Fender Deluxe Reverb vs Two-Rock Studio Pro 22

[@soonerred22]

I love the fender Blackface amps, I mean LOVE them. To me they are the gold standard of clean. However, everyone on here hating on the Two Rock is kidding themselves. Two Rock is an enthusiasts amp. If you don't know anything to start with you won't appreciate what Two Rock brings. Fender has a wonderful line of reissue amps and I have the Fender Twin as my frontline amp. the Two Rock is better put together, better parts and components, and all around better instrument that can really make your guitar sound something truly fun to listen too. I'd give the Two Rock a 9.6 and the Fender Deluxe/Twin a 9.0. The Two Rock is a nicer piece of equipment pond for pound though. My 2 cents.

[@Stewicidal11]

Agreed however the .6 doesn’t justify an extra $2,500 😂and I play all guitars that are over $2000 and my fender does just fine

[@TheEchelon]

Stewart Marder Whether a price is justified is subjective. If you really want that sweetJohn Mayer tone, you buy a two rock. Simple as that.

[@intheblues]

Thanks for the nice comments. I think the Two Rock has all the qualities of the fender but way nicer/thicker low mids which makes it really jump off the stage. Both are nice though the Deluxe is a killer amp and I'm going to keep hold of that one. :) Shane

[@physiciansassist1]

Shane I put up my pre CBS twin reverb against my buddies TR..... Something about old fender amps you can't get from a TR

[@snotmale]

is nice to hear a Deluxe Reverb running hot for a change - I was listening doing other things and didn't notice the difference in the changeovers!

[@quantumheron]

Love that Two-Rock sound. Amazing how much more open it sounds. Then again, I think the cab/speaker probably makes a non-trivial difference.

[@Michael-hh7nl]

I disagree with every comment on this. Two Rock sounds way more clear and articulate. I'm sure you can dull the sound down with the eq to get the same results as the FDR.

[@intheblues]

it does when it's cranked live in a room :-) But on the demo I agree. It's hard to convey the full vibe of the amp with a demo, I will be doing a new A/B soon so stay tuned. :)

[@sjds51]

I enjoyed a lot of these vids! Being a drummer from the 60's AND still am, all of my bandmates loved the whole Fender tube-types!! Fender guitars, amps, dominated the music world! From garage bands to concert bands! Long live Fender!

[@barryplem]

Thanks for taking the time to do this and upload it. You did a really good job with and honest comparison and presentation.

[@pattheamiibro8982]

love the break up/compression on the blackface deluxe!

[@JohnBarrylizard]

I own the Fender Deluxe Reverb RI and it's a great amp. I love it. Best of my 6 tube amps. But I'd choose the two-rock here. I don't say that happily... It's just what my ears like.

[@Rideandlively]

The 64 handwired deluxe or an original blackface deluxe reverb would be a great comparison.

[@jcbak]

Gotta tell you, Shane. I love the demos.....but half the time I'm listening to just steal whatever licks I can. Great Job!....as always.

[@DSilvergun]

The DRRI is underrated in the eyes of some due to being PCB construction. Personally I think they sound great and every bit as good as handwired alternatives. Which is probably why I've yet to see a direct comparison between a DRRI and a boutique Deluxe Reverb clone.

[@andystephenson5407]

I own a super with pcb and a super with hand wired components. you can't tell the differnce really espically in a live setting

[@U2WB]

They both sound good, but even though the Two Rock is brighter I would give the edge to the Fender. Initially I thought it sounded muffled but I later decided that the Two Rock is a little too glassy and less balanced for my taste. The Deluxe Reverb sounds nice and smooth, balanced, and doesn't have that over-emphasis in the upper midrange that the other amp has. But I wouldn't turn either one away ! Both great-sounding amps. Thanks for the demo !

