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Post subject: RI Series vs. Boutique Wannabees
Posted: Mon Jul 04, 2011 7:59 pm
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I currently have a new stock DRRI and PRRI (yeah its probably overkill but I love them both) and frequent the TGP boards on a daily basis. Do any of you, after reading about, or playing, much more expensive boutique amps that approximate a Fender tone, such as amps by Carr, Victoria, Swart, still feel satisfied with your RI series amps or are these handwired amps "leagues above" them? Just looking for some opinions from players who have been there. Part of the reason I ask is because, oftentimes, when RI amps are brought up in new threads on these boards I see the boutique amp owners swoop in to criticize the "mass produced PCB amp" that isn't a "worthy platform."

I have to say I've played my fair share of boutique amps and feel the RI series compare pretty well to some of the top contenders - although my tone quest may never end ;)


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Post subject: Re: RI Series vs. Boutique Wannabees
Posted: Mon Jul 04, 2011 8:21 pm
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Hi The DRRI amps are just fine if thats all you can afford. Boutique amps will always sound better than production amps. but the fenders and others give a good platform to build on. Like tube and speaker change. if i had the money yes Boutique all the way. But i think a nice SFDR now thats the amp for me..Cheers..From..Aus...


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Post subject: Re: RI Series vs. Boutique Wannabees
Posted: Mon Jul 04, 2011 8:37 pm
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I think that's what I'm getting at - are most DRRI/PRRI owners because that's what they could afford or because of the tone?


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Post subject: Re: RI Series vs. Boutique Wannabees
Posted: Mon Jul 04, 2011 10:07 pm
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I own ten vintage Fender amps and two re-issues (DRRI, TRRI) and I play 8-10 dates a month, using whichever amp(s) happen to fit the vibe and the venue. I can afford any damn thing I please and if I wanted a "boo-teek" amp you can make book that I'd have one. I play for audiences who by and large think me and my band create some pretty righteous sounds. And I'm quite content to ignore the cork-sniffing bedroom commandos and let them play with themselves.

Are the boutique amps good?

Most of them, yes.

Are they worth the premium price?

Only the potential customer can decide that.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: RI Series vs. Boutique Wannabees
Posted: Mon Jul 04, 2011 10:56 pm
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Excellent post. Thanks Arjay. Always good to hear some honest common sense from a working musician. Happy 4th!


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Post subject: Re: RI Series vs. Boutique Wannabees
Posted: Mon Jul 04, 2011 11:36 pm
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If you're truly hell-bent to own something off the beaten track I can unambiguously and unequivocally recommend the Victoria amps. I've played several models and had occasion to examine disemboweled examples on a bench without the hindrance of some store salesman or a company flack blowing pie-in-the-sky platitudes in my ear. They're likely the closest thing to owning a new amp that was personally built by Leo Fender using traditional methods, materials, and craftsmanship. They're stunning in tone, they look beautiful, and they're guaranteed for life. I know there are many boutique builders out there but Victoria is consistently the best that I've personally seen.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: RI Series vs. Boutique Wannabees
Posted: Tue Jul 05, 2011 5:32 am
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I'm with Arjay,for a working musician,(currently I'm not much of one),the RIs should be fine.
I second his opinion on Victoria amps also,I haven't been able to inspect the insides firsthand but have talked to several techs who have for the fun of it,they seem to be a quality product and would be as close as anything to a new Fender built in the 1950s.
I've been close to pulling the trigger on their copy of the tweed Super,but it seems a vintage amp always comes around that I just have to buy. :D


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Post subject: Re: RI Series vs. Boutique Wannabees
Posted: Tue Jul 05, 2011 8:06 am
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Since we're on the subject have you guys ever compared say, a Carr Rambler, to the Victoria offerings? I'd love to hear about that.


