AMPS IN THE ZONE #2 Blackface Fender Super Reverb

[@sandysingssongs]

Beautiful tone and playing on 'Lenny'.

[@PeteThorn]

+sandysingssongs thanks!

[@wildmilne]

Agreed, i have a version on youtube from 2006 where i played it pretty much note for note, but now i can't even remember it haha. My tone isn't as sweet as yours...i was using a Egnater MTS JTM module with a tube screamer on the lead.

[@down19992000]

Yeah it sounds awesome. My favorite SRV song.

[@Jamesppatterson]

By far the most helpful video on getting the Lenny tone. Absolutely incredible tone and you can really hear the difference in moving from #5/neck to #4 position. Totally nails it. Also thanks for reviewing both amp and guitar volume settings...an art form that I am just starting to discover. I was going to buy a TRRI but am now definitely getting an SR.

[@clausmadsen6754]

People can say what they want. Ain’t nothing like the sound of a Strat into a SuperReverb. It is THE guitar tone to me!

[@gloreano]

Right on brother. I agree, it is one of the best tones out there.

[@OzziePete1]

Unless you've heard a Strat through a Fender Quad Reverb!

[@audrianasondej4100]

@@OzziePete1 then you'd like the Super 6

[@gatormcklusky5850]

@@audrianasondej4100 I pulled the original baffle & have my SR set up with 2 celestion 12" gold speakers. To die for!!

[@audrianasondej4100]

@@gatormcklusky5850 Awesome, I have two different sets of old Jensen Alnico's that I swap from time to time. I have a set of gold's , tho I'm using one in a little 15 watt combo amp maybe I'll pull it and throw a greenback in that and try out the gold's. That or a have a little Regal(licensed by Fender) 1961 R1160 40 watt that has a awesome sounding Jensen p12r that has 'that' tone but I've been wanting to throw the other gold in it. Fun to chase tone!!

[@leafinfirerob]

THANK YOU PETE!! My 50 watt combo stays between 4 and 6 for my live tone, and I've taken a lot of heat from sound guys who want me to roll back. It's our job to get our tone. And their job to project it.

[@dkrumrie123]

Man oh man, I just cranked up my deluxe reverb with my strat and it was glorious. I don't get to turn my amps way up too often. I hope my neighbors enjoyed it.

[@-thirteen]

DexterGTR did the same thing

[@Killstapp]

Just did that with my 69 Super Reverb (still has AB763 schematics) it was glorious.

[@markellis6668]

Did you put the deluxe reverb on same settings as he had on super

[@michaelszczys8316]

Back in 1960s had a friend that had amp like that one and you could start things on fire with it.

[@jensk4140]

They threw a brick through my window so they could hear it even better!

[@domwakely217]

I mean...seriously, Pete’s tone is just consistently so beautiful.

[@marcusbrebner811]

My '74 Super Reverb is still serving me beautifully after 25 years 🙏🏻✌️

[@olilix8226]

Make gigging guitar tone great again - Pete Thorn 2018 Great video man.

[@PeteThorn]

OliLix thanks!!!

[@icurt06]

That was more than amazing! Loved the song selection to showcase the Blackface. Really good info on setting the amp and volume knob on the guitar. Long live SRV

[@THUNDERWORX]

Also meant to say, it is great to hear old amps of interest, but the settings you dial in for a fantastic sound are even more valuable to someone interested in a particular amp. That is a true gift. So, thanks again for posting!!!

[@FiragoMusic]

Pete, you are a treasure to the community. This is such fantastic advice! How many times have I been burned by running minimal stage volume. I will use your trick from now on!!!

[@timmotel5804]

1/2023: I ordered a '65 Super Reverb reissue that will arrive tomorrow. My new Ultra HSS Strat will sound excellent through it. I've always wanted a Super Reverb. Don't know why I haven't bought one till now. Excellent video. Beautiful playing. Thank You and Happy New Year.

[@andyracksthecams]

Wow Peter, only just discovered this. Thank you. A lovely surprise hearing you play SRV and sounding spot on. I should have guessed you would have this down being a tone master but I am pleasantly surprised. You never cease to amaze.

[@mortenchristensen334]

Just love it - It's tonematch made in heaven. Pre-CBS strat with a blackfaced Super Reverb

[@CrazyHenkie777]

Excellent choice of music Pete! A strat and a Super Reverb, that's classic Stevie Ray territory. Sweet sounds and great playing as always.

