Fender Deluxe Reverb killers

[P Thought]

I don't want to kill nobody, but my Peavey Classic 50 twin cost me I think $300, and I've had it at least 10 years. If it ever dies maybe I'll try one of those Deluxe Reverb amps.

The Delta Blues is kind of fun, too. It's over at my mom's old house now; my friend and I play over there every week or three.

P. Yes: this might be a good place to say that bigsize venues aren't the only place where bigger amps might be better. To me big amps sound as good turned down as smaller amps do turned up. My band, the Living Rumors, performs to audiences of zero, sometimes many times that, and our main venue is maybe 150 square feet. I keep the amps turned up to neighborhood levels, and control the volume from the guitar. They sound great.

 

[Willie Johnson]

Fender Excelsior, maybe?

 

[Sparky472]

Nvm

 

[Bobbyoso]

Mesa Maverick 1-12". Does a superset of the tones in a DR, but is ~twice as powerful, and has way more mids and gain available if needed, even on the rhythm channel. The lead channel, and even the "fat" setting on the rhythm channel, just go from there. But I can get quality bf, blonde, and tweed sounds from the rhythm channel.

The lead channel (and they're picky with tubes, this thing uses 6 12ax7s!) is a retro thing with "poor man's Dumble" qualities to it. It is a great roots/Americana amp, and encompasses many Fender tones from all three major eras including a bf DR, but does so much more. It's an el84 amp (takes 4 of them), but sounds pretty american, esp with the C90s the 1-12"s came with. However, even the 1-12"s are not light, and the 2-12" and 4-10" versions are really hard to move, and I believe use V30s, which sound less Fendery, and IMO, inferior to the C90 and several other aftermarket speakers I've tried.

The other nice, and unique, feature of this amp is the "dual rectifier" feature, which on the Maverick specifically means there are both GZ34 AND solid-state rectifiers onboard, toggled by a switch. This feature is very useful to dial in sag and response speed (immediacy) of the amp, which translates to being a very versatile feeling amp. While it sounds different, it's kinda like being able to dial in sag and speed from any model from a JTM45 through a 50w plexi with SS rectification, if that makes sense.

The only thing it doesn't replicate convincingly is the "DR on max" setting; the Mav gets neither as ratty and spitty as a DR on 10, and adding gain and/or mids sounds thicker than a DR without a good overdrive or two in the front end. More Leslie West than Dick Dale, in other words.

 

[chris m.]

Mesa Maverick 1-12". Does a superset of the tones in a DR, but is ~twice as powerful, and has way more mids and gain available if needed, even on the rhythm channel. The lead channel, and even the "fat" setting on the rhythm channel, just go from there. But I can get quality bf, blonde, and tweed sounds from the rhythm channel.

The lead channel (and they're picky with tubes, this thing uses 6 12ax7s!) is a retro thing with "poor man's Dumble" qualities to it. It is a great roots/Americana amp, and encompasses many Fender tones from all three major eras including a bf DR, but does so much more. It's an el84 amp (takes 4 of them), but sounds pretty american, esp with the C90s the 1-12"s came with. However, even the 1-12"s are not light, and the 2-12" and 4-10" versions are really hard to move, and I believe use V30s, which sound less Fendery, and IMO, inferior to the C90 and several other aftermarket speakers I've tried.

The other nice, and unique, feature of this amp is the "dual rectifier" feature, which on the Maverick specifically means there are both GZ34 AND solid-state rectifiers onboard, toggled by a switch. This feature is very useful to dial in sag and response speed (immediacy) of the amp, which translates to being a very versatile feeling amp. While it sounds different, it's kinda like being able to dial in sag and speed from any model from a JTM45 through a 50w plexi with SS rectification, if that makes sense.

The only thing it doesn't replicate convincingly is the "DR on max" setting; the Mav gets neither as ratty and spitty as a DR on 10, and adding gain and/or mids sounds thicker than a DR without a good overdrive or two in the front end. More Leslie West than Dick Dale, in other words.

One thing I learned from once owning a THD amp is that changing power tubes does not change sound nearly as much as some people think. In my opinion the overall circuit design matters much, much more than the type of power tube.

 

[Scoutbag]

Wow the internet has discussed this one more times than Sam Fried gave away your money.....the answer is still the same, deluxe or if you have the gravitas, fender twin.

 

[Tweeker]

This fits the Deluxe Reverb bill for me. Has everything and can dial up more midrange if needed.

 

[SanoTele]

So, in my opinion, the Fender Deluxe Reverb is both one of the greatest amps of all time and the most overrated. If I had a dime for every time someone asks which is the best amp for blues/rock/country/jazz/pop/punk/indie/surf and someone responds with '65 DRRI, I'd have enough money to buy out Fender. It is a good amp, and probably as much amp as you'll ever need for gigging, but for what they are, they're expensive, and there are definitely better options out there.

