Fender Reissue Amps Part One | The Pros | The Cons | How They're Made

After this, be sure to watch • (One Way to) Safely an...
before going to Part Two
Timeline:
00:00:00 Intro
00:01:04 The Rear of the Amp
00:01:20 The Power Cable
00:01:53 The Cab Construction
00:02:04 The Power and Standby Switches
00:02:35 The Reverb and Footswitch Connections
00:02:59 The Footswitch - Modern vs Vintage
00:04:06 The Speaker Cable
00:04:40 The Speaker Jacks
00:05:28 The Speaker - Jensen C12K
00:06:15 The Reverb Tank
00:10:15 The Speaker and Baffle Hardware
00:15:41 Discharging the Caps
Four speakers, same Deluxe Reverb:
• Fender Deluxe Reverb R...
For more info, Subscribe to this channel, join us at PsionicAudio, or email us at [e-mail].

[@luthiervandros]

The key indicator of a professional is the extent to which they are willing to share knowledge. You are a professional tech.

[@user-zv7lm8uk7h]

Yes I would trust a tech who forgets to plug his mic in....

[@luthiervandros]

@@user-zv7lm8uk7h Care to take a poll to discover how many people here wish your dad hadn’t plugged his mic in?

[@Meddled]

@@luthiervandros ha ha yassss!

[@constantk8780]

Thats a bizarre idea of what a professional is.

[@edwhite7475]

I get what you mean, Luthier Vandross... It is an insecure, egotistical M'erF'er who is afraid to share knowledge.

[@stewartperry7797]

I’m really glad to have come across your channel. I’m a retired electrical engineer and aspiring guitar learner. Tubes are right up my background and your sharing is helping guide my amp selection. I also enjoy repairing old tube radios. Thank you!

[@wulfbak]

I had a Princeton 68 RI and a vintage '71 Princeton Reverb. No question, vintage is king. I sold the reissue. I still have the vintage.

[@Fsalas1958]

Thank you sir. I was able to fix the reverb on my Twin Reverb reissued just by taking out the tank from the bag. Unplugged the RCA cables, pinched the tabs to fit tight, insert and problems solved. I did cleaned the crud in the inside/bottom of the amp. Also replaced the 2-12at7. I can say I learn from your videos.

[@pearsonart]

Quickly has become a go to channel to remind and inspire me. Honestly, with your voice and manner, you could almost promote the whole channel as asmr!

[@kaseysimons128]

Your sharing of knowledge is very much appreciated. I hope to do all of your DRRI recommended "fixes/upgrades" to my amp one day.

[@paroblynn]

A week or so ago I made a comment about bias in general and you responded. Since then I’ve gotten a good bit of your videos in my feed. Good content man. Keep it up.

[@sgt.grinch3299]

Each video is very interesting to me. I don’t have any knowledge about electrical systems nor play guitar, but I’m fascinated and hooked.

[@gringopig]

I've got one of these. A fudge brownie FSR edition with an Italian Jenson P12Q speaker. Had the bright cap put on to a push pull, tore out the IC timing circuit that Fender do in the EU and put in a roach and sorted out all the messy wiring. NOS Phillips 6V6 and Mullard rectifier and it's quiet and sounds great. I use it with a tone king Ironman II. Time Travel Audio did the work in Edinburgh.

[@MichaelRoxalot]

Just adding a comment to help you in the algorithm. Thank you so much for making these videos. I really hope your channel explodes because your knowledge is so extraordinarily valuable amongst the sea of 4.5 star amps on the market!

[@DaveFreyJr]

You're channel appeared in my feed. I like you and the guitoligist..I started out playing guitar then bought a copy of the Guitar Amp Handbook, which is a great book. You're channel is helping me figure out which amp I want to buy. I am seriously considering a Marshall Dsl40C. I used to have a Dsl5C but the 10" speaker didn't have enough bass for me and I sold the amp. Plus I want to play out. Your videos about the best amps under $500 and $1000 were great videos. Thank you.

[@lukegeiger162]

I have a Marshall DSL 40c I'm looking to sell on Reverb soon. A great amp, but too bright for jazz, which is my main style of playing these days. I just bought a 65 Princeton reissue and am looking to get rid of the Marshall. Let me know if you're still interested.