[@jeanpaulmarrero2728]

Heavy tone on Lenny... My jaw dropped right away! Amazing playing and tone!

[@PeteThorn]

Thanks!

[@MarkCookmusic]

@@PeteThorn What speakers are you using??

[@beachcomber4141]

Man, Lenny was IT. I cant imagine SRV recorded this on the record or the El Mambo Combo gig not using this amplifier. This was a revelation! Mr. Thorn is one of the greatest guitarist out there today. Thanks from an old SRV fan who always wondered how he got THAT tone!!

[@bishlap]

That's the best strat tone you'll ever hear.

[@robbinwolfe9553]

I'm not sure I've heard a more beautiful sound

[@plexidust5101]

Try this...kzbin.info/www/bejne/Zmq1qaOgbs6fo6c

[@sambeason3820]

Plexidust he’ll yea bro Mathew Scott kills with the strat tones.

[@BlindTom61]

Super Reverbs were the go to amps for when I was playing and I'm 77 so you know I'm an old guy. I played either 4X10 Bassmans or Super Reverbs for the 20 or so years I spent in the honky tonks, dive bars, biker bars, hippie clubs that we played four nights a week. I always set my super reverb at 5855 with just a little hit of reverb.. It was my good friend . I thought that the Fender musical instruments came about when they were purchased by CBS. CBS owned them long before the silver face era. Your videos are terrific.

[@TheSprayking]

Once you gig with a super you never go back!! Thanks Pete for someone actually talking about volume and EQ!

[@BITESIZEJONES]

Depends on the gig. Gotta have my 12inch combo amp too. But yeah nothing like a SR

[@noone-t8y]

Just gorgeous tone, and standout playing as always!

[@letzrockitrite8469]

Brother... you are such a blessing !!

[@PeteThorn]

Letzrockitrite thanks so much!!! Thanks for watching

[@SeanDriscollSoMuchSound]

This point is very important for guitarists to hear who think the answer to tone is found in the next pedal that’s around the corner. It starts with your fingers, the guitar, then the amp. Pedals will just reinforce whatever tone you’re starting with so get the basics right first. Volume of the amp is HUGELY important to tone. Well done explaining this Pete.

[@andy474x]

Haven't heard a sound that righteous in a while!!!

[@JL-sw3qp]

Sorry that I am only just now seeing this for the first time. The tone, playing, and advice are outstanding! Well done!

[@cobravinci]

It's exactly the tone of SRV I'm chasing for such a long time... I finally know how to get it! No an easy way to get it when you have to play at bedroom levels, though! Thanks Pete!!!

[@MetaphysicalMusician]

The Tone is Angelic..THANKSGREAT TIP

[@eddyabacka8403]

You are One of the Greatest, .. to Inspire us, and give us New Tips & Tricks!! .. 🤩🤗

[@sandysingssongs]

7:43 'You see, most blokes, you know, will be playing at ten. You're on ten here, all the way up, all the way up, all the way up, you're on ten on your guitar. Where can you go from there? Where?'

[@williamjones7260]

But this amp goes to 11!

[@madsmadsen5497]

Boost pedal?

[@michaelwoods9005]

"But why can't you just make ten louder, and keep it as the highest number?"

[@eddieperez9565]

Booster and equalizer, Mate!

[@luthiervandros]

lol the peeps who haven’t seen the movie

[@williamrustrum]

Thanks for this Pete, you addressed the white elephant the room. Indeed, I get gorgeous tones rolling down my guitar volume with the amp volume up. Its incredible. Thanks again.

[@rcoveyduc]

... and now I need to pull out the El Mocambo DVD. :D

[@briangregory6303]

rcoveyduc One of the greatest music videos ever.

[@renleblanc2993]

It is ! It's so raw and powerful - SRV at his best - that video got me into blues. It's a must for any guitarist.

[@plexidust5101]

Here is Mocombo tone right here, my fave too, kzbin.info/www/bejne/Zmq1qaOgbs6fo6c

[@imannonymous7707]

That hallowed hall on spadina ave , it didnt look like much but many a band rocked the foundations

[@michaelshields6585]

This info is much needed by many who have not experienced using their guitar volume and tone in this manner. Essentially rolling back to get your clean sound with amp up and pushed to that sweet spot, brings a “bloom” to the clean tone. You can hear it here. When the amp is on three, there is considerably less colour to the tone, sounds vaguely the same, but notice the bloom when it’s on 5. This is something you can feel as well and it will help develop a natural dynamic in your playing style. Contrast that by basically hitting the strings at a higher velocity at all times fighting to get heard by hitting pedals. Pedals of course have their place, but as noted by the initial explanation, this is a growing trend where stage volume is squashed resulting in the scenario described. The amp needs to be pushed at an appropriate volume. Otherwise, use a Kemper or something

[@mingury]

Pete Thorn will make any shitty gears sound excellent. And he will make excellent gears to sound totally out of this world.