[@intheblues]

The Two Rock isn't so bad to move around as long as I have a guitar in a gig bag, if I am using a hard case i totally agree with you in terms of moving it around. I opted to get a head and box this time because I reckon instead of buying combo's from now on I'll just get a head and keep the same box :)

[@shodaboy54]

I was listening to the audio while doing other things on the browser, I was not watching the video but I instantly noticed the difference. Much fuller sound on the two rock, big difference

[@TH-gu4wj]

Both sound great. Two-Rock sounds more sophisticated IMHO

[@jackderby22]

thanks much I'll keep checking em all out for a few weeks and drive myself crazy!

[@mrtelechi]

It's got to be the Fender for me everytime, seems to have a 'Gilmore' chime to it that the Two-Rock doesn't seem to have even when playing the same riff. Nice demo, nice amps, and unless I sold the kids...lol..I will never be able to own either, but great demo. Thanks.

[@alvie53]

Well said about the Two-Rock compared to the Fender. I think that's a very accurate description.

[@rifkijohngm]

I was at an outdoor gig where the guitarist played through a Two-Rock amp & that thing cut through all the drums, bass, keyboards and vocals thru the PA combined! It's frequencies really do seem to get through to the audience's ears.

[@barryplem]

THANK YOU for taking the time to much such an excellent video. The amps were mic'd well, the video quality stunning, your demonstrations were excellent. Thank you.

[@kgradio]

I know the Fender DR is not a master volume amp and with the volume only on 4 I'm wondering where you got the slight overdrive tone. Were you using a OD pedal? Both amps sounded great. I built a Allen Chihuahua as a kit and am considering a Fender DR as a second amp.

[@EzyoMusic]

This morning I checked this video on my phone, through the internal speaker. Yet as soon as the shoot-out started I was like "that sounds like John Mayer!". Purely by the tone. Nice playing, great video.

[@twangbarfly]

You've hit the nail on the head - I have an older TR (Topaz) - 6L6) and a DRII (Rivera era). They are both FABULOUS amps - but the TR just sings to you as you play through it. Unbelievably responsive and dynamic!! On the other hand, the DRII has an incredibly lush, warm, clean sound that is clear and sparkly but organic. I couldn't part with either of them :-) I'd ideally use the TR for lead and the DRII for rhythm stuff - but I can only take one to the gig :-) Great demo - thanks!

[@ShuLorMakesMusic]

I remember dropping 2.5K on the TR Studio Pro 22 head and the matching 1x12 cab and A/B'd it against a Fender DRRI as well years ago. The Studio Pro 22 sounded HUGE in comparison and had a lot more to offer all across the mid range frequencies. However, I plugged the DRRI into the Two Rock 1x12 cab and to my surprise it also sounded amazingly huge. The DRRI's signature stamp was still present but it sounded more refined. Seeing I picked up the DRRI used for $750 and it sounded almost as good as the TR I couldn't justify keeping the TR.

[@intheblues]

Fender amps are pretty reliable, you're right. But in terms of quality, two-rock is way superior due to being hand-wired. They also use superior parts as well. I'm sure like all electronics though things can go wrong.

[@williamsymes2956]

The tone of each amp is fantastic. In a live setting it would nearly impossible to tell them apart. We all know that Fender set the "bar" with the Deluxe Reverb, and everyone is chasing that tone with low watt amps. Cost-is-no-object is a luxury few musicians have. The Two-Rock Studio Pro Plus Combo can be found around $2000-$2500 used. The Fender Deluxe Reverb Combo is $1100 new and can be found for $800 used. When you factor the cost, there is a significant advantage to the Fender. When you see how many professional touring musicians play through the Fender Deluxe Reverb, it's quite impressive. I would throw one more contender into the fight....the Redplate TweedyVerb. Very similar dynamics and tone and they can be found in the $1400-$1800 range used. Ultimately, get what you love. Get the amp that makes you want to play. ToneQuest!

[@PTS74]

You're absolutely right. I never noticed that before, but then I've only ever owned a twin reverb. The tube screamer trick makes sense now :)

[@michaeljamieson5231]

That Two Rock sounds utterly epic. I've always been a big fan of the Reverb but it definintely falls short in this comparison. The two rock tone is rounder and glassier, you can definitey see why the Studio Pro costs so much. Also lovely playing Shane, could have listened to that all day.

