Laphillyboy
Joined: Jan 15, 2007
Posts: 107
Lost Angeles
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Posted on Oct 18 2007 01:35 PM
Okay gang. Looking for some input - I am on the horns of a quandry:
I have a choice between the following amps - a 1982 Fender Concert (Riviera) amp - with an Altec 417 12" speaker, w/ tilt legs and casters -
or
exchanging my Ampeg Gemini VI AND my Harmony H-304A for a Fender DRRI with a road case -
Which is the better all around amp for pick up jams, rehearsals and the rare small gig? Note that I am aware the Concert weighs 15 lbs more than the Deluxe with that super heavy Altec speaker (but it does have wheels).
I could live without the Deluxe's Tremolo feature b/c I have Boss TR-2.
Thanks for your input!
Jim C.
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ToneBoy
Joined: Feb 17, 2007
Posts: 281
Murfreesboro, TN
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Posted on Oct 18 2007 01:41 PM
Personally, I'd go for the Deluxe Reverb every day of the week and twice on Sunday... its just that good of an amp!!
— Ron (ToneBoy)
The Mariners (1964 to Present) www.myspace.com/themarinersfirstwave
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Billy Henson & Summerstorm (2001 to Present)
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JetBlue
Joined: May 30, 2006
Posts: 746
Cool, CA
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Posted on Oct 18 2007 01:54 PM
I highly recommend the Deluxe Reverb for your purposes, too, but I don't have any experience with the Concert amp.
— Don
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WR
Joined: Feb 27, 2006
Posts: 3832
netherlands
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Posted on Oct 18 2007 01:58 PM
Hey Jim, you double posted so I deleted the other thread, to which no one had replied yet, just so you know. no problem.
it's a matter of taste, but if you're asking on a surf forum most people will say the deluxe. I dont know this particular riviera amp, but in general, they are not typical fender-ish. more direct in your face sound, with punch. I had a 75 and a friend has a deluxe II. let's put it this way, Id choose it as a cheap alternative for an Orange amp for music Id want an orange for. does that make sense? for surf or blues or jazz or a more warm sound Id go for the deluxe big time. not a bad amp at all and probably better build quality than a RI, but if thetypical"Fender tube amp sound" is your thing, I doubt you'd be happy with it. but if there's a chance to hear them both, let your ears judge.
— Rules to live by #314:
"When in Italy, if the menu says something's grilled, don't assume it is."
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zak
Joined: Sep 24, 2007
Posts: 2728
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Posted on Oct 18 2007 02:37 PM
This post has been removed by the author.
Last edited: Sep 23, 2009 15:04:56
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eddiekatcher
Joined: Mar 14, 2006
Posts: 2778
Atlanta, GA
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Posted on Oct 18 2007 03:19 PM
I don't know how that Concert stacks up against the '93 that I had with the K-120 for several years, but my Concert would destroy a Deluxe Reverb in every way except the reverb was marginal.
The '93 had 60 watts and double overdive settings which I never used. It was a really neat amp. I had both that amp and a '93 Super (the same chassis with 4-10's), I sold the Concert and kept the Super, dumb move on my part. For just a compact, very small venue, and take to Sticks' house for practice amp, the Concert was a great little amp. When I dropped in the K-120 it was simply amazing. Had I put an EV-12L in it.......the Super would have moved out. ed
— Traditional........speak softly and play through a big blonde amp. Did I mention that I still like big blonde amps?
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Phantom1
Joined: Mar 07, 2007
Posts: 107
Sacramento
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Posted on Oct 18 2007 03:35 PM
I've got a Deluxe Re-Issue and it sounds great, but the one and only time I brought it to a practice the sound was completely swallowed up by the rest of the band. Since then it's become a great amp to just play at home. In fact, my '76 Princeton Reverb is louder than my Deluxe Re-Issue.
-Ted
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jp
Joined: Feb 09, 2007
Posts: 917
Brew City
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Posted on Oct 18 2007 04:45 PM
I have a DRRI and have used it for gigs of all sizes (including large outdoor festivals) in a 7 piece band. I have never felt that I was underpowered and I like a somewhat clean sound. I use it for rehearsal with my surf band, which is a 5 piece ( 2 guitars, bass, drums and organ) I have never had to turn it past 3.
— The Exotics 1994-Current
The Chickenshack - www.wmse.org
www.thedoghouseflowers.com
www.uptownsavages.com
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zak
Joined: Sep 24, 2007
Posts: 2728
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Posted on Oct 18 2007 04:59 PM
This post has been removed by the author.