[@taylornutt]

I am really loving all this wonderful maintenance information. I just acquired a used(but mint) 68 Custom Vibrolux Reverb and this is most helpful and interesting. I will definitely check to make sure the two 10 inch speakers are tight.

[@babylemonade2868]

I love my reissue fender twin. If the old ones sound better then they must sound amazing

[@kurtisr2339]

Appreciate you, Mr. Caldwell. Enlightening stuff as ever.

[@richnewman]

I got the '68 Reissue Twin and absolutely love it. Easily the best amp I've owned in a lifetime of amps.

[@PsionicAudio]

14:36 or so - discharge the caps before sticking anything metal in the amp to separate the foil from the chassis. Sorry, when doing things like this it's hard to remember when something obvious to me is obvious to everybody. It's not likely to be an issue, but people find a way... Also also wik, the cab in the RI is not pine as I said. Sorry, brain fart. Meant to say the original '60s ones were pine, the new ones are (quite good) plywood. But as I was dubbing the video I had already recorded, I goofed. These things are harder to put together than you might think.

[@mrbigbluesfan]

Do the 57 custom deluxe hand wired fenders suffer similar problems as these other reissues ? Would you rate it as quality and well made in general ? I really enjoy your videos 👍🏻 Cheers from Australia 🇦🇺

[@KentBuchla]

Thanks for keeping us all informed.

[@mojoemurphy]

Love these videos. Hoping to learn enough to start repairing amps myself

[@johncrace911]

I sent my DRRI to Allesandro and he got rid of the mess and wired it up. I am happy with results. He also upcharged me for a Eminence Allesandro Speaker.

[@DROPTUNED]

Hell yeah... Been waiting few days... Great episode

[@wilderwoodcraft234]

Love the hatch show print in the background.

[@donciseau]

Great video sir!

[@dennisflock3958]

Been waiting for this.

[@richard66754]

I put a couple of Weber 1265’s in my twin reissue, and it literally came alive.

[@tobiasryan8378]

I love this video and can't wait for the next one! I was curious about your opinions on the custom handwired versions of the Princeton and Deluxe Reverb? Curious if you think they're built well and worth the extra money. Thanks again!

[@donciseau]

Very educational video

[@garyatkins4479]

Great channel

[@Pstaines439]

This is fantastic, thank you. I have a 5F1 clone and have tried a bunch of speakers. I really didn't like any of the Jensens....P12R etc. I've ended up with a Celestion V30 which sounds great and gives me more clean headroom and volume. The Fender purists would hate it😂

[@michaelinglis567]

I had the same foil shielding issue with my Marshall DSL100HR cab. After a few years of taking out the chassis every so often for a repair, mod or check up i noticed the foil was hanging up on the chassis when i slid it out of the enclosure and peeling up in the corners. So i neatly replaced that section with some conductive adhesive foil. I also modded the front panel with magnetic cabinet catches so i dont wear out the tolex on the back every time i needed to swap tubes, check the bias or engage/disengage the choke that i added to the amp (the choke i put in it is on a switch that selects it or the stock resistor). I often get asked if a choke is a good mod for that amp and while i certainly think it is id rather let the person asking a/b it themselves granted theres obviously a bias difference between the choke and resistor so some of the difference you hear is from that but im way off topic lol. Point was just to say that foil can be tricky stuff since its so delicate. But luckily its also quite easy to replace if it gets worn out or torn. I imagine youd be hard pressed to find a better alternative that doesn't weigh and cost much more which i assume is why its so common.

[@samirbhika196]

Thanks!

[@mattg082]

I returned 5 different ones with issues, some multiples. Also tried them at different stores and nothing but issues. I said screw it and bought a Tone King Imperial MK2. They did it the right way!

[@PineconeTheory]

I will probably never own a tube amp, but, I really enjoy your content and upload frequency Discovered your channel within the last week, can't wait for more sub 500 amp videos.

[@TheJudy79]

You don't know what your missing

[@golds04]

@@TheJudy79changing tubes😂😂

[@DogsLife12]

I had my chassis out of the cabinet, and noticed the aluminum shielding was bunching up, and tore some of it.... I think it was already somewhat damaged before, one solution I used was to flatten it as much as possible and then used aluminum duct tape for plumbing, and tape the edges beyond the edge of the chassis where it catches. So far I haven't had any more issues.

