Fender Tone Master Deluxe Reverb or Twin Reverb?

[Digiplay]

DISCLAIMER: Many of my Threads are intertwined


It has been suggested in another Thread that perhaps a Tone Master Deluxe Reverb is favored more over the Tone Master Twin Reverb.


The needs for either amp is mainly for recording at a home studio, but for the hell of it, I'll say you might want to use it for live playing instead


Here are the facts:

1) The Deluxe costs $899.99, the Twin costs $999.99 (not a lot more).

2) The Deluxe has one 12' speaker and is 100W, and the Twin has two 12" speakers, and is 200W.

3) Both amps have the ability to run at different wattages:
a) The Deluxe can be run at 0.2W/0.5W/1W/5W/12W/Full.
b) The Twin can be run at 1W/5W/12W/22W/40W/Full.

4) The Deluxe weighs 23 lbs, and the Twin weighs 33 lbs (not a back breaking difference weight wise, UNLESS you have a bad back ).



So if you can afford either one, which one do you prefer?

 

[Digiplay]

PS

The reason as to why would be GREATLY appreciated!

 

[Digiplay]

PPS

I prefer the Twin, I'm just testing the opinion that the Deluxe is "better/more favored"

 

[northernguitar]

Play both. I’d be after the DR for home use, and even jamming. More than enough volume for any amateur stage.

 

[BuddyDog]

IMHO, if you are primarily doing home recording the Deluxe is a better choice. If you are playing out, you can still use the IR and XLR on the back to run into the house PA.

 

[BigDaddyLH]

Twin -- I like the sound of the Twin.

 

[ataylor]

For home/recording, I would think that the slightly smaller size and lower volume output of the Deluxe would be more optimal than the Twin, but the Tone Master features make either amp really quite flexible for recording.

The best option is the one that doesn't exist, or at least not yet — I keep hoping Fender will make a Princeton Reverb in the Tone Master lineup. In the meantime I should just get the TMDR. Or a Princeton Reverb. I always go back and forth, and all this time I could have been playing one of them! Bah...

 

[Digiplay]

I keep hearing about the Twin being too loud.


Two questions:
1) Can't you simply use the knob to lower the wattage?
2) No one has mentioned tone. IMHO, as tone is VERY important, which one is generally accepted As having the better tone?

 

[TheOtherNeill]

I keep hearing about the Twin being too loud.


Two questions:
1) Can't you simply use the knob to lower the wattage?
2) No one has mentioned tone. IMHO, as tone is VERY important, which one is generally accepted As having the better tone?

As to (2), they are just different, and both are very good to excellent approximations of their respective models. I have a TM Deluxe, but I don't (and likely never will) gig and space was definitely a consideration. Also, I grew up hearing Deluxes, and liked the idea of the sound without the full volume or weight.

 

[MilwMark]

How long is this piece of string?

 

[cbnutt]

The deluxe does 100 watts ? Didnt know that , i thought they might have made it 22 like the origanal , and the twin does more as well ?
.

 

[scelestus]

The deluxe does 100 watts ? Didnt know that , i thought they might have made it 22 like the origanal , and the twin does more as well ?
.

They use bigger Class D amps that have so much headroom left that they can model a 22 or 85 watt amp without introducing any of their own artifacts. All the power amp clipping is based in the software; the actual power amp is clean and transparent.

That's also how they tailor things so "ss watts" sound and feel like "tube watts".

 

[ataylor]

The deluxe does 100 watts ? Didnt know that , i thought they might have made it 22 like the origanal , and the twin does more as well ?
.

They use bigger Class D amps that have so much headroom left that they can model a 22 or 85 watt amp without introducing any of their own artifacts. All the power amp clipping is based in the software; the actual power amp is clean and transparent.

This is a much simpler and more accurate response than the one I was typing out.

It's also worth noting that the attenuation on the back of the amp is based on the simulated tube power output. For instance, the Deluxe lists 22, 12, 5, 1, .5, and .2 watts.

 

[Chiogtr4x]

The deluxe does 100 watts ? Didnt know that , i thought they might have made it 22 like the origanal , and the twin does more as well ?

.

The TMDR,
(,don't know the tech details),

apparently needs 100 watts power from Class D amp, to simulate or produce the similar sound/response of the original tube 22 watt Deluxe Reverb

 

[Digiplay]

They use bigger Class D amps that have so much headroom left that they can model a 22 or 85 watt amp without introducing any of their own artifacts. All the power amp clipping is based in the software; the actual power amp is clean and transparent.

That's also how they tailor things so "ss watts" sound and feel like "tube watts".

Ironically, the Twin allows one to cut the wattage to 22W

 

[AlbertoMilanese]

Twin, no contest. More clean headroom, better pricing, can still be quiet enough for late-night bedroom practice. Even better if you buy used.

 

[El Marin]

Voted Twin Reverb

Same reasons why I own and play one (but a real one) and don't like DRs

1-Tone is better, period
2-Two speakers are less beamy
3-Mids potentiometer

 

[eddiewagner]

Twin! I dig the 2x12 sound.

 

[Mike M]

If for mainly home I would say the Deluxe. The attenuator can go do to .5 and .2 watts, so perfect for home play.

But to be honest, you can't go wrong with either.

 

[Whatizitman]

If usability + fender style/tones is the goal, the TR is the way to go. The power scaling makes volume less of an issue in either amp. Both are significantly less weight than the amps they are modeled after. Might as well go with the big'un.

If tone unique to DR is wanted, then go with the DR.

For me, they both TRs and DRs do BF/SF Fender tones in a good way, even if slightly different. Most folks are going to use pedals for drive, regardless. The TR is just a better deal all the way around.

The benefit of the TMs is for live purposes, IMO. Live is where the toanz have to compete with everything else, so pickiness is out the window. And light weight plus good stage looks is a major advantage. For folks that absolutely have to have dead on TR or DR tones, there is always the original tube versions.