Super Reverb vs Twin Reverb

[timmah]

I got a chance to play through a buddy's SF amps last weekend: a twin and a super, both with upgraded tubes, SS rectifiers, and better speakers. The twin is still a clean machine, and the overdrive is a bit fizzy, but the cleans are stunning. The super, on the other hand, had slightly warmer cleans (though still bright and defined) and a much more pleasant and early breakup, subtle at first and growing evenly as the amp was turned up. I'd take the super any day over the twin, which I found too bottom heavy and slightly sharp in the cleans, and fizzy when pushed. It's a great amp, but the super definitely eats it's lunch.

 

[Paul in Colorado]

I have both, in a sense. A Dual Showman Reverb (Twin) and Bandmaster Reverb (Super with different OT) I like the Twin/DSR for clean stuff and the SR/BMR for more compressed slight breakup kind of tones. That's using the same cab, a 2 x 12" with JBL K-120's. I'm going to have a combo cab built for the BMR holding three 10"s. Not sure which speakers, maybe Weber DT's.

When I saw Tedeschi Trucks a few weeks ago, the stage was littered with Super Reverbs including a custom amp that's supposed to be a cross between a SR and a Tweed Twin. Nicki Bluhm's lead guitarist played a SR as well. They all sounded good to me!

 

[charlie chitlin]

The SR is heavy, but makes a great seat when you get there!
For some great SR tones, check out Ronnie Earl

 

[Abu Twangy]

Wait till you're 60 something and have to move it up and down stairways every weekend. Thats why I got rid of my Twin. I even think the DR is a tad too heavy at times. May have to get a Princeton.

I feel your pain, brother.

I added a DRRI recently. Reminds me that at age 64 I hate carrying my amps up and down three flights of stairs at home before going to a rehearsal or gig. Tomorrow I'm hauling out the Excelsior--six or seven lbs lighter.

 

[charlie chitlin]

Maybe it's the house that's too big, not the amp!

 

[viking]

Wait till you're 60 something and have to move it up and down stairways every weekend. Thats why I got rid of my Twin. I even think the DR is a tad too heavy at times. May have to get a Princeton.

I´ll be 50 in a few months , so Im not that far off.
It can be a pain to haul these rather big lumps around , but I feel there is a reward. No matter how I position a smaller amp with a single 12 , I cant hear myself properly , on some nights its really bad , depending on how we set up.

With the 4 10´s , even at low-ish volume I never have that problem , and the speaker-to-guitar coupling is always there , I love it !
Anyway , my son plays with me in the band , and he will just have to carry the damn thing if I dont manage one day , LOL

 

[dandd]

I know they're both big, heavy and loud. Ive owned a blackfaced SFTR, a 1970. Loved it clean, but too loud. Sounded best at 3-4, which was too loud for most anywhere. Thing is, when I would CRANK it, I didn't love its overdrive. I also had a 1965 Tremolux for a while. I didn't think it had enough or as great of cleans but had a killer overdrive cranked.

So how does a Super Reverb compare? Does it overdrive awesomely? Can you get it a little dirty without going deaf? I assume its got all the headroom one would ever need. Volume wise, my SFTR was still clean at 4. Same with a Super? School me.

Thinking about a blackfaced clean 1972. Whats a good price? Speakers are not original.

If you like the 2-12" clean tone you should look into getting a 65' Pro Reverb.
Same output transformer as the Tremolux (great breakup) with a higher plate voltage and a tube rectifier (Super Reverb cleans). Some refer to the 65' Pro Reverb as the "Baby Twin" and the 65' Vibrolux Reverb (Same output transformer as the Tremolux) as the "Baby Super". Both are sought after highly prized.
I have one of each loaded with Naylor 1250 and 1040 speakers and they are going to the grave with me.

Good luck,
DanD

 

[Bikerider20]

I've played my '67 SR side by side with both Twin Reverbs and Pro Reverbs and basically there is very little difference soundwise. The Super overdrives a little sooner, but mine never develops any real distortion. Once you are past 6 on the volume notes get very tight and the sustain is amazing, you can hang for days on it. No grind, though, at least nothing like what you find on a Marshall at a similar volume. And yes, it will keep up with practically any amp out there.

Super Reverbs are wonderful amps, but be prepared to keep a dirt pedal or two in the chain.

I’m interested in all 3 of the amps you listed and I’m looking for something that has a high headroom until about 7 on the volume preferably 12 inch speakers and great glassy cleans. I was also wondering what the tonal differences are between the pro and the super and the pro and the twin.

 

[Lynxtrap]

I’m interested in all 3 of the amps you listed and I’m looking for something that has a high headroom until about 7 on the volume preferably 12 inch speakers and great glassy cleans. I was also wondering what the tonal differences are between the pro and the super and the pro and the twin.

I think all those amps can deliver glassy cleans, they are all basically the exact same circuit. It's more a question of speaker choices IMO.

I don't get the "7 on the volume". The numbers don't really mean anything in relation to other amps. 7 on a Twin will be louder than 7 on a Pro, which will be louder than 7 on a Champ.

 

[bigben55]

Necro thread.....MY necro thread!

I had the aforementioned 1970 Twin. Then I got a 1966 Super Reverb. And a 1966 Prp Reverb. Had both 66s for a while. The Super was the best sounding of the 3. That Twin was complete overkill for me. Beautiful cleans that stayed clean at earsplitting levels, but the OD wasn't great. Which doesn't matter since no one will ever be able to play it that loud. The Super had great cleans and more than enough headroom for any situation but still had great OD. Again, way too loud for my needs. The Pro was actually the best gig amp of the 3. But even so, too loud. They all sounded good at gig levels(2.5-3, miced) but REALLY sounded great at 4+ and that is too loud. Not just "blast the audience" too loud, but way too loud on stage. And I couldn't get past that.

In today's world, unless you play clean exclusively, they are all pedal platforms.

 

[Skydog1010]

If you don't need the volume/headspace get a BF Deluxe Reverb.