[@ronnieDshman18]

That “someone will drop a cymbal on it” was spoken from expirence😂

[@mretrain]

I don’t think the C12K is a bad sounding speaker at all. I had one in a 5E3 clone and it sounded really good. It kept the bass nice and tight, which is the problem I’ve had with other speakers, too much bass. The problem with it was that it was just too loud. I replaced it with a Weber 12A125A, and that is definitely a better match and easier to control. However, if somebody wanted a speaker for a 5E3 that would let them keep up with a loud drummer and not get too flubby in the bass, I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend throwing a C12K in there.

[@egoncorneliscallery9535]

Agree. Solid bass and hardly any icepick on top. It is loud so most people only use the volume on 3-4. Instead of a speaker swap V1 12ax7 can be trued w a 5751 or a 12aY7. Makes the sweep better. Btw, i compared the C12K to my Emi GA64. To my surprise didnt sound that different. I thought the GA which i really like would be a big improvement..

[@okayestguitar66]

re. the iec cable, not only is it easy to change, if you need a longer one, easy-peasy to get a longer one. I've got a couple 15ft iec cables, they come in handy once in a while.

[@vapidwind1014]

I have a hand wired Princeton re issue The 64 black It’s pretty good but I did get a friend to modify the tremelo to slow it down a bit It’s a great amp for the most part but severely over priced I just had to have one and I’m not going back to pcb circuits ever again Thankyou for this awesome channel

[@richardlynch5632]

Just checked all the screws my new TMDR...ALL of them were not hand tight...handle, speaker, baffle and chassis...!!!🙄 Thanks for the heads up😉😎👍

[@danielhahn7329]

Please, do this for the Princeton Reverb!!

[@PsionicAudio]

The majority of this video applies to all the Reissue series including the Princeton. Kind of like taco bell - what variation on the same seven ingredients do you want?

[@mtmusicgear]

I can listen to your voice all day. Love these videos. However, I have a quick correction. The cabinet is birch plywood on the '65 reissue, not solid pine. The '64 handwired Deluxe Reverb, however, does feature a solid pine box.

[@PsionicAudio]

Thanks, and thanks. You're right. Sorry, brain fart, trying to keep a lot of balls in the air at once, so to speak. The cab is still quite good, no MDF heavy garbage. And the point about the baffle and cab expanding/contracting at different rates still stands. I wish I could edit videos without deleting/reuploading.

[@PsionicAudio]

I edited the pinnned first comment above. Thanks man.

[@mattdavies7809]

So does the 68 fsr DR with neo creamback speaker making it very light ( for tube amp!)

[@chrisdiceart]

@Psionic Audio - For a "keep forever" amp - Better to buy the '65 DDRI or the Handwired '64 DDRI? Which would you rather have come to your bench to be set up for a long life? Thanks for the great, honest opinion on these amps. 😀

[@PsionicAudio]

‘65 RI or a real ‘70s for what the ‘64 Custom goes for.

[@azmike3572]

Wondering if a stronger, more firmer substitute could be made for the foil that you pushed back up.

[@resslerartstudios]

I've learned a lot from watching your video. I have a new understanding and appreciation for tha amplifier. I m curious about what your opinion is on amplifier samples and emulated versions . Things like native instruments guitar rig 6 or presonus ampire .

[@PsionicAudio]

They're getting there and they can be useful tools. Great art can be done with crayons. But they are still crayons, at least for now.

[@GogglesPisano13]

I have a 2013 "Special Edition" Princeton Reverb Reissue (orange tolex, Jenson P10R speaker instead of the C10R) and lost the reverb about a year ago (I was using it for harmonica). The 12AT7 tube was dead (no filament glow) so I replaced it, but still no reverb. Checked the reverb tank, but all wires seem to be intact. Any suggestions what else to look for before I take it to an amp tech?

[@briand7381]

Thank you for this video. 10:31. If the bolts are just spinning. How do you get them to lock to the wood frame? I have 2 bottom bolts that just spin. They will not lock to the wood…. From factory..

