Fender '68 Custom Deluxe Reverb

[wagdog]

Looks like Fender is re-issuing a silverface "custom" deluxe reverb. Looks interesting:

From: http://www.fender.com/series/vintage-modified/68-custom-deluxe-reverb-120v/
"1968 was a transitional year for Fender amps, with tone that was still pure Fender but a look that was brand new. With a silver-and-turquoise front panel and classy aluminum “drip edge” grille cloth trim, the Deluxe Reverb received a fresh new face as it remained the ideal recording and performing amp. Small, light and moderately powered, it produced big tube tone, with world-class Fender reverb and vibrato effects. For countless guitarists ever since, the Deluxe Reverb has been the go-to amp for classic Fender sound.

The ’68 Custom Deluxe Reverb Amp pays tribute to the classic look, sound and performance of Fender’s late-’60s “silverface” amps. In a special twist, both channels boast reverb and tremolo, and the “custom” channel has a modified Bassman® tone stack that gives modern players greater tonal flexibility with pedals. The amp also features quicker gain onset and reduced negative feedback for greater touch sensitivity. The ’68 Custom Deluxe Reverb’s single 12” Celestion® G12V-70 speaker also delivers a more distinctively rock ‘n’ roll flavor."

Street price is $999: http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/68DeluxeRev/

 

[Mark Wein]

I'd like to try one. I bet they still get it wrong though.

 

[Ignored Member]

I'm not a Fender amp hater at all. In fact, I would really love to add a Super Sonic 22 to the stable.

Having said that, does it seem like Fender pays more attention to the cosmetics than the circuit and components sometimes?

 

[wagdog]

Having said that, does it seem like Fender pays more attention to the cosmetics than the circuit and components sometimes?

Maybe. They did make some mods on this one; reverb and trem on both channels and one channel is "classic" DR, the other "bassman" - have to try one to see how that actually pans out though.

 

[Ignored Member]

Maybe. They did make some mods on this one; reverb and trem on both channels and one channel is "classic" DR, the other "bassman" - have to try one to see how that actually pans out though.

Very good point. Retro-aesthetics aside, it might be a killer amp.

 

[wagdog]

Very good point. Retro-aesthetics aside, it might be a killer amp.

Would be cool. I dig the look.

 

[Chad]

They are also doing the silver face Princeton Reverb and Twin Reverb as well. I want to try out the Deluxe and Princeton.

 

[telecaster911]

They are also doing the silver face Princeton Reverb and Twin Reverb as well. I want to try out the Deluxe and Princeton.

Did you sell your hot fudge? I can't imagine these sounding better than that amp.

 

[Chad]

Did you sell your hot fudge? I can't imagine these sounding better than that amp.

Nah, I still have it. You can never have too many amps, you should know that.

 

[telecaster911]

There's one just like yours on eBay. And your right. Never enough amps. Lol

 

[wagdog]

They are also doing the silver face Princeton Reverb and Twin Reverb as well. I want to try out the Deluxe and Princeton.

The silverface twin is an interesting amp; the early ones (prior to '73'ish or so) sound incredible (imo). Fender started getting carried away with LOUD and CLEAN after that and (also IMO) lost some of the "shing". The later 135w UL models really sound flat to me.

This new '68 custom twin seems to sport the same preamp features of the deluxe (both channels connected to reverb/trem and a "bassman" channel). Looking forward to trying them out.

 

[GilmourD]

All I want is a 1965 Dual Showman reissue... Is that really THAT hard for them?

 

[GilmourD]

Oh, and which Bassman circuit? Are we talking Silverface to be contemporary with these amps or are we talking '59 Tweed with a cathode follower, which is what Marshall copied?

 

[Denverdave]

I'm guessing this will be about the same as the blackface reissues....nice but not really close to the originals. Though they are at least putting a Celestion speaker in it instead of a low end Eminence like the last set of reissues.

 

[wagdog]

Oh, and which Bassman circuit? Are we talking Silverface to be contemporary with these amps or are we talking '59 Tweed with a cathode follower, which is what Marshall copied?

lol, a very valid question! Guess we'll have to wait and see if/when they release the schematics.

 

[GilmourD]

I'm guessing this will be about the same as the blackface reissues....nice but not really close to the originals. Though they are at least putting a Celestion speaker in it instead of a low end Eminence like the last set of reissues.

They should be Jensens or somebody's copy of a Utah or CTS speaker, since that's what they came with stock, depending on when. Should just get Weber to supply all their speakers.

 

[Denverdave]

They should be Jensens or somebody's copy of a Utah or CTS speaker, since that's what they came with stock, depending on when. Should just get Weber to supply all their speakers.

That would make sense - but generally in the reissues the speakers are one of the areas they use to cut costs.

 

[BuzzBaloo]

Oh, and which Bassman circuit? Are we talking Silverface to be contemporary with these amps or are we talking '59 Tweed with a cathode follower, which is what Marshall copied?

lol, a very valid question! Guess we'll have to wait and see if/when they release the schematics.

"A modified Bassman® tone stack" is marketing BS. Don't expect a cathode-followed 5F6a Tweed or 6G6b Blonde preamp circuit or a tap off the Treble pot. Tone stack means the pots and the caps that connect them. All they want to do is invoke the Bassman.

What you are going to get is a couple of cap swaps, and maybe a different cathode-bypass cap on one stage.

 

[wagdog]

Lol, yeah, probably right Wyatt. Still wanna try one.

 

[telecaster911]

Obviously Fender never heard of "voice of the customer". That would totally kick ass if it ended up being the real deal. I'm prepared to be disappointed though.