The Deluxe Reverb Club

[vagstad]

Am I the only one who is not totally satisfied with the reverb knob on the DRRI?
I know Leo got it right and all, but I never turn it above 5, and most of the time I keep it under 2. It's kind of hard to find the right setting between 1 and 2, could I change the pot? I would like to make 5 max, and add a little "room" between 1 and 2, you understand?

And, I recieved my tilt back legs kit today, where do all the washers go?

[scantron81]

Finally snapped a picture of my #1 workhorse:

[teleluvver]

I've got a '65 Deluxe Reverb that is absolutely pristine. It still has the original tubes and caps. However, I'm used to the sound of a Vibrolux Reverb, and one of the first things I noticed was the brightness factor with OD pedals when gigging. I know the bright cap is causing this, but I'm a little reluctant to have it clipped due to the condition and value of the amp. I'm not a collector, and I don't plan to sell, but wouldn't I be detracting from an otherwise factory straight piece of history? I'd like to hear all opinions on this. By the way, does anyone have a picture of their chassis so I can see where the bright cap is and what it looks like? Thanks!

[xjazzy]

Originally Posted by teleluvver

I've got a '65 Deluxe Reverb that is absolutely pristine. It still has the original tubes and caps. However, I'm used to the sound of a Vibrolux Reverb, and one of the first things I noticed was the brightness factor with OD pedals when gigging. I know the bright cap is causing this, but I'm a little reluctant to have it clipped due to the condition and value of the amp. I'm not a collector, and I don't plan to sell, but wouldn't I be detracting from an otherwise factory straight piece of history? I'd like to hear all opinions on this. By the way, does anyone have a picture of their chassis so I can see where the bright cap is and what it looks like? Thanks!

See this link: http://www.pisotones.com/Alfonso/DRRI/DRRI.htm

[rbrienzo]

Originally Posted by teleluvver

I've got a '65 Deluxe Reverb that is absolutely pristine. It still has the original tubes and caps. However, I'm used to the sound of a Vibrolux Reverb, and one of the first things I noticed was the brightness factor with OD pedals when gigging. I know the bright cap is causing this, but I'm a little reluctant to have it clipped due to the condition and value of the amp. I'm not a collector, and I don't plan to sell, but wouldn't I be detracting from an otherwise factory straight piece of history? I'd like to hear all opinions on this. By the way, does anyone have a picture of their chassis so I can see where the bright cap is and what it looks like? Thanks!

Getting rid of the bright cap is one of the best decisions I have ever made.It sounds better with dirt boxes or cranked up.

I de-soldered it and taped on the inside of the cabinet with a note to remind me of what it is, and where it goes. I recommend this over clipping it, especially on a vintage amp. It is easy to do and completely reversible.

You will need a cheap soldering iron, a solder sucker, and 30 min of your time to complete this job. 20 minutes will be spent getting the amp out of and back into the cab. 9 min will be spent contemplating if you should do it or not. and 1 min to do it.

[Prairie Belt]

Just got this '73 a few weeks ago. So far I've used it on a bunch of pedal steel gigs, can't wait to crank it for some guitar gigs.

[theHUSTLER]

I have a hand-wired DELUXE REVERB clone built by Dabeck in Richardson Texas. It has a Emineince "Swamp Thang" speaker that pumps out a lot of noise. The speaker is very "hi-fi" sounding (think JBL?) with a thick tight powerfull bass response. This baby sings and I love it. I have always loved black-faced Fenders and I have settled on the Deluxe Reverb. I think that the size (a portable 1x12 combo) and power (a not too big and not too small 22wts) is perfect. I like the 6v6 break-up (compared to the 6l6 blackfaces) better. It doesn't do some things as well as other amps but it does everything well. I just add a Strat or my Tele, maybe some pedals if I choose (with sound great on this platform) and I will have a hard time dialing a bad tone.

My EJ Strat > Fulltone FulldriveII > Mojo-Vibe > Deluxe Reverb... and I can get some great "wish you were here" album tones. (have a cigar, shine on you crazy diamond) B^D add some OD and volume and you can transition into electric ladyland! Play the Tele through the vibrato channel and add a little reverb and you can get chicken picken country twang. VERSATILE!

[crossroader]

"Am I the only one who is not totally satisfied with the reverb knob on the DRRI?"

vagstad, try this:
Take the "Reverb Input" line, unplug it from the back and plug it into the Channel 1 input (you'll need a RCA-to-1/4" plug converter or cable). The Channel 1 volume and tone controls will now allow you to "shape" the reverb signal, along with the REVERB knob.
This setup not only gives you the ability to change the tone of the reverb signal, but also gives you a more gradual change in the level and intensity of the reverb.

