Fender Tone Master Super Reverb vs. 65 Reissue Super Reverb 

Which do you prefer? Let us know! And did you know you can download my ENTIRE digital discography for $10? Seriously. Thats ridiculous. ~ jackfossett.bandcamp.com/

I had the opportunity to play with a Deluxe Reverb Tone Master a couple of weeks ago at my local music store and fell in lust with it. The attenuation dial will work best for me as I live in a condo and like my neighbours. Looks like Grandpa’s buying himself a hell of a Christmas gift this year 😎🎸🇨🇦

What I've found is that these amps do sound like the amps they are emulating. When I sit down with mine, I feel like I am playing a Black Face amp. It's amazing! but, at the same time, you have to approach it like it is an amp all it's own, with it's own personality. The Tone Master isn't particularly friendly with pedals. If you Side by Side the TM amp, it's going to have differences. If you approach it like it is it's own thing, it can really surprise you. I have the Twin Reverb Tone Master. It's so versatile. I can play it at home, record with it quietly & take it to rehearsal or stage & find an attenuated setting that works for any situation, while driving the amp to perfection. It feels like I'm playing a Twin Reverb & I can find the sweet spot, wherever I am. That is what is so special about this range. I don't buy into the weight issue. That's a created problem. There are tools to deal with that issue. It's not going to be easy to lug around a Tone Master Twin or Super. I move mine around, quite bit. It's still a big amp. But, back to the sound of the amp. First off, I don't plug in & try to match the exact settings of another twin reverb. I set mine where it sounds best, it's best. Tonally I have only one issue with the Tone Master. It has a kind of enhanced bump in the high end that is a little annoying. But, "I've found a Fix". I plug my guitar into an old MXR (from the 80's), then into the amp. I usually leave that pedal off. It's not true bypass & it filters off a lot of that frequency. These amps are great for the player who likes to plug straight into the amp & play. I like to run between 7-10 on volume, depending on pickups & the amount of drive I want. At 10 it is bliss. Play lightly & it cleans right up. Play heavy & you get some attitude from the amp. If you like a lot of pedals, things can get ugly when the amp is being pushed. My old Distortion+ sounds reasonable with the amp. I have some higher gain pedals that destroy the amp's sound when both are pushed. You can, however crank the power up & run the amp under breakup (with your pedals). It still can react a bit odd. I'd suggest anyone thinking pedals are their sound, take their pedalboard down to the dealer & demo their setup. Or maybe, just look at more pedal friendly amps. The Tone Master amps are pretty awesome, for what they are. Very useful to a player like me. But they aren't, at this point in development, going to be for everyone.

Another near and dear to my heart. Enjoyed this immensely. I feel confident adding the Tone Master Super Reverb to my to do list. Thx!

Excellent review thanks Jack!

Awesome video as always, man! 🙌Love it. And that feigned seriousness face with the head nod is priceless! 😂 Great job!

this review and comparison is great. Im going to get the tonemaster super reverb. I love the power attenuation feature, and already own the blonde deluxe reverb and dont regret that purchase one bit.

Completely enjoyed this comparison. And now I want a Firebird. What a great sound.

I literally just bought the Blonde deluxe reverb tone master. It is phenomenal. The Celestion speaker gives it that midrange push the original doesn't have. Plus many people used to change them out to Celestion speakers to correct that midrange scoop. I think the Tone Master super reverb is fantastic as well. Wish I could own it, but that Blonde Deluxe reverb wasn't cheap either. Also, the weight and sounds they give off, it convinces me just fine.

This is a crazy time for amps.... I think I preferred the TM Super. It sounded amazing!!

Thx for posting this! I like those amps.At the end I got out of the store with a Boogie California Tweed 40 w head and the 212 cab with Jensen speakers. When these Tonemaster amps finally get an effects loop,I will get one.Have a good life!

Thanks Jack for a great comparison!. I have the ‘65 Reissue and love it. I use it strictly for home playing. I can see where the gigging person would prefer the Tonemaster with the extra options and big weight difference. For myself, I just happen to love the air movement of my big box Gretsch Nashville, paired with the ‘65 Super. Cheers!

The Fender cleans are simply phenomenal.. Impossible to beat imo.

TM seemed brighter to me. I have the '65 Reissue and love it. All that being said, hard to probably justify the extra $ for the Reissue. I use my 90s fender deluxe 112 a lot. Easy solid state that sounds great. No heat (summer in OK) headphone out for nighttime jamming. Everyone should have a nice solid state with functions and a bad ass tune amp! Thanks for vid. P.S. really like the wood grain on that sunburst tele.

That opening is how you play guitar right there.That was some crossroads blues.

Usually don't dig colors but that Pelham blue is just so cool...

