Joined: 15 Aug 2003 Posts: 234 Location: Hartlepool, U.K.
Posted: Fri Aug 05, 2005 10:35 am Post subject: Fender Twin or Hot Rod Deville?
OK, it's like this ... A couple of days ago I got a phone call from my sister who lives in Dover, UK, telling me that our widowed Aunt Alice, who died in 2000 (bear with me, it does get interesting) had left her house to her friend on condition that, when she was too old to manage on her own, the house would then be sold and the proceeds be divided up between her heirs. So the old lady went into a home this year and the house has been sold - just that they couldn't trace me (which is somehow reassuring) so they managed to trace my sister, who as I said, called me. Now ... I'm not going be made rich overnight, far from it, but it DOES mean that I'll be able to buy the amp of my choice. (and by lovely wife is absolutely in agreement!!!! She's getting more beautiful by the second ....)
Are you still there??? OK. My current amp is a Music Man 210 65Watt, which is great at low to medium volumes, but when you turn it up any louder than that, the definition goes and it just blares ... What I want is an amp that will just stare you back in the face, stone cold sober until you reach volume 8 or nine, and then YOU decide if you're going to use a pedal to get that "just breaking up" sound, etc. Now - I had my heart set on a Fender Twin. However, I am a not too muscular 54-year-old, and I am led to believe that the Twin is VERY heavy. In view of this, I've been looking at the Fender Hot Rod Deville (4X10). Judging by the reviews, both amps have the similar characteristic of a clean sound up to high volumes.
What experience do you guys have with regard to these two amps? Is the Hot Rod Deville really a valid, less weighty alternative to the Twin, or should I bite the bullet and, bugger it, go for the Twin??? _________________ "Creativeness often consists of merely turning up what is already there. Did you know that right and left shoes were only thought up a little more than a century ago?" - Bernice Fitz-Gibbon 1894-1982
Joined: 21 Jul 2003 Posts: 401 Location: College Station, TX
Posted: Fri Aug 05, 2005 11:05 am Post subject:
There is no easy (or correct) answer! Lots of choices and factors. IMHO I would forget about the DeVille - I have never heard one that sounded worth a crap. Plus I don't care for 10 inch speakers anyway Are you talking about the reissue Twin Reverb? These are heavy SOBs, and they pack more power than the DeVille (85 watts compared to 60), and they are loud. But to be honest, they are not very well made (particle board and cheap components) these days. And unless you plan on playing really loud all the time you may be dissapointed as it will be pretty clean at lower volumes (if you use a lot of pedals this is ok - just depends on how you use it). So, before you set your mind, I would look around in the same price range and see what else is out there.
Another option is to find a used Fender. I am fan of the late 60s/early 70s silverface jobs. I have a 69 Deluxe Reverb and a 71 Pro Reverb (that is finally coming back from a face lift after a year) and with a little money and a good tech you will have a fantastic road hog that will blow away the generic new Fender amps. Check out the Fender Discussion Page - it is a goldmine of Fender info, and contacts. http://www.fenderforum.com/
And have fun shopping - these opportunities don't come aorund every day!
Joined: 16 Jul 2003 Posts: 328 Location: The Netherlands
Posted: Fri Aug 05, 2005 11:04 pm Post subject:
So you want a big clean sound and not too much weight? That's not easy!
First of all if you want a clean amp that will be cracked up with an overdrive pedal, the Deville is out. The clean sound of this amp is not realy Fender-clean! The Twin is o.k. but as Telefunk is pointing out, you will need to find an old one. If you find a silverface with master volume, you can use your overdrive pedal at all volumes to contole the o.d. sound.
But, as I don't know how much money you can spend, if you want a BIG clean Fender tone, try to find a custom shop Dual Professional or a Tone Master head with cab. Both amps are 100 Watts. I myself tried the new Custom Shop Twin Reissue in Tweed cosmetics. Now that's an amp!! It's a master build replica from one of the the first twins from the 50's. Realy awsome if your into Fender sound. And the weight? I carry around an old silverface Twin in a flightcase. Not good for the back, so you always need help. _________________ "Don't play what's there, play what's not there" Miles Davis
Joined: 15 Aug 2003 Posts: 234 Location: Hartlepool, U.K.
Posted: Sat Aug 06, 2005 12:31 am Post subject:
Thanks for your comment, Lefty. You say the Deville's clean sound is not really Fender clean - how would you describe its sound? _________________ "Creativeness often consists of merely turning up what is already there. Did you know that right and left shoes were only thought up a little more than a century ago?" - Bernice Fitz-Gibbon 1894-1982
Joined: 16 Jul 2003 Posts: 328 Location: The Netherlands
Posted: Sun Aug 07, 2005 8:04 am Post subject:
nineacres wrote:
Thanks for your comment, Lefty. You say the Deville's clean sound is not really Fender clean - how would you describe its sound?
Both DeVille's (4x10 and 2x12) sound somewhat harsh like there is already a lot of clean boost. It is a cold sound.
By the way BudFarmer is wright, KOCH amp from holland are very good, but they use EL34's. Not my personal choice. _________________ "Don't play what's there, play what's not there" Miles Davis
Joined: 09 Feb 2005 Posts: 197 Location: San Jose Ca.
