SixStringSurfer
Joined: Sep 23, 2014
Posts: 1433
Memphis, TN
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Posted on Mar 24 2015 02:43 PM
Hey guys, I am about to purchase my first tubed guitar amp. Some wonderful people here on SG101 have really taken the time to inform me on amps, and have helped me decide which amp is best for my needs/situation. I have narrowed it down to a '65 Deluxe and a '68 Custom Deluxe.
Unfortunately, my local GC didn't have a '68, so I didn't get a chance to try it out. However, I tried out the '65, and I loved it! I am currently playing on a Peavey amp, which doesn't have tubes (transtube technology). What a huge difference in sound, the warmth, the bass, everything about it I liked. I would love to get some more thoughts and opinions on here before I make the purchase.
By the way, I am looking to buy used, as I am going to have BeaverBottoms build me a custom blonde cabinet and grille for both the amp and my reverb tank. Looking to make offers on Reverb.com soon, thanks guys! 
— MooreLoud.com - A tribute to Dick Dale. New EP Louder Than Life available on bandcamp and website. Taking guitar lessons from Jimmy Dale.
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WoodyJ
Joined: Apr 05, 2006
Posts: 1547
Bethlehem, GA
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Posted on Mar 24 2015 03:01 PM
You'll get differing opinions on here, so here is mine:
The '65 reissue Deluxe is closer sound-wise to an original 1965. I have an original 1965 Deluxe Reverb that my dad bought for me back in 1965 and since then I've owned two '65 Deluxe Reverb reissues. The "real" '65 does sound better but not by as much as you might think. Eventually you'll want to swap the cheap original Fender tubes for some quality ones. The stock speaker in the reissues is pretty good.
The '68 reissue is a really good amp but it has a somewhat modified circuit, so it does not mirror the '68 sound as closely as the '65 reissue does. By the way, a "real" 1968 Deluxe Reverb has essentially the same circuit as a 1965 version.
I hope this isn't too confusing. If you can, try both versions out at your favorite local Fender dealer to see which one sounds best for your style of music. Used '65 reissues aren't hard to find and are a good value. They do hold their value pretty well, though. I'm a big believer in buying used gear that has been well cared for.
— Jack Booth
(aka WoodyJ)
The Mariners (1964-68, 1996-2005), 2025
The Hula Hounds (1996-2000)
The X-Rays (1997-2004)
The Surge! (2004, 2011-2012)
Various non-surf bands that actually made money (1978-1990)
Last edited: Mar 24, 2015 15:04:12
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Roy69
Joined: Apr 20, 2012
Posts: 57
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Posted on Mar 24 2015 05:31 PM
See if you can try reissue Deluxe Reverbs with different speakers. It can make a hell of a difference. I love the Eminence in my 90s Deluxe Reverb and hated the Jensen in a friend's.
— Of course it's alive, you cannot make music with dead Muppahones! -- Marvin Suggs
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IvanP
Joined: Feb 27, 2006
Posts: 10331
southern Michigan
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Posted on Mar 24 2015 05:54 PM
I put the Mojotone copy of the Celestion in my reissue '65 DR, and I thought the tone improved quite a bit (at low volume, anyway - it does distort more easily at higher volumes now, though). I think there were a few limited edition DR reissues that had stock upgraded speakers. Something to keep an eye out for. (The one that I would really love to have simply cause it looks so beautiful is this - the Wine Red Limited Edition with an alnico Jensen speaker:
There is also this:
And this:
So, you don't have to have a custom cab built - just look for one of these limited edition '65 DR!
Good luck!
— Ivan
Lords of Atlantis on Facebook
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Last edited: Mar 25, 2015 16:56:49
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Badger
Joined: Nov 16, 2013
Posts: 4537
Wisconsin
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Posted on Mar 24 2015 05:59 PM
WoodyJ wrote:
The '68 reissue is a really good amp but it has a somewhat modified circuit, so it does not mirror the '68 sound as closely as the '65 reissue does. By the way, a "real" 1968 Deluxe Reverb has essentially the same circuit as a 1965 version.
True, and it's not going to mimic a '68 Deluxe. The "vintage" #2 input is trademark Fender tone stack, just like the DRRI. The #1 input ("custom") is different and is actually much closer to a Bassman circuit with some heavier lows & low-mids. Standard fare for the "68 Custom" line of stuff.