Another great video. The Tone Master sounded better than I thought it would. I have the Tone Master Deluxe, after originally being a skeptic, and it's great. The tube amp sounds a bit better, but the Tone Master is probably more useful since it doesn't have to be cop calling loud to get it where it needs to be to sound full. Are the speakers well broken in on both amps? I'm of the opinion that broken in speakers really help, especially with the 3 d type sounds and sweetness. Thanks for the video.

Both amps sound really good. The '65 is bigger, juicer, more full-bodied and just flat out louder. The TM comes across as a bit "thinner" sounding, at least in your recording. I do agree that on its own, the TM would do the job. Plus it's more functional. Most players wouldn't crank a Super to 10 (if they valued their hearing), as you say, that's not the Super's attraction anyway. Thanks for an interesting and useful demo !

I wish that I hadn't sold my Marshall JCM900 Combo Amp (12x2 100/50 watt tube amp) that I bought new in early 1995. Very Rare here in the U.S. I recently bought a new 65' Super Reverb RI. I have wanted a Super for years now. Don't know why I waited so long. I love it. Last year I bought a Fender Twin Reverb Tone Master. Great Amp also. 2023 I bought the 65 Reissue Super Reverb. Loved the feed back. You're OK. Love It

So Jack, a year later, where are your feelings on the Super TM? This was one of the better sounding comparison vids I could find so kudos on your audio setup, mic placement, etc. I felt like the TM stayed more present and less “squishy” through the full range of the volume. The tube version definitely compressed more as you got the volume up. Not sure which I’d prefer “in the room” and regarding feel, but feel like that extra presence would help in a band mix. Your thoughts on it now?

Cool great amps ! When for à vibroverb 2x10 test? Thank you for your Y.T channel .🤩🤩🤩 Best regards from France .

The most important question: Does it gets glassy when you roll back your volume using a fuzz or treble booster? I play blues and that's for me the most important thing, since my fuzz is pretty much always on and my guitar volume rolled back. Thanks!

What a great amp! Both of them.

Here is the fear I have with the TONE MASTER....the warranty is only 2 years. What do you do if it takes a digital dump? Nobody can/will work on these. I had a brand new Line6 podGo take a dump on me after 4 months. No where in California to work on it. Luckily I had purchased it from Sweetwater and they were great. But had to send it to them and they sent it to Line6 so I was without it for 2 months. So yeah 2 year warranty scares me. Thanks for another great objective review, always enjoy your stellar playing

Hi Jack, first let me tell you that your videos are amazing in playing and the tone. I’m looking for a clean amp, i’m thinking Super reverb or Magnatone panoramic stereo, what do you think of this choice, did you try the Magnatone? For the Super reverb, i understand it is loud compare to the Tone Master but if i plug it into a CaptorX do you think it will blend the quality and features of both? BTW,the video 5 tones on the Super reverb is amazing!

Im thinking about buying my first tone master, coming from a boss Katana. Still contemplating between the deluxe and super reverb. What is your experience. I mostly play clean, or blues.

Although technology allows for easy sound duplication, the distinct 'feel' of tube rectifiers remains impossible to replicate with solid-state devices. My two Super-Reverb RIs provide the best playing experience for me.

I used to own a 72’ SR. I sold it because of….the weight, but damn if that wasn’t the best sounding amp I ever owned. I have one of these TM’s on order. Do they sound exactly the “same”, no but for my $ it’s close enough like 95% there. To my ears it’s really a difference of compression in the midrange. The TM sounds full and even across the frequency range but it doesn’t have that midrange compression in the breakup the RI does. Which I guess is the 3D thing? I also think the speakers need to be broken in more.

A cranked Super Reverb is early Alex Lifeson tone... but maybe the lack of that huge sound here is a shortcoming of the '65 Reissue vs the original amp, just like what happened with the excessively brittle '59 Bassman Reissue? I had the chance to test this out as I saw a used '64 Super Reverb this past weekend, priced only about 20% higher than what the Reissues cost new, but that was still well past my budget at the moment!

I have had a tone master super reverb for about 4 months now and play mainly strats and les paul standards thru it. I have found Mr. Fossetts findings to be virtually the same as my experience with this amp. I was amazed at the sound of this amp. I have always wanted one but never bought one until now mainly because of the weight factor ( I started playing in 1964). Combine that with the difference in price and the low or non existent maintainence factor and the Tone Master wins, hands down, every time. Thank you for confirming my thoughts about this amp Mr. FOSSETT!!!!!

An MXR 10 Band Equalizer will make BOTH sound EXACTLY the same. People who own the MXR never make a move without it. Thank You Randy - You've saved thousands of Us from spending Our hard earned paychecks senselessly.