Posted: Sun Aug 07, 2005 9:28 am Post subject:
Nineacres, since you have the means to get whatever you want, you shouldn't really experiment too much. You should get whatever your favorite players use, if you can. You know it will be roadworthy or at least not break down, will sound good, and the great ones have already done the R and D on just about every piece of equipment so you don't have to. Back when I was trying to get the Van Halen sound, I tried experimenting with everything, spent big bucks on a lot of amps, and missed the main component in his sound in those days: the 25 watt Celestions! (duh!) So if you know what your favorite players like and use, go in that direction. Its easier and cheaper in the long run.
Joined: 15 Aug 2003 Posts: 234 Location: Hartlepool, U.K.
Posted: Sun Aug 07, 2005 11:08 am Post subject:
Whoa there Red! I honestly do wish I had the means to get whatever I want ... Unfortunately, the sum coming to me does not allow me to do THAT much. However, I really do appreciate your comments. In fact, the reason why I considered getting a Fender Twin was that I know Robben has used this amp in the past, and still does, I believe. But number of gigs I play, and the size of the venues here in the North East UK (a blues-lovers wilderness, may I also add ) means that I will sensibly have to settle for something smaller. My (new-found) finances will also not go much higher than £800 to £900 ($1,400 - $1,600) since there are other projects that need to be tackled around here, I am reliabley informed by my better and more- down-to-earth half (who by the way, is still as beautiful as before) - so a Dumble is definitely out. Never mind. I trust you guys' opinions, so thanks to all who have commented. The search continues. _________________ "Creativeness often consists of merely turning up what is already there. Did you know that right and left shoes were only thought up a little more than a century ago?" - Bernice Fitz-Gibbon 1894-1982
Joined: 16 Jul 2003 Posts: 328 Location: The Netherlands
Posted: Sun Aug 07, 2005 11:24 am Post subject:
Yeah, Robben used to like the Red Knob twin much and also plays on the modern "Evil Twin" occasionally. Both amps sound great, and have a very nice overdrive channel. The Red Knob's original pair of speakers suck though. These are realy versatile amps with great tone. I believe the Evil Twin is still in production at Fender. _________________ "Don't play what's there, play what's not there" Miles Davis
Joined: 09 Feb 2005 Posts: 197 Location: San Jose Ca.
Posted: Sun Aug 07, 2005 1:54 pm Post subject:
I have a friend here in Northern California that plays a reissue Blackface Deluxe with a Les Paul Heritage 80 strung with .009-.042 and a reissue Ibanez TS-808 and it sounds like a cross between old Larry Carlton meets Bruce Conte (Tower of Power, What is Hip solo. I play with him in a pretty big club, and he has no problem being heard.
Joined: 21 Jul 2003 Posts: 401 Location: College Station, TX
Posted: Mon Aug 08, 2005 5:25 am Post subject:
Red - I LOVE that solo on What is Hip! One of the great understated, tasteful, tone-ful, expressive, spot-on solos of all time. Damn - my CD is at home, now that I am jonesin' for some TOP here at work.
Nine - I would definitely consider a 1-12 combo of some sort - many fit your price range (Rivera, for example) they will not kill your back, and most can cut through in a small club. If you play larger venues there will probably be some kind of sound reinforcement anyway, so just mic that sucker and let it rip. Good luck.
Nine, there are so many good 1x12 amps out there, I play nothing else anymore especially as I don't have a Daved and have to carry all myself. With my amp (George Dennis Mighty Mouse) I am still too loud for most occasions. Now I found that new Laney 15W all tube 1x10 which sounds really good and works well with OD pedals, is lightweight and I think of buing one (about 500,- Euros here). As telefunk says when the venue is bigger get it miked
Joined: 26 Nov 2003 Posts: 916 Location: Fairhope, AL
Posted: Mon Aug 08, 2005 6:38 am Post subject: 1-12 combo
I use a Fender Blues Jr. It's a 15 watt combo that weighs under 40 lbs. I have back issues, too. I have an older Fender Concert 1-12 also. The Blues Jr. goes to every gig. I mic it and it handles everything I need it to. It's been very dependable so far. The only downside is that it doesn't have a standby switch, but I just turn the master volume off on breaks. I'd buy another one if anything happened to this one.
Frank
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Are you talking about the reissue Twin Reverb? These are heavy SOBs, and they pack more power than the DeVille (85 watts compared to 60), and they are loud. But to be honest, they are not very well made (particle board and cheap components) these days. And unless you plan on playing really loud all the time you may be dissapointed as it will be pretty clean at lower volumes (if you use a lot of pedals this is ok - just depends on how you use it). So, before you set your mind, I would look around in the same price range and see what else is out there.
Unfortunately, the sum coming to me does not allow me to do THAT much. However, I really do appreciate your comments. In fact, the reason why I considered getting a Fender Twin was that I know Robben has used this amp in the past, and still does, I believe. But number of gigs I play, and the size of the venues here in the North East UK (a blues-lovers wilderness, may I also add 
) means that I will sensibly have to settle for something smaller. My (new-found) finances will also not go much higher than £800 to £900 ($1,400 - $1,600) since there are other projects that need to be tackled around here, I am reliabley informed by my better and more- down-to-earth half (who by the way, is still as beautiful as before) - so a Dumble is definitely out. Never mind. I trust you guys' opinions, so thanks to all who have commented. The search continues.