[@jonarchambaultbandofficial7456]

A fine demo, Shane. I can hear the difference between the two amps, and I think they both sound beautiful. I'm very impressed with the tone of both amps, but if pressed to choose between the two, I'm leaning more toward the classic tone of the Fender DRRI. The Fender held up better than I expected against such a high dollar amp, especially considering it costs so much less than the Two Rock. I'd love to hear a side by side comparison of a Fender '65 Deluxe Reverb Reissue and the new Fender '64 Deluxe Reverb hand wired.

[@intheblues]

Two rock does have way fatter mids (about 5x) i think live it cuts through the mix way better where the emphasis on the fender is in the highs. :) Both sound rad though. :)

[@claude_stucki]

I've been looking for good fender amp for a while now, but I think I'll be going for the Two Rock now ;) great demo, thanks!

[@bradcarroll3719]

That much larger Two Rock cab kind of gave it an unfair advantage. That being said, I use 2 Deluxe Reverbs to gig, and it has nothing to do with price. It allows me to have stereo for some of the songs we play, and on the other song sets I put them in phase on about 5 1/2 if the gig allows, if not just turn one off! The perfect setup for small to med gigs. For larger, or open air I use a Mesa Lonestar and can still throw a Deluxe in for Stereo, but usually don't. I love your videos, have been a subscriber forever now.

[@benjamincs1]

The two rock seems way brighter. I much prefer the tone of the DRRI. It's funny, I was thinking of selling it to get a two rock. Now I'm not so sure...

[@intheblues]

Both are great. The Two Rock sticks out in a mix a lot more. Both have some fantastic sounds in a live situaiton though. Depending on what pedals you use the deluxe can also stick out a mix, but it would require an overdrive with a boosted mids/low mids.

[@gabeposada5845]

just bought a deluxe reverb!!! so excited!! it really sounds great

[@TheSuperDmyers]

Anyone who's heard these amps in person wouldn't put them in the same league. The Two Rock has some of the best sounding reverb ever and arguably the best sounding clean tone ever. Their overdrive is next level as well.

[@ShahzadKhan-xn5eb]

Dallas Myers I've never tried a two rock in person and I feel like these videos don't do it justice. Everyone praises them and I feel like I really need to try one out

[@giggs102]

Both sound awesoome.

[@ArtDonna84]

Would like to have heard a bit more time through the Fender, but sweet tone! Are you running stock in the Fender; tubes and speakers. Any mods? Thanks, really enjoy your YT uploads and get good knowledge and tips off them. Take care

[@johnadams9044]

I'd say the difference sounds like about $2,000. IMO, the difference would not be heard in a gig environment. The Two Rock does have a silighty more expansive sound and more glassy/extended upper frequencies based on this youtube recording. The Fender on balance, is the far better value and gig rig.

[@jones786]

Lol. I was waiting for him to change over from one to the other. Didn't notice when he did.

[@ColinPRS]

I love the Two-Rock, fantastic amp, but is it a really a fair test, as the Two Rock is a much more expensive amp then the Fender? Great playing by the way.

[@theillmc]

SP22. A lush, 3D rounded tone that walks all over the DRRI in a blues trio type scenario. I've had experience with A/B'ing various fenders with two-rocks and I'm willing to bet many here would change their minds after hearing one in the flesh. Truly awesome amps and the reverb is insanely good. Only dowside is humbuckers don't sound as good as single coils and the price.

[@blakestyger1]

Nice demo. Assuming both amps are new, give them both some break-in time and then compare. I have a Deluxe with 6V6-JJs and 12AX7-JJs and the amp is made in 2003. It's sound is warm, rich and creamy with a punchy, fat bottom end and nice top end, true Fender tone. I can hear the mids on the pricey Two Rock but will cast my vote for the Fender Deluxe Reverb.

[@snowtube6739]

thanks for posting this. i must've watched it about 10 times. i dont think theres any better or worse sounding amp out of the 2. just different. i really did enjoy both of them but part of that is probably due to the quality of recording and fantastic playing. thanks again

[@skystudios2474]

Seems they could've been EQed to sound more or less the same. Fender needs a brighter / more mids EQ tweak to match the TR? Thanks for the comparison, either way. Edit: Hmm, no mid control on a Deluxe, was thinking about my Twin.