Here's my personal favorite DR killer:View attachment 1018862
Gorgeous, isn't she? This is a 1964 Ampeg R12R-B Reverberocket. These routinely sell for 800, and the reissues are around 300. It outputs about 30 watts of power, with reverb and tremolo. I'm not comparing this to an original Deluxe Reverb, because there's around a $3k difference in prices. I'll go over a list of pros and cons:

Pros for R12R:
Cheaper and will hold value substantially better
May come with a vintage Jensen speaker worth ~$200
Louder and cleaner
When it breaks up, it sounds better than a DRRI
Tubes last longer
More solidly built
Needs less maintenance and is cheaper+easier to repair
It's a cool collection piece
Pros for DRRI:
Come with individual tone controls
Easier and faster to sell
Easier to find info on it if you want to repair it yourself
You can fit in with the sheeple who hate everything that isn't a DRRI
Cons for R12R:
May need maintenance immediately after buying
You may not want to gig with it, as it might be hard to replace
Tubes are more expensive and harder to find
Harder to find a super clean example if that's your thing
Cons for DRRI:
Made with substantially more inferior parts, and will need semi-immediate servicing if bought new (within 3-5 years of purchase)
More susceptible to damage due to non-rigid cabinet design.
It being a PCB amp will make it more expensive for a tech to work on


If you have any other DRRI killers (same price range but in your opinion, better amps), I'd love to hear about them.

Another Pro for the R12R:
The fine tone of 7591 output tubes. Ken Fischer agreed and said he could get better tone out of 7591s than any 6L6 tubes.
Con for the reissue:
The tube sockets are mounted directly to a circuit board. I had one years ago and I rolled tubes a few too many times and cracked the board.

 

[ocripes]

I bought a Rivera Stage IV that w/ BFDR cleans w/exceptional headroom on the clean channel and a versatile OD channel w/great tone controls. It’s the ultimate DR. It’s worked great on louder gigs w/just a touch in the monitors.

 

[KW1977]

Hey man, some people like to walk into a big chain store and buy something brand new, and don't even want to know about 60 year old amps that sell for half of a pcb "reissue".
And why wouldn't we want to keep it that way?
I try not to bring up affordable vintage amps on the tdpri. At least, not the ones that are easy to get a good sound from.

Hey, anyone tried a good modeling amp lately?

The more you talk about it, the more expensive it gets ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

 

[AmpHandle]

"These routinely sell for 800, and the reissues are around 300" I think your under estimating the value. I haven't scene those prices in 20 years.

 

[Bluzzi]

I'm surprised that the Swart AST/AST Pro hasn't surfaced here yet...

The only amp I ever tried that came close to my 68 Vibrolux reverb.

 

[CowTownPickers]

If you can find one, you will love a Kustom 72 Coupe! James Brown design and built in Cincinnati, Ohio. I got mine on a trade and it is my do everything, no pedals used, forever amp! 72 watt all tube power with 2x12 speakers. Fender clean or killer distortion, it just works!

 

[Brettlowden]

I have a 66 deluxe teverb. Had it since i was a kid. When they are working right theres nothing that can beat one.

 

[The Lisbon Plane]

Same size as a Deluxe Reverb. Beautiful Fender clean sound. 65 watts.

View attachment 1018889

Had the 112/50 since the 70s, sold it a few years back... great as your only amp.

 

[Back at it]

I have never owned a deluxe reverb but played through a bunch, I like my 68 vibrolux better, but just as good is my Columbia reverb at just a touch less headroom and volume. I’m super happy with my bf tones

 

[ce24]

Various Traynor….fender and Marshall killers

 

[Maguchi]

So, in my opinion, the Fender Deluxe Reverb is both one of the greatest amps of all time and the most overrated. If I had a dime for every time someone asks which is the best amp for blues/rock/country/jazz/pop/punk/indie/surf and someone responds with '65 DRRI, I'd have enough money to buy out Fender. It is a good amp, and probably as much amp as you'll ever need for gigging, but for what they are, they're expensive, and there are definitely better options out there.

A Blackface PRRI. They breakup earlier than a DR or DRRI. For gigs where I need more volume, I bring a 1×12" extension cab.

 

[tlsmack]

I have not played one of the new Stage IV, but I love Rivera amos, and this looks like a winner

 

[ping-ping-clicka]

Everyone has a different idea when it comes to amplifiers. I like multiple 100 watt-ers slaved together with no less than 6-12"s with plenty of reverb when I'm serious. One hundred watt-ers with 4-12"s when playing quietly in my room. Beats the pants off of a DRRI.

I love your responce, neither pro or con, true or false I just love what you said .
I was invited to jam and somebody plugged me into a 70's SVT head, with 4 10's and a 15, it sounded so good I was amazed! Who'da' thunk ?