[@jensk4140]

Perfect lenny cover and tone

[@jamesemerson4102]

I actually think that's the closest sound to the original Lenny tone that I have ever heard. SSS dumble or whatever, this sounds so similar! I don't even know if he used a super in that song but this tone is very similar. Beautiful stuff!

[@coryj12]

So good! Thanks for reminding me how dynamic and lush a pushed valve amp can sound. I feel a lot of us have been pushed to in ears and small wattage amps and have lost that headroom and dynamic in our tone. Bring back this kind of vibe!!!

[@haytguugle8656]

Your point about having that bit of headroom - somewhere to go when you want a little more is exactly correct. But going back to the late 70's early 80's, I've always held that there is another reason why modular or low volume amps through the PA is missing the mark. Sure, you can't kill the AE and the audience just because you want to crank it up. But so many players seem to have missed the symbiosis that happens between all the components in the guitar/amp/player "system". People who feel their sound is just fine digital through the PA and in their "EARS" are probably the same people who don't hear (actually FEEL) the difference in tone woods or different pickups or strings / picks, etc... The feedback (not the squealing stuff) we get from the amp responding to our playing as-much-as the input we give to the amp through the guitar is part of the emotional inspiration of the sounds we're creating. And having your amp circuits not doing their thing is so different from what happens when you can feel the amp pushing back at you. Of course it's incredibly subtle. But it's exactly the subtleties that make the difference and the inspiration that move us in our playing. And also that separates the great musicians from the players. So I've come to believe. Thanks for you videos!

[@Pudge4400]

You're exactly right. I liken it to a circuit too, sort of. When you've got the amp moving some air and pushing back at you, there's a complete circle...or circuit... happening there. Each part feeds the other and when that combination is just right, when you can move a certain way and get that infinite sustain or GOOD feedback, there's nothing like it. Certainly nothing that a modeller, low vol amp or DI can provide. Those break that circuit and take you out of the loop...sort of separate you from the music in a way. I hate 'em, to be honest.

[@georgegrewal8797]

I still love watching this to inspire me with my SR ! Thanks for the tasty playing Pete, keeping us happy in Sydney Aust!

[@bigboyblue88]

This was my first amp, and guitar basically, subject to the changes going on with Fender at that time. Both, blackface Super and burst 66 Strat, bought new in Monroe, LA just after Thanksgiving 1966. I was 12, and had saved up $350. The Strat with case was exactly $314 on the tag, and I think the SR was around $400 list, but my Granny was with me :), they knocked off quite a bit, threw in a pedal that had just come in, and Granny covered the shortage with provision that I would pay her back, which I did. I had never had a pedal before, nor even used one more than a minute or two, but when they plugged it in with my Strat and SR, dialed the amp and Strat back a few notches, and stepped on the button, my jaw dropped a foot and I recognized it right off. It was a pre Dallas Fuzz Face. I have to admit, that, in the beginning, primarily because of that rig, I got gigs that I was not the best for. I played some killer with that boy, and the amp was played on by Mr. BB, Johnny, Fred McDowell, Gatemouth Brown, loads of 2nd tier players, You never had to hang your head down with that guy. I moved to UK for a while in 1974 and sold it just before. Later had many amps, but have always missed my SR, except for the poundage ( I am seriously thinking about another, or something very close, and no more amp after amp, just stick. I'm old now, semi-retired, and hate schlepping heavy gear at 3 AM worse than just about anything :)

[@dat219]

Tommy Castro 68 black strat n Super Reverb the last time I saw him perform which was a while ago . Great player.

[@kevino3129]

Sold my '65 for $200 back in 1973. Can you feel my pain here in 2021!! 😢

[@neuk01642]

That sounded just EPIC! When you rolled off the volume a touch, what a glorious tone. That right their is why the 'Frender Clean' is such a stunning thing. Brilliant Pete, brilliant!

[@thelightmonkey1970]

Its not all bad Pete. At soundcheck last night at our gig the sound guy actually asked me to turn my amp up (Blues Deluxe RI, 40 watts). I thought, 'Yes, this will be good.' And lo, it was.

