IT DRIPS! - exploring the TC Electronic Combo Deluxe 65 - and obvious Comparisons to the UA Dream 65 

Absolutely nailed it with the description of the UA being a more pleasant, post processed studio sound, while TC is exactly what I'd expect to hear coming out of the real amp. That was my reaction to other Ampworx pedals I got to try - "yup, sounds like standing in front of that amp" BYOSF; bring your own studio finessing

"Does it drip?" is the new "Will it chug"

I bought a Topanga just recently but for the price of this one, it's a good deal, love the variety of modes and settings. It is drippy indeed.

Man, if only it had tremolo!

Shouldn’t the 65’ read ‘65? Anyway, sounds very similar to my Fender outboard reverb unit! That’s a good thing. Technology just keeps getting better ‼️🌊🏄🏼

we all need to find that shirt. I'd wear one

This may be a very basic question, but bear with me: Can you plug any of this two amps / pedals directly to a cabinet and use it as a regular amp?

It may not be as pristine as the UA, but at that price, it’s a winner. That apostrophe in the wrong place, though, is killing me.

What, no two Princetons? Unsubbed.

There actually sort of is a bright switch on the Dream 65. It’s on by default but if you switch the boost toggle to “lead” it removes the simulated bright cap in the vibrato channel. You need to have the lead boost knob slightly above 8 o clock for it to work

Seems the Danes haven't quite figured out how we Yanks use the apostrophe to indicate missing characters. They put the apostrophe on the wrong side of the "65."

Wow…I much prefer the Drip on the TC Electronic compared to the UA. It sounds way more natural. Good job TC!

TC is more natural, UA is more like a studio recording. Well described and showcased!

It drips alright, but the lack of tremolo is mind blowing. We can never win, there's always something.

Dream sounds like an actual Deluxe Reverb. It's spring doesn't sounds detached probably because they implemented it within the signal chain properly (before and after the preamp stage). But also the spring sound cascades properly unlike in the TC. Surprisingly the TC reverb does seem to emulate the spring chassis resonating at higher gain volumes (so does the Dream). I can't imagine confusing the TC for the real thing. Dream clearly stands above in terms of emulation and by a decent bit.

Great job Ryan - I really appreciate this video. Been sitting with a true spring in my cart for ever trying to not buy the surfy bear, then trying to true spring by buying the UA Dream 65, a 100 videos later didn’t do it. Now I know I can get the TC and get a good reverb, with a little bit of extra. Freaking awesome. You’re the man. What a blast, cheers broksy

The UA sounds much more like I remember the amp sounding like last time I played one at a good volume. That warmth and bass is a massive part of that amp’s sound IMO.

really miss the AmPro sea chrome Jazzmaster for pedal demos :(

Having played a "real" 1965 Deluxe for over 40 years, the TC sounds more like the real thing.

I think you should have made the UA Dream the Reference to see if you could make the 65' Preamp sound as good as it. It seems like they are close enough that it would be doable...

I wish my sky surfer sounded as drippy.

And actually for recording, I could see myself taking out a lot of that low end that makes me favor the Dream in this comparison, so the TC might actually be better for my purposes

That hizumitas into the dream was great for both guitars. Also I appreciate your drip quest despite personally not caring about the drip. Any drip quest videos I always watch!

Very cool pedal and very affordable. I have an original 1965 Fender Champ and have always been hooked on that era of Fender amps. If I didn’t already have a Boss Fender ‘65 Deluxe Reverb pedal, I’d definitely buy one of these. Hell, I might still buy one! Thanks for the review; great job!

The UA definitely has a better base sound, much more “natural” sounding. The TCE sounds more like a helix/modeller version. Kinda ice picky.

If you used a ir in your daw and not from the pedals then how close would they sound is my question

They both sound great for blues . But the UA is fit for a MARTINI BLUES BAR and the other is right for a PBR BLUES BAR 😂 So I'd want both 😎

In your test, I liked the TC better. It sounded more open, less processed than the UA. Also, the UA sounded more congested with the fuzz and the TC again, more open. TC wins with the spring reverb. It seemed to reacted much better to your picking dynamics.

