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Post subject: 68 Deluxe Reverb Reissue Overdrive
Posted: Mon Sep 01, 2014 1:54 am
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Hobbyist
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Joined: Mon Sep 01, 2014 1:26 am
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hello folks

First post here! after 7 long years of not owning a guitar I was in a fantastic guitar shop with a good friend of mine a few days ago and I happened to pick up an EJ 2 Tone Strat. I held it for about 30 seconds and that's all it took to make me realise enough is enough and I cannot take not playing any longer. I walked out with a guitar that day even though my friend didn't ;) - I got home and for 24 hours, scoured forums, read reviews, watched youtube videos, rang various stores and came to a firm decision to treat myself to one of the lonely new 68 Deluxe Reverb Amps. I remember my friend used to have a Twin Reverb which I adored the tone of and with all the new bells and whistles on the new 68 models I figured, Why not?

but here's where I need advice. As I have been away from playing for so long I had completely forgotten just how dang loud good valve amps are (I also have my wife's patience to consider) I simply cannot play this wonderful thing loud enough to reach that nice valve break-up sound which is what I crave so badly. I did crank it a few days ago when I was alone and it was great but that is once in a blue moon and frankly it was uncomfortably loud! it could fill a stadium......... I'm basically having to use it on a 3-4 volume.

So my question is this. To achieve a classic natural bluesy breakup tone would a decent Overdrive pedal do the trick at these volumes (I'm Thinking Fulltone's stuff, Soul Food, TS-808 or 9, Mesa Flux-Drive) or am I better cutting my losses and selling it (or seeing if I can return it) and getting a amp with a more manageable volume that I can really crank to naturally overdrive? (Vox AC15, Blues Junior perhaps?) or would these amps even being 15W reach a similar volume as the 68 Deluxe to reach break-up? I've also toyed with the idea of a THD hotplate to attenuate the signal but I'm unsure on what kind of results I'd get tone-wise.

Well that's about it, I live in the middle of no-where and work 6 days a week so going to a decent store to try all these options is a real pain so any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for reading!


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Post subject: Re: 68 Deluxe Reverb Reissue Overdrive
Posted: Mon Sep 01, 2014 6:50 am
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Rock Star
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Joined: Sat Jul 03, 2010 2:18 pm
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Welcome to the Forum! :D

I like output tube OD. So, even with pedals, one is going to need to go into loud region to get those harmonics and overtones. For home use, a good single-ended 6V6GT amp works for me. Like the old Vibro-Champ. Not sure how well the newer SE Fender amps are made. Like the '57 Champ reissue.

Sure would be nice, if you could try one out before making the decision. Tone being such a personal thing. You do electrical work? Like tinkering? Solder? A nice used silverface Vibro-Champ or Champ maybe a worthy project. Really, can't lose too much initial investment, as long as the trannies are ok.

Just a thought. Good luck!


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Post subject: Re: 68 Deluxe Reverb Reissue Overdrive
Posted: Mon Sep 01, 2014 11:41 am
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Aspiring Musician
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Joined: Wed Nov 14, 2007 1:29 pm
Posts: 614
Location: SW Ohio
I'm a small watt amp guy…. for the same reason you've mentioned. :lol: I had a modern Hot Rod Deluxe that went from Zero to Earsplitting. I replaced it with a 1966 Blackface Champ…… and then the addiction took over. :wink: FWIW - I play for my own enjoyment and don't gig. I get together with a friend on occasion. I'm by no means an expert on pedals and using them for gigging. But probably match your current situation.

On a recent trip to Chicago Music Exchange I asked one of the sales guys what he recommended for overdriving a low-watt amp at low volumes. He recommended the Empress Effect Germ Drive. I tested it out in one of their practice rooms with an appropriate amp and loved it.

I'm not a pedal guy by any means, but this does the trick for me. I can roll the volume back on the guitar and clean up the tone or just let it rip. I thought the price was right. Its a sturdy little metal box. And pretty straight forward to use. I use it with my Champ and my 1975 Princeton Reverb (volume at 2 1/2 to 3). If you can find one to test drive locally, its worth the try.

There a couple of YouTube vids out there that should give you an idea what the Germ Drive can do. And the wife hasn't complained about the volume…….. yet. :lol:


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Post subject: Re: 68 Deluxe Reverb Reissue Overdrive
Posted: Mon Sep 01, 2014 12:03 pm
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Joined: Mon Sep 01, 2014 1:26 am
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Many thanks Phansford that is really helpful, ill take a look at some vids for sure :)

I really dont want to move away from fender but for a few more ££ I'm starting to think a Mesa Boogie TA-15 might be just what I'm looking for, I've been fender for years but this looks pretty tasty!


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Post subject: Re: 68 Deluxe Reverb Reissue Overdrive
Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2014 6:39 am
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Rock Star
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Joined: Tue Mar 01, 2011 3:10 pm
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Location: Gateway to the West
Depending on where you bought it, maybe you can take it back and swap it for a Princeton Reverb Custom and a nice pedal. They both have the 6V6 and reverb and you can much more easily crank it when needed. And those times when you can crank it, its not too loud.

Nothing wrong with a good overdrive or boost pedal for lower volume playing and is the way to go especially if you can't take the volume.

FWIW

T2

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