Last edited: Sep 23, 2009 15:04:47
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jp
Joined: Feb 09, 2007
Posts: 917
Brew City
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Posted on Oct 18 2007 06:17 PM
You guys must play really quietly!
I should clarify. My surf band hasn't played out yet I've only used the DRRI in rehearsal and it is more than loud enough. We're lucky that our drummer has a lot of dynamic control. The other guitar player has a 65 Super Reverb and our organist has some old custom amp. The bass player uses my ampeg and he is TOO LOUD. I'm sure that I'll be shopping for a bigger amp when we start gigging.
My other band is primarily Horn and Vocal driven and I play mostly rhythm guitar so I don't need to be screamin'.
— The Exotics 1994-Current
The Chickenshack - www.wmse.org
www.thedoghouseflowers.com
www.uptownsavages.com
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Laphillyboy
Joined: Jan 15, 2007
Posts: 107
Lost Angeles
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Posted on Oct 18 2007 06:18 PM
Obviously this will be a judgement call either way. It seems there really is no "perfect" all around amp - just some advantages over others.
I am leaning towards the DRRI at this point - though my big concern was having enough Clean headroom available and that will be a matter for me to decide. The two DRRI's I have played both started to break up around 4 or 5 which seemed pretty loud in the music store but I am not sure about with a band. It's just I already have a dual 6V6 amp - my Marshall Studio 15 - and I got the Gemini because the Marshall only stays clean until about 3 then it gives that creamy Blackface tube drive tone - but without the chime, hence - my need for a better Fender type clean amp.
That said - even when I play Surf tunes I tend to go for a rather saturated tone - more like Slacktone or Agent Orange than real vintage clean surf - so I may be just fine with the DRRI - hell if you know me you know that I probably won't be playing out anywhere but in my dreams anyway...
I think I'll become a Blues Player.. call me "Bleeding" Abraham Hopkins.
Most people
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zak
Joined: Sep 24, 2007
Posts: 2728
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Posted on Oct 18 2007 06:33 PM
This post has been removed by the author.
Last edited: Sep 23, 2009 15:04:38
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Laphillyboy
Joined: Jan 15, 2007
Posts: 107
Lost Angeles
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Posted on Oct 21 2007 11:45 PM
I took the plunge yeterday and traded the Ampeg for a Deluxe Reissue. I gave him some cash too but made that up by selling my Epiphone Pacemaker as well. So it was pretty much a push. I think it was a good deal - I like the Deluxe - (even though it's not PTP) and it's pretty loud - almost as loud as the Gemini was and alot more flexible. Oh and it came with a nice ATA Roadcase with wheels on it - cool!
Now WHO on this board wants to grab that sweet Concert. It's a 1983 with 60 Watts, a nice Altec 417 speaker, tilt whels and casters. The Concerts were the last of the Fender PTP amps before they switched to PC boards - so it is should be a really nice well build amp. Great reviews on HC.
The amp is in La Mesa which is a suburb of San Diego - and the current owner Bruce is holding ti for me right now. Anybody want to snag it before I call him and let him know I won't be coming??
Let me know ASAP and I'll give you his telephone #. Good luck!
Jim C.
818-634-6040
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eddiekatcher
Joined: Mar 14, 2006
Posts: 2778
Atlanta, GA
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Posted on Oct 22 2007 08:01 AM
Drop a celestion greenback in that bad boy and stand back. It will make that amp much louder, beef up the bottom end and make it smoother as well......WoodyJ and I both agree on that mod. ed
— Traditional........speak softly and play through a big blonde amp. Did I mention that I still like big blonde amps?
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Laphillyboy
Joined: Jan 15, 2007
Posts: 107
Lost Angeles
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Posted on Oct 22 2007 11:08 AM
I actually like the sound of the speaker that's in it right now - It's a Jensen Ceramic (C12K?) and it's pretty nice. If I ever need more volume I'll prbably just tack on an 1x12 extension cabinet - I already tried it with both a Vintage 30 and a vintage Alnico 12 I have and it seems REALLY loud with 2 speakers.
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tenderfoot
Joined: Feb 01, 2007
Posts: 308
Ellicott City, Maryland
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Posted on Oct 22 2007 11:53 AM
I use to own a deluxe reverb....  I sold it for $200 back in 1999
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