Amp Settings For A Fender Deluxe?

gc24

Joined: Jul 22, 2009
Posts: 202
2 Download Pins

Posted on Feb 26 2010 09:07 AM

What settings would be good for this amp for Surf Music that also has an outboard Reverb?

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JakeDobner

Joined: Feb 26, 2006
Posts: 12159
Seattle
5 News Pins

Posted on Feb 26 2010 11:32 AM

Amp settings are really dependent on the amp itself due to tubes, bias of the tubes, speakers, guitar, how you play, and how you want to sound.

Just tweak it until it sounds right, surely you notice a difference when you tweak the knobs, just turn them until it sounds right.

Couple tips, don't turn the highs to where your ears bleed or the lows to where your amp farts. Unless that is part of your tonal plan.

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gc24

Joined: Jul 22, 2009
Posts: 202
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Posted on Feb 26 2010 11:51 AM

Thanks, but can you give me a starting point for the low, mids and highs?

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JakeDobner

Joined: Feb 26, 2006
Posts: 12159
Seattle
5 News Pins

Posted on Feb 26 2010 11:59 AM

No, because I don't own the same amp you do and I hate highs and love mids and lows. The speakers and amount of speakers as well as their size is going to play into how well it handles your settings.

Also, try rolling down the tone on your guitar slightly if you aren't finding any settings you like. One of the best things you can do is to experiment with the knobs, setting those to how you like them is a very personal thing and there are too many factors, perhaps the more important is that we all have different ears. A 5,8,7 to me isn't going to sound the same to somebody else.

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elreydlp

Joined: Sep 04, 2009
Posts: 1800
Temecula, CA
11 Calendar Pins

Posted on Feb 26 2010 01:14 PM

Start by cranking the Bass and Treble and dial down the mids. Then, use your ears to fine tune.

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jp

Joined: Feb 09, 2007
Posts: 917
Brew City
1 Link Pin

Posted on Feb 26 2010 02:23 PM

elreydlp
Start by cranking the Bass and Treble and dial down the mids. Then, use your ears to fine tune.

a deluxe reverb doesn't have a dial for mids.

—

The Exotics 1994-Current
The Chickenshack - www.wmse.org
www.thedoghouseflowers.com
www.uptownsavages.com

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gc24

Joined: Jul 22, 2009
Posts: 202
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Posted on Feb 26 2010 02:39 PM

Yes, it does. I am looking at it.

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JetBlue

Joined: May 30, 2006
Posts: 746
Cool, CA
United States

Posted on Feb 26 2010 03:03 PM

Maybe the newer Deluxe vs. the Deluxe Reverb Reissue?

—

Don

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gc24

Joined: Jul 22, 2009
Posts: 202
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Posted on Feb 26 2010 03:24 PM

Maybe, but it has Bass, Treble, and Middle.

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badash

Joined: Aug 18, 2006
Posts: 1732

Posted on Feb 26 2010 06:23 PM

Well I have to ask "deluxe" what? Never seen a Deluxe reverb with that... But there is the hot rod deluxe, Deluxe VM, mini deluxe...

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surfneptune

Joined: Mar 16, 2006
Posts: 923
3 News Pins

Posted on Feb 26 2010 06:42 PM

With a vintage deluxe reverb, it's the more you turn it up, the more bass you roll off.

t

—

THe NEpTuNeS

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gc24

Joined: Jul 22, 2009
Posts: 202
2 Download Pins

Posted on Feb 26 2010 06:58 PM

Hot Rod Deluxe.

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Brian

Joined: Feb 25, 2006
Posts: 19334
Des Moines, Iowa, USA
United States

Posted on Feb 26 2010 07:11 PM

gc24
Hot Rod Deluxe.

In that case, setting it outside by the curb for the garbage man is probably your best bet.

I keed, I keed.....

I had a Hot Rod DeVille. It was perfectly acceptable. But seriously, there is no magic formula for surf music. The guys in the 60's didn't all play the same amps set to the same settings! It's the player that counts more than anything. Don't get hung up on this stuff. Play the music and enjoy!

