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Post subject: One for the Gurus
Posted: Mon Dec 20, 2010 2:02 pm
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I've been thinking of late I might like to acquire one of these BFDR copies or clones. I'm wondering if our local experts have a preference and why. So far I've been looking at (on the net) the Victoria, the Trinity and the kit from Weber. I would welcome any and all input including recommendation for other builders than mentioned.

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Post subject: Re: One for the Gurus
Posted: Mon Dec 20, 2010 4:35 pm
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You might give T.J. at "Green Eagle Amps" in Denton, Texas a holler.

IIRC he has a DR clone in progress at this very moment.

HTH

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: One for the Gurus
Posted: Tue Dec 21, 2010 7:45 am
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Akshlee I was hoping you or Supro might be able to comment on some of the differences between these amps and the BFDR. For example Trinity says they've improved on the original. I also read on other boards that some feel Victorias are built better than Leo did.

Yes I know. Sacrilege. Shame on me for repeating such tripe.

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Post subject: Re: One for the Gurus
Posted: Tue Dec 21, 2010 8:34 am
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It might help if we knew the end game.

As an example, I know for fact that you can buy a SFDR for a helluva lot less than the Victoria clone. And it's a Deluxe Reverb in every sense of the word (a bit less so if it's a late '70s model with the pull-boost). I've only seen the Victoria clone and it was indeed a very fine amp. Is it better than Leo's original? IMO the jury is deadlocked. OTOH, I've heard finely-tweaked DRRI's that sounded every bit as tasty as an original blackface. Go figure. I think it boils down to a cost/benefit equation.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: One for the Gurus
Posted: Tue Dec 21, 2010 10:57 am
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I agree with Arjay, TJ's amps are really,really nice.
If I was going with anything else and my pockets were deep, I go for the Victoria. Seriously fine amp. It depends on like Arjay says what you're end use will be. I wouldn't have a Victoria just to sit in my living room. Right now an Egnater suits me just fine and I think it's the mutts nuts for now. I've run the Fender gamut and I wouldn't have another current production Fender amp. I would go for a SF before any of the reissues. Clean one's can be found at reasonable prices if you're patient. Arjay proves that all the time. The 70's SF pull boost are fine amps and the prices haven't gone too nuts. They are very easy to tinkered with.

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Post subject: Re: One for the Gurus
Posted: Tue Dec 21, 2010 12:17 pm
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If you want a BFDR and can't afford it,I also vote for a SFDR,a late '60s version...but if you're considering a Victoria then you're getting into BFDR price territory,you could look around for a deal....I see some every once in awhile for less than $2000,which to me is outrageous but sadly true.


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Post subject: Re: One for the Gurus
Posted: Tue Dec 21, 2010 12:44 pm
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At the rarified $2000 price point I'd be looking at an original blackface before ever considering a clone, regardless of who made it or what it sounded and looked like. But that's just me. YMMV

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: One for the Gurus
Posted: Wed Dec 22, 2010 12:25 am
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As far as I know, all of the Victoria-Fender replicas, are firmly based in the tweed camp. If I were going for a BFDR kit build, I'd probably go with Allen Amps. http://www.allenamps.com/kits.php No matter what kit you choose, you'll probably want to hand pick the components, trannies, and speaker. JMO Art

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Post subject: Re: One for the Gurus
Posted: Wed Dec 22, 2010 9:36 am
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aclempoppi wrote:
As far as I know, all of the Victoria-Fender replicas, are firmly based in the tweed camp.


That used to be true. A few years ago Victoria began making BF era amps with reverb and tremolo. They have a few models.

I know full well I the Victoria Victoriette (the DR one) is almost as much coin as the going rate for a typical BFDR in average condition here in Canada but it's this comment I see every once in a while that the Victorias are built more ruggedly than the original Fenders they emulate. I don't care about the investment aspect of an amp or it's collector value. What I do care about is getting value for my dollar. If I want a BFDR and I can find the exact same thing but built stronger for a little less money, I'll seriously consider it. I've owned some SF amps and still have one in fact but I find they just don't sound the same. I am also considering an early SFDR, say a 68 or so as they were not much changed from the BF amps. As I said, I want a BFDR and when I hear about the quality of the Victorias and they are almost in the same price class but just a tad lower it gets me thinking. Thought I'd pick your collective brains.

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Post subject: Re: One for the Gurus
Posted: Wed Dec 22, 2010 10:26 pm
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Yeah BMW, that Victoriette would be cool for sure. I hadn't visited Victoria's site for some time. Trinity looks very promising and the price is really good for hand built amps, or their kits. I've used alot of Victoria parts in my '67 & '68 amps; PT,OT, tone caps, wire, and resistors. All good stuff IMO. Never could afford one of his amps. But if I had the wherewithall, I wouldn't hesitate for a minute to get one of those. Art

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Post subject: Re: One for the Gurus
Posted: Wed Dec 22, 2010 10:45 pm
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I don't know about the Victorias being more well built than the Fenders,they haven't been around for 40 or 50 years yet have they?....really I have read some comments from owners that aren't very favorable and then some great comments.
The guy who started the company started using components as close to the original Fenders as was possible.....I don't know about their other custom amps.He gives a lifetime warranty,probably his lifetime,but he says he has built the amps well enough to be around for the next 40 years.
What about them is considered more rugged?
Don't get me wrong,I would love to have their version of the Tweed Super,and might get one someday if I can...I believe them to be the some of the best copies of Fenders from everything I've read,but have never played through one,you don't see many of them around.


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Post subject: Re: One for the Gurus
Posted: Thu Dec 23, 2010 10:06 am
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Retroverbial wrote:
At the rarified $2000 price point I'd be looking at an original blackface before ever considering a clone, regardless of who made it or what it sounded and looked like. But that's just me. YMMV

Arjay

Yea I agree with that


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Post subject: Re: One for the Gurus
Posted: Thu Dec 23, 2010 9:01 pm
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It's a hard call between the old amps and a quality reproduction. IMO If you can handle the conditions of owning an amp with the years of heat and aging components, for the sake of tone and mojo, then there is no substitute. If one can do the teching, that's a real plus. But if one is just into playing, then the repros start looking real good. Art

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Post subject: Re: One for the Gurus
Posted: Thu Dec 23, 2010 9:15 pm
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Yep Art,owning a vintage amp isn't for everyone,that's for sure,but for those of us who love them,there's nothing better.


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Post subject: Re: One for the Gurus
Posted: Mon Dec 27, 2010 2:41 pm
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I'm certainly no amp tech. My experience with amps consists of speaker swaps, tube swaps, biasing (if equipped with adjustment pots and some starting point data in my hands) but the only time I ever touched my soldering iron to any of my amps was to repair broken jack connections and the like. Of course I did perform some Bill Machrone mods to my Blues Junior but that was with step by step instructions. I'm fortunate that my SFVR is in pristine condition and that I have reasonable access to a truly great tech. The thought of purchasing a BFDR for the exorbitant prices they go for here only to discover it possibly needs lots of expensive work is the reason I'm looking at these repros. IIRC the comments I read indicated the parts used. The quality of the parts and the meticulous and careful assembly of those parts being the areas considered superior.

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