I've been running my '68 SFDR this way for quite a while now and I really like it.

[vagstad]

Thanks crossroader, I'll try that one.

[richey88]

Originally Posted by crossroader

"Am I the only one who is not totally satisfied with the reverb knob on the DRRI?"

vagstad, try this:
Take the "Reverb Input" line, unplug it from the back and plug it into the Channel 1 input (you'll need a RCA-to-1/4" plug converter or cable). The Channel 1 volume and tone controls will now allow you to "shape" the reverb signal, along with the REVERB knob.
This setup not only gives you the ability to change the tone of the reverb signal, but also gives you a more gradual change in the level and intensity of the reverb.

I've been running my '68 SFDR this way for quite a while now and I really like it.

Stupid question...when you do this, may I assume you are pluggung the gutiar into the Vibrato channel, and does this have any effect on the Vibrato? Am I overthinking this? Sounds like a cool idea. I play thru a DRRI often and can never get the 'verb where I want it.

[crossroader]

Yeah, the guitar is plugged into Channel 1 (Vibrato) - I should have noted that. There is absolutely no impact to the vibrato at all - works as always.

[telefan62]

Hello DR fans -
I've played through several Deluxe Reverbs, and I always liked them, but didn't really "get it" until recently. I've recently had occasion to play through an older, '60s BF and a '65 DRRI in quick succession and I've fallen hard for this model amp.

So, I'm out looking yesterday with the reissue in mind but I happened on a trio of SF DRs at a shop near me. (They do a lot of consignments.) They have a '73 and a '74 each tagged at $1095, and a '79 tagged at $1395. These seem high to me, but I am in California, in Silicon Valley, where overinflation seems to be the rule. All appear to be original; they each appear to have Fender speakers as far as I can tell. (Maybe these are OEMs?)

Anyway, I don't know much about the '70s SF amps, so I have several questions for this group:
- How do those prices sound to you?
- Are certain years, or range of years, more desirable than others?
- What should I consider when evaluating these amps? Obviously, I can listen to them, but it seems that folks that love these amps often make certain mods to get the most out of them, replacing speakers, caps, tubes, rebiasing, etc.
- How do '70s SF compare to RIs?

Thanks for the info!

cv

[Wild Rice Chris]

Caps, tubes, and bias are normal service for any amplifier of that age, pop in a decent speaker and you're cooking. I like the 70's DR amps.

[theHUSTLER]

Originally Posted by telefan62

Hello DR fans -
I've played through several Deluxe Reverbs, and I always liked them, but didn't really "get it" until recently. I've recently had occasion to play through an older, '60s BF and a '65 DRRI in quick succession and I've fallen hard for this model amp.

So, I'm out looking yesterday with the reissue in mind but I happened on a trio of SF DRs at a shop near me. (They do a lot of consignments.) They have a '73 and a '74 each tagged at $1095, and a '79 tagged at $1395. These seem high to me, but I am in California, in Silicon Valley, where overinflation seems to be the rule. All appear to be original; they each appear to have Fender speakers as far as I can tell. (Maybe these are OEMs?)

Anyway, I don't know much about the '70s SF amps, so I have several questions for this group:
- How do those prices sound to you?
- Are certain years, or range of years, more desirable than others?
- What should I consider when evaluating these amps? Obviously, I can listen to them, but it seems that folks that love these amps often make certain mods to get the most out of them, replacing speakers, caps, tubes, rebiasing, etc.
- How do '70s SF compare to RIs?

Thanks for the info!

cv

the 70s are a steal and much better than the RIs in my opinion. they are the real deal.


if i am not mistaken. i believe that the deluxe reverb and the vibro champ are the only two circuits that fender did not change when they went to a silver faced model in the 70s. the SF deluxes and champs sound as good as the blackfaced fenders as far as i am concerned.

like the last guy said. regular maintenance is all that they *MAY* need. filter caps, tubes, condition of speaker, etc.


that is the great thing about these old fenders though. they are cheap and easy to work on or have a good tech work on.

get one and ENJOY

[vagstad]

Originally Posted by crossroader

Take the "Reverb Input" line, unplug it from the back and plug it into the Channel 1 input (you'll need a RCA-to-1/4" plug converter or cable). The Channel 1 volume and tone controls will now allow you to "shape" the reverb signal, along with the REVERB knob.
This setup not only gives you the ability to change the tone of the reverb signal, but also gives you a more gradual change in the level and intensity of the reverb.

Tried this today, not satisfied, so I thought I could share some concerns.

