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Post subject: Which Fender Twin to choose?
Posted: Fri Jan 04, 2008 2:10 pm
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Hey everyone im new to the forums and have recently become very interested in buying a Twin. I mostly play at home but maybe down the road will join a band and play some bars or something. I love that blues rock tone. I think the 100 watt version Twin may be a little overkill but i really want to upgrade to a professional tube series amp that has a great blues tone to it any suggestions or models i should probably play first?

I currently have a USA American Lonestar Strat (Seymour Duncan bridge pickup) and a Crate Vintage Club 30 Amp...its ok but really doesn't have the balls and the tone i'm looking for any suggestions would be great.

I think the 85 watt Twin Reverb maybe a good choice but i wanted to know what you guys have to say about them...the Twin models that is like the Twin Reverb, Super Reverb, or really a fantastic toned blues monster! haha


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Post subject:
Posted: Mon Jan 07, 2008 11:03 am
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Maybe i should rephrase my question...which amp do you guys think is the more bluesy rock of the two, the Twin or the Twin Reverb?

I guess another question would be do you think the Twin at 100 watts is a little overkill for home use and/or use at a bar or club?


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Post subject: to twin or not to twin
Posted: Mon Jan 07, 2008 12:17 pm
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hey stratdude- i'm amped for you (no pun intended). the twin is one of the finest amps bar none. your problem is the awesome array of choices available to you. I think the 60's twins (blackface) are considered the amp standard by many. I have a 70's silverface twin and 100 watts is absolute overkill for most applications but 85 watts might as well be 100 cause they are both ridiculously loud. I think the general opinion is that the blackface twins are superior period. That being said, I love my amp and see a lot of professionals w/them on stage. The clean tones and reverb are 2nd to none. Crystal clean and dripping with tone for miles. The higher end grind may be what you want (at least some of the time). I've had trouble getting my amp into that realm as the neighborhood tends to shake above 3 or 4. Recently, I got an attenuator (badcat leash) which allows one to crank the amp volume (and power tubes) but reduce the actual volume to anywhere you like including whisper quiet. I still wasn't "in love" with my twin but my '65 deluxe reverb (reissue) is a dream! At 22 watts-it is still loud nuff for most gigs (Giant's Stadium aside) but there it is only 1 x 12" so no 2 speakers (connect a cab?). I got the deluxe for the very reason that the twin is too much beast for me. It's like driving the kids to soccer practice in a lambo. Also, the weight is killer (about 90 lbs for my twin). The deluxe is only a shade over 40 lbs. Both have 4 inputs, 2 in channel one and 2 in channel 2 and channel 2 is usually where you'll get reverb,vibrato etc. I'm not sure but I think you can't use watts as a single criteria for "loudness". A good tube amp will (at least to my ears) crank out more decibels than a solid state of equal wattage. Not sure why but I'm sure of it. Some of the more knowledgeable guys could lend me a hand here. Both amps do not have a "drive channel" so that's something to consider. I didn't want one anyway as most are inferior to a good tube screamer or plain old tube grind (unless we get into boogie territory...). I favor the tube drive most and a lower wattage amp allows me to get there easier than the mammoth twin. I don't want to discourage you from getting a twin- they all rock, it's just that I wanted you to see the other side from someone who has one and loves it dearly. I'm pretty sure they make a reissue of the '57 twin which is even lower wattage (not sure, 20 or 30?) in period correct (and stunning at that) laquered tweed. This is that amp I intend to check out next-as soon as my wife gives me back my credit card.
Good luck.


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Post subject:
Posted: Tue Jan 08, 2008 1:21 pm
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Thanks for the reply this is the kindof post i was hoping for...i just really want an upgrade from my current setup...and i dont really care about the drive channels and such because i'll be using pedals for all that...i think that letting the amp do its job (amplify sound and sound good when doing it) is what it should be doing instead of emulating effects although i'll prob use them once in a while.

