The Deluxe Reverb definitely is the best amp made, at least as far as versatility goes. I run my ‘64 Handwired Deluxe in stereo with my Matchless Lightning reverb, and maaaaan does that rig scream
Oh my Chris, between 14:22 and 23, gracious sakes alive! I play 60+ years now for catharsis, my daughter, 31, does the same for her art. And so do you sir, so do you. Wonderful video Chris. I must have looked over at my stage amp 10 times and smiled tonight listening to your video. Some where in the 90's built in Corona California. It's a Fender Hot Rod DeVille 212, a 90"s model faithfully restored by Savage Audio of Shakopee Minnesota, to absolutely paint peeling sonic serenity. Yours sincerely, Sam still plays at 70!
As always a highlight of my early Friday morning! Well, actually, probably on a Saturday. But, the tones in that wonderful fender distortion that comes out of a relatively small package is unmistakable. As to your playing, watching you shred that last little bit, just brings a smile to my face watching you every time. Thanks so much Chris.
Or maybe that's all you need to know about guitar gear. Most of the gear we use today was either invented or based on something that was invented between '65 and '75.
@GmanMusic The violin, viola and cello were invented sometime in the early 1500's and they got them "right" enough that they are still made today... kind of similar really.
In my opinion, that's probably because musicians always chase -or at least use as reference- the sound of the musicians that inspired them. And to get the same sound as someone, using the same instrument as them is definitly a pretty reasonable choice. I think that is why most successful instruments tend to keep being used decades after they were invented
Not really anything to do with "craftsmanship". It's all about circuit design, which in the case of most original Fender amps was all about experimentation and necessity. Marshall is a great example of this. They were trying to make fender bassmans outta what parts were available in England at the time.
I had a '65 that was unbelievable. Endlessly versatile. I've also had a BF PR; a SF Super; a SF Bandmaster; a SF Twin. All great in their own way. Some more hernia inducing than others. The DR is probably the greatest balance of power and punch and non-chiropractor requiring weight.
The fact that Fender Deluxe's come now loaded with Celestion speakers probably also makes a huge difference! I remember one of my first amps being a Fender Bandmaster with a cabinet loaded with a JBL and how clean but also ear piercing trebly it was. I feel like the Celestions sort of tame the Fender harshness! Just my opinion but of course you could play through a Soviet era Army radio and it would sound amazing!
I will be using my 58 year old 1965 Deluxe Reverb tonight. Amazing amp. My soundman always raises his hands and says “I don’t need to do anything to it!”
Hi Chris, I have taken to pressing the like button before I even watch your videos. The reason is because you know so much about so many things guitar related. Where I came from, they would say - you have a head like a Pickford van. (Happy to explain if required)I can’t believe you know so much, in so few years. See you at Newbridge. Keep the music and videos coming. Thank you. (From the OAP at Hereford)
I play through a Super Sonic 22, and still don’t understand why it’s not more popular. Same output as the DR, great sound, takes pedals well, and grinds when you need to. I use it with my Strat and LP, and it never disappoints.
Fascinating how perceptions evolve...When introduced the Deluxe-Reverb was marketed as Fender's top-end student amp and was often paired with the Mustang. Both had all the bells and whistles Leo's pro-level stuff had, but at what was then considered a student price; I sold a number of DR/Mustang rigs back in the day. Also at that time, sound reinforcement technology was stone-knives-and-bearskin-rugs and amps not only were not mic-ed outside the studio, they had to be their own FOH, and one or another of the 40 watt Fenders or equivalent was the minimum for club gigs, the "sweet spot" of the time involving considerably less overdrive than what's normal today. A DR would give you that slight compression at bedroom or studio SPL and sound superb, but would get lost live, so they weren't seen in pro backlines until PA tech caught up. For those of us "of a certain age" it's reassuring to see sixty-plus year old designs having relevance.