[@PeteThorn]

+Keith Jackson nice!!

[@allenlocke1935]

Yeah? I'm still waiting for that day! Soundmen cry if you even get close to 2 on the volume. It would be nice to kick them in the nuts when they complained. Lol.

[@snowbord57]

Do you get a good “Lenny” tone out of that blues deluxe?? Just picked one up a few days ago and stumbled upon this video lol kinda close but not quite getting the chime, but I’ll keep tweaking

[@thelightmonkey1970]

@@snowbord57 it's in that ballpark, but when you're talking SRV it's as much to do with the guitar, 13s strings and the man himself. I replaced the speaker with a celestion creamback which improved the high sweetness, and changed the valves for a cryo set from Watford Valves which also improved the tone.

[@avitarmagnus9090]

Amazing explanation well done great sound and we all love and miss SRV

[@MrKenward777]

Love this! What a great sound! AC-30/AC-15 up next???

[@imannonymous7707]

Get ur jangle on bro...great Amps

[@pauljude]

Amazing. I could listen to Pete play through this combo all day.

[@ronraducanu9633]

That was the smoothest, most increible version of "Lenny" I've ever heard. Wow. I'd love to hear you play the whole thing through that amp!

[@RonG40]

"You're on ten here, all the way up, all the way up, all the way up, you're on ten on your guitar. Where can you go from there? Where?" Seriously though, that Strat tone is just beyond sweet.

[@chrislestermusic]

I play louder in my house than I do in clubs or theatre venues. It has gotten ridiculous with sound men.

[@Funkbutterfly]

I was going to write the same thing. Saving your ears is nice but you can't be ridiculous about it. The soundmen want stage volume to be 0 lol.

[@chrislestermusic]

Funkbutterfly Since I posted that comment I played a sold out show in a venue and the sound man was crying about a Fender Deluxe on 2. It is unbelievable.

[@jmo1366]

Its bullshit.. Drives me nuts

[@samroney6644]

@@Funkbutterfly Its less about saving ears and more about having a good mix and proper FOH volume. I agree that a few inexperienced sound guys can be aggravating about stage volume, but there are many more guitarists who have no common sense about stage volume either. Lots of tools out there playing 100 watt monster amps on small stages, in small clubs, with no concept of either the limits of the PA gear to match them, the size of the venue to handle the volume, or crossbleed to mics that prevents a good mix from being possible. When your amp is louder in the lead voc mic than the lead voc, you're wrong. The goal of being there with the rest of the band is to sound good as a band, not prove how much louder you can be than the rest. A good house mix is more important to your band than your ego. When the mix can match your level, but has to be too loud for the room, it sounds like shit to everyone but you. Having the right wattage amp to get your tone with just the right amount of stage volume (for the size of the stage and variety of instruments on it) to be able to adequately monitors yourself on stage, without having to be so loud that you have excessive crossbleed into other mics, and such that you don't exceed the proper PA level for the room, is the guitarists responsibility. If I "can't help it" because, "darn it my amp is just so awesome, but loud", then I brought the wrong amp for that gig. There's a happy medium that we should work toward, where we can get our tone without being a loud douche about it. The sound guy is still probably going to complain, but if you've used comon sense as a guitarist you can ignore him with a clear and educated conscience.

[@joshjenkinson1929]

They’d rather have an easy job doing the sound than have a great guitar tone. Sad. Only met one engineer in 12 years of gigging that encouraged a loud amp - in the cavern club in Liverpool England. The bugger was roaring! I want to marry him! 😂

[@THUNDERWORX]

Thanks for posting Pete!!! I have seen pictures of some of these old Fenders with a bunch of speakers, looking like grandma's chest-of drawers, but I had never heard one. What a great sound!!!

[@anmolatwal]

Pete, man i was always a huge fan of your but damn it brother, you just won me over for this lifetime and more!!!

[@silkee59]

These are the holy grail I had 6 of these at the same time! 4 BF 2 silver face. The perfect blues amp and the settings Pete shows are perfect and having the amp up and guitar down a bit is the key. Anson Funderburgh, Ronnie Earl and host of others use the approach no pedals and with a super volume at 5 is perfect. Great video!!!!!!!!

[@Andy-Gt]

Sweet bit of SRV there Pete!

[@pomod]

In this day and age with kids lugging around behemoth pedal boards, the effective use of the guitar volume knob is a dying art. Now I'm Jonzing for a super reverb. Nice playing.