—

Site dude - S3 Agent #202
Need help with the site? SG101 FAQ - Send me a private message - Email me

"It starts... when it begins" -- Ralf Kilauea

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Rob_J

Joined: Sep 29, 2007
Posts: 500
Sacto, CA
United States

Posted on Feb 26 2010 07:39 PM

I play surf through a Hot Rod DeVille 4/10, and get great surf tones, but I have no magic settings. My settings vary depending on the venue, room size, indoors or outdoors, time and day of the week and what color shirt I'm wearing at the time, (kidding).

I also play with varying degrees of reverb...sometimes just the onboard reverb, sometimes with an RV-3 reverb pedal, sometimes through a '62 reissue tank. It ALL sounds surfy to my ears.

As has been said - experiment with your knob settings, both on the amp and on your guitar(s). You'll know the sound when you hear it.

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synchro

Joined: Feb 02, 2008
Posts: 4542
Not One-Sawn, but Two-Sawn . . . AZ.
United States

Posted on Feb 26 2010 08:18 PM

A lot of amps will get muddy if you push the bass too hard so I usually start with the bass slightly lowered even though I want a rich bass sound. I used to have a 2x12" DeVille and liked the sound. For Surf music with an external tank I'd start with a 4/5/6 setting. 4 bass, 5 mid, 6 treble. The presence control setting would give you some flexibility as well. I don't recall where I set the presence control on my amp but I do remember that once I found the right spot (for my tastes) there was no indecision. Cutting the mids doesn't necessarily bring you any closer to the sound of the original Surf bands of the '60s. The old brownface amps of that era tended to have a strong mid-range.

—

The artist formerly known as: Synchro

When Surf Guitar is outlawed only outlaws will play Surf Guitar.

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gc24

Joined: Jul 22, 2009
Posts: 202
2 Download Pins

Posted on Feb 26 2010 09:23 PM

Thanks Synchro.

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StevenO

Joined: Sep 11, 2009
Posts: 61

Posted on Feb 27 2010 07:40 AM

What I do with most Fender amps, personally, is I turn all the tone knobs to 12 o'clock on the dial. If I feel it's too bright, I turn the treble down. If it's too bassy, I turn the bass knob down. And etc, etc. As everyone else has said, there are no magic settings, just your own preference.

Experimenting with your amp and guitar will help you build a better relationship with your equipment. When you know what everything does, you'll know to squeeze out whatever tones you want, within reason. With musical equipment, what you get out of it is also very much dependent on what you put into it.

Use your head and your hands, and great tone will be at your grasp.

Top

da-ron

Joined: Jan 02, 2009
Posts: 1307
The original Plymouth, UK.
United Kingdom

Posted on Feb 27 2010 03:32 PM

Hi,

I play a HRD with a homemade reverb, and my settings this week are:

Bright On. Treble 7. Bass 3.75. Middle 4.5. Reverb 0. Presence 4.25.

Settings on my tanks are: Dwell 9.75, Tone 6. Mix 7.25. (these will be different to yours, but give you an idea)

I play an Eastwood with P90's and the treble rolled off a bit (about a quarter) plugged in the 2nd socket (I'm playing at home and the volume is a bit more manageable) . All these settings will change when I play it louder with the band - usually I have to turn the bass down a bit and the reverb tone down a bit as well. Sometime the middle up a bit to cut through the bass guitar.

I don't think there is anything as specific as a 'surf sound' - basically a clean guitar with some reverb (and even that's optional!) will get you half way there - the surf sound is in the songs you play.

Have a listen to Ray Dukes Devlar surf sessions (google it) and the SG101 downloads - there's a huge range of guitar tones, and each one helps defines the sound of the band. Spend some time finding one you like, or sounds like it should in your head, and that'll be your sound and, like a fingerprint, unique to you.

It's worth spending some time getting a sound you like as you'll play more...but don't let it get in the way!

