Triple Threat Match: Bassman vs. Super Reverb vs. Twin Reverb

I want to sell or trade my Line 6 and Marshall cab to buy a combo amp, but I'm not sure which one of the below amps is better for that full, bluesy breakup sound, but with reverb.

'59 Bassman w/ Boss Fender '63 Reverb pedal
'65 SRRI
'65 TRRI

Any advice? I know I can count on you guys. :grin:

Are you gigging regularly, jamming with friends or just a bedroom player?

If you're looking for bluesy breakup at bedroom levels, get a Champ or Princeton Recording and a reverb pedal.

If you're jamming with friends, then the Blues Junior or Deluxe Reverb can hang with most drummers.

Between those three, either the Bassman or the SR. You won't live through making a Twin break up!


There are others, though. The Custom Vibrolux Reverb is a fantastic amp. 40 or 45 watts through 2 10s. Nice lush creamy cleans with breakup somewhere around the middle of the volume dial. Not nearly as heavy as the other two. Sweet little amp.

B/W the Princeton and the Champ, I'd get the Princeton. You at least want the option of gigging out with the amp. I've never tried a Champ live, but I can't imagine how they'd cut a bar gig better than a Princeton.

Out of the three, I'd say the Super Reverb.

1. A Bassman needs to be turned up pretty loud to start breaking up in a bluesy way.
2. Nothing beats the tube driven reverb on a Fender combo. Reverb pedals just can't compete.
3. The Twin is loud and clean - it won't give you blues breakup until blood is squirting from your ears (unless you get a pedal).
4. The Super is the lowest powered of the three (not much less than the Bassman though), it has Reverb, and it's loud enough to gig with. You'll probably still need a overdrive or boost pedal to keep the volume in check and get some overdrive.

If you set the Super to just start breaking up, the right pedal can get you the rest of the way without having things too loud.

Thanks guys! My initial thought was to go with the Super, but I just wanted to make sure before I took the plunge.

Any of those amps will be very loud by the time you get that Break-up, ime/o.
That said, great blues music has been made on all 3. I would say that the application is the more important question. Playing with a band? What kind of venues? LOud band?
OF those 3, I would say I would personally prefer the SR...because like Johnny Crash...I like tube reverb. That said, I don't like reverb with heavy distortion. You might want ot throw the Deluxe REverb in the mix of choices there. IT is an almost perfect amp if you are gigging with sensible people in clubs and if you really want to hear the power tubes get into the act....and imho those power tubes is where the richness lies. IF it is a bit on the light end volumewise, put in a hi-sensitivity speaker like the Emi Legend GB-128 and you have a monster in a small package.

Out of the three, I'd say the Super Reverb.

1. A Bassman needs to be turned up pretty loud to start breaking up in a bluesy way.
2. Nothing beats the tube driven reverb on a Fender combo. Reverb pedals just can't compete.
3. The Twin is loud and clean - it won't give you blues breakup until blood is squirting from your ears (unless you get a pedal).
4. The Super is the lowest powered of the three (not much less than the Bassman though), it has Reverb, and it's loud enough to gig with. You'll probably still need a overdrive or boost pedal to keep the volume in check and get some overdrive.

If you set the Super to just start breaking up, the right pedal can get you the rest of the way without having things too loud.

+1

Are you gigging regularly, jamming with friends or just a bedroom player?

If you're looking for bluesy breakup at bedroom levels, get a Champ or Princeton Recording and a reverb pedal.

If you're jamming with friends, then the Blues Junior or Deluxe Reverb can hang with most drummers.

I, personally would stay away from the Princeton Recording amp. You would have a near impossible time selling it again if you ever needed to. I'm sure they're great sounding amps, however they never really didn't go went over well with the effects and the nontraditional look vs a vintage style amp that people are willing to throw down lots of cabbage for.

Well, I plan on getting a THD hot plate, so I would use that with the Super.

Good choices there and I would concur, of those a Super would be my choice.

It should be noted that the big amps are a bit out of favor right now, which plays into the buyer's favor. 70's SF Twins are going for silly money these days, around $500-$600 and SFSRs not much more than that (~$700-$800).

For similar dough, I'd much prefer an early 70's SR to the RIs, especially if it came with a nice set of CTS alnicos.

FWIW, if you squash the output of an amp very wuch with any attenuator, there is definite tonal affect. HEnce, one is better to choose an amp for the venue. That is why some folks go the extra mile to have say a DR, and SR and maybe even a TR....cover all the bases. OR.....get the DR and mic up when necessary. This is the reason why these bigger amps have lost power in the market....a small amp and a good mic can do the job in a large venue. A big amp in a small venue will do only clean sounds...unless you have the abiility to overdrive a preamp with low output volumes---and that ain't power tube distortion, is it?
So many choices...... two amps diverged on a crowded stage...

I have a custom vibrolux reverb and it is GREAT.. Can only give it the strongest recommendations. Breaks up quite early, but still has enough clean headroom to fit any place I have played. Really the ideal gigging amp. The amps own overdrive is smooth yet has a bite when you ask it to, and can do anything from blues to old school rock. This amp is so alive, and dynamic you'll have to try it to believe it... takes pedals perfectly for harder rock stuff :) I'm not trying to sell you the idea that because I have it it's better than anything else. BUT as I have been through nearly any amp on the new market, and have lost tremendous amounts of cash from trading in time after time cuz I kept finding something not perfect enough with what I had, I can tell you that this amp has ended my tone quest once and for all...

I was going to pick up a deluxe reverb reissue, as the 40 watts vibrolux was in spite of the earlier than most break-up, actually too loud for band rehearsals. I picked up a dr z brake-lite attenuator instead, and now it is definately the perfect amp for ANY situation.. Stock speakers are somewhat crappy though, as in most newer fender amps.

IF I had to choose from your list my vote would be for the super and an attenuator.

But do yourself a favor and try out the custom vibrolux if you can find one. It's light as hell, and packs all the volume youll ever need for those crystaline fender cleans, BUT with the best break-up I've heard from any amp when you push it just past the 4 mark on the vol with a tele. I leave mine at noon (5) and adjust things from my guitar, and I get perfect dynamic and 3dimensional cleans with a slight compression I love when backing my guitar vol. and when diming my guitar vol. I get the sweetest wamest bluestone; stepping on my OD pedal I get into 80's glam territory with very convincing lead tones for that brown sound, and backing the guitar vol I get good crunch for rhythm or 70's rock stuff... All bases covered with this one...

Having owned 2 of the amps mentioned, and having played the third on gigs (Twin) I'd say the Super is the way to go too. In fact, i just bought a '73 SFSR a few weeks ago for $650, so there are deals to be had out there, get the real McCoy for less than the reissue... one thing on the attenuator, though-the Super wants to see a 2 ohm load for it's 4-10 speakers, make sure that attenuator can process a 2 ohm load...

Franc Robert

One thing on the attenuator, though-the Super wants to see a 2 ohm load for it's 4-10 speakers, make sure that attenuator can process a 2 ohm load...

Franc Robert



Good point. Never thought of that.

I'd also recommend dirt pedals. I know they're not "pure tube," but many pedals sound great with tube amps. Once you get the amp try several pedals and several attenuators and use your ears to chose what works best for you...

Any photos Franc? I can't wait for mrmorrison's photos, I need a fix now! HAHA

I would also consider the the 40 watt Pro Reverb, great tone and might help you get that bluesy overdrive at more reasonable levels. Buying 2 12" speakers if you need replacements can be less painful that 4 10" too. Good luck, all awesome amps, just loud as all get out.

edit: I jut realized you were talking about re-issue models, but still something to think about. :cool: