Fender Amps

FruitarGeek

Hi Guys

I'm new to this forum, but so far by the looks of it, and reading up on many topics . . . Its GREAT!!!

Anyway, one of the reason I joined was to acquire new information regarding valve amps, Fender valve amps in particular.
I am an avid Fender fan, and my current amp, which is shamefully a solid-state (FM212R) is giving me more problems then joy - although it has served me well. So I think its time I look towards valve, I ONLY hear great things about valve, and I know Fender is the place to go for prestige clean amp sounds.

Ive kinda dismissed the idea of owning a Hotrod and/or Deville, as I am not interested in a drive channel, as the drive is rather mediocre.
The amps that I have been interested in is non other than the Fender Bassman or one of the twin amps, or super reverbs etc. They are all REALLY pricey though. Im only 20, and cant afford anything spectacular.

My main question is really, which amp would you recommend, that has amazing clean, that wont break (into an overdrive) too early, and that can handle pedals well. I am also very fascinated with reverb, and obviously the Bassman wont have that, but I dont think there would by a problem with me getting a reverb pedal.

I have a Fender Strat 'blackie' by Eric Clapton (think its a '58 model), and I have a MI Audio Crunchbox (this will be my main source to take my amp into overdrive), and various other effects: delay, chorus etc.

Thanks a bunch :?

MikeM

I'm selling a silverface twin reverb ?

Buddy I'd suggest you do a whole bunch of youtubing - figure out the difference between the eras and the models, then look at your budget and take things from there.

Mike

AlanRatcliffe

FruitarGeek wrote My main question is really, which amp would you recommend, that has amazing clean, that wont break (into an overdrive) too early, and that can handle pedals well. I am also very fascinated with reverb

That's the dictionary definition for a Fender Twin Reverb. ? The ultimate clean valve amp. The only problem is that by the time you do get them to drive, they are damn loud! I use an old Blackface Twin myself with an attenuator to keep the volume down at home and getting more of the drive sound from pedals.

They are all REALLY pricey though. Im only 20, and cant afford anything spectacular.

Fortunately they do pop up secondhand at decent prices, especially the Silverfaces. Bassmans and Twins show up regularly. You just have to get the money together and be patient. As he said - Mike's selling his at the mo...

MIKA-the-better-one

Second hand silverface twins... WOW..... better than most amps...... except blackface..... but still amazing, compared next to a deville or hotrod.
And MikeM's is in pretty sweet condition if I remember correct......
I use a fender bassman 10 probably the not so popular bassman amp out of all of them, and this thing still sounds better than most hot rods and modern tube amps.

Fender is where its at... for cleans.... If you could source one out maybe try get a Vibrolux, it gives you that perfect compromise on LOUD and tone....

I am 22, and have never spent more than R6000 on any of my 3 tube amps I have owned, 2nd hand you can get some great deals.......

Mike's Twin is a great option, and so is Andrew's Bassman, with 212 cab.

Reverb wise, get a pedal if need be......... 63 deluxe reverb boss pedal thinggggy

What music do you play?

Fender 212fm I used to use one, it wasa great little solid state, I would actually buy one again, just as a backup amp.

FruitarGeek

I have hogged the Youtube channels, although I cant base my opinion entirely on that, I never know what peoples setups are.

I myself play quite a diverse range of music focusing mainly on: Hardrock (not metal) to Pop Rock, kinda like a U2/Coldplay sound, and as far as I know, the guitarist from Coldplay also uses twin reverb.
however my style does not stop there, it must also be able to handle folk and if at all possible Jazz. I know this is a lot to ask for from a single amp, but I know Fenders are built to please ?

I saw the Fender Bassman post by Andrew, and it has definitely caught my eye. Im in Cape Town tho, and trying to scrape up money to repair my solid-state which has just had its speakers blown (sigh), so I really dont know how soon I can afford a valve, but hopefully by the end of the year I will have one, unless a great deal comes along.

My tech actually directed me too look at this site, more specifically at that Fender Bassman. He also said its more wise to go for a seperate amp head and cab as opposed to a combo amp.

singemonkey

Man. Coldplay/U2 and some jazz. Twin. Reverb. Even if you weren't talking about Fenders, this is the amp that everyone would be recommending if you gave those specifications.

It has a whacking great amount of reverb if you need it, a tremolo circuit, and you need to turn it up til ears are bleeding before it overdrives. So I think you should really be looking at a silverface (cheaper) twin reverb. Which I imagine (what do you think lads) should go for about R6K - R8K.

AlanRatcliffe

Yeah! R6K - R8K is about right. No amp does everything, but a Twin takes pedals very well, so a carefully selected drive pedal or two in front and it covers far more ground than most. Country, blues, jazz, rock - all well within the reach of a Twin - which is why they are so common as backline amps everywhere. They have the best spring reverb, short of getting a full-blown tank. Bassmans are great amps, as are Deluxes, but neither are anywhere near as flexible.

Also, it's not that you can't push a Twin to drive - like most classic Fender designs they start breaking up around 5 - 6 on the volume (depending on tone control settings and guitar output), but at that point they are rather louder than most players are comfortable with. SRV even had his twins modded with 5751 valves to get more clean headroom.

MIKA-the-better-one

You need the Twin reverb.... hands down..... For coldplay esq stuff...........

And yeh 6 to 8K................ If you can its worth the push to go to tube amps, probably the most expenisive move yes.. but the best move which sets you apart in tone!

I sold my Fender fm 212, my cort guitar, A bunch of boss and behringer pedals, even an old fridge for my first tube amp, and when I got it I just strummed an E major for hours in disbelief to what i had been doing with my solid state.....

Gearhead

MIKA the better one wrote when I got it I just strummed an E major for hours in disbelief.....

? ? sounds familiar ? ?

...although in my case, after half an hour, I managed to get to the chorus of "Let Love Rule" which rocked my socks off to such an extent that I could barely get back to Emaj.

evolucian

whats the estimate on a 2nd hand supersonic?

kayDUB

Jonny Buckland used to use 2 hotrod devilles, back in ROBTHH days I think.
I also play some U2/coldplay style stuff and I have a hotrod deluxe, although I do agree it breaks up fairly soon.
Thing with a twin is carring around the weight! But if that's a sacrafice ur willing to make, go for it.
I've been thinking a lot about twins lately...
I think deluxes retail at around 16K nowdays, so a second hand twin is at a great price point I think.

Cannon

I do agree with the others ..... that a Twin is one of the best tube amps ever made. But I still feel that the Bassman is better tone wise. Even more so if u can get hold of a 50watt head & cab. They are easier to cart around to gigs and a lot easier to work on if needed. I also feel that keeping your tubes out of your speaker cab is a good idea! Tube rattle and damage happens frequently in combo amps.

But anyway in conclusion both amps are awesome....i just feel the bassman has more pure Fender tone and is more reliable! ..... (not to mention that it also looks cooler) 8)

Cheers & happy shopping!
C.

Cannon

Oh ye.....if u need reverb for a bassman get a Boss (63 Fender Reverb Pedal) AWESOME!!!
Real cheap at Bothners at the moment!

MikeM

Canon I have to say I disagree with you there ? I personally think the iconic Fender sound is defined by the twin.

I am being completely unbiased here. That's why I am on the hunt for a BFDR (Well I'm building a clone).

Sean

MikeM wrote That's why I am on the hunt for a BFDR (Well I'm building a clone).

Not in the mood to google ? , what's a BFDR?

MikeM

Blackface Deluxe Reverb <3

Sean

MikeM wrote Blackface Deluxe Reverb <3

Thanks ?

... I guess the Vox is also in line somewhere... ?

MikeM

Vox one is next :? Or I might buy one new.

FruitarGeek

This may be a stupid question... But:

What would the difference be if we had to hypothetically remove all reverb/vibrato features from the twin reverb, making it JUST a clean amp. Compare that with the bassman would you still be able to hear a vast difference between the two? Provided its a same set of speakers etc. Just different amps

Cannon

Depending what circuitry was used in each the two should sound similar. But as I've said earlier the Bassman was built with nothing else in mind but clean Fender tone. It also allows greater versatility when combining it with cabs. U use one of these baby's with a 4x10 setup and u'll understand what amplification is all about. 8)