First of all, it makes the reverb non footswitchable. Thats what turned me off. If you don't need that, it's a great "mod".

The reverb knob had no effect on the reverb. I was hoping that it would act as a reverb send, and the channel volume as a reverb return, but no.

What rocked about it, was the tone control. Lets you dial in the perfect reverb tone, without altering the guitar tone.

I'd say that if you don't need a footswitchable reverb, then go for it!

[crossroader]

"The reverb knob had no effect on the reverb."

vagstad, try this - instead of the REVERB IN cable, plug the REVERB OUT cable into Channel 1.
Sorry for the screw up - I just checked my amp to verify the connections (I should've known not to trust my memory when I wrote that earlier post).
That will give you the full control that I talked about - with both send and return levels.

Although, I must admit that I don't know if the correct wiring will enable the footswitch. I never turn the reverb off, in fact, I use a single-button footswitch to control the tremolo and don't even have a switch for the reverb.

Hope this works out better for you and, again, I apologize for the confusion.

[jonny munksville]

Hi Guys

I've realised that the sound I'm looking for all these months that I've been searching for the right amp is a Deluxe Reverb! It's perfect.

However, being in the UK, they are very expensive. I've seen a 70s Silverface one on eBay with a broken output transformer. I'd like to ask - what would you expect to pay for such an amp, and how much would the output transformer cost to fix/be replaced?

My budget is around £500, so won't stretch to a DRRI, but it might do in the second hand market.

The other option, though you might think this is sacreledge, is to buy the Boss FDR-1 pedal and a really clean tranny amp. This would probably cost me £160.

Thanks for your input!

Jonny

[westaman]

I've been looking at Tweed Twins lately and really loving the idea of getting one. But the $1,500 and 2x12's in apartment felt like it might be too much for my current situation in needs. I may still want to get one down the road, but right now I'm just a lowly bedroom(office actually) player.

So a guy near me has one on CL for $650. Its a RI that he says is an excellent shape. So last night I took an hour and went to play one at a local shop. I was so amazed at how awesome it sounded!!! I do worry that it won't get me much more if any clean room than my Pro Jr with a Weber Alnico in it(this thing is super loud and clean for what I wanted it for). But it did accomplish the 2 major things I want for right now: fuller sound, and reverb!

Also, it doesn't hurt that this thing has some of the most amazing cleans I've ever heard. AND it seemed very touch sensitive, on 4/5 on the volume it would break or play those beautiful cleans with a light touch.

Anyone think this is a good deal? Anything I should be aware of before joining the club?

[telewacked]

Originally Posted by RotelliCaster

What's good attenuator to use with the DRRI? I'd like to get the tone of "6" on the volume knob, at "2" so that my ears don't ring for the rest of the week.

I use an older 50W Weber MASS attenuator (it was <$100 about 10 years ago IIRC) with my SFDR. 5-7 on the volume knob is the sweet spot and thats pretty loud at home or in smaller venues. The MASS works great to bring the volume down without losing the basic tone.

[RotelliCaster]

Originally Posted by westaman

I've been looking at Tweed Twins lately and really loving the idea of getting one. But the $1,500 and 2x12's in apartment felt like it might be too much for my current situation in needs. I may still want to get one down the road, but right now I'm just a lowly bedroom(office actually) player.

So a guy near me has one on CL for $650. Its a RI that he says is an excellent shape. So last night I took an hour and went to play one at a local shop. I was so amazed at how awesome it sounded!!! I do worry that it won't get me much more if any clean room than my Pro Jr with a Weber Alnico in it(this thing is super loud and clean for what I wanted it for). But it did accomplish the 2 major things I want for right now: fuller sound, and reverb!

Also, it doesn't hurt that this thing has some of the most amazing cleans I've ever heard. AND it seemed very touch sensitive, on 4/5 on the volume it would break or play those beautiful cleans with a light touch.

Anyone think this is a good deal? Anything I should be aware of before joining the club?

considering the price of a new DRRI, if the one one CL is in good shape it's not a bad deal. if the seller bought it mew and it's less than 5 years old it will still have a fender warranty, all you need is the original purchase receipt. as for being aware of anything before you join the DR club, yea you'll want to crank it up to 6 alot!

Originally Posted by telewacked

I use an older 50W Weber MASS attenuator (it was <$100 about 10 years ago IIRC) with my SFDR. 5-7 on the volume knob is the sweet spot and thats pretty loud at home or in smaller venues. The MASS works great to bring the volume down without losing the basic tone.

Thanks Telewacked! I'll see if I can find one on the cheap.