The Gretsch Pages: Discussions: Other Amps: Fender Reissue Blues Deluxe

Fender Reissue Blues Deluxe

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- Rated: 6 ↑
Aug 22, 2008 4:33 p.m. Brandon02:

I was wandering if anyone plays a Fender Reissue Blues Deluxe. I'm thinking about selling my Mesa Single Rectifier and buying one. I used to play 80's hair metal and classic rock from the 60's and 70's. Now I'm mostly into playing Rockabilly and play through my '68 Bassman more than my Mesa and would now like to get a Fender Combo.
- Rated: 4 ↑
Aug 22, 2008 4:58 p.m. wildrat666:

yeah they are good amps. very loud!
- Rated: 114 ↑
Aug 22, 2008 5:23 p.m. wenzel:

In my opinion, I think it's the best sounding fender you can buy for under $2000. That's a huge statement, but I tried out lots of blackface and tweed fenders ranging from $800 up to $2000 and I couldn't see myself spending another $1200 more for an amp to sound only slightly better. I am changing the reverb tank out this weekend in hopes of getting more surfy reverb, but other than that, it sounds awesome!!!
- Rated: 43 ↑
Aug 22, 2008 7:04 p.m. Tsar Nicholas :

I've been using mine for about three years and have loved every minute. My only complaint would be that it's actually too loud and the switchgear isn't great.
- Rated: 46 ↑
Aug 23, 2008 11:10 p.m. BillyZoom:

What is a reissue Blues Deluxe? Isn't a reissue when they bring back an old model? Isn't a Blues Deluxe a new amp?
- Rated: 114 ↑
Aug 23, 2008 11:14 p.m. wenzel:

The blues deluxe was discontinued in the 1990's and brought back within the past year or two. So, yes, it would be like the hodrod deville's being discontinued and brought back 15 years later due to popular demand. These amps sound amazing Billy!
- Rated: 37 ↑
Aug 23, 2008 11:18 p.m. roadjunkie:

Billy the Blues Deluxe was the series Fender ran just before the Hot Rod series. I guess you could say it evolved into the HR series but seeing as the Blues version was maybe a bit better we could be talking about the de- evolution of the species! Watch out for big falling rocks outta the sky!
- Rated: 114 ↑
Aug 23, 2008 11:22 p.m. wenzel:

I used to like the hotrod series amps until I started gigging and practicing with them. They sounded to shrill and cold and weak at volume. Then I found this gem and it blew away everything else for the price. I'm not going to say it sounds better than a victoria or fender twin tweed for the $2000+ category, but I will say that I like it better than the re-issue twin reverb and all of the other fender amps for under $2000. May be just me, but I'm sticking with that conclusion. I tried them all too.
- Rated: 70 ↑
Aug 23, 2008 11:29 p.m. bonedaddy:

hey Roadjunkie, de-evolution, or evolution, they still sound like arse....
- Rated: 114 ↑
Aug 23, 2008 11:32 p.m. wenzel:

bonedaddy, are you talking about the blues deluxe re-issue? They don't sound like ass, or maybe it's a user issue???
- Rated: 70 ↑
Aug 23, 2008 11:40 p.m. bonedaddy:

Nah, the Hot Rods. They're horrible. The Bluesdeluxe isn't too bad. I had one for a while, but went back to my Deluxe Reverb.
- Rated: 37 ↑
Aug 23, 2008 11:44 p.m. roadjunkie:

I'm sure he was referring to the HR series! That always killed me about Fender. The Blues series was so much better then the HR's but they had to have the extra drive channel. I think that's why I'm so adverse to channel switchers. I have a Princeton Stereo Chorus and granted we're talking SS here but it has a beautiful clean channel but that dirt channel leaves a lot to be desired!
- Rated: 114 ↑
Aug 24, 2008 5:10 p.m. wenzel:

RJ, don't forget the "More Drive" channel on the Tweed 4 x 10 Hotrod blues deville. That thing was rediculous. It was actually the only hotrod I'd ever use, but in the end it still wasn't for me. It was cheap too, at around $700 or so for 4x10 amp in tweed, but the overdrive channels got a little silly with a total of 3 channels. Normal, overdrive and "more drive". LOL
- Rated: 6 ↑
Aug 24, 2008 5:35 p.m. Brandon02:

After checking out amp demos on youtube, I think I'm going to get the '65 Deluxe Reverb Reissue instead of the Blues Deluxe, it's more like what I'm looking for.
- Rated: 37 ↑
Aug 24, 2008 6:25 p.m. roadjunkie:

See if I was to stick with Fender and do the 4x10 thing it would be the 59 Bassman RI but if I wanted to keep it real I'd go with the Vickie!