—

http://thewaterboarders.bandcamp.com/

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gc24

Joined: Jul 22, 2009
Posts: 202
2 Download Pins

Posted on Feb 27 2010 04:02 PM

Synchro and Da Ron: Thanks alot for the info. I have tried them out and got what I think I wanted. It sounds really good now.

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gc24 Joined: Jul 22, 2009 Posts: 202	Posted on Feb 26 2010 09:07 AM What settings would be good for this amp for Surf Music that also has an outboard Reverb? Top
JakeDobner Joined: Feb 26, 2006 Posts: 12159 Seattle	Posted on Feb 26 2010 11:32 AM Amp settings are really dependent on the amp itself due to tubes, bias of the tubes, speakers, guitar, how you play, and how you want to sound. Just tweak it until it sounds right, surely you notice a difference when you tweak the knobs, just turn them until it sounds right. Couple tips, don't turn the highs to where your ears bleed or the lows to where your amp farts. Unless that is part of your tonal plan. Top
gc24 Joined: Jul 22, 2009 Posts: 202	Posted on Feb 26 2010 11:51 AM Thanks, but can you give me a starting point for the low, mids and highs? Top
JakeDobner Joined: Feb 26, 2006 Posts: 12159 Seattle	Posted on Feb 26 2010 11:59 AM No, because I don't own the same amp you do and I hate highs and love mids and lows. The speakers and amount of speakers as well as their size is going to play into how well it handles your settings. Also, try rolling down the tone on your guitar slightly if you aren't finding any settings you like. One of the best things you can do is to experiment with the knobs, setting those to how you like them is a very personal thing and there are too many factors, perhaps the more important is that we all have different ears. A 5,8,7 to me isn't going to sound the same to somebody else. Top
elreydlp Joined: Sep 04, 2009 Posts: 1800 Temecula, CA	Posted on Feb 26 2010 01:14 PM Start by cranking the Bass and Treble and dial down the mids. Then, use your ears to fine tune. Top
jp Joined: Feb 09, 2007 Posts: 917 Brew City	Posted on Feb 26 2010 02:23 PM elreydlp Start by cranking the Bass and Treble and dial down the mids. Then, use your ears to fine tune. a deluxe reverb doesn't have a dial for mids. — The Exotics 1994-Current The Chickenshack - www.wmse.org www.thedoghouseflowers.com www.uptownsavages.com Top
gc24 Joined: Jul 22, 2009 Posts: 202	Posted on Feb 26 2010 02:39 PM Yes, it does. I am looking at it. Top
JetBlue Joined: May 30, 2006 Posts: 746 Cool, CA	Posted on Feb 26 2010 03:03 PM Maybe the newer Deluxe vs. the Deluxe Reverb Reissue? — Don Top
gc24 Joined: Jul 22, 2009 Posts: 202	Posted on Feb 26 2010 03:24 PM Maybe, but it has Bass, Treble, and Middle. Top
badash Joined: Aug 18, 2006 Posts: 1732	Posted on Feb 26 2010 06:23 PM Well I have to ask "deluxe" what? Never seen a Deluxe reverb with that... But there is the hot rod deluxe, Deluxe VM, mini deluxe... Top
surfneptune Joined: Mar 16, 2006 Posts: 923	Posted on Feb 26 2010 06:42 PM With a vintage deluxe reverb, it's the more you turn it up, the more bass you roll off. t — THe NEpTuNeS Top
gc24 Joined: Jul 22, 2009 Posts: 202	Posted on Feb 26 2010 06:58 PM Hot Rod Deluxe. Top
Brian Joined: Feb 25, 2006 Posts: 19334 Des Moines, Iowa, USA	Posted on Feb 26 2010 07:11 PM gc24 Hot Rod Deluxe. In that case, setting it outside by the curb for the garbage man is probably your best bet. I keed, I keed..... I had a Hot Rod DeVille. It was perfectly acceptable. But seriously, there is no magic formula for surf music. The guys in the 60's didn't all play the same amps set to the same settings! It's the player that counts more than anything. Don't get hung up on this stuff. Play the music and enjoy! — Site dude - S3 Agent #202 Need help with the site? SG101 FAQ - Send me a private message - Email me "It starts... when it begins" -- Ralf Kilauea Top
