kelossus Posted February 27, 2021 Posted February 27, 2021 I picked up a bit of old US valve gear today and amongst everything is a Fender guitar amp. I have no knowledge of guitar amps so am hoping someone can help identify what this is. A quick google search provided no insight but I may be looking up the wrong key words. Other than twin reverb I can find no model number or telling signs to indicate it's age. The tubes I pulled out are all branded Fender. 1
zenikoy Posted February 27, 2021 Posted February 27, 2021 Google keywords - fender twin reverb silverface. Roughly 1968 to 1981, 100watts, iconic valve combo guitar amp (amp and speakers in same cabinet), flippin' loud. Have probably fallen out of favour due to the volume required to perform at tone sweet spot. Even in small venues which now more rely more on PA amps. For context I use a 1982 Fender Vibro-Champ at home. 5watts at 2/10 volume Valves will be rebranded Fender. Mine were RCAs of which the 12AX7s I moved to my hifi amp to good effect. Anyhoo, you wont have any problems selling it on, price will be dependent on condition anf functionality. 5
Beacon Posted March 4, 2021 Posted March 4, 2021 Send the serial number to Fender and they will reveal all. 1
t_mike Posted March 4, 2021 Posted March 4, 2021 This thing used to compete with the Vox AC30. While the Vox was only 30 watts, they were very loud watts. The trouble with all these old amps is that to get that good dirty sound out of them, you had to push them pretty hard, and unfortunately, inflicting tinnitus of the unsuspecting public is frowned upon these days.
gator2310 Posted March 15, 2021 Posted March 15, 2021 Silverface Twin - looks 70's but yep you'll need to check the serial number https://support.fender.com/hc/en-us/articles/212774766-How-can-I-find-out-how-old-my-amplifier-is- It will most likely need a going over by a tech if it hasnt been looked after to check tubes (especially power tubes) and the output transformers, caps etc. They are a big loud amp in present day conditions although they werent back then. As someone mentioned a little too much for the smaller venues or stages. Its hard to use them at quiet volume thanks to the 2 x12's and a lot of low mids at close proximity. But a real classic and plenty of clean headroom when working properly. 1
Tweaky Posted March 16, 2021 Posted March 16, 2021 You could always buy a power soak to drive the amp hard and get that overdriven sound, without the volume. https://www.musoscorner.com.au/bugera-ps1-power-soak-load-box 2
zenikoy Posted March 17, 2021 Posted March 17, 2021 12 hours ago, Tweaky said: You could always buy a power soak to drive the amp hard and get that overdriven sound, without the volume. https://www.musoscorner.com.au/bugera-ps1-power-soak-load-box The youtube video included in that Bugera listing is actually a good demo for non musicians on how tube guitar amps are used. I've discussed a few times with audiophiles that hifi reproduction amps are a very different animal to guitar amps which are more a musical instrument (or part of). 1
Rosco8 Posted March 17, 2021 Posted March 17, 2021 I just got back my 1975 Fender Silverface Vibrolux Reverb, non master volume, which is the baby brother to the Twin with half the power valves (35-40w vs the 100w). I just had it revalved by a top Tech locally who raided his private valve stash for me and she is now loaded with original NOS Fender valves, he had the Fender packets which astounded me, I asked him to go over it and sure enough the capacitors had started to leak, its the right age for them to leak so i would have them checked. So had them replaced with Sprague Atom's and its now ready for another 40 years or so and sounding incredible. I previously had put some replacement JJ valves in it but just didn't have that silky and glassy Fender sound of the originals. As others said the Twin is a great amp but its bloody loud, I have seen one of the the King Brothers (Foreday Riders) in Sydney using one, magic tones. 2
kelossus Posted July 11, 2021 Author Posted July 11, 2021 I just spend $450 getting this recapped and re-tubed. Do you think $1500 is a fair price to ask?
kelossus Posted July 13, 2021 Author Posted July 13, 2021 Ended up listing it on Facebook Marketplace and it sold within an hour.
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