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Post subject: 1968 Pro Reverb Thoughts??
Posted: Fri Dec 21, 2012 2:29 pm
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How good is this amp say compared to the same year deluxe?
thanks :? 8)


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Post subject: Re: 1968 Pro Reverb Thoughts??
Posted: Fri Dec 21, 2012 2:43 pm
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That'll depend on what time of year it was made. Those Pro Reverbs built prior to May of 1968 will be the original AA165 circuit (ie: blackface all the way). In June FMI switched to the AB668 revision which incorporated a lot of the tone-thieving mods used in the notorious AC568 silverface Bandmasters and Super Reverbs.

The Deluxe Reverb began that year still relying on the original AB763 circuit, reverting to the newer AB868 revision in August. However, those wiring changes were less onerous than with the more powerful amps in Fender's lineup (as with all of the so-called "student models"). Sonically, they were still very similar to the older blackface editions.

HTH

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: 1968 Pro Reverb Thoughts??
Posted: Fri Dec 21, 2012 3:17 pm
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Retroverbial wrote:
That'll depend on what time of year it was made. Those Pro Reverbs built prior to May of 1968 will be the original AA165 circuit (ie: blackface all the way). In June FMI switched to the AB668 revision which incorporated a lot of the tone-thieving mods used in the notorious AC568 silverface Bandmasters and Super Reverbs.

The Deluxe Reverb began that year still relying on the original AB763 circuit, reverting to the newer AB868 revision in August. However, those wiring changes were less onerous than with the more powerful amps in Fender's lineup (as with all of the so-called "student models"). Sonically, they were still very similar to the older blackface editions.

HTH

Arjay

thanks Arjay I sounds like the Deluxe would be the safer bet :D 8)


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Post subject: Re: 1968 Pro Reverb Thoughts??
Posted: Fri Dec 21, 2012 4:44 pm
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They're great amps regardless of vintage.

I own an early '68 (AB763), a '78 (with pull-boost volume control) and a '94 re-issue. I think it's one of Fender's most versatile platforms.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: 1968 Pro Reverb Thoughts??
Posted: Sat Dec 22, 2012 2:41 am
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Deluxe Reverb is more sought after.


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Post subject: Re: 1968 Pro Reverb Thoughts??
Posted: Sat Dec 22, 2012 8:39 am
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stratele52 wrote:
Deluxe Reverb is more sought after.


This is true but it may be more an issue of supply-and-demand because the Deluxe Reverb production numbers far exceeded those for the Pro Reverb. Both are fine Fender specimens in either case, and I'd consider the PR to be a "Double Deluxe Reverb" since their tones are so similar. It's only been recently with Teagle and Sprung's pronouncement in their book of the Pro Reverb as Fender's best platform for single-coil pickups (ie, a Strat) that prices for vintage PR's began their upward spiral. Prior to that they were considered to be "sleepers" -- much akin to what's happened of late with the prices of vintage silverface editions of all Fender models.

JMOOC, HTH

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: 1968 Pro Reverb Thoughts??
Posted: Sun Dec 23, 2012 7:45 am
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Arjay, I'd really be interested in a review of this amp. I know it's quite a bit different than my brownface Pro. But, boy... that Pro is something else. Not the power of a BF BMR or SR. Kinda a Bluesy tone like the SF Vibrolux Reverb. Which ain't bad


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Post subject: Re: 1968 Pro Reverb Thoughts??
Posted: Sun Dec 23, 2012 8:00 am
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The only Pro Reverb I ever actually owned was an AA1069 (bought new at the PX in CRB, RVN in early 1970) and sonically, it was a slug compared to typical Fender blackfaces or the first-year silverface. I have played several AA165 editions over the years though and they are real sweet amps. They compress and distort much more quickly than a Twin Reverb or even a Super Reverb but they have significantly more clean headroom available than the Vibrolux Reverb or the Deluxe Reverb. Teagle & Sprung got it right......I just wish they hadn't gone public with their pronouncement before I was able to score a nice clean example.

:lol:

Arjay

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