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Post subject: Twin Reverb Custom 15 combo amp
Posted: Fri Mar 30, 2012 6:06 pm
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Fender Amp Loungers,
Am considering a TR 15 for primarily surf guitar, played one a month ago for just a couple of minutes and really liked the big solid bottom end, liked the highs also. Would appreciate weigh ins on the TR 15 surfability and any other positives / negatives of that amp. Also open to suggestions for other surf amps (prefer tremolo and reverb integrated in). 10 inch speakers dont seem to do surf for me (tried Fender Super Reverb). But yesterday played a barely used Super Reverb clone kit (all handwired) that is original fitted 2 x 12 inch, one AlNiCo, one ceramic. Sounded surf great and was almost exactly same price as TR 15 (PCB) new. Wish I could compare TR 15 and clone head to head.

Thanks, CH


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Post subject: Re: Twin Reverb Custom 15 combo amp
Posted: Fri Mar 30, 2012 6:57 pm
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Considering that much of vintage surf music was played on Fender Showmans with 15-inch JBL's, I'm not surprised that you'd find the TR-C15 as an intriguing alternative. The only downside to it -- and it's a small price to pay -- is the weight, which I'm certain approaches 90 lbs. These are also great amps for pedal-steel players. They'll stay clean pretty much all the way up the volume dial and they're loud enough to cause a seismic event -- on the surface of the moon!

:mrgreen:

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: Twin Reverb Custom 15 combo amp
Posted: Sat Mar 31, 2012 7:47 am
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CH,

There is an in-depth discussion of this amp over on Surf Guitar 101. Just do a search there.

Lots of other topics on suitability of various amps for surf as well.

Best of luck,

Paul


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Post subject: Re: Twin Reverb Custom 15 combo amp
Posted: Mon Apr 02, 2012 10:54 pm
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Arjay and Paul, thanks for the info.

I have now ruled out the TR 15 because of prolonged and unreliable delivery times. Hard to find one period.

Considering 3 other amps, any opinion on these from you guys (or anybody else out there).

1. Vibroverb 15- in 2003 Larry Rodgers Naples, FL modded a BF Super Reverb 1965 vintage, put chassis in one of his cabinets, new Vverb faceplate, tone stack alteration and output mod to accomodate an EV 15in speaker. Current owner replaced EV15 with Weber California 15in with paper cone. Will demo this amp on Wednesday.

2. Super Reverb clone kit mentioned in my first post

3. Twin Reverb vintage 1965, that is sort of beat up externally (some smaller tolex tears, grill cloth separations); probably 3rd set of speakers, but they are the orig model Jensens. Treble pot in Vib channel is noisy, all other pots and switches are quiet. Tone is AWESOME! Reverb sound good, tremolo at lowest speed is way faster than I want (can this be slowed?). Best price I can get on this rig is $1500 + tax, and I have no idea if it is worth it. This TR was gone over by a local amp guru Dec, 2011 who replaced some caps and a preamp tube. Have the spec sheet from their inspection.


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Post subject: Re: Twin Reverb Custom 15 combo amp
Posted: Mon Apr 02, 2012 11:44 pm
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There are always one or two TR-C15's for sale on Ebay.

Anything based on the Super Reverb platform will be 40 watts -- if that's enough grunt for you then it would be a worthy contender. It will saturate and compress much more quickly than a 4 x 6L6 amp so that factor should be considered. That said, I play a variety of 40-watt Fenders on stage, to include 2 x 12 Bandmasters, a custom 2 x 10 Bandmaster combo, a 1 x 15 '64 Pro Amp, and a 1 x 15 '64 Vibroverb. They've never lacked for power at any venue. Of course, neither has my 22-watt 1 x 15 "Spankmaster Reverb".

:wink:

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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