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Post subject: 1964 Deluxe Reverb
Posted: Fri Aug 28, 2015 10:09 pm
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Hi there eveyrone. I recently stumbled across a 1964 Fender Deluxe Reverb. I'm barely at a Blues Jr. level of playing, but I went ahead and bought it. I'm calling it my mid life crisis at this point. The sound is incredible. I was hoping the experts might be able to spot anything I should address in the amp. I am at this point just a home player, and stuck in an apartment for a while yet so I have put the original speaker back in the amp. I do have the original speaker wiring harness set aside. Everything in the amp dates to 1963 except the chassis. Pots are Stackpole, output transformer is the older paper wrapped variety and the Oxford speaker is an older gold frame (?). The only issue I have right now is the reverb is a touch weak and noisy as the reverb is turned up. It seems to be related to v4 and not the tank or the rca cables. Still sounds amazing at lower levels. Its possible the v3 and v4 tube were switched when I got it, as I didn't hear much noise from the reverb when I tried it. The tubes were a mishmash of old and new. I also noticed today that the death cap was not disconnected when the power cord was swapped out ages ago. Another oddity is it seems that the reverb bag was never screwed down. There is a strain relief holding the rca cables to the side of the cabinet, but that is it. Finally, it is definitely a no logo version, but it looks like someone had glued one on for a while but it would appear to be long gone. And that is a 1 for the production code on the tube chart. Dated January of 64. Sorry, lots of pics. The amp seems to be in great shape overall. I have created a photo album for the pics to make it easy.

http://1drv.ms/1JrGH9j


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Post subject: Re: 1964 Deluxe Reverb
Posted: Fri Aug 28, 2015 10:53 pm
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That's about as unmolested as a 51 year-old amp can get. The "NA" (January '64) date stamp and #1 production code are noteworthy. The 12K5 Oxford appears to be original (couldn't quite discern the date code) but it does appear as though half of the speaker mounting screws have been removed, possibly to accommodate a 4-screw replacement driver. I see no evidence of electrolyte spooge on any of the filter, bias, or cathode-bypass caps so they may be safe to use, at least for a time. Why the death cap was not removed or disabled is something best left for someone with psychic powers. The nickel-plated chassis is clean and corrosion-free, and the carbon-comp resistors populating the board look brand new. Likewise the iron appears to be original as well. The Deluxe Reverb was not fitted with a baffle-board logo until the spring of 1965 (when all of the "student" amps were so equipped) and you might wish to remove that offending adhesive residue (tread very lightly in that regard).

Nice score!

8)

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: 1964 Deluxe Reverb
Posted: Fri Aug 28, 2015 11:19 pm
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Thanks for the thumbs up on the amp. 4 of the speaker bolts have been sheared off at some point. There was an eminence red fang installed when I got it. The iron is definitely original. All Schumacher and all dated 63. There is a date stamp on the Oxford that I can't photograph with it in the amp and also dates it to 63. The whole chassis looks almost brand new. I'm planning on giving it a gentle clean at this point and leaving her alone. The amp sounds incredible even at low levels in my apartment and takes pedals like a champ. All the Mallory caps look brand new with no leakage anywhere. Thanks again for the help!


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Post subject: Re: 1964 Deluxe Reverb
Posted: Sat Aug 29, 2015 1:33 am
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You're quite welcome, and thanks for sharing those pics.

You have a fine specimen there. Treat it respectfully and it will undoubtedly last another half century (or more).

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: 1964 Deluxe Reverb
Posted: Sat Aug 29, 2015 7:07 am
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Don't worry, this amp will be treated like a queen. I did note one last piece of interesting info. The chassis stamp of AB0664 is also stamped on the cabinet under the reverb bag and also on the speaker rim. Not sure if that is common. Also the 3 prong plug was done years ago. Its actually a made in the USA cord by Electricord, who it seems are still in business in Pennsylvania. Nice to own apiece of Fender history. I've attached one last pic of the rest of the Fender family over here.

http://1drv.ms/1WZgiqg


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Post subject: Re: 1964 Deluxe Reverb
Posted: Sat Aug 29, 2015 8:43 am
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Nice addition and nice collection. Nothing like Fender Amps! Thanks for the photos!

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Post subject: Re: 1964 Deluxe Reverb
Posted: Sat Aug 29, 2015 9:13 am
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The "AB0664" marked on both chassis and cabinet usually indicates the week and year of final assembly (sixth week of 1964) which would seem to be at odds with the "NA" stamped on the tube chart. Just another one of those Fender anomalies that often surfaces when researching these older amps.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: 1964 Deluxe Reverb
Posted: Sat Aug 29, 2015 8:48 pm
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Great find! You may want to consider changing the main filter caps, even if they look good. They seem to be OEM. Pretty old --- prolly dried-out.