— Wes
SoCal ex-pat with a snow shovel
DISCLAIMER: The above is opinion/suggestion only & should not be used for mission planning/navigation, tweaking of instruments, beverage selection, or wardrobe choices.
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SixStringSurfer
Joined: Sep 23, 2014
Posts: 1433
Memphis, TN
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Posted on Mar 24 2015 06:31 PM
Thanks for all the replies, you guys. I would prefer BeaverBottoms to do both my amp and tank at the same time, so the materials and colors will all match perfectly. I am looking for a used amp online as I am typing this. I'm ready to pull the trigger as soon as I see a good deal.
— MooreLoud.com - A tribute to Dick Dale. New EP Louder Than Life available on bandcamp and website. Taking guitar lessons from Jimmy Dale.
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SixStringSurfer
Joined: Sep 23, 2014
Posts: 1433
Memphis, TN
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Posted on Mar 25 2015 01:06 PM
I bought it! I am totally stoked! It's almost too good to be true, look at the condition this thing is in. I was concerned about the speaker that is in it, but one of the guys on this forum told me that it is a quality speaker, and that it's actually an upgrade from the stock Jensen. A special thanks to Badger, IvanP, JakeDobner, and WoodyJ for all of you guys' wonderful input.
https://reverb.com/item/560797-2014-fender-65-reissue-deluxe-reverb-w-wgs-et90-speaker
— MooreLoud.com - A tribute to Dick Dale. New EP Louder Than Life available on bandcamp and website. Taking guitar lessons from Jimmy Dale.
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Gilette
Joined: May 04, 2014
Posts: 734
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Posted on Mar 25 2015 02:38 PM
Great amp! Congratulations!
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IvanP
Joined: Feb 27, 2006
Posts: 10331
southern Michigan
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Posted on Mar 25 2015 02:44 PM
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Badger
Joined: Nov 16, 2013
Posts: 4537
Wisconsin
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Posted on Mar 25 2015 04:07 PM
Congratulations! You're going to enjoy that. WGS typically doesn't make inefficient speakers and I'm betting that sucker is going to be capable of moving some air over the stock repro Jensen.
Surf on! 
Edit: Lookin' back over this thread I'm reminded I had a BOLO out at my local shop for one of those Fudge Brownie Princetons. Thanks Ivan for the unintended headslap; I'll have to cancel that.
— Wes
SoCal ex-pat with a snow shovel
DISCLAIMER: The above is opinion/suggestion only & should not be used for mission planning/navigation, tweaking of instruments, beverage selection, or wardrobe choices.
Last edited: Mar 25, 2015 16:09:32
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shake_n_stomp
Joined: Jan 09, 2014
Posts: 624
Vancouver BC
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Posted on Mar 25 2015 04:13 PM
Congratulations to the OP. A Fender Deluxe Reverb, regardless of year, model, or factory customizations (like the Brownie, Wine Red, etc.) are fine amps for many applications.
I was a 'late bloomer' when it came to tube amps...I was on the bleeding edge of that new generation of loyalists to modeling and S/S amplifiers and it served my needs although it created other ones; if I had spent all that money on tube amplifiers rather than finding 'solutions' to make my modeling/ S/S amps more natural sounding, I would have 5 or 6 tube amps by now. That was a lot of financial and time churn for me up to that point to end up with a Fender tube amp and for me to be less preoccupied with my gear and more with my playing.
Live and learn.
— Lorne
The Surf Shakers: https://www.facebook.com/TheSurfShakers
Vancouver BC Canada
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SixStringSurfer
Joined: Sep 23, 2014
Posts: 1433
Memphis, TN
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Posted on Mar 30 2015 09:40 PM
All I can say is WOW! This amp looks and sounds amazing! What a difference from the Peavey amp I was using! I only got to play it for about a half hour today, but it blew me away. I am definitely going to wear earplugs though, as this baby is really loud, and I only turned the volume up to four! Anyway, I couldn't be happier with this purchase. I am glad I snatched this one up before somebody else did.
— MooreLoud.com - A tribute to Dick Dale. New EP Louder Than Life available on bandcamp and website. Taking guitar lessons from Jimmy Dale.