[@jefferyaeastman]

Pete, I've tried to tell young guitarists for the last 10 years, just turn down your volume a little to clean it up. They look at me like I'm a crazy old wizard who is hanging on to the "old ways"

[@easton_ography]

Half of them are probably only utilizing the preamp section of their amps anyway and it won't have as good an effect as it would on a cranked amp because of the lack of compression/gain staging you get with all preamp distortion. So those kids probably haven't experienced the glory of a cranked twin like we have 😏

[@tylerangle1990]

@@easton_ography betting this is 100% true. That and they use too much distortion/overdrive (whether from the preamp section or a pedal) most of the time and that sucks all the life out of it. Every time I hear complaints of "just can't get THAT tone" I say "well how loud did you have it?" I'm relatively young but I still realize many those iconic tones we all know and love came from big, heavy, LOUD, amps...they do not sound good at "bedroom volume" (whatever that is?). They're not practice amps, modeling amps, or computer generated effects. They need to be working and they need to have a good player in front of them that knows how to push, pull, and squeeze them to perfection. There are some good solid state pedals out there these days but they can't duplicate the relationship between player, guitar, and amp.

[@andrewandthecatfives]

The volume knob: a more elegant weapon for a more civilized age

[@lastofthe4horsemen279]

Pete that was some of the best advice I've heard.

[@williamengler321]

Derek Trucks also uses a Super

[@allenlocke1935]

Absolutely! Saw him last night in Kansas City! It looks like he made a switch to something else now. Probably to keep the miles off his beloved Fenders. Sounded a little thinner to me than the Fenders I've seen him use over the years but, still inspiring never the less.

[@chrisbarnes8867]

There’s so much magic in in an amp and speakers when pushed as he demonstrated here.

[@grantsgear]

Sounds great. 3:48 When I think about great Super Reverb players, I always instantly think of Derek Trucks.

[@allenlocke1935]

Absolutely! Saw him last night in Kansas City! It looks like he made a switch to something else now. Probably to keep the miles off his beloved Fenders. Sounded a little thinner to me than the Fenders I've seen him use over the years but, still inspiring never the less.

[@andrewandthecatfives]

I think his best tones are with the Super Reverbs

[@gotta56forme]

Testify! (loved your explanation of amp set-up and operation)

[@Zen-fn3sz]

The point about cranking the amp and using the vol on the guitar still stands true today. The art of actually playing the amp as well as the guitar is sadly dying.

[@lrmars]

Excellent video and exemplary musicianship! You are a gifted man, indeed! FYI, Fender Electric Instruments amps were "typically" made and sold prior to CBS taking over Fender in mid 1965. I knew Leo and he told me there were simply parts left over that CBS put on/in "CBS era" amps until the supply was depleted. I have a 1966 Super Reverb I bought new in '66...never modded...and at EVERY gig somebody...gals, guys, kids etc...will come up at the first break and say "What kind of amp is that and where did you get it?" I just smile and say..."Back in DC, back in '66". It is and has been a great, great amp. Nice chops Pete!

[@marlonborreo]

40 watts all tube amp with 4 speakers at Volume 5...That's deadly loud at a home setting, folks.

[@PeteThorn]

Y'all gotta get outta the house more! ha

[@toddritter5638]

5 is *very* loud for a small club gig.. yeah it sounds great but if you're not asked back, does it matter?

[@squirelova1815]

People with pacemakers beware.

[@TheDryes]

This is such a great series. Please keep this up! Matchless/Vox style at some point, I don’t care what amp you demo bc your thoughts make me want to try different things with my amps.

[@johnstitt2615]

Now I must hunt for a Super Reverb. Thx Pete. Dammmmmn it ! You try to get out...... but they pull you back in !

[@SixStringSicario]

John Stitt most versatile amp on the planet. They take pedals like a champ too right through the front. Very simple great piece of equipment.

[@johnstitt2615]

Saul Oliver Agreed. It seems like planets were aligned when this amp was designed. And so my journey begins to find “thee” one. I’ll make sure I don’t Mod it to make it go to 11. Watched some Spinal Tap recently.

[@BrianGay57]

John Stitt I’m convinced that much of the great tone comes from the 4x10s that are in there. The CTS alNiCo 10s are my favorite in Supers. The CTS ceramics aren’t too shabby either.

[@trickyrjb1]

Even the first couple years of silverface SRs sound like that and are like that with the blue molded capacitors. Basically the non master volume examples. They can be had for about a grand whereas youll be spending upwards of 2 grand for a blackface version.

