What would be the best upgrade from a Fender Super Champ X2 Combo?

Which amp isn't in the same league? ( with the other)
The SCXD or the Marshall, I could not tell from your statement.

I've owned and has to sell ( needed the $$) a real '68 Deluxe Reverb, and it was just fantastic- big and clean with JJ 6V6's and a 120W rated Eminence speaker.

Now a buddy of mine owns both a '70's Princeton Reverb and a SCXD loves both - I happen to think the clean channel on the SCXD sounds pretty close to the Princeton.
I guess I'm saying a Princeton Reverb RI or a Deluxe Reverb RI would be the ticket.
They just cost too much, for me.

I got a used Frontman 25R in March, put in an EMI Legend 1058 in it and it has become my 'fake BF Clean Fender' for small gigs and I love it. My old blond Blues Jr. is my 'big gig amp'

I'm just no longer in that 'need to have a tube amp' mode.
My Frontman or Pathfinder get the gigs, as they sound great and were insanely cheap.

 

Hey man, I was in your exact situation about a year ago. I was forced into the upgrade as my x2 stopped working (they are super expensive to fix) but I was considering it for some time before that.
After an exhaustive search, I went for the 65 princeton reissue. You might go through a few sending them back with a buzzing front grill but when they work — they are a thing of beauty. Unlike the deluxe which needs to be turned up to sing, the princeton is perfect for the home. Sounds great even at 2.5. The tremolo is much better than the deluxe as well. It’s a wonderful amp, and for the home there isn’t anything better in the mass produced market that I’ve seen. Shimmering, bell-like, harmonically rich cleans all day long.

 

A Reissue Deluxe Reverb IS NOT a Deluxe Reverb NOR will it ever be PERIOD.

If You are going to run with The Big Dogs You have to get off the porch.

Every single Reissue Fender has made ever is DOO-DOO.

Doo-Doo...

Every last one of them.

 

I think you already have a good low volume all tube Fender combo amp for recording and practice.

IMO, the SCX2 with good glass and a good speaker sounds at least 90% like a PR. The PR's advantages are a slightly richer tone and real Fender spring reverb, but... buying a PRRI is a lot of money to get a little improvement. The PRRI won't have the USB and line out interfaces the SCX2 has for recording, unless you always mic the amp for that.

Likely the '68 Custom Vibrolux Reverb or Deluxe Reverb will sound fine at low volumes, but beware that they are loud when turned up and they sound better that way. The '68 should sound cleanish at low volume, but it's not designed for clean. The tone stacks and NFBs of the '68 Custom series are intended for early breakup.

 

If it’s a lifetime amp, how about skipping on the Reissue and getting a builder to make you a hand-wired PR?

Or better yet, build it yourself!

 

Check out the new Fender Tone Master series. Great sounding and super light weight.

 

OP is not interested in the Tone Master, wants a tube amp.

A real hard-wired Princeton Reverb ( or clone) sounds like what he really wants.

( I'd love one too!- especially after knowing a great amp tech, there's comfort in knowing you can keep a hard-wired tube amp alive forever. I know a great amp tech- just don't have the amp, Ha!)

Edit- ( used to own an awesome '68 Deluxe Reverb)

 

I understand your situation for sure. I have had a SCx2 for years and one of the first things I did was to buy a cab with a 12” speaker. It really makes a big difference. I played with a guy who had a PRRI and it was very hard to tell the difference. Except the cost. I paid $250 for a dovetailed pine cab, $60 for an Eminence speaker and $300 for the SC. At around $600 total not bad for a great Fender sound.

 

Get a Champ. Fairly inexpensive, easy to repair, probably last forever. Even better, DIY/kit options.

 

I smell a Market for Super Champ Cabinets with a Baffle for a 12" Speaker...
Fender didn't want anyone to do anything remotely cerebral - but there's a
growing concensus that a 12" Super Champ Combo would've been the smart
move. Fender of course did "the shareholder move."

 

For at home I'd go with the Princeton Reverb RI. I love the DR but you dont need that much volume at home. The PR will be clean enough at home. Or buy a PR someone has built!

 

I was pretty much in your shoes. Have an SCX2 that I love, but hearing stories about them crapping out and being unrepairable nagged at me. After lots of deliberation I decided the 65 PRRI would be my next amp if/when it was necessary to replace the SCX2.

Then, out of the blue, I got a line on a really clean, recently recapped 1975 Champ (at half the price of a new PRRI) ... And as soon as I plugged in, I knew I was taking it home. My problem was solved. It's all tube, handwired, easy to diagnose and fix if necessary, and sounds amazing for low volume cleans. I put a Topanga in front of it for a Fendery reverb, and voilà.

I know you've decided on a PRRI, and really I'm sure you can't go wrong with that choice... But if one pops up, consider an SF Champ. They're great little amps.