My Fender Deluxe Reverb is too loud (need advice on a new amp below 15w)

[eugenedunn]

Low watt amps won't be a satisfying resolution to your need for an amp that has decent cleans, but still breaks up at a reasonable volume.

Your ultimate solution is to find a distortion/overdrive pedal that gives you the sustain you require at a low volume.......Many to try. Start with the Fulltone OCD, hard to beat for the price.

 

[MikeG]

Great points made by everyone in the thread.

Especially about speaker swap. Never thought it could make such a change. AFAIK my DRRI is an early 90's with an Eminence speaker, don't know the exact model. What would you guys advise me?

And I think I can repeat V1 and V6 tube swap mod too. It made the breakup appear earlier and lowered the headroom, although made the amp less attack-y and louder on lower volumes.

 

[Telenut62]

Those Eminence speakers are the cheap and nasty ones...well, they're not great. Score a vintage P12Q and keep the volume down you'll be amazed at the difference.

If you really want to improve things, swap out all the Illinois caps (made in Taiwan BTW) for Spraque's.

 

[musicmatty]

That's so true, I've read complaints that DRRI have just a little headroom. Well, different folks, different strokes.

I wonder if 5w will work for a small scale gig. I've tried rehearsing with VOX AC4TV (though the one with a tiny 6" speaker). It did a pretty good job keeping up with a drummer when I played Tele or Strat, and was a bit too gainy with Sheraton.

I suppose I need something in between 5w and 15w, but looks like there's not much choice. On top of my head I can only remember Laney CUB series with 12 watts.

Could you post a video clip of you gigging out with this band? I would give just about both Nuts to see where Deluxe Reverb is too loud for a gigging band, and a 5 watt amp is even any consideration for a gigging band... are you playing Simon and Garfunkel at coffee shops ?

Please, I'm not trying to be negative, I'm just curious as to what kinda music you play.

Your best option for great sound on the cheap ($100.), is a Fender Mustang 1, a 20 watt Digital modeling amp. You can dial in all the early break up you want at low volumes.

 

[SamClemons]

Distortion pedal.

 

[SpeyFly]

Super Champ XD with a single 12" and extension cabinet. Just my $.02

 

[waparker4]

12AY7 preamp tube
Old alnico speaker

I warm it up with a Boss OD-3 or a tube screamer
Maybe just a dirty boost. Or a sparkley boost. Maybe a runoffgroove peppermill (DR preamp in a solid state jFET format as an overdrive pedal)
http://www.runoffgroove.com/peppermill.html

 

[Deeve]

Like others, I'll suggest the old Jensen.
That's what's in my black deeluxe.
The other thing I'm doing for lower volume is swapping out the 6V6 power tubes and replacing them w/ EL34s set in YellowJackets.
Used it tonight w/ another player using an unamplified flat-top.
Sweet.
Peace - Deeve

 

[fauxsuper]

Like others, I'll suggest the old Jensen.
That's what's in my black deeluxe.
The other thing I'm doing for lower volume is swapping out the 6V6 power tubes and replacing them w/ EL34s set in YellowJackets.
Used it tonight w/ another player using an unamplified flat-top.
Sweet.
Peace - Deeve

Uh, don't you mean EL-84s?

Oh, your avatar is a reminder of a very expensive and traumatic episode in my life.

 

[leebman]

Wampler euphoria is great way to add a bit of breakup at low volumes and is the most transparent pedal I have ever used.

 

[T Prior]

get a louder drummer...

 

[Custom Deluxe]

Princeton Reverb... The obvious step below the DR in power. I gig with a SFPR.

+
+1. I happen to have a '65 PR & a '67 DR.

I would look for a silverface PR, get it serviced and enjoy. Swap out the stock speaker for a Emi Copperhead or Legend and you've solved the farty bass issue.

 

[Pup Tentacle]

Musicmaster Bass amp. 12 watts 12" speaker, there are plenty available and they aren't real expensive.

 

[uriah1]

I am trying to get our other player to really drop his.
His is modified silverface, tranny, 6L6 and copper cap.. That thing sounds like a 45watt!!!

 

[studio1087]

Please keep that fantastic amp.

image removed

 

[robt57]

Have we turned the amp to face backward yet? I know it is way to high tech of an approach...

 

[fezz parka]

Use a 5y3 rectifier. Bias it a little hotter.

 

[RubyRae]

I would keep it if possible and buy an Allen Chihuahua...a Princeton non reverb is a great option as well.

 

[G-log]

What about a good attenuator?I use a THD Hotplate.That's my solution for my 64 deluxe reverb when volume is an issue.

 

[Phil_tre]

Use a 5y3 rectifier. Bias it a little hotter.

+1

I was using a GZ34 with my 5E3 and yea, when I switch to the 5Y3, the low
volume crunch apear... works great !

Phil.