[@antonychliaropoulos5581]

Pete! I have two words. Thank you. I always learn a lot from your videos but this ‘zone’ series is the bomb. More please.

[@TheRealReTox]

Oh my those tones, it's like honey being poured into your ears!

[@dumbdickler670]

And just like pouring honey in your ears, you can't hear afterwards! May be worth it though

[@luthiervandros]

@@dumbdickler670 😂😂

[@threetoo]

Pete your videos are awe some, and the tone in this one is absoutlety breath taking. Thankyou for these, most of us appreciate them very much.

[@PeteThorn]

+Sean Thomas thanks man!

[@wakjob961]

Most amps hit full volume at or about 5... The rest is just saturation. My 5e3 is still blisteringly loud at that great breakup point. Only 12 watts.

[@Claptonisgod33]

Wak Job Maybe 7 or 8 maybe but most amps definetly don't max out at 5

[@dumbdickler670]

@@Claptonisgod33 lots do. Often you'll get more volume until about 5-6 with some overdrive and then after that it's all about the drive, not much increase in volume

[@chrishowitt9654]

Wow, only just found this after watching one of your Sinvertek videos. I've recently acquired a Fender Blues Deluxe reissue and have been discovering the joys of playing with the volume and tone controls on the guitar, something I'd never done before with solid state amps and modeling pedals. Thanks for the cool videos.

[@Andrescm3]

Could you do one on the fender Princeton deluxe reverb 65, I have been spending so much money on amps and I can’t get them to sound good. You are the master at gear in my opinion.

[@azstratus1]

Mr. Thorn, this is one of the most refreshing in depth look at one of these classic amps! And the cool part is that I have a 67' super reverb that I can't wait to try this approach! You are so correct on stages gearing more for low volume tones and having to rely on pedals to "juice" tone... Or using amp modelers as well.. Which I like and use extensively but I would prefer to use my super to get genuine and authentic with a little more juice! Thanks Pete for your insight, artistry, and technical expertise. Man that Eric Draven person is... I dont' know what to say but appreciate your responses!

[@jeffmariajenson9751]

Thanks. So helpful to have a lesson on how to get the most out of my gear.

[@outoftheirskulls5676]

I've been learning to play since 1968. And I have never been without a Super Reverb. I still have my original from 1968, mowed a lot lawns and shovel snow for that one. The best $250.00 bucks I ever spent on musical equipment. Re-coned once, re-tubed I don't know how many times, one filter. Not bad for 52 years.

[@ggparma1]

Total tone and touch!!! Hey pete do you have a treble bleed installed in your strat? Thanks for the video, it’s great!

[@andrewandthecatfives]

I’m thinking about doing this on my strat, but I haven’t pulled the trigger. I want to keep a brighter tone when I roll back the volume.

[@Tonetwisters]

I am blessed to have a 1964 4X10 that I bought new, and a 1966, 1X15 that belonged to my late older brother. The tubes a player uses, make a big difference. Unfortunately, the tubes made today, have no soul. And NOS tubes are so expensive. So sad. That "Lenny" mid-neck position, is actually, #4. Fender guitars start with #1 being the bridge. Great video. Great tones! Great playing! Thanks for taking the time to do this!!

[@gastonruiz10]

Awesome video, sounds killer! I noticed you didn't lose high end when you rolled down the volume on your Strat, are you using a treble bleed circuit?

[@thecapitan1981]

I’m wondering the exact same thing. When I turn down without treble bleed engaged I lose top end no matter how loud I have my amp set.

[@mikew9788]

Me too, and if you eq it for the rolled back tone it's too bright when you roll up and go for it

[@gastonruiz10]

@@mikew9788 I found that if you set up your amp to sound good to you with your guitar volume around 8 and your tone knobs around 7 you can then roll the volume up or down without much treble loss. also you now have tone knobs that can cut or boost treble!

[@mikew9788]

@@gastonruiz10 that is a good idea

[@Josbornevonosborne]

Crazy, I spent all day finally learning Lenny, then I pull up KZbin and this is right there

[@the-LeoKnightus]

Tip From Pete. Never Show sound guy full volume knob. lol

[@johnreardon4944]

I own JJ's Blues House in Gifu City, Japan. We have both a 1969 Super Reverb and the first version of the Hotrod Deluxe. Our venue is small, 25 people. So volume is important to our sound. I'm personally a drummer, but I will share this video with my sound tech. He works well with guitarists to get good sound. We are both very proactive with sound. Room treatment, EQ, and we have a full QSC PA system. We don't mic the guitars. Only the bass guitar has an Aguilar Tone Hammer DI box. Thank you for this video. It was very helpful for me to understand the needs and wants of guitarists. Sometimes these older cats are stubborn and don't like us messing with the amps. My main concern is sound quality and balance of the band. And at a listenable volume. Ladies come because we aren't too loud. EQ seems to really open up the space in the music so that all musicians can hear themselves. I don't know how my genius sound tech does it, but there always seems to be tons of headroom. Thanks for the video!