Do you think new speaker vs broken in speaker might have had some difference as well? I know there are a number of variables but wondering if the 3D quality you got on the 65’ would occur on the tone master over time

I tried this tone master thing. Online it sounds great but at home is where you feel the difference.

I can hear the dynamics of your picking better in the 65 it seems to breath more to and has more chime

In the Tonemaster vs. Reissue videos I've seen, the biggest way I would describe the originals is as being "lo fi" compared to the Tonemaster. What if you put something like a Strymon Deco in front of the Tonemaster? Those pedals have a tape OD/compression control on them that gives the signal a more lo fidelity sound like it is overdriving an old reel-to-reel tape deck.

The 65 reissue has so much more depth to it, and the ability to differentiate between notes you want to accentuate. Beautiful sounding amp

They both sound good.....just different.

Nice video as always. I have to think the Tone Master Bassman is next, right? My god, how many of those are they going to sell?

I've got a '68 drip-edge Super Reverb. I had the '65 RI, and have the Tonemaster Deluxe Reverb. What gets the call on a daily basis? Definitely the TM, and I usually have the power set all the way down about hmmm...60%, and then one notch up about 20% and then everything else up to full power, the remainder of the time. I'd definitely grab it, as I've done for rehearsals. For a gig? There hasn't been a reason to take it given the # of other nice amps I have that are more powerful. Love the Tonemasters. Had I gone with the Tonemaster Super Reverb? Yes, I would definitely take it to gigs. Absolutely. My '68 stays in the studio. The only thing I notice that exposes its digital 'self' is that my clean boost pedal doesn't behave well with it. It doesn't like to be pushed hard into the front end. But - it doesn't need to. What I've found is that it'll take all manner of pedals, but just don't go much past unity gain. The main reason for going past unity signal is to coax overdrive from the amp. If that's what you want out of the TM, Just turn it up or lower the power output. Just like the real thing, also have to remember to lower the bass drastically when you are cranking any of these amps. Marshalls are the same, and on and on. Something like a JC120, would be the exception. Those PA-like amps that refuse to distort.

The already broken in speakers on the reissue might represent a big difference

I want one of these tone masters so badly. Im just nervous that in 4 years or so something will break and an amp repairman cant fix it. I dont want a 36 pound paper weight in a couple years time. Or... they could last forever, only time will tell

Does it have an effects loop and a foot switch,

I was listening in to this review while I was driving this morning, so I couldn’t really see what you were doing. I honestly don’t know which one was the 65 reissue, to be honest, if you would’ve told me that you were playing the same amp I would’ve believed you!

Jake, you never use your ce24 in these videos😢 we love that guitar! Show it some more!

I wonder how much of the difference was the speakers.

Look I'm a tube amp purist. But some people will always put down the digital in comparison to the tube before they even hear the demo 🤣. These Tone Master amps finally GOT IT RIGHT!! I'm definitely getting a Super TM asap!

How does the tone master perform with a 4 pc band if you use pedals such as Overdrive, delays and wah? I had the twin tone master and sent it back because the pedals sounded thin, does the super thicken things up with the 4x10 with a pedal platform?

The one place where I strongly preferred the '65, was on 10 with the Gibson. There was more meat in the mids, and I liked the way it fed back. However, it's been at least 20 years since I've had anyplace where I would be welcomed with a Super at full chat. Also, I bet I could beef up the Tone Master with some EQ, even if it couldn't match the '65 for sheer maximum volume...

Reissue for me.

Did you use some sort of direct box or attenuator for the recording? They both sounded very similar at lower/clean volumes. Almost indistinguishable. At higher volumes, something is missing. The ‘65 should sound crunchy like Joe Walsh Rocky Mountain way crunchy but it sounds kind of fizzy. Also, my favorite overdrive for fender amps like this is the od-3 but wampler makes some awesome pedals as well. I have a 68 super and cranked with humbuckers it has a phenomenal hard rock sound.

How does your CE sound through it Jack. I recently picked up a Princeton with a 12" Cannibus Rex speaker and I love it for single coils but humbuckers it isn't doing it for me. I have been thinking about trying the TM Super, but really want to pair up with my CE as I love that guitar.

Look like amp used on Shakiras Mongoose Tour from surf to heavy rock.versatile like her.

It was'nt until you brought out that stunning Firebird the 65 started sounding not just a little different, but better. Tell me about the Pelham blue Firebird ? Surely not another pressie from Mrs Fossett.

Tube is always better

I think this is night and day in the room. Not on youtibe. But hear it in a room it is quite difference. That 3d projection is only in tubes. Even a tube princeton sound bigger than the tm amps.

I wish I could say the TM was better but I can't, it's impossible to compare the real deal against the TM

If it sounds good…it is good. It’s all subjective. I think too much weight/hype is put on gear and less on the player’s skill. 🙃 I joined the TM group two months ago with a Twin. I’m happy with it, however my other Fender 65 RI’s aren’t going anywhere, but I have played the TM Twin almost exclusively for the last few weeks. It’s good.