Hey Chris, this topic is right up my alley. Back in the mid-60's I was a budding guitarist and my dear mother bought me a new '66 DR in.. duhh...1966 or'67. I was 15 or 16. I traded it for a '61 blonde Bandmaster as the band I was in needed more VOLUME!! Well, that was a huge mistake as time has shown. Recently Fender came out with their so-called "hand-wired" version of a '64 DR. I got one and, Chris, I swear Fender has nailed my old amp's sound if not BETTER. I love to run a LP Custom into it cranked up and, setting the controls properly, it's truly an amazing amp. Yes... the Deluxe Reverb, particularly these new hand-wired versions are truly wonderful things to behold. 🙂🙂
Let me add something... you mentioned not being impressed with the PCB reissues that Fender has been doing for many years. I was never impressed with them at all. I still had the "real deal" in my head and these PCB reissues didn't cut it. That changed with the new hand-wired version. 😉
Thanks Chris - love your playing and dialogue on the Fender DR. Last year I was lucky enough to get a 1981 DR (close to the last years Fender manufactured the point to point wired deluxe reverbs before moving to a printed circuit board--basically a late Silverface). The owner had never played it (he inherited it from his father how unfortunately passed away just after buying the amp). Absolutely mint condition. I did have to swap out some capacitors due to no use for many years, and I changed the speaker to a Jensen Blackbird. I compared it to a friend's 66 Blackface with original speaker. It was pretty damn close so I decided not to do what a lot of owners do and mod it to Blackface specs. After gigging with it for a year, I'm happy to keep it as is for now. Perfect size for small or large venues. One of the best amps I've owned for versatility and tone. My back-up is a Little Walter VG50 based on the 1953 Fender Tweed 5C3 circuit. Sounds very similar and worth checking out. Thanks again Chris.
I had a Fender twin reverb back in high school around 1979 or 1980. Paid $500 for it brand new. Loved that warm tube distortion. Had a separate volume control and a master volume so you could turn the channel volume all the way up and control the loudness with the master volume. Great amp.
I have a 66 DR as my mainstay and alternate with either a Marshall 25/50 atop a quad box or a 59 Bassman as the second amp in a dual amp setup. I have the DR setup to point to my ears and the second amp lurking in the background to provide that ambient richness and full bodied fill. That DR is a survivor that’s for sure. It’s been through hell and back and had a multitude of repairs and I wouldn’t trade her for anything. Just gorgeous sounding and dare I say it, makes me sound better that’s for sure. Goddess knows I need it! :)
I picked my PRS Sonzera 20 mainly because it nails the sound of an older '65 Deluxe blackface, very spatial and warm cleans, good with pedals. It can get as loud as needed, or soft and delicate quiet.
Since the Fender Bassman was released in 1952 and served as the basis for the Marshall JTM 45, I certainly think an argument could be made for it. At any rate, you should make a video about it.😁
$240 was a lot of money back in the day......wanted one desperately.......but you could buy a Silvertone (ya) twice as big for half as much. We just didn't know. Great vid. Great sound.
Cool video Chris! It is apropos for me because I am getting a Deluxe Reverb Tone Master soon! I know I know, it is tubeless BUT the built in attenuation is very appealing and perfect for going from bedroom to club!
I've always been a 50w head/combo guy, then I got a wild hair to start looking into smaller tube combo's, my local dealer had a new reissue Deluxe reverb... I should have never plugged into it... I'm so broke lol, but I'm pretty happy with my mig50, and Mesa DC-5, but that deluxe does it all, with pizzaz lol
Sing loudly and hope for the best 😂 Joking aside, it didn’t come naturally and took a lot of perseverance and persistence. Generally speaking, I’ll sing the 3rd above the melody (that’s what comes most naturally) and let Tay (BV’s) handle 5ths or any strange stuff. That combination seems to blend well for the most part 🙂
I’ll have a deluxe someday. I’ve been playing a 1991 Peavey Classic-50 4X10, since 2005 & it hasn’t given me any reasons to upgrade. It may be time to retire her to the studio though.
Thanks for this Chris! ...I've been saying this very thing for years as I have a great sounding(Best amp I ever played!!) '76 Deluxe Reverb that I have gone thru completely and restored. I will never part ways with it!
Last year i got really close to buying a Deluxe Reverb but went in another direction (which i don't regret). But the Deluxe Reverb is always on the gas list, at least until i finally get one!
I have had the same dilemma. 2 years ago I was shopping for a '65 Deluxe Reverb, but I stumbled across an absolutely killer deal on a '68 DRRI Custom and I bit on it. It's a beautiful amp and it gives me more versatile use than I need, but I'm still yearning to plug into that '65 and get those classic sounds out of it with no tweaking.
What about a super reverb? Some equipment I have bought and sold just makes me cry sometimes.Never realized they would be worth so much. Kinda like comic books!