The testing cab sims with FUZZ tip was gold .... I always have a problem evaluating them. I'll definitely try it next time. THANX!

I want them to add that drippy spring ‘Verb to their TonePrint library, so I might add it to my HOF.

I think the TC sounds better. The UA sounds like it has a towel over a speaker to me...... not in a terrible way, just not as "present".

I wish that Fender would create a pedal in this form factor that takes the electronics out of their ToneMaster Deluxe Reverb and puts it in to a single pedal.

Baritone - Liked the TC better

Thanks to Doug Kauer for helping with sponsoring this video. I found my next stomper. Thanks.

Tc sounds less compressed. sounds better coming thru then the dream and price is a bounus.

On a scale of 1 to 10 (where 1 is a felt padded room and 10 is a Surfybear) where do you rank the reverb of this pedal?

To me the TC works much better with its clarity and punchy drippy reverb. You can always add warmth to clarity, but you cannot pull out clarity from warmth.

Just buy a real amp and you are all set

Someone really needs to make a two princetons amp in a box(i.e. a princeton sim with stereo input/output)

The second you strummed on the UA I was like yeah, that’s a Deluxe Reverb. I have a Silver Face DR for reference

I think the Dream sounds way better, probably not twice as good though, especially in the context of recording/playing in a full mix

I prefer the TC it's more straight forward and sounds like a real amp to me. The UA has too many switches and options to get crazy with but it does sound great..

USB mini-B?! Holy heck.. :/

I have Fender amps out the wazoo, most of them vintage so I don’t need this. BUT I NEED THIS. 😅

This is an awesome review dude. I’m still watching and you’ve already answered all of my questions. Until now I really haven’t considered an amp-in-a-box pedal as a real option. But hearing these side by side I totally have my eye on that tc electronics version.

I was hearing a theremin type sound in my in ears at my last gig. After watching this I have figured out it was my Dream pedal not getting the proper power after i redid my pedal board. Thank you!

I haven't played one of these but in this video I think the TC sounds more like a real amp while the UA sounds a little bit over produced. You could always add some compression to the TC with a plug in in post or a separate pedal but the UA is what it is so you better like it because you can't unbake the cake. Lack of vibrato (trem actually) on the TC is a major oversight but I suppose some will be OK without it. The more crunchy overdrive stuff I think sounded better on the TC. More cutting on the TC and either a bit brittle or more cutting and present depending who you happen to ask but probably could be managed with eq on the pedal or the tone knob of the guitar or in post post while the warmer more produced sound of the UA is again going to be harder to change if it's not exactly to your taste.. The lack of a headphone volume on the TC is a miss but the total lack of a headphone output on the UA is obviously a far bigger fail. Vibrato, a headphone knob and the ability to load cab sims would make the TC a UA killer but it seems to hold up quite well as is. A real Deluxe has a fixed resistor for the mids but some people add a pot to be able to control the mids so I think this was a really good addition to the TC for those who might want a more forward than scooped sound. Very good review of the pedal here and comparing it directly to the UA made the video even better. Nice job!!!

I feel like the deluxe woud cut through a mix better in a full band setting

The tc combo 65 might be the reverb/amp sim for me, just to run into the champion 100 with a tr2. I’m not a purist but love the vintage tones and drips and chugs of that era. That dream does sound amazing though 😅

Once you throw some dirt on it, the tc pedal shined. The ua pedal kind of fell flat for my taste. Sounds great but I'd prefer the tc any day of the week. Plus it's half the cost. Say what? 😂🤣

Tc electronic is a bit rough but I think it's more lifelike like playing a real fender amp. UAD is smoother, but the impression is closer to studio sound amp software

I would mic the TC putting it through the insert of an amp and get whatever sound I want THAT way. The drip it has is amazing and the dynamic response is pure magic.

