Fender '65 Twin Reverb Reissue. Some questions.

[Veitchy]

Just a couple of silly questions (probably). From what i understand this is one of the most popular amps ever. Fender markets this amp as a "Vintage Reissue". When was it discontinued (so it could then be 'Reissued')? Why would Fender discontinue such a popular peice of kit? Any ideas?

[GuitarJonz]

It was probably too expensive to continue building a hand-wired amp, so they got into the PCB amps. After the silverface series ended in 1982, came the Twin Reverb II, then the red knob series. Not sure if the Twin reverb II was PCB, but the red knobs were.

Remember, thats also when punk and metal styles began to want more of the high gain designs too, so Fender Twins started losing market share to Mesa Boogie and others.

[Veitchy]

Originally Posted by GuitarJonz

It was probably too expensive to continue building a hand-wired amp, so they got into the PCB amps. After the silverface series ended in 1982, came the Twin Reverb II, then the red knob series. Not sure if the Twin reverb II was PCB, but the red knobs were.

Remember, thats also when punk and metal styles began to want more of the high gain designs too, so Fender Twins started losing market share to Mesa Boogie and others.

Cheers. I have no idea of the history of this amp you see. So it was the transition from the hand wireds to the PCBs. Thanks Jonz.

[Dacious]

The '65 is a reissue of the first model year of the Twin Reverb. This amp is famous for it's big clean surfy sound that suited the pop/rock/country styles of performers. It is a 'Blackfaced' amp meaning the control panel with the knobs on is black. This only lasted until 1967, around when CBS took over Fender Electric Intrument co. from Leo Fender and started making changes (mostly not viewed positively) and cranking out many more. They are rare, having probably been made only in the hundreds.

The pine cabinet, vintage Jensen or JBL speakers, circuit and other features plus rarity makes them very valuable. So as per the guitars, Fender tends to reissue the first year of a revolutionary or important model.

The Twin Reverb changed a fair bit under CBS control until production ceased in 1982. The TR II lost the tremolo and the normal or non-effect channel.

There is more information here: Fender Field Amp Guide

[Veitchy]

Thanks Dacious. Should be a good read.