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Post subject: Re: RI Series vs. Boutique Wannabees
Posted: Tue Jul 05, 2011 9:37 am
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These boutique amps are usually just rip offs of vintage fender's or Marshalls with there own tweaks. Price wise you are really just paying for the quality build and better components. I wouldn't say there is anything special about these amps. But remember at one point in time fender amp's where what we would call boutique amps


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Post subject: Re: RI Series vs. Boutique Wannabees
Posted: Wed Jul 06, 2011 3:59 pm
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+1 on the Victoria amps. It more like the reissues trying to be Victoria amps. Like Arjay says, closest thing to something Leo would build himself. What Fender amp was ever guaranteed for life? Victoria's are. If I was making my living playing music again, I'd be playing a Victoria. Nuff said. :wink:

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Post subject: Re: RI Series vs. Boutique Wannabees
Posted: Wed Jul 06, 2011 6:39 pm
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my 2 cents....

I recently bought a "boutique" amp made by David Allen called the Sweet Spot. It is "loosely" based on the Fender Princeton Reverb. It is a true gem and I play it almost every day. It was however very expensive, not as expensive as a Victoria mind you, but expensive enough in my book. I think the Sweet Spot is well made and has many high end components that would warrant the price...Arjay and 63Supro could talk about the applied value and component quality a bit better than I.

Would I spend that kind of cash again for an amp??? ...probably not, but I am certainly happy with the results that I have recieved.

Beaubs

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Post subject: Re: RI Series vs. Boutique Wannabees
Posted: Wed Jul 06, 2011 9:37 pm
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I just realized Victoria Amps is based in Naperville, IL. I'm from a nearby town called Glen Ellyn. I may try and visit their factory when I go back to Chicago in a few weeks.


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Post subject: Re: RI Series vs. Boutique Wannabees
Posted: Wed Jul 06, 2011 10:06 pm
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Beaubs wrote:
my 2 cents....

I recently bought a "boutique" amp made by David Allen called the Sweet Spot. It is "loosely" based on the Fender Princeton Reverb. It is a true gem and I play it almost every day. It was however very expensive, not as expensive as a Victoria mind you, but expensive enough in my book. I think the Sweet Spot is well made and has many high end components that would warrant the price...Arjay and 63Supro could talk about the applied value and component quality a bit better than I.

Would I spend that kind of cash again for an amp??? ...probably not, but I am certainly happy with the results that I have recieved.

Beaubs


The Allen's are great amps too -- I didn't mention them merely because I have no first-hand experience with them. But they're built with similar attention to detail as the Victoria's and I know a few folks who own and play them professionally. In the boutique arena, one could do a lot worse than one of David's gems.

JMO

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: RI Series vs. Boutique Wannabees
Posted: Fri Jul 08, 2011 6:11 am
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I have owned a Clark Piedmont (59 bassman clone) and a Victoria 20112 (Tweed deluxe clone) Both were exceptional amplifiers !!!

Your asking if I feel like I'm missing anything now that my primary amp is a Fender 65 Twin Reverb RI ??? No not one bit !

Stock tubes and speakers need tweeked (changed) bias needs adjusted and your off to the races with a great sounding amp.

I miss not having a tweed next to a black face in my studio ( for looks ) :D

Some day I'll buy a bassman clone Victoria when the deal is too good to pass, living near Chicago does have some perks.

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Post subject: Re: RI Series vs. Boutique Wannabees
Posted: Fri Jul 08, 2011 12:52 pm
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It comes down to cost.

If you only have enough for a PRRI or a DRRI, then for the money, it's well spent.

If you want to spend more, a used SF or BF version can be had, and can be tweaked to make it exactly what you want - when you open the hood, there's a lot of daylight down there. Not a lot of parts, and easy to replace and/or tweak.

Victoria's are fantastic and seem to also hold their value well; I've also heard good things about the Allens.

For me, nothing beats finding an older Fender amp that may have been ridden hard and helping to restore and bring it back to life. It's also allowed me to get 3 great Fender amps at prices lower than would normally be possible.

Of course, if someone offered me a Victoria tweed Deluxe or their Bandmaster, I wouldn't say no...

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