[@ishta]

I like the Fender better. It sounded rounder, Maybe try these with the same cab. Also you could have played a wider range of notes, because I'd like to hear if the TR won't fart out like a DR would typically. Chords plucked and strum, will tell a lot how pleasing the harmonics would be. But thank you otherwise

[@Lennonbacker]

intheblues so it's pretty clear that the two rock has more mids than the fender does. If you were to turn the mids on the two rock down to, say, 10 o'clock, would it sound much closer to the fender?

[@timweber3277]

Yeah, the Two Rock did it for me (on my computer / internet). My go to is a Princeton Reverb.

[@AussieCornerStudio]

Hi Shane thanks for the great demo, the Two Rock just comes out of the blocks strong while the Fender sounded a little warmer and softer. Hard to compare these amps as mentioned it's the response when playing that makes all the difference. And the price may also influence the choice.

[@intheblues]

I have used a SP35, I didn't like it as much to be honest. The 6L6 tubes is not really my thing, it was way too clean. The 22 is still way loud (way louder than the deluxe) and the gain stage sounds so much nicer. if you're using pedals a lot then it doesn't matter too much. :)

[@Billchazand]

Great demo. Thanks! A couple of questions if you can spare a moment please? 1. How much do you thing the sonic gap between the amps be closed if some of the popular speaker and component mods were made to the DRRI? Obviously, very little expense will be spared in the spec of the Two Rock whereas the DRRI is made to a specific budget. 2. I have a chance of a used Two Rock Studio Pro 35 head. How would that compare to the Pro 22 demoed here? Thanks

[@chatsmusic]

The tone with the Two-Rock is amazing, pretty much spot on JM tone. The DRRI is really good as well, seems like it breaks up a little easier. I wasn't watching the video and I could tell when you switched amps, but they are definitely in the same league. The DRRI still has a really good sound to it, it's just not as big-sounding. I only have a HotRod Deville 2x12, which I am still pretty happy with, but both of these suckers put it to shame!

[@rockeye]

You should do another with the Two Rock really broken in. Or maybe a live band video showing off both amps.

[@andrewclemons8619]

You make them sound great bro

[@Stratboy999]

I'd be content to use either. I don't know if you can answer this since the Two Rock is a new amp. Do you know how reliable these are? I have owned Fender amps previously and they were pretty much rock solid reliable. Never had a problem.

[@mootsym]

did this blind. Two-Rock wins for me. I definitely noticed it when you went to it after the Fender. The Fender has that spongier mid thing that just doesn't do it for me. Not my sound. The Two-Rock was more immediate sounding, had a little more punch.

[@Raydungey]

Great demo as always Shane..... Both amps are incredible, and are very nice to play through I'm sure. For me, I find that the Two Rock is a warmer voiced amp which gives it a fuller more rounded out sound. I love the Fender as well with it's ability to cut right through the mix. 2 great amps + 1 great player = success on another great demo. Keep them coming Shane.

[@CarlyFrost]

I like the DR

[@intheblues]

Both amps are great if you're gigging or recording. They both have their own sound, it just depends on what you can afford/justify and it's application. I thin the head and box is a bit annoying now I've had it about 8 months I should of got the combo version for practical purposes - I love the portability and sound of the Deluxe, I still decide which one to use when I take them out to play. Both are nice but at loud volumes for me, the TR is the way to go. At lower volumes I use the DR.

[@ElNavajoDeColorado]

hello intheblues.... i heard this and went down to guitar center to get a DRRI but it did not sound anything like this? sooo i didnt buy... and probably gonna say for a two rock or germino again.... the one down at the shop was hard hard clean way past 4 on the knob.... are these orginial bias and tubes? or did you swap some 6L6 in there? anyways great sounds....

[@texmex-go9ym]

Ive played through both and Two Rock wins. High quality mics and youtube don't do it justice. You need to hear it in person to understand. Absolutely fills the room. Has much better quality tone and sound than the fender.