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SixStringSurfer
Joined: Sep 23, 2014
Posts: 1433
Memphis, TN
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Posted on Aug 26 2015 01:08 PM
I noticed a vibration coming from my amp when I would hit certain notes, so I decided to look into it. Turns out it was the metal tube guards surrounding the preamp tubes. I removed these guards, and at least 75% of the vibration is now gone. Will it cause any problems if I permanently leave these metal guards off?
— MooreLoud.com - A tribute to Dick Dale. New EP Louder Than Life available on bandcamp and website. Taking guitar lessons from Jimmy Dale.
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derekirving
Joined: Nov 03, 2011
Posts: 660
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Posted on Aug 26 2015 01:26 PM
I'm thinking of replacing my 73 Super Reverb with a Deluxe Reverb Reissue. WHY ? - less weight, a bit lower wattage -
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GuitarMuk
Joined: Jun 10, 2015
Posts: 172
Cleveland, Ohio
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Posted on Aug 26 2015 02:38 PM
Are you using the amp for mainly surf? I'm looking to upgrade from my Peavey Classic 30 and have been looking at the DR. But some on the forum think it breaks up too easily to be a good surf amp.
Thinking of going with the Custom Vibrolux.
Last edited: Aug 26, 2015 14:40:39
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JakeDobner
Joined: Feb 26, 2006
Posts: 12159
Seattle
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Posted on Aug 26 2015 02:50 PM
It depends on your intentions. Will you ever need to play a medium size club unmic'd? If so, it would not be enough for 90% of surf musicians.
Will it be amazing in your home, practice space, and atudio. Yes!
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GuitarMuk
Joined: Jun 10, 2015
Posts: 172
Cleveland, Ohio
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Posted on Aug 26 2015 02:55 PM
JakeDobner wrote:
It depends on your intentions. Will you ever need to play a medium size club unmic'd? If so, it would not be enough for 90% of surf musicians.
Will it be amazing in your home, practice space, and atudio. Yes!
Thanks Jake. The DR is a great amp, I've wanted one for a long time. But since this surf bug bit me I'm still weighing my options. I still play out, usually small to medium clubs and some outdoor things, so I think I still need a little more clean oomph than the 22 watts will give me.
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SixStringSurfer
Joined: Sep 23, 2014
Posts: 1433
Memphis, TN
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Posted on Aug 26 2015 05:10 PM
GuitarMuk, I do use it exclusively for surf. I play a lot of Dick Dale, Eddie & the Showmen, Original Surfaris, etc... The amp is perfect for me, very clean and very loud. If I ever get a gig at a larger venue, I will just mic it up to the PA system.
I was at a birthday party last night, I would consider it a medium size venue. They had a '65 Deluxe Reverb mic'd up, and it sounded great. To be fair, they were a bluesy/country type of band. My point is, a Twin Reverb or similar would be overkill for me. Twenty two watts is more than enough for an amatuer surf guitarist like myself.
GuitarMuk, you should definitely consider getting the '65 DR RI. Now, can anyone actually answer the question I asked earlier haha. 
— MooreLoud.com - A tribute to Dick Dale. New EP Louder Than Life available on bandcamp and website. Taking guitar lessons from Jimmy Dale.
Last edited: Sep 10, 2015 17:28:55
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GuitarMuk
Joined: Jun 10, 2015
Posts: 172
Cleveland, Ohio
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Posted on Aug 26 2015 06:46 PM
SixStringSurfer wrote:
GuitarMuk, you should definitely consider getting the '65 DR RI. Now, can anyone actually answer the question I asked earlier haha.
Oooh, sorry! Didn't mean to hijack the thread. I will reconsider the DR, I love the sounds you can get out of it! As far as the tube guard, not sure it would matter if you removed it, except the tubes may loosen at loud volumes.
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SanchoPansen
Joined: Jan 04, 2011
Posts: 1588
Berlin L-Berg
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Posted on Aug 27 2015 12:13 AM
SixStringSurfer wrote:
I noticed a vibration coming from my amp when I would hit certain notes, so I decided to look into it. Turns out it was the metal tube guards surrounding the preamp tubes. I removed these guards, and at least 75% of the vibration is now gone. Will it cause any problems if I permanently leave these metal guards off?
I would not leave them off. Chances are that tubes fall out due to vibration. They usually don't, but you never know. There's nothing to avoid this from happening when you take the guards off.
Oh, and congratulations on the new amp!
— The Hicadoolas
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