Thing is I can't do either! I can't get the funds together for all the things I have planned. It's either a head for the 1x15 cab or a chassis for the 3x10 cab then since I got this bass I'm looking into that stuff more then ever. The chassis would be the cheapest way to go. I forget the price off hand but I'm thinking handwired 64-65 Vibroverb reproduction for just under 1 grand. The amp I want is about 2 to 2 and a half plus I made an offer for a vintage Ampeg porta-flex It just doesn't end! Big dreams and a empty wallet!
- Rated: 70 ↑
Aug 24, 2008 6:43 p.m. bonedaddy:

Yeah, well thanks to you RJ, I'm ordering the Swart Space Tone Reverb on Friday. My wife really liked the demo clips. Her words were, and I quote "you can't put a price on your sound, can you?" Oh yeah. I'm stoked
- Rated: 37 ↑
Aug 24, 2008 7:25 p.m. roadjunkie:

WOW!!! Good woman! Tell her I said that! When you don't have the money at the time it's fun planting ideas in those who do! 5 watters are my favorite amps! Between my old Tophat, Gibson GA-5 and my current Fargen Bastage not a bad one in the bunch but I want another TH again someday
- Rated: 37 ↑
Aug 24, 2008 7:29 p.m. roadjunkie:

Hey Fat Sounds has one in stock! Good people too! I spent an afternoon there when I went to visit my kid 2 summers ago. Drove back to Raleigh the next day and spent the afternoon at Indoor Storm!
- Rated: 70 ↑
Aug 24, 2008 7:48 p.m. bonedaddy:

Yeah, I've been debating on whether I'll order directly from them, or from a reseller. I'm stoked though; I've been looking for a low watt amp that sounds good AND has reverb for quite some time. You just pushed me over the edge

My champ sounds good, but no reverb.

On the STR, I like the fact that you can use a 6L6, an EL34 or a 6v6 without having to bias (cathode based biasing).
- Rated: 37 ↑
Aug 24, 2008 8:14 p.m. roadjunkie:

Call Stu and ask him about it. Good guy he'll tell ya all about it. He knows his gear plus he's a big Tophat dealer along with Z Matchless and others
- Rated: 114 ↑
Aug 24, 2008 8:15 p.m. wenzel:

Don't judge an amp from clips on youtube!!! All I have to say is that it sounds like some of us are selling the blues deluxe a little short. I don't use the second channel at all, so forget about that tone. I use the clean channel only and the newly installed reverb tank, which is a vast improvement over the stocker. I don't see how anyone would not like the tone of this amp. If you want more clean headroom, sure, maybe go for a twin or deluxe reverb, but this amp rocks at any volume I've thrown at it. For me, the price to tone ratio was a no-brainer! Before you decide, try one out in person, not using youtube as your guide.
- Rated: 70 ↑
Aug 24, 2008 8:32 p.m. bonedaddy:

I'm not basing anything off youtube. I've played the blues jr, and I just don't like it. It's too harsh. But that's ok, different strokes for different folks, right?

The clips I'm referring to for the Swart are here:

space tone reverb

Besides, the 5 watt range is what I'm after, so I can play it at home and not need an attenuator. Plus it's p2p wired.
- Rated: 114 ↑
Aug 24, 2008 8:39 p.m. wenzel:

Bonedaddy, I was referring to Brandon with regards to youtube. I get what you're saying, I think different players, different guitars, different surroundings can all have an effect on how an amp sounds and sometimes the optimal settings aren't achieved. I was referring to the blues deluxe reissue, not the blues Jr. I don't think I've ever played a blues jr myself. It's too small for me. Low watt amps are great and I just played a pretty nice one yesterday at a local shop. It was black and had some spades or diamonds on it. I can't remember the name. It was a cool amp. I was wearing a gretsch shirt and the owner handed me his 70's gretsch coronado/corvette??? with dimarzio looking pickups in it. It sounded like a gibson and played like crap. I recommended he get it set up and then said adios after hanging out and picking up some hi-hats.

Either way, I'm not arguing, I'm just saying to anyone else reading this as a basis of whether to look at a blues deluxe RI, that you should at least try one before you decide from watching youtube.
- Rated: 70 ↑
Aug 24, 2008 8:41 p.m. bonedaddy:

Oh sorry, my bad. I got confused because I'd just mentioned some clips. No biggie. Yeah, blues deluxe is ok, I had one, not a bad amp, but just wasn't quite "it".

The blues junior and pro junior - yuk. Completely different beasts right there.

Are you still playing through the supro? How many watts is that?
- Rated: 114 ↑
Aug 24, 2008 8:46 p.m. wenzel:

I had a vox ac30, silvertone twin twelve, fender twin and several line 6 amps. I never had a supro, but of all the amps I have used, the blues deluxe RI is "it" for me and my tastes. It's like Elvis from 1958 or something. It just has that tweed sound that's stuck in my head and it feels like magic everytime I plug her in.