[@nwbybooby]

Are your solos inspired a lot from Santana and Clapton? It just sounds so fresh as in you know the balance well!

[@intheblues]

nwbybooby Thanks mate

[@nickbouvy6524]

Nice playing Shane

[@koella2]

when you compare amps, you don't listen for bright, bass, mids...that's just a matter of turning the knobs, or in this case, pivoting the sm57 mic. You listen for tone, articulation, attack, clarity. They both sound great for that matter.

[@jhawkrjim]

Seems to me that there are huge differences in speaker and cabinet. Jensen speaker vs probably a Celestion and open back combo vs closed back cabinet. Until you compare an open back two rock combo, serious comparison of like models is not possible. Maybe if you did the test with both the Deluxe and the Two-Rock using the Two-Rock cab? At least you would be comparing circuit to circuit. Nice playing and both amps sound good.

[@GuitarDaveBenicia1]

Nice vid - I've been curious about the Studio Pro. I had a CRS v2 and didn't really bond with it...the Studio seems more like my speed.

[@thomashoirup]

Before I switched to my Studio Pro 35 I had a 1973 Deluxe Reverb with a Weber Alnico speaker in it. Two different beasts - they excel at different things. The better all-rounder is the TR, but the clean sound on a vintage Deluxe Reverb is - in my opinion - one of the sweetest sounds ever.

[@PTS74]

Interesting point, but couldn't you just dial in a mid hump using the Fender amp EQ? Is that less effective then using a Tubescreamer for mids?

[@tommayle4752]

I wonder if the DR is closer to the two rock if played through the Two Rock cab? IE how much does the speaker effect the sound, presumably the Fender has a Eminence, and the two rock is a Celestion?

[@wileym]

The DRRI comes with a Jensen.

[@nmnjs]

Exactly my point. Yesterday I tried my DRRI with a custom-made power transformer trough a Fender 2x12 silverface cab from the 70's, and instantly it got more clarity and punch, as well as some midrange scoop, like the TR. The difference was quite pronounced, and it showed the DRRI is an excellent amp, up there with the TR and the boutique amps, if you can make up for the cost-effective solutions Fender used like the speaker, the tubes, wiring and transformer. I ended up wondering what improvements could the NOS tubes bring- that could be my next experiment.

[@intheblues]

Thanks Sean

[@gistox7]

Probably whichever is best for the budget, easier to set up and work with at a gig, they both are fine.

[@Castal08]

both sound great, I am leaning slightly towards the fender

[@coteguitars8457]

Great vid mate! What were the Amp settings. I have the DRRI and it changes so much depending on the dials!! Cheers!

[@RobertoRestuccia]

like both amps, two rock has very pleasing mids which i like and a thicker tone also. Would love to hear the two rock side by side with a Dr Z Maz 18 of something like that :D Great vid cheers !!

[@rhum66]

great job, i was wondering about two rock vs DRRI, and that is here.Thanks.

[@MrJoshburry]

What did you use for effects? I like the laid back feel!

[@pipotherium]

I'm surprised to like the Fender more. Warmer, probably more bass and less mids - however it would be interesting to check with different tone settings.

[@markwills4093]

Interesting! I preferred the Fender tone - but it occurs to me that it might be simply because the Fender tone is so ubiquitous! It's just what my ears are familiar with.

[@louiscyfer2176]

i just got the two rock custom reverb signature a few months ago, and it blows my mind. low volume or high. got the combo, i am very happy. i use an extension cab if i need to play a bigger room.

[@10strings22]

hi shane, can you do a demo by using the Deluxe Reverb with the 2rock speaker cabinet? Maybe its the speakers and cabinet that helps thicken up the tone. :)

[@MZel5]

Just got the Two-Rock. I had a Deluxe Reverb You could not be more correct.

[@lighteningboy]

Thanks for posting an amp review that sounds awesome!

[@badblood100575]

Nice demo. I agree that the Two Rock has the slightly superior sound. However the Fender Deluxe is about half the price. That's pretty sweet considering it ranks a close second.

