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Post subject: Got a new (old) amp today!
Posted: Fri Mar 01, 2013 9:01 pm
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My latest Fender toy...

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Fender Power Chorus 212

Red Knob era... maybe 89 or 90? Made in USA (serial begins "LO") two separate power amps pushing 65 watts each = 130 watt system.

My understanding is that this was the granddaddy of the modern Fender solid state chorus amps. It was renamed after the Red Knob era to the "Ultra Chorus." Then it was rebadged as the "Ultimate Chorus" and production was moved to Mexico. Then its latest reiteration, the "Ultimate Chorus DSP" changed from analog to digital sound processing and was produced in China.

I cannot believe how pristine this amp is... must have spent most its life in a closet. Seller still had the original dust cover and the original 4-button Power Chorus footswitch (a Google search of the Power Chorus makes it look like the original footswitch is a more sought after relic than the amp itself!)

Any corrections or additions to my small knowledge of this amp are appreciated. I like to learn about my new toys... especially old new toys! I was a high schooler when this amp was likely made!

Also, I am planning to run my Mustang Floor through it. I could just run the unbalanced 1/4 jack from the floor to the effects loop return... but this amp also has a stereo effects loop. I will have to check the manual on the Mustang Floor, but there must be a way to take advantage and run the floorboard in true stereo!

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my gear:

Jackson USA Phil Collen PC-1
Warmoth Custom-Build Stratocaster (The Andersong)
Fender American Special Stratocaster
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Fender Mustang GT40
Eleven HeadRush w/ two Alto TS212 FRFRs


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Post subject: Re: Got a new (old) amp today!
Posted: Fri Mar 01, 2013 9:59 pm
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must weigh over a hundred pounds, right?


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Post subject: Re: Got a new (old) amp today!
Posted: Fri Mar 01, 2013 10:18 pm
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@ Tiger:

I've had a 'jones' for the '64 Vibrolux Custom and follow them on eBay from time to time. I'm just wondering whether, not playing out anymore, it's worth the investment at age 70 to have that workhorse hanging around the house. For that reason, I left my Line 6 AX2 back in NY in the good hands of a friend who is still gigging.

By the way, how do you feel about your Mustang Floor? I'm consider acquiring one to run through my ZT Club. I bought that amp for considerations of weight and power, just in case.

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Post subject: Re: Got a new (old) amp today!
Posted: Fri Mar 01, 2013 10:37 pm
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Congrats Tiger!

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Post subject: Re: Got a new (old) amp today!
Posted: Fri Mar 01, 2013 10:45 pm
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Minnesotastrats wrote:
must weigh over a hundred pounds, right?


I think you are thinking about the Red Knob "The Twin" aka "The Evil Twin!" It was an 85 pounder! This one isn't dinky, but it is under 60 lbs.

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my gear:

Jackson USA Phil Collen PC-1
Warmoth Custom-Build Stratocaster (The Andersong)
Fender American Special Stratocaster
Squier J. Mascis Jazzmaster
Fender Mustang GT40
Eleven HeadRush w/ two Alto TS212 FRFRs


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Post subject: Re: Got a new (old) amp today!
Posted: Fri Mar 01, 2013 10:58 pm
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My dude Stacy has one of these amps. Unbelievable nards for a smaller combo! Now...who was the amp guru that designed/made all of the red knob amps for
Fender in the late 80's/early 90's? I can't seem to remember...


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Post subject: Re: Got a new (old) amp today!
Posted: Fri Mar 01, 2013 11:02 pm
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Found it.

Rivera

I'm not sure exactly how much input he had though. Not sure what models..either.


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Post subject: Re: Got a new (old) amp today!
Posted: Fri Mar 01, 2013 11:04 pm
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ZZDoc wrote:
@ Tiger:

I've had a 'jones' for the '64 Vibrolux Custom and follow them on eBay from time to time. I'm just wondering whether, not playing out anymore, it's worth the investment at age 70 to have that workhorse hanging around the house. For that reason, I left my Line 6 AX2 back in NY in the good hands of a friend who is still gigging.

By the way, how do you feel about your Mustang Floor? I'm consider acquiring one to run through my ZT Club. I bought that amp for considerations of weight and power, just in case.


I don't mean to patronize my elders here, ZZ... but when I reach 70 years old I plan to do nothing but collect guitar gear to my heart's content and play! So you get 6 Marshall full-stacks if that makes you happy... let alone a Vibrolux! Worrying about practicality and finances is for us young'uns with 6 yr old daughters to sap all our take home pay!

Seriously though... I love my Mustang Floor and at the new price point of $199 (plus the big music stores always have 15% off coupons) you just can't beat the value! As another forum member commented when I was on the fence about buying it... it is cheaper than two new 9-volt battery stompboxes!

Can't go wrong running one through your ZT Club... go for it! My only caution would be to make sure you WANT to run the Mustang Floor models and effects through your existing amp; because if you would rather have a whole new amp it would be worth your while to get the Mustang III 100-watt 112 amp instead of the Mustand Floor for about $100 more (or you can get them used all day long at $200.) Personally, I wanted the Floor so I could play through multiple amps and through a PA if need be and not have the system tied to one amplifier.

The Mustang Floor has the same interface, models and effects as the Mustang III, IV amps and V amp-head plus the addition of a vol/expression pedal and more output choices for running to PA systems or for direct recording.