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Post subject: Re: 1964 Deluxe Reverb
Posted: Sun Aug 30, 2015 6:24 am
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Congrats. Nice find. And welcome to the forum and the world of vintage amps.

You're at the right place and talking to the right group of guys that can help you with your amp. I'm not one of those experts - as I've joked before, if I attempted to do any work on my amps, I'd end up soldering my wedding ring to the chassis. I just enjoy playing thru the amps. :D

I can assure you as time goes by - you'll sell off that Blues Jr. and buy some more vintage amps. That's been my situation. I have a handful of vintage "student" amps such as the Champ, Vibro Champ, and Princetons and some other manufacturer's which shall go unnamed on this forum. HaHa. The smaller amps are great for home playing - you won't drive the family and neighbors out of the building. HaHa.

The vintage amps are easily repaired and maintained either by knowledgable guys like Beemer and Retroverbial or a reliable tech. (I have a tech that works on my amps when they need a little help). Sounds like you're tech savvy…. these guys will be able to answer all your questions.


Hokusai22 wrote:
I'm barely at a Blues Jr. level of playing, but I went ahead and bought it. I'm calling it my mid life crisis at this point……. I am at this point just a home player, and stuck in an apartment for a while yet so I have put the original speaker back in the amp.


Vintage amps aren't only for pros or guys that play out. And just because you don't play out doesn't mean that you're not a better player than some the people that do. There are a LOT of hummers and strummers out there that only know cowboy chords. And many of them are just playing thru a PA and not even using an amp. Talk about soulless tone. :lol:

So be confident in your own skills and enjoy playing thru your "new" amp.


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Post subject: Re: 1964 Deluxe Reverb
Posted: Sun Aug 30, 2015 9:52 am
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phansford wrote:
And many of them are just playing thru a PA and not even using an amp. Talk about soulless tone.


The ultimate blasphemy!

I can't even fathom such a travesty......where would I put my bottle of bourbon and my ashtray?

:lol:

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: 1964 Deluxe Reverb
Posted: Mon Aug 31, 2015 8:41 am
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Keep that blackface DR in good running order... you will never lose money on that deal. Plus, get another 60 years of great tones.

All you need is this puppy to haul your gear around. :lol:


Image


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Post subject: Re: 1964 Deluxe Reverb
Posted: Mon Aug 31, 2015 9:34 am
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BMW2002Ti wrote:
Image


Oh yeah......!

"Three deuces with a four-speed, and a three-eighty-nine......"

8)

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: 1964 Deluxe Reverb
Posted: Mon Aug 31, 2015 4:11 pm
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I just want to say thanks again for all the replies. I can't stop playing this amp. I was mostly using a RI Princeton and a 57 Champ reissue before this, but they can't compare to this amp. I think I am going to order some fresh caps for the Deluxe and add her to the project list. I was going to start with the reverb tank, which just needs a recap and work up from there. I am sure I will be posting some questions along the way as I try to teach myself some new tricks. I have F&T caps for the reverb tank and the Bandmaster, and thinking the same for the Deluxe. Any thoughts on F & T vs Sprague?

And that Pontiac is sweeeett. I love how they matched the blue on the wheel rims.

And a special shout out to phansford for that inspiring post. I'm just glad I'm at a point in life where I could afford this amp and enjoy this incredible tone. I still have to sell a bunch of stuff, but that's ok! Quality trumps quantity, right?


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Post subject: Re: 1964 Deluxe Reverb
Posted: Mon Aug 31, 2015 4:35 pm
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F&T's are the Cadillac of modern electrolytics. Sprague's were acceptable up until about three or four years ago when their rep for quality was stained by some substandard inventory that was sold at retail. Older Atoms are still respectable caps and I'll continue to use them until my cache is exhausted but I'll make no further Sprague purchases.

JMOOC

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: 1964 Deluxe Reverb
Posted: Mon Aug 31, 2015 7:01 pm
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Good to know. I will buy continue buying F & T caps when I'm ready to tackle the Deluxe and Bassman.

I had it hooked up to a reissue P12Q speaker today and with a strat it sounded heavenly. Then this popped up on the dreaded Ebay:

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/1961-vintage-USA ... 1a05637115

Any thoughts on an older C12N in a Deluxe Reverb or paired with an old Bandmaster?


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