[@idonotexistinnature]

Thanks for posting!! What do they sound like just out of a cabinet?

[@Jeffcatbuckeye]

DRRIs always have a degree of muddiness that I think is less to do with being a PCB/handwired and more to do with speaker, power transformers, and tube choices. Add a Jensen blackbird, and do the other mods, and it sound quite a bit closer to the two rock.

[@Zz_Sam]

Both sounds great!

[@snappydoodad]

DRRI sounded better. The two rock had some artifact in the tube sound, maybe some odd harmonic or overtone? It was something I didn't care for. It was also a wee bit more nasal - sounding more towards a marshall tone. All of which could be a celestion in that cabinet by the way.

[@vjau75]

This is a nice demo and nice playing. Thank you ! In this clip, the two rock is clearly superior to the fender. HOWEVER, imho the comparision is not done properly. First and foremost the level are not matched. When comparing the part that you are play on both amps, i measure a loudness difference between the two recordings of 1.78 dB (Replaygain method). It's a well known fact that when comparing two audio extracts, levels should be perfectly matched or the louder one will sound better. Then the Fender, which has no master volume, is saturating a bit less than the Two Rock. Both those factors, which are hard to control in a test, could explain the difference in quality we are hearing, and the extra frequencies you are describing.

[@brandall101]

The Fender is clearly better. Says I.

[@GTRJohnny66]

I'm actually surprised how close they sound. I've played both and the Two-Rock definitely "feels" different to play under your fingers. I think there's more compression/gain in the circuit. Anyway, both sound great and the Deluxe really holds its own for the price difference. I suppose the difference might get bigger when they're both totally cranked.

[@frantisca]

Two-Rock has a bit more attack, say sounds more like SRV and the old Vibrolux, the Fender Deluxe sounds more to me like BB King. Both are good amps, but the Two Rock is overpriced (unless you find a good bargain or your name is John Mayer ;-) Nice demo !

[@JacobH93]

These sounded pretty close. The two rock sounded a bit louder and the lead had more gain, but that aside I don't see a reason to buy the two rock over the fender. In a live setting both of these would work perfectly. May just be the KZbin audio though.

[@paveltechl7815]

Both of these amps are quite amazing, but I would still prefer Fender because the sound seems a little richer and more sparkling.

[@cgkindler]

I agree on the Two Rock being better - this video shows how much more articulate it is - as it SHOULD be, being twice (or three times) the cost! I have a TR SP 22 combo myself - my one complaint is that the combo does NOT have the bass response my Hot Rod Deluxe did - but that is in most part to the cab size. In this vid, the TR is an amp head going into a MUCH larger cab (most likely 2 12s?)

[@OliverGuitarforall]

I have the Two Rock Studio 22. A true clean sound without the hush of the Fender Deluxe... And an FX Loop. Two kind of sound with the Push pull bright. Open these Two amp to understand that Fender make money... The pro amp manufacturing quality is definitly with the Two Rock.

[@dennysiu1212]

John Redandblue Does two rock treat pedals friendly?

[@BigEdWo]

i like the fender, because the sound is less fuzzy compared to the 2rock. matter of taste. nice playing by the way.

[@snappydoodad]

If that's a stock DRRI then it's the amp. For the price of the TR I could get a 65 DRRI and a 68 Custom DR and have money for a nice OD pedal too. That's just nuts.

[@Losmescalitos]

Both sound fabulous. I would be happy with either for tone, so would have to look at other factors to pick one over the other - price, ease of transport, serviceability, looks etc.

[@tbone786]

i know its been quite a few years, how was the TR eq'd ? it definatley sounded better. but i see the bass was cranked on the fender and you don't show the eq on the two rock. it could be the two rock was eq'd alot better and thats why the fender sounded flat... just saying.

[@JS62515]

I use FDR but on the normal channel. It's takes pedals better and doesn't break up until around 6. Also put JJ 6v6 tubes in instead of the groove tubes and it'll have even more punch. For anyone looking for more headroom, a better speaker can also help. Green backs are nice.