So you'd say maybe check out a Fender blackface Twin? I'm really looking into a Twin Reverb just knowing that id have that 85 watts is real nice even though i prob wouldn't use it all the time...i just want something that can get plenty loud enough for a bar/club and have loads of tone and somewhere around the ballpark of $1000

Current setup:
Line6 Delay and Distortion, Maxon OD808, and Crybaby Wah
Crate Vintage 30 All-tube Amp (cheap but decent)


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Post subject:
Posted: Tue Jan 08, 2008 1:26 pm
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You know i read up a little bit on the blackfaced Twin's are those hard to find? What i read is that the blackfaced are better then silvfaced but the new Silverfaced Twins are not that far off from a blackface correct?


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Posted: Tue Jan 08, 2008 3:35 pm
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Hey there, I have the '65 Twin Reissue...let me tell you, it's not an amp for home playing...unless you have deaf neighbors. It's a LOUD amp and will not break up until you are at such loud volumes that you have to be in another room. It is a CLEAN amp. Perfect for clean tones or to run pedals through.

Have you checked out the Hot Rod Deluxe or the Hot Rod Deville? Both great amps and plenty of power for any house. Giants stadium included if you have a good sound man.

There is absolutely no need to have an amp that cranks up to the ear-aching point. Practice good stage volume and it will make you and your band sound a million times better.

God Bless
Z


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Post subject:
Posted: Wed Jan 09, 2008 9:45 am
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But i thought the general consensus was that the Twin is superior to a HRD in tone right? Even if it may be too much for home use or bars/whatev i can always get one of those volume annunciators or whatev you call them so i can crank the amp up to like 5 but be playing at 1 and have no limitations on the tone of the amp...or is this just dumb? lol

-stratdude83


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Post subject:
Posted: Wed Jan 09, 2008 9:48 am
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The Twin is an amazing amp. I wouldn't trade mine for the world...I was just giving you a hint into it's power...it is a LOUD amp but a beautiful one. Good luck in your choice.


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Post subject:
Posted: Thu Jan 10, 2008 11:18 am
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Thanks all for the replies i'm really leaning toward a Twin Reverb i just think that spring reverb is so cool but as you suggested greatbigz i'm going to look into HRD possibly...i think when it comes to the time to buy i'm going to bring all my pedals and hook it up to each amp and decide then because all the reviews in the world could tell you what you should be playing but i think you really need to just hear it for yourself...i'm really anxious to plug into a Twin Reverb though that just sounds like a killer amp...thanks all

-stratdude83


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Post subject:
Posted: Thu Jan 10, 2008 11:53 am
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i hear you. there's something really bout nice saying "oh yeah, that fat amp you heard those great tones flying out of... it's a twin." there is a magic almost mystique about twins but i must agree w/ the other poster. the twins are clean machines but so loud,big,heavy that you may want to higher a roadie to lug it around. i would never say that a twin is the wrong purchase but perhaps you can check out some of the other amazing fender tubes they offer. their selection is fantastic and it is very hard to pick a "bad one". I am not a fan of solid state fenders though i'm sure they make some quality ones too. it's just that the "real deal" is right there for the taking-you gotta get a fender tube amp. might you consider a smaller amp? i love my deluxe reverb (65 reissue). only 22 watts but loud as all hell when cranked. the clean tone is very similar to my twin- i A -B them a lot (because i have no life) and they are comparable. the DR is a bit warmer and the tone is projected right up front in your face. The twin clearly has tons more clean headroom but at equal volumes say 1.5-2, the twin is more crystalline clear and the tone seems to be coming from a point almost a foot or 2 behind the amp. i know there is a lot of talk about the open vs closed cabinet (ie fender vs marshall) and the way some amps project forward AND backward and thus envelope the amp in sound. it seems the twin does this more so-not sure if it is the 2 speakers vs 1 or what. both amps have rather open backs aside from a top and bottom panel. also, original 65 twins will be harder to find and you will sell a kidney to get it but they make very high quality reissues so you don't have to worry bout loose wires, blown tubes, torn tolex and you get a warranty from fender! i just saw a new (original box,tags,warranty,etc) on a very popular online auction site for the buy now price of 1295. i was lucky to get my twin for 400 in 86 or 87 but my reissue DR was under 760 on a black friday sale. you do gig so the 85 watts may help but i'm sure you won't be able to use all the headroom the DR gives you. the power attenuator has been awesome for me. i don't play out and like the other poster-i'll have neighbors breaking down my door if i don't use one. i can tell you bout the one i got if you want-let me know. even if i didn't have the neighbor issue- still gotta protect your own hearing. you wann be able to play til you die don't you? just look at pete and clapton. ok, i'll stop being your mother but i will tell you the twin has so much clarity at the top end that the attenuator still doesn't let me really achieve any high gain crunch (even at 10). the DR on the other end provides a ton of crunch and sustain that you couldn't otherwise get without getting arrested or cochlear implants (ie-you'll go deaf). don't mean to dash your plans though- check out a twin reissue why don't you? if you don't buy now- i just might! good luck and keep us posted- i feel like i'm getting the amp with you bro!