[@dwftube]

So, in summary : Modelling amps? Pah! THIS is the sh1t!

[@dwftube]

Having said that, the sound up to 2:20 is not as nice in the top end it is after that point.

[@dwftube]

I think Pete's actually got a nicer tone here than on the original SRV version.

[@toddashley407]

I haven't played anything digital that responds dynamically anywhere near a dimed Super Reverb. Everyone associates this amp with Stevie Ray BUT blackfaces were a staple for Jeff Beck as well and took them to places SRV simply wouldn't goto. Jeff's playing MUST have amp with high dynamic range - even many tube amps can't cut it let alone a digital model of some sort.

[@LiveToPlayGuitar]

There is no one else on KZbin that teaches us how to dial an amp in better than you...great tone! Honey of an amp...Thanks Pete!

[@PeteThorn]

Thanks!

[@jeremyledingham1496]

what if you play a twin reverb? thoughts on that pete?

[@Heatfarmer]

Had the chance to A/B them, both Blackface 67 with original speakers and all. The Twin sounded much more midrange-y and really needed the ekstra volume to fill the room in the same way in the bottom end. Cranked the Super rev has just the right volume level for practical use, where the twin needs a large club or hall. With pedals both are great.

[@chipsterb4946]

Great stuff! SRV’s amps were heavily modified versions of Super Reverbs (Diaz did mods IIRC). Your TMB settings are unusual and sound awesome. This actually is a super flexible amp. I built a semi-clone of a Super Reverb about 10 years ago for a guy in his early 70s who was playing in a jazz band, a blues (very old school) band, and a third I can’t remember. He’d been using his son’s SR and sonny wanted it back. He sings and plays harmonica - thru the SR. For the Vibrato channel I pretty much blue printed the son’s original. Then I made the Normal channel starting with a brown Vibrolux and went off from there making tweaks for harp and my ears for guitar. Bright switch actually is guitar/harp switch. The amp came back to me last year needed new power tubes and the PI tube had self-destructed. Now 3 generations are playing the amp. Gibson L-5 for jazz, ‘60s Strat for blues (I lust for both guitars), harmonica, and now grandson playing heavy fusion rock with some dual humbucker thing.

[@pterantula]

Maybe this is an oversimplification, but tubes only work when they really cook......? It makes no sense to bother with a tube amp and not turn it up....? Also - if you weren't supposed to use volume and tone controls on a guitar, you should have a guitar without either.

[@GrahamRonne]

Beautiful tone and playing Pete! This really applies to amps like a Vibro King..Took me a few years to realize this technique, but man I can't go back..

[@leamonsqueeze]

as a sound guy we hate when you don't play at soundcheck they way you play at gigs because if your really quiet we prob have you cranked with maybe some compression so if you play way louder then what we expect then we have to change your volume and you could make feedback. please for the love of god communicate as we are a team and that is when you will sound best trust me.

[@PeteThorn]

