Greetings Folks

I would appreciate any views or comments regarding the Fender 75, I've found some details online and mixed reviews on other forums but wonder what the consensus is in the surf community? I've searched the forums and seen a few bits and pieces, in particular some useful, positive comments from RobbieReverb but I would like some more views before I commit to buying.

There are a lack of decent, quality, vintage Fender amps in Ireland, I don't think I've ever seen a Dual Showman and rarely seen a Bandmaster or Vibrolux etc. There are a few Twins around, I like them but there's always the weight/transport issue. Our drummer is pretty loud, I'm currently using a Blues Deluxe RI and its not bad but I would like more of a classic amp.

The limited reviews I've seen go from "run away" to "buy immediately", it seems its as easy to get a bad sound as a good sound from them, I know its subjective but to your ears will it give the Fender surf shimmer and clean volume? This one is the 15" speaker and has the footswitch, which I believe is essential otherwise apparently the clean and OD channels run together, which seems to be one of the bad sound factors. I've no interest in the OD channel, just the clean. Reverb seems to be OK, disengaged on the OD channel but again that doesn't matter to me. I'm also thinking of going for the Surfybear reverb so a decent on board isn't a deal breaker but would be useful for quick jams etc.

Thanks in advance.

Cheers

Joe

Last edited: Feb 24, 2016 07:48:20

Thanks Jake, I will be able to try before I buy but its a bit of a hike and I'm trying to gauge whether its worth the journey/hassle. The RI I have is passable but I think it could be better, I suppose having had a twin back in the day that's the sound I have in mind, only slightly easier to carry!

Its also PTP wired so has some advantages for possible mods or at least repairs/service.

Cheers

Joe

Thanks Paul

Outboard reverbs are even more rare than amps here! I'm going to build the Surfy Bear. The volume on the BD RI is OK, it can keep up with the drummer and I can boost it with a pedal if required, I just think I could get a better sound. Its not bad, but we all strive for "the" tone..

Cheers

JK

http://ampwares.com/amplifiers/fender-75/

Rivera era...
with a 15" its probably pretty tasty run clean.

http://www.reverbnation.com/thegreasemonkeyz

Thanks ed and caddady
Yes, seems a common misconception that its Rivera era, I think they were built late 79 to about 82 and as you say ed, designed by Ed Jahns. I hadn't seen anything about high plate voltage, but 75W does seem high for two 6L6s. I haven't read anything about it having a linear output transformer, I know some people don't like them in Twins.
I'll go and try it but its always hard to tell what it will be like at gig volume, they have a low power switch down to 15W, my experience of these is that the sound changes from the full power option. I don't know if that's the case with these.
As you say ed, if the price is right and I like it then why not? My biggest concern is that I don't like it after a few months and get stuck with an unpopular amp that's hard to shift when the dream Band Master appears in my local free ads!...
Cheers
Joe

More than a few quid caddady, probably end up around 600 dollars so not serious money but a bit too much to have as a dog in the garage gathering dust!
With more popular amps there's usually enough knowledge about modifying them to improve or iron out any issues but o can't find much info at all, there must not have been many sold. There's usually a good reason for that but like you rooting for the underdog its in the back of my mind that it's an under rated amp, a closet classic perhaps! I'll just have to try it and let the ears decide.
Cheers
Joe

Hi Joe,
I bought one in '79 because it was the closest thing to a Mesa Boogie that I could afford. The 75 was my main amp for most of the 80's. It is incredibly loud. I found myself most often using the 15 watt setting even with a pretty loud band. It weighs a freakin' ton! it's handwired and built like a tank, but mine had a lot of issues. Essentially, I got a "lemon", and by the time I was done, had put more money into it than buying a Boogie. Mine had massive cold solder joints, causing crackling noises and all kinds of bad voodoo. It blew a tranny fairly early on. I still have it. If I were still using it, I would use the clean channel exclusively. I like the clean channel a lot, but the lead channel is not so great. And the reverb drops down to almost nothing when you kick in the lead channel. The onboard reverb (clean channel) was fine to my ears, comparable to blackface and silver face onboard reverb. It's pretty easy to dial in good Fender tones in the clean channel. The bright switch is "spike-city", and to me, virtually useless. If the one you're looking at sounds good, and doesn't make crackling noises and weird sounds, you would get a good amp for $600.00. That said, I agree with Jake that your Blues Deluxe with a Surfy Bear or Fender tank should be a good alternative. If I missed anything, or have any further questions, let me know.

Bob

Last edited: Feb 24, 2016 23:11:32

You're right, Eddie. Ed Jahns was not a musician. He was s brilliant engineer, having worked for Tung Sol, among other things. But he knew his musical limitations, and and he was smart enough to lean on Freddie Tavares for insights into making the amplifiers sound musical.

Bob

Last edited: Feb 25, 2016 00:20:02

Thanks very much eddiekatcher, RobbieReveb and SanchoPansen, I was going to drive over and have a look/listen but there is the niggling doubt in my mind and I think your experience and research has pretty much settled it. I'm going to pass on the amp. The BD RI isn't bad so I'll build the Surfy Bear, (I emailed Bjorn and got a very speedy and helpful reply to a couple of questions), and wait for the right amp to come along.

Thanks for your help and input fella's and if you're ever coming to Ireland bring a nice Bandmaster or Dual Showman with you....

Cheers

Joe

Last edited: Feb 25, 2016 08:33:53

I've had some good experiences with Eminence speakers in general.
12" in particular: 'Texas Heat' or 'Swamp Thang'
But also the Weber or WGS Speakers have a good reputation, though they might be difficult to come by in Ireland. And of course there are JBL (D120F) and Electro Voice speakers, which are the 'holy grail' when it comes to surf.
Being located on our side of the pond, I'd suggest checking out the Eminence product line, as they are available and reasonable priced. Their webpage offers some decent sound samples for each speaker.
I've found a video on YouTube that might help. Cheers.
Regarding the 'room issue': That's a common problem. Be sure to raise your amp (or tilt it) so the speaker is pointing at your face to gain a better result.

The Hicadoolas

Last edited: Feb 25, 2016 04:53:39