Rob_J Joined: Sep 29, 2007 Posts: 500 Sacto, CA	Posted on Feb 26 2010 07:39 PM I play surf through a Hot Rod DeVille 4/10, and get great surf tones, but I have no magic settings. My settings vary depending on the venue, room size, indoors or outdoors, time and day of the week and what color shirt I'm wearing at the time, (kidding). I also play with varying degrees of reverb...sometimes just the onboard reverb, sometimes with an RV-3 reverb pedal, sometimes through a '62 reissue tank. It ALL sounds surfy to my ears. As has been said - experiment with your knob settings, both on the amp and on your guitar(s). You'll know the sound when you hear it. Top
synchro Joined: Feb 02, 2008 Posts: 4542 Not One-Sawn, but Two-Sawn . . . AZ.	Posted on Feb 26 2010 08:18 PM A lot of amps will get muddy if you push the bass too hard so I usually start with the bass slightly lowered even though I want a rich bass sound. I used to have a 2x12" DeVille and liked the sound. For Surf music with an external tank I'd start with a 4/5/6 setting. 4 bass, 5 mid, 6 treble. The presence control setting would give you some flexibility as well. I don't recall where I set the presence control on my amp but I do remember that once I found the right spot (for my tastes) there was no indecision. Cutting the mids doesn't necessarily bring you any closer to the sound of the original Surf bands of the '60s. The old brownface amps of that era tended to have a strong mid-range. — The artist formerly known as: Synchro When Surf Guitar is outlawed only outlaws will play Surf Guitar. Top
gc24 Joined: Jul 22, 2009 Posts: 202	Posted on Feb 26 2010 09:23 PM Thanks Synchro. Top
StevenO Joined: Sep 11, 2009 Posts: 61	Posted on Feb 27 2010 07:40 AM What I do with most Fender amps, personally, is I turn all the tone knobs to 12 o'clock on the dial. If I feel it's too bright, I turn the treble down. If it's too bassy, I turn the bass knob down. And etc, etc. As everyone else has said, there are no magic settings, just your own preference. Experimenting with your amp and guitar will help you build a better relationship with your equipment. When you know what everything does, you'll know to squeeze out whatever tones you want, within reason. With musical equipment, what you get out of it is also very much dependent on what you put into it. Use your head and your hands, and great tone will be at your grasp. Top
da-ron Joined: Jan 02, 2009 Posts: 1307 The original Plymouth, UK.	Posted on Feb 27 2010 03:32 PM Hi, I play a HRD with a homemade reverb, and my settings this week are: Bright On. Treble 7. Bass 3.75. Middle 4.5. Reverb 0. Presence 4.25. Settings on my tanks are: Dwell 9.75, Tone 6. Mix 7.25. (these will be different to yours, but give you an idea) I play an Eastwood with P90's and the treble rolled off a bit (about a quarter) plugged in the 2nd socket (I'm playing at home and the volume is a bit more manageable) . All these settings will change when I play it louder with the band - usually I have to turn the bass down a bit and the reverb tone down a bit as well. Sometime the middle up a bit to cut through the bass guitar. I don't think there is anything as specific as a 'surf sound' - basically a clean guitar with some reverb (and even that's optional!) will get you half way there - the surf sound is in the songs you play. Have a listen to Ray Dukes Devlar surf sessions (google it) and the SG101 downloads - there's a huge range of guitar tones, and each one helps defines the sound of the band. Spend some time finding one you like, or sounds like it should in your head, and that'll be your sound and, like a fingerprint, unique to you. It's worth spending some time getting a sound you like as you'll play more...but don't let it get in the way! — http://thewaterboarders.bandcamp.com/ Top
gc24 Joined: Jul 22, 2009 Posts: 202	Posted on Feb 27 2010 04:02 PM Synchro and Da Ron: Thanks alot for the info. I have tried them out and got what I think I wanted. It sounds really good now. Top

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Amp Settings For A Fender Deluxe?