+Tye Claridge I’ve just seen so many gigs recently locally where guitar players get royally screwed. Can’t hear them in the PA and I can hear what they’re doing on stage (Amps are barely on, and then they hit drive pedals that seem to stay at the same volume or actually drop the overall output of the guitar)- and they tell me after what happened, sound person told them at soundcheck they were way too loud to the point of having to turn the amp way down. You guys need to listen to the sound of the drums acoustically on stage at sound check and make sure the guitar and bass at least matches that on stage, I.e. The band sounds balanced with no PA. I know that can be difficult with a drummer that bashes way too hard. I’m trying to be informative here for guitarists as well, teaching them to play with some dynamics lets face it the drummer gets louder right? So they need to get louder too and that can’t come from you the guy with the faders- that just doesn’t work, the band needs to do it organically themselves. Sure you can ride stuff but isn’t it nice when I guitar player can just jump up for solos themselves? That’s what I do and believe me sound people don’t have a problem with me. They like the fact they could just leave the fader alone and I kind of do everything from my end. It sounds so much better out front when the band is dynamic and playing properly! I’m advocating here for the band sound balanced and a good overall level, and then to have some room for dynamics. Let’s face it how much do you push up a solo with a fader? 6 dB? 8 dB? Why can’t the guitar player just do that on their own? If you don’t know the music, it’s a band you’ve never mixed before - how many times have you missed the first few bars of the solo and then push that fader up? A great oldschool band like Govt Mule, they have big amps up there, and they play so damn dynamically! We’ve turned the guitar into the keyboard - the synthesizer. I’d like to get it back to Jimmy page, David Gilmour, Jimi Hendrix, something a little more organic and exciting if possible. We need help from folks like you and yes it’s supposed to be a team, I just don’t like seeing bands neutered and controlled by local sound people that many times don’t really know what they’re doing. You know what I mean, kick drum heavy mixes lots of fucking vocal SO MUCH vocal - and I can’t really hear the guitar player over there. It’s a shame and all too common. And at the end of the day - listen to this damn amplifier. Set so great, sounds so good - so to going to a club and have somebody just yell WAY TOO LOUD you need to turn that down- That is totally missing the point. We never would’ve had a Jimi Hendrix if he didn’t play the way that he played. Through the amps he played. Sorry I’m pretty passionate about this ha ha

[@andrus108]

Totally with you. Also, having tried working for one PA company (lots of respect for you guys, you are indestructable, doing night after night of hard work from early morning to early morning, I learned a lot in a short time) I noticed that there's some care put into acoustic instruments like drums and horns etc., but when it comes to electric guitar even the amazing guys I worked with were like 'I just put this mic here and it should be alright', while casually hanging a Sennheiser E mic randomly in front of the speaker.... The only time one guitar player got a compliment was when they brought a digital multi-FX, 'because we just plug it straight to the board, so simple'. :-((( In my opinion an electric guitar with an amp should be treated and set up to par with other acoustic instruments - after all that's what it really 'is', just in this case the soundhole is detached from the instrument and needs some electricity to run.

[@patrickgauthier3464]

Amen!

[@PeteThorn]

true.. really it shouldn't be this tough though, it's really about musicians playing well and being dynamic and sound people mixing well and being supportive of the good musicians. My pal Arianna Powell is an amazing guitar player and she plays out around LA much more than I these days, she tells me about the stuff she encounters, and I've seen her play recently and I cannot fathom some of the mixes...amps set so low, they tell her she has to do that, and it's like you have this amazing musician up there and you're neutering the whole thing b not letting her just shine, ya know? I mean, ok I get it if the players suck or are just bashers. But if they are doing check and are obviously good- then just let it happen!

[@PeteThorn]

exactly, like really dial it in! and let it breathe and be dynamic. We wouldn't have Hendrix, EVH, Brian May etc if they couldn't do their thing, ya know?

[@richardthomas4001]

That is music to my ears! Beautiful, proper classic. Thanks for the videos, you rock

[@michaelcollingsworth6751]

love the sound at the 5 position, sounds great!

[@harryowen6538]

This is a one of the most helpful videos around tone.

[@richardroskell3452]

No one mixes gear knowledge with awesome chops like you Pete.

[@1911acolt1]

The super reverb is one of those amps that can surprise you..I’ve been playing them since the 90s..The tone is sweet on mean

[@ericroyals8819]

The Long Awaited part two of the series!! Awesome!!

[@aladinin]

No wonder the Super Reverb is such a classic. Another trick is to try lower gain pre tubes. I`ve experimented with 12ay7 in the Super and it`s great to tame the amp a touch and it allows the power amp section to work a little harder while not hitting the front end of pre-amp so hard. Thanks Pete.. beautiful toneful amp..

[@TedSchoenling]

that sounded so lush.. full... lovely...

[@jeday76]

I just finished watching this video again for probably the 15th time. Best super reverb tone I have found on youtube. Saving up for a super of my own. My question for anyone who reads this...will the reissue even come close to this tone?

[@PhilHeesen]

Man, that Strat (and amp) sound so fantastic. I can't wait for more "Amps in the Zone" episodes!

[@danielhartman5086]

That guitar and amp really sound great together. Fender on Fender. Just a Beautiful sound.

[@jetglo355]

Dammit, now I'm lusting over a Super Reverb... thanks a lot, Pete!

[@colbyw.2568]

This is what a SR should sound like optimally. Chime and compression. Glad he mentioned Ronnie Earl. It's my fav Fender Amp ever.