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Post subject: 1973 Pro Reverb
Posted: Thu Jul 28, 2016 2:36 pm
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I have the opportunity to pick up a silverface 1973 Pro Reverb (no master volume) in good condition. I know the tech who has been servicing it and know it's been well maintained and is in good shape. It has the original Utah speakers. Besides its basic history from the amp books and blogs, I don't know much about the characteristics of this particular amp. I've been a Twin, Deluxe and Princeton guy. What are the general impressions of this amp among you guys who know your vintage Fenders? Thanks in advance.


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Post subject: Re: 1973 Pro Reverb
Posted: Thu Jul 28, 2016 3:35 pm
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The Pro Reverb is a nice platform, quite similar to the 40-watt Bandmaster in many regards. Though it's mid-powered (like a Super Reverb) its smallish output tranny saturates and compresses much more quickly than the SR, which translates to earlier breakup and OD. There's nothing particularly tone-worthy with the OEM Oxford speakers and switching to a vintage pair of Jensen C12N's will be a significant sonic improvement. Overall, the Pro Reverb is a nice gigging amp and much more sensible than a Twin Reverb for most stage environments.

Arjay

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"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY


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Post subject: Re: 1973 Pro Reverb
Posted: Thu Jul 28, 2016 5:44 pm
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Should be a nice addition to your amp lineup. Do you have any photos?

Thanks & good luck!


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Post subject: Re: 1973 Pro Reverb
Posted: Fri Jul 29, 2016 6:34 am
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Thanks, guys. If it happens, I'll post some pictures. The seller is interested in a 135 watt 1980 Fender Twin I have for sale and is talking about a trade. We have the benefit of both using the same tech who has recently serviced both amps.


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Post subject: Re: 1973 Pro Reverb
Posted: Fri Jul 29, 2016 7:09 am
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IMHO, for small to medium gigs, the Pro Reverb will be a more flexible than that 135 watt Twin.
:)


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Post subject: Re: 1973 Pro Reverb
Posted: Fri Jul 29, 2016 9:08 am
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BMW2002Ti wrote:
IMHO, for small to medium gigs, the Pro Reverb will be a more flexible than that 135 watt Twin.


Indeed.

A perfectly balanced proportion between punch and portability......

Image

This example was built in April of 1968 and features Leo's original AA165 circuit revision.

Arjay

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"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY


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Post subject: Re: 1973 Pro Reverb
Posted: Fri Jul 29, 2016 9:44 am
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Beautiful! For no intentional reason, I've always skipped right over the Pro going from my Princeton to my Deluxe to my Twin.


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Post subject: Re: 1973 Pro Reverb
Posted: Fri Jul 29, 2016 9:54 am
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I just recently heard one but they had a 70's Fender Rhodes plugged into it and it sounded great it had chime and bell like tones. All I could think about was "Riders On The Storm" , I just wanted to plug a guitar into it just to hear what it would sound like, but I was mixing the show, and have to be professional sometimes
mud


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Post subject: Re: 1973 Pro Reverb
Posted: Fri Jul 29, 2016 10:58 am
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SkipBurz wrote:
Beautiful! For no intentional reason, I've always skipped right over the Pro going from my Princeton to my Deluxe to my Twin.


Another great mid-power Fender is the Vibrolux Reverb. Earlier breakup and a bit more raunch when pushed. They sound smooth with a Les Paul or other humbucker guitar and truly heavenly when driven by a P90.

Arjay

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"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY


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Post subject: Re: 1973 Pro Reverb
Posted: Thu Sep 08, 2016 6:58 am
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So did you pick up the Pro Reverb?

I ultimately got a Super Reverb because it's loud enough to gig with, quiet enough to play at home and starts breaking up and reasonable volumes. A vintage pro reverb would also have fit the bill very well if I found one. I would still like to play one and maybe pick it up in addition to the Super Reverb...


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Post subject: Re: 1973 Pro Reverb
Posted: Thu Sep 08, 2016 7:04 am
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shreddindean wrote:
I ultimately got a Super Reverb...


Any pics?

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: 1973 Pro Reverb
Posted: Wed Sep 14, 2016 11:19 am
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shreddindean wrote:
So did you pick up the Pro Reverb?

I ultimately got a Super Reverb because it's loud enough to gig with, quiet enough to play at home and starts breaking up and reasonable volumes. A vintage pro reverb would also have fit the bill very well if I found one. I would still like to play one and maybe pick it up in addition to the Super Reverb...


You must have one big house. Or well-insulated man cave. I can't get my SR to do OD without pedals. Not before major complaints from co-inhabitants or even the neighbors. Ok, it isn't as loud as the Twin Reverb... but not that far away. :lol:

Even the Vibrolux Reverb can get pretty loud, driving past 7.

Good luck with that great amp! :)


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Post subject: Re: 1973 Pro Reverb
Posted: Wed Sep 14, 2016 1:34 pm
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BMW2002Ti wrote:
shreddindean wrote:
So did you pick up the Pro Reverb?

I ultimately got a Super Reverb because it's loud enough to gig with, quiet enough to play at home and starts breaking up and reasonable volumes. A vintage pro reverb would also have fit the bill very well if I found one. I would still like to play one and maybe pick it up in addition to the Super Reverb...


You must have one big house. Or well-insulated man cave. I can't get my SR to do OD without pedals. Not before major complaints from co-inhabitants or even the neighbors. Ok, it isn't as loud as the Twin Reverb... but not that far away. :lol:

Even the Vibrolux Reverb can get pretty loud, driving past 7.

Good luck with that great amp! :)

+1
I had to get a vibo champ as when I put my dial between 4 & 6 on my SFSR things were jumping off the shelves and falling from the walls from the vibration, metered 115 to 119db, I live where there is at least an acre per home I never got a complaint, except my wife was worried about my hearing and my means of support as I am a sound engineer, and yeah she was justified in her thoughts
mud


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Post subject: Re: 1973 Pro Reverb
Posted: Wed Sep 14, 2016 3:59 pm
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mud wrote:
I had to get a vibo champ as...my wife was worried about my hearing and my means of support as I am a sound engineer, and yeah she was justified in her thoughts


A sensible decision.

Even those things can get pretty loud with the right speaker combination.

Arjay

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"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY


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