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Tiger J

my gear:

Jackson USA Phil Collen PC-1
Warmoth Custom-Build Stratocaster (The Andersong)
Fender American Special Stratocaster
Squier J. Mascis Jazzmaster
Fender Mustang GT40
Eleven HeadRush w/ two Alto TS212 FRFRs


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Post subject: Re: Got a new (old) amp today!
Posted: Fri Mar 01, 2013 11:14 pm
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Tiger J wrote:
Minnesotastrats wrote:
must weigh over a hundred pounds, right?


I think you are thinking about the Red Knob "The Twin" aka "The Evil Twin!" It was an 85 pounder! This one isn't dinky, but it is under 60 lbs.

I have a red knob super 60 and it weighs 60 pounds. Would think a bigger amp amp with two twelves instead of one would weigh more. :)


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Post subject: Re: Got a new (old) amp today!
Posted: Sat Mar 02, 2013 6:39 am
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Dalembic wrote:
Found it.

Rivera

I'm not sure exactly how much input he had though. Not sure what models..either.


These amps were NOT designed by Rivera, they were designed by Mark Wentling and Bill Hughes. These were designed after CBS sold the company. This line of amps started out as the "Fast Four" (the 85, Deluxe 85, Pro, and Pro 185), which were basically the same amp with different power and speaker/cab configurations. These were also the first successful solid state amps (for Fender) and this line did evolve into different series over time and some are still available...which attests to just how well they were designed and built.

These amps were built in Lake Oswego Oregon by Fender hence the LO in the serial number.

If the OP wants more info on these amps, he would do well to pick up John Morrishes Book "The Fender Amp Book" as it covers well this period of Fenders history. You can find em on ebay for $15 usually.

T2

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Post subject: Re: Got a new (old) amp today!
Posted: Sat Mar 02, 2013 6:43 am
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I gigged with a Pro 185 for a while before I got an Evil Twin, loved the red knob look. For a solid state amp they're not at all bad, cleans could sound a bit "banjo-ey" but overall a really decent and reliable amp.

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Post subject: Re: Got a new (old) amp today!
Posted: Sat Mar 02, 2013 6:49 am
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Minnesotastrats wrote:
Tiger J wrote:
Minnesotastrats wrote:
must weigh over a hundred pounds, right?


I think you are thinking about the Red Knob "The Twin" aka "The Evil Twin!" It was an 85 pounder! This one isn't dinky, but it is under 60 lbs.

I have a red knob super 60 and it weighs 60 pounds. Would think a bigger amp amp with two twelves instead of one would weigh more. :)


Minnestoastrats...the weight difference from SS to Tube can be signicant. If I remember right these SS amps sometime were a bit unbalanced when you picked them up (heavier at one end than the other). Both the SS and tube amps of this era were fairly well built and have held up well over the years.

T2

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Post subject: Re: Got a new (old) amp today!
Posted: Sat Mar 02, 2013 6:57 am
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T2Stratman wrote:
Dalembic wrote:
Found it.

Rivera

I'm not sure exactly how much input he had though. Not sure what models..either.


These amps were NOT designed by Rivera, they were designed by Mark Wentling and Bill Hughes. These were designed after CBS sold the company. This line of amps started out as the "Fast Four" (the 85, Deluxe 85, Pro, and Pro 185), which were basically the same amp with different power and speaker/cab configurations. These were also the first successful solid state amps (for Fender) and this line did evolve into different series over time and some are still available...which attests to just how well they were designed and built.

These amps were built in Lake Oswego Oregon by Fender hence the LO in the serial number.

If the OP wants more info on these amps, he would do well to pick up John Morrishes Book "The Fender Amp Book" as it covers well this period of Fenders history. You can find em on ebay for $15 usually.

T2


I will look for that book... thanks! My understanding is that Rivera may have had some schematic input but that he had left Fender before production of the Red Knobs during the CBS mass exodus. Hughes was the "guru." Also, my understanding is that the Power Chorus was a later model Red Knob appearing toward the end of the era.

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Tiger J

my gear:

Jackson USA Phil Collen PC-1
Warmoth Custom-Build Stratocaster (The Andersong)
Fender American Special Stratocaster
Squier J. Mascis Jazzmaster
Fender Mustang GT40
Eleven HeadRush w/ two Alto TS212 FRFRs


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Profile
Post subject: Re: Got a new (old) amp today!
Posted: Sat Mar 02, 2013 7:04 am
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GilgaFrank wrote:
I gigged with a Pro 185 for a while before I got an Evil Twin, loved the red knob look. For a solid state amp they're not at all bad, cleans could sound a bit "banjo-ey" but overall a really decent and reliable amp.


The clean + chorus is like nothing I have ever heard before out of any amp... in a good way!

_________________
Tiger J

my gear:

Jackson USA Phil Collen PC-1
Warmoth Custom-Build Stratocaster (The Andersong)
Fender American Special Stratocaster
Squier J. Mascis Jazzmaster
Fender Mustang GT40
Eleven HeadRush w/ two Alto TS212 FRFRs


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Profile
Post subject: Re: Got a new (old) amp today!
Posted: Sat Mar 02, 2013 7:17 am
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great find best of luck with it..


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