Well I have a vintage 66 and a 65 Reissue. My Vintage one is with factory JBL D110Fs and the Reissue the factory Jensens.The 66 weighs nearly 50kgs and sounds good but is slightly temperamental whereas the reissue delivers it all. I never use em over 6 personally…..and they both sound amazing with my Hermida zendrive and my Way Huge CT…..

Shopping with a friend a few years ago, we considered the '65 Super Reverb, but chose the Fender DeVille 4×10, partly for cost reasons. The DeVille weighs 50lbs. The '65 Super Reverb weighs 65lbs !!! This was a great, informative review, thanks. I think that 4×10 configuration is great for a big, clean sound. It fills the room, even at low volume.

Tone master super is great, sounds good too What ever they used to copy the super sound they used a good one... That being said it makes it consistent tone wise.. That the thing with the originals and the reissue tube versions. It that thet are all inconsistent. BUT .... when find a good one you got a good one. That's the deal with tube amps especially vintage ones ,they were made with ever parts Leo could find at a good price ,that just business, so parts came from all over the place some were cheap and some were not. And same with tubes what ever deal he could get when your buying thousands of tube at a time. So all that said it was a hit or miss when you bought one in the day. A lot were mdded in one way or another ,some were biased hot or cold ,preamp tubes were rolled . So if you bought one stock and was killer you were very lucky because you could line up 10 in a row and they would all sound different..... Now with the tonemaster they all going to sound the same ,the tonal difference is going to come from you as far effects you use and your paying style and your guitar.. I have been I must confess a die hard tube guy for 50 years ,I still own my favorites that stay in my music room . I don't gig with them they are old and fragile. But I recently bought a TM deluxe blonde last year when they first came out the the creamback and blonde tolex and was so impressed and still am ,it's a back saver for an old man.. I just had to have the TM super too and I ordered one and have had it for about a month an I am loving it ,you just have the learn the amp find your sweet spot . Can't complain ,the only Thing is and it to early to tell because they are new products is reliability and can they be fixed? I haven't heard of any problems yet.. most electronics now days are disposable, they break throwaway and buy another... I hope that's not going to be the case for the TM series of amps....

Les Paul->Vibrato channel input 1, bright on, volume 10, treble 10, middle 2. bass 2, reverb and vibrato to taste->Nirvana

From Leo: Because if Fenders policies after the sale, I probably will not buy another new SS Fender amp, even if it sounds great and they cut the price in 1/2. . Mostly I came because I enjoy your playing of different styles of music in your demos.

To me the tone master at full volume has a bit of a tweed distortion

The problem with the TMs is they just cant get the midrange right, Ill admit this one is the best sounding at least in you vid, I had the new Pro Reverb sold it due to the harsh high end and Im getting a 73 non master to compare

Thank you so much for these! I think i will try the Tone Master Blonde Twin. The super failed in my opinion

It seems you can't get a Tonemaster to feedback. I don't have a Tonmaster, but I do have a Mustang, and to get it to feedback I often have to use a Feedback Booster pedal. Other than that, it very versatile and a great "At Home" amp. The direct outs let you record day or night and it replaced loads of amps and pedals. That said, it's still not a Holy Grail amp. A Kemper would probably do it all and better. And there will always be a place for the Tube Amps that it models. That said, keep in mind, if you live with, or near, people, *(Stadium Not Included).

Open the trunk, I want that new car smell! Lol

My life is the worst it's been since 2006. I consider giving up guitars forever and start doing something else.

Not dissing the tone master but they sound like solid state amps. They do not sound like tube amps. Just IMHO.

How about NO reverb just Dry.

Every Tonemaster video I see, no matter which model, I prefer the TM over the tube version. Except for fuzz pedals, which I never use.

Metzler nn1n is nun nun b1 Jahre alt geworden b b Jahre lang und und und als b

You will never get that 3D tone on these solid state/modeling amplifiers. The power amps impart a zero impedance load from the point of view of the speakers. So the power amp relationship to speaker transducer is gone, that’s part of what makes a tube amplifier an instrument in of itself. These amplifiers are just an image of the real thing, they aren’t the amplifier. Fender was starting to do things right with their late 80s all analog S.S. Amplifiers that they figured out how to remove a bunch of negative feedback so the power output section behaved in an underdamped manner similar to tube amps. Get one of those amplifiers and start doing circuit mods to the preamp to make it more authentic, use a compression pedal. Those amps can perform like instruments in of themselves with that 3D character

The 65 reissue. Without even using headphones

I was just as confused 🤔 how can they even be compared? Absolutely different amp's

A joke