had a blackbird years back its 6V6 and it sounded like a 100 watts in a 20 watt chassis the amp roared great blues amp and it had many tones from classis fender and beyond all in all a great amp i have owned 3 fargens all were amazing

May 16th, 2007, 09:45 AM	#3 (permalink)
Rev9Volts TDPRI Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 25	I have the 40 watt 6l6 version and love it. You need to play both I suppose. It has more head room than a 20 watter. I have never played a sfdr but want one.

May 18th, 2007, 02:17 PM	#4 (permalink)
2nd_degree TDPRI Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: North Oxford, MA Posts: 60	I have owned a SF and BF Deluxe (VERY similar to each other). This is my standard/benchmark amp for many years. I had a Fargen Blackbird 40W 1x12 combo (like in the pic) a couple years ago for more than a year. Great amp. I got it to replace my deluxe and it did. Smooth and gradual breakup compare to the Deluxe. More polite and controlled, better low-end than DR. Had a Weber 12" Cali in it. If you can get a good deal on this amp, grab it. Can you try it? I have a Sewell Texaverb 1x12 50W now that I like a little better than the Blackbird, and that is saying a lot.

April 12th, 2008, 11:33 AM	#6 (permalink)
imapicker50 TDPRI Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Oregon Posts: 10	I have never owned a Fargen but I only hear great things about his amps. I have a few Sewell's. Try a classic version if you like the tweed fender tones. i have a 40 watt Sewell Classic and a 27watt Classic [as well as the Texaverb and Texaplex and Blistertone] If you can get your hands on one of Sewells amps, they are keepers. Very articulate, tonefull, responsive, amazing underpriced at this point. My 27watt is a lot like a Fender Delux with more power and has the footswitchable volume boost which acts like a gain stage. That function is awsome. Like I said Fargen amps must be wonderful machines....Sewell amps are equal to anything you could buy at any price.