UA Dream está muito a frente do TC Eletrônic pela qualidade e por ter a opção de ligar em Stereo. Acho que o combo não é ruim, mas está muito caro pelo que ele oferece, prefiro juntar alguns dólares a mais e comprar o Dream.

I hear a high pitch noise, is that coming from the pedal?

I would bet if you ran the TC through a Two Notes CAB M+ loaded with the York Audio DLX IRs, UA wouldn’t stand a chance

This channel should be 60 Cycle Drips! What is your favorite reverb pedal, trem pedal, and verb trem combo pedal?

Why do all of the demos feature Strats? I'd love to hear someone play an ES-335 or PRS through these pedals. I had a '70 silverface Deluxe that sounded great with humbucking pickups.

Have you thought about releasing an instrumental cd of your own music.

I hear there's a firmware update to the TC giving it a bit more headroom before breakup. And dude... you start it off on the RED channel. You should start off on the GREEN channel. I should keep watching... maybe you end up noticing it.

sounds half the price, except maybe the reverb, that was pretty cool, headphone would have been nice on the Dream, but overall the Dream tomy ears sounds real, the T.C. sounds cheap.metallic and not like it has a speaker. But yes for the price it will fill a market gap, so instead of a deluxe you get a mustang and def not a GT, yes it's worth it's money but not a dime more. Is the Dream worth it's money? after this comparo , I will say yes.

Hi Ryan! First of all very nice (and detailed) review of these two nice pedals! Any chances for you to test#compare the Benson Preamp versus the Jackson Audio Silvertone Twin Twelve? Ps: waiting for my UA Dream 65 on my mail box! 🎉🎉🎉

I can’t afford the Dream, so it’s an easier choice. Otherwise I’d say both are worth their asking price for sure.

I like the TC more than the UA in your demo. I really dig Fender amp tones. I mostly play clean, I'm not into a whole lot of gain, overdrive is just fine. I read a review on Sweetwater that said the TC didn't do clean. I think that individual didn't spend enough time with it before writing their impressions. I think this with a compressor, a boost and a univibe of some sort in front -- then a delay/reverb and an Eventide Micropitch after the output might wind up being my pedalboard. THAT PRICE! AND it sounds better to my ear than many of the Fender Deluxe models in multi-effects units.

I got mine tonight. I use a pedalboard into a quilter amp head into a cab. I have intention of using it that way rather than direct into a PA. I like my dirt pedal (OCD) and have no need to do anything different for a dirty sound. It’s my clean sound that needs more clean. I wanted this pedal to get me closer to a clean fender tone with good reverb and quality EQ adjustments. The pedal sounds good. I didn’t realize how good it sounds until I A/ B it on and off. This pedal clean verses the clean straight into the quilter. This pedal can get a very thin Fender tone or a very fat and rounded fender tone. The EQ works good. The reverb is good but it is not great. It gets in the way of the tone actually after 5-6. Not in a good way. The bypass mode works great. No color at all. Here is the big surprise. The OCD pedal sounds great going in front of this pedal. It brings out some great sounding presence and slightly compresses it in a good way. I will use it for my dirt tone. I don’t like how bright the pedal is. Even with the bright switch off, the reverb rolled down for the darkest tone and the treble setting way down … it has a treble frequency that is giving it a harsh sound. It can be dialed down to taste but the harshness is still there. This may vary with different guitar pickups and cabs. I have to try the direct to PA out and see how it sounds. Overall I think it is gig worthy. It is built well and great looking. Trying to use the pedal in two channel mode to get a clean and dirt out of it did not work for me. The pedal does clean well. It does the edge of breakup very well. But I don’t think most will want to use it for a dirt tone on its own.

What's with the high frequency noise on both though? Is no one else hearing this?

If they make a Princeton amp will Ryan send two of them to front of house?