To me, the GOAT of Amps is the Bassman, not only because it is brilliant, but also because the classic amps that came after - the Marshalls and the Oranges - are essentially modded Bassman
I get the love for deluxe reverbs. Speacilly in this age of small amps and large pedalboards. But for me is the super reverb with is unique configuration of 4x10 and 2omhs. I think they are really special. Also the king of them all the 59 bassman the seminal amp...
I bought my 1965 Deluxe Reverb 40 years ago for £70 from a jazz player (who bought it from a USA airman based nearby) - who wanted a Polytone for the clean tones. Best £70 I’ve ever spent - and it’s been my #1 amp ever since. Completely trouble free - but I’ve had to change the speaker a few times. I’ve a blackface Pro Reverb - but it’s too big and too heavy … and the DR sounds so much better.
You should try the Mesa Boogie Fillmore. Blackface architecture if I'm not mistaken, with more control over the sound, two identical channels and a superb build quality.
at a recent gig i used 2 30w roland cubes and a ephiphone LP. . THE OTHER GUITARIST USED A FENDER DELUXE AND VINTAGE LP. i prefered my tone and the other guitarist remarked what a great tone i had. YOU SHOULD TRY ONE.
With the Flying V, the volume was on 9 and even though it was loud in the room, it wasn't painful/dangerous. My old Pro Reverb in my Let It Be video however...! That was obscenely loud 😬
I have a 73 it’s awesome (most of the time…) lol. Just bought a custom built 20w Princeton clone from Emprize Amps (with a mid control and a 12 inch speaker) its somewhere in between deluxe and Princeton and travels well. Check them out if you’re in the Uk
I’ve been playing guitar for 30 years and didn’t give guitar amps much thought until the last 3 years. Now I’m obsessed and angry with myself because I could have become obsessed before vintage amps became expensive! Not sure what is my favorite, but I really like my tweed vibrolux clone!
I wish I would’ve known what vintage was over 35 years ago myself. Like getting my hands on vintage amps and a 1959 Gibson Les Paul couldn’t hurt either lol maybe in the 7k category instead of the 300k or better.
@@michaelheller8841The V4 is so loud it's pretty much unusable without an attenuator. My dad had one and I just couldn't get used to it since there was no bedroom volume for me to jam on. Great sounding outside at full volume from 100 yards away.
@@yargnad lol I own 2 of them and yes I can hardly put it on 3 without my ears bleeding. But at lower levels and a good peddle platform I use it for. I love how clean it is, the EQ and the reverb is amazing I think.
@@michaelheller8841 I bought a brand new fender twin in 2003. It was too loud and too big so I sold it at a loss. In 2003 I could have had my pick of a lot of vintage black face amps but didn’t know better. I do have a couple of nice guitars and some boutique pedals from 20 years ago though, so not a total loss!
The Rivera modded Deluxe reverbs dominated the LA session scene in the 70’s and 80’s. Highly modded but much used by the likes of Jay Grayson and Steve Lukather.
I really like my Fender Hot rod deluxe not every ones cup of tea but I love its clean tone with any strat. I've tried the deluxe reverb Profile on my Kemper but not so sure that it gets near the real amp..
Just to reassure you Chris, I was at the Royal Albert Hall concert and although stage right in the balcony so behind your amp and on the other side, I could here your sweet tones loud and clear! I do understand as a fellow guitarist ( nowhere near your league natch), that hearing yourself is imperative. Cardinal Black were amazing as was the venerable Peter Frampton 👍🎸❤️.
As a challenge to you @ChrisBuckGuitar I would love to see you play the guitar solo that Niko played on Staircase by Steven Wilson and also played with Mick and Dan on that pedal show. I believe that you are probably the only guitarist that could do it justice. Let’s see. 😮
I definitely know that a Black Face Deluxe is the amp Steve Lukather used on the rhythm tracks on Beat It. Good enough for Luke? Good enough for anyone.
I once had the privilege of owning a '64 DR, and you couldn't get a bad tone out of it. I've played several other DRs since, a couple of reissues, a couple of clones....but nothing, and I do mean absolutely nothing, could touch that '64. I thought I did great when I sold it, considering the handsome profit I made - only to realize that it would be worth at least an order of magnitude more today. Yup...a great DR is most certainly a desert island amp.
Hi Chris, Have you ever concidered using a solid state slave amp and a cabinet that gets tapped off signal from the speaker output of a deluxe reverb to create extra volume and width on stage?