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Post subject:
Posted: Mon Jan 14, 2008 11:35 am
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Man i hate this 9 hour window everyday to post replies...never seen that in a forum before...but anyway i've narrowed it down...at least a little to some definite possibilities i think the Super Reverb may be the amp but heres the list i got so far

1.) Super Reverb
2.) Twin Reverb
3.) DRI

The Super Reverb has the spring/tube reverb right? It should to carry the Super Reverb name...haha :? Anyone have one or has played one before?

-stratdude83


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Post subject:
Posted: Tue Jan 15, 2008 11:01 am
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I have the 65 Twin Reverb R/I and I couldn't be more pleased with the amp. The 85 watts is plenty!!!, I'm hard pressed to get the volume over 5. All of my pedals work great with it as well. And you can any sound out of that amp you want. I play an american tele through it, usually without any pedals. I have gone back to the basics. The 65 really sings, clean or dirty. IMO, a super fine amp, I am very very pleased.
not sure if I helped you, good luck. 8)

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Post subject:
Posted: Tue Jan 15, 2008 11:23 am
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I'm so stoked bout your choices. I'm sure you've done your homework but in case you didn't know...the twin is 85 watts and has 2 speakers (at least the 65 RI), it is by far the loudest and heaviest but the tone rules and you do have a mid knob for midrange frequency control. I think this is the only amp of your 3 that does. the others have just treble and bass. I've never played the super reverb but i've a buddy who has an old one and loves it. At 40 watts its not as loud as the twin but still very healthy. This amp does have 4 speakers (bassman style) though and i guess it would be accordingly bigger in size though still not as heavy as the twin. From what i've read, the super reverb has the real deal fender tube-driven reverb and i'm quite sure there will be no complaints about that. It also has the great vibrato found on the twin and the DR . even on the super reverb, looks like reverb is only found on the 2nd channel (like the others)-woulda been nice if you could've had reverb on both! the super reverb is a very impressive looking amp as well and it has (like the twin) the killer tilt back legs which not only look awesome but are of great use when u play. The DR doesn't have em tho. maybe they thought since it is smaller it could be propped up on a chair/stand ,etc which i do. the DR only has 1 speaker and just 22 watts but is my favorite. the power is still there (believe me!) but it's much easier to lug around than the others. u can't go wrong tho & i've no personal experience w/ the SR so i can't really say. The nice thing about the DR is you'll still have a bit of $ left to get some nice cables,stomp box,etc vs the other 2. good luck.


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Post subject:
Posted: Tue Jan 15, 2008 11:38 am
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Its not really an issue about the weight, size etc i just want the tone and that tube driven circuitry. I'll freakin lug around that thing its fine with me but for sure i'm going to play all three of those and see what i like more...i like the Twin a little more because it has the hum balance and bias controls on the back which is really nice...the super reverb and DRRI do not have these correct?

It just seems like a more professional amp to me but i'm still going to play those three and decide after some one on one time 8)

whatever i do end up getting ill post up some pics of the gear

-stratdude83


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