I wonder how much of the difference is because of the IRs I’d love to see a comparison with them going through the same cab sim

Curious what a Bass would sound like through this. I sometimes run my Bass through the Deluxe model on my Vox ADIO Air GT

cool video ...the TC sounds a bit sterile in my opinion 😮😊

I got the Jims 45 for the crunchy tones on both channels and it sounds amazing for punk rock. However I was thinking about getting the CD 65 for my clean tones and it drips. Only downside is No swapping IR's but for the price I can't complain. Thanks for the video Ryan and keep playing that drippy surf music.

I just recently got my '68 Custom Deluxe Reverb amp and it is like a dream come true. My only problem when I chose that one was that I was also looking at a '65 DRRI and having to choose was making me a little nuts. Now with this TC Electronic Combo Deluxe '65 I can enjoy a little more of both the worlds I wanted to explore. BTW, I agree that the headphone jack is a major Plus. Great demo! Great pedal! and thanks to the Patreons for paying the freight that got this review done. When I do order, I'll be sure to go to Sweetwater through your link.

I’m digging those knobs!

This one drips cus it’s using convolution. It’s an IR recording of a real spring.

Regarding the TC's lack of cab options, since they are using official Celestion cabs, adding 2 more would surely increase the price. They likely decided it wasn't worth it considering the budget of the users they are targeting with this product. Also USB will likely provide software updates and maybe just maybe allow the user to change the onboard IR. Still even if this doesn't happen it still sounds great on its own. Like others mentioned would've liked if more drive/distortion pedals were tested but the video was already 1h long so it's understandable why they were not

A Ryan-approved reverb might just tip it into the buy column.

TC is slightly better overall, IMHO

To Mike Sveda, thank you for making this video possible by being a Patreon🙏🏾

How does this compare to the Flamma Preamp and Cab pedals?

Gotta say the TC is boss sounding and that drip is beautiful! Just a bit disappointed that you didn't read out the other languages 😂

se schört, were kann i it getten

"it drips" who are the brain trusts that come up with such stupid phrases?

the UA is a stunner with loads of options but the TC does one thing perfectly - i prefer pedals that do one thing perfectly - that baby will cut through any mix

Thanks Will 👍

Thanks for the comparison. 😎 Do you notice latency with either one of those pedals?

Had a Dream pedal for about 2 weeks. It sounds incredible, but it's a one trick pony. No DI out, it did break up too quickly, but had a very realistic feel. In the end, having to use a DI and the fact that it gave me only a single amp made the price tag unrealistic. I ended up getting a NuX Amp Academy and mimicking the sound and returning the Dream and used it on a month long theater run. Good to see TC offering this at the price that they did.

But I thought you understood German?...

Thank you, Joe Terwillegar, Andrew Bimson, and Mike Oxbig!

Anyone have a recommendation for an affordable yet good surf spring reverb pedal..? I’m focused on the Topanga at the moment but it’s still a bit more than I’d like to spend on my first one

im getting one price is great for church

Thank you Joey!

How do you connect headphones, and already that work?! When I join headphones on my combo delux 65' and hear totally nothing. Please help me coz i dont know how to do make it work. My neighboars hate my now. PLSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS !

Does it what? Is it a liquid? What the hell?

The UA Dream sounds much more desirable in every way.

and dream sound really better in my room cab

Thank you Tim Raffa for the Video

But that shirt...!

It's crazy how good this thing sounds for $150.

Fantastic demo, thank you so much !! Each their own but... ended up selling my UA Dream 65, also my tc combo deluxe 65 , I play every night in a country band with no amp, straight to the P.A. in both pedals I needed to use a eq pedal to fine tune the sound and make it sound like a deluxe amp, but both pedals have a big lack of HIGH freq. yes they both can sound High but not high enough like a the Amp which is crucial that freq to get the twangy sound on a telecaster... both pedals are great , I prefer the UA for many reasons... but at the end I tried the new Kemper Player and man... that's the one so far that got closer to the real deal, I can get all the highs and even more ... Kemper player is more expensive but man at the end of the day what u want is to have the best sound and forget about keep buying stuff to get the sound you have in mind. The little Kemper player it's been already 6 months in my pedalboard and it works like a charm.

TC sounds more analog

Tremolo! it has tremolo!