[@ModestMike963]

Do you have a AC 30 CCH video? If not would love to see one!

[@michaelcrabtree7193]

Thanks for these tutorials! I have a Custom Vibrasonic from around '96. A Bruce Zinky designed amp. Not a reissue of anything but more like a slightly modified Twin Reverb reissue but with a single 15" speaker. It's a great sounding amp especially if you bridge both channels. I upgraded the speaker with an early '70s Altec 418-8H and that improved the tone immensely. Reverb is a bit weak though. Any tips on how to improve it/make it a bit deeper sounding? I love Fender amps! 💛

[@PsionicAudio]

That would involve de-Zinkyfying it. If you like the sound, good. Improvements to those amps involve more work than the amps are worth. He made truly terrible decisions. Just being honest. I made a Vibro-King a good amp once. It took a LOT of rebuilding.

[@michaelcrabtree7193]

@@PsionicAudio I use an outboard reverb with it anyway. I appreciate your opinion on the amp, thanks. It works for me. 😉

[@mrkite89]

I think the cabinet is baltic birch and I put a C12Q in mine: much better speaker for this amp IMHO, although with a 35W rating it can be risky to run the amp on 10 for a long time...Unfortunately, my EU version has digital tremolo that I hope to replace soon with a proper octocoupler: maybe a video on that mod please? :D

[@kevinbatchelor9566]

Afraid to ask but curious if you have been inside of the 57 Custom Twin Low Power model. I have one and it sounds incredible to me, but I am not an expert on amp builds.

[@michaelmoore7975]

I salvaged an O.C. Electronics Folded Line Reverberation Device from an old organ. It also says, "Manufactured by beautiful girls in Milton Wis. under controlled atmosphere conditions." lol. It's a 3 spring jobbie in what seems like perfect/pristine condition. My question is how can I determine if I might be able to swap out in some of my amps? Like a little Blues Junior? Or a Laney Cub 12? Or should I even bother? Thanx, great channel!

[@PsionicAudio]

Won't work with those two amps as they have opamp reverb circuits, which use tanks with different impedances than the FL was designed for. It might work fine in a tube reverb circuit ala Fender.

[@garycrant4511]

I bought a brand new sealed box Fender Pawn Shop Vaporizer when they were sold off discontinued at cheap price. I tested it a few times at home. Then due to family health problems, put it aside under a dust sheet for over a year. When I later found time for music again, i switched it on. The amp lit up as it should, but no sound. Absolutely silent with or without a guitar plugged in. The amp had not been moved or knocked for as long as it had been unused. Over the last two years of covid distractions, I've not got around to investigating the problem.. Any ideas ???

[@EastCoastDave]

Does this info also apply to the OG 59 Bassman reissues (non-LTD version) from the early 90s? I'd love to see a video on what they need to be dialed in properly!

[@Mr.Owl9]

Will that reverb unit fit in a Rivera Pubster 25 combo , 10" speaker ?

[@dannydine5263]

Are those short reverb tanks as big and full sounding as the longer reverb tank?

[@hadleymanmusic]

They got the late 70's pro reverb with the pull pots?

[@davidzindler5858]

Love your channel! What Fender amp would you recommend to a beginner-intermediate bedroom player that mostly likes/plays clean funk or edge of breakup rock sounds? I'd like to spend under $750 and get the best quiet amp I can. Most of the players I love play through Fender amps, but it seems you don't speak kindly of their amps in my pricerange.

[@PsionicAudio]

Thanks. See my Amps Under $500 video.

[@soulgamblers]

I can't find anyone that sells the upgrade Reverb tank that you show in the video. PLEASE HELP! Thanks for all of your great videos!

[@PsionicAudio]

Mojotone medium decay for Fenders. Call them, they’ll help.

[@mahkyb]

What model Mojotone reverb tank would be the best for the Deluxe?

[@johncollins5552]

Is it straightforward to add a reverb spring tank into the circuit of an amp that wasnt designed for it btw?

[@Idontlikethisever]

So whats the quality option to get that sound? Any brand thats worth it?

[@waynegram8907]

So the older reverb tanks "hardwired" the RCA jacks to the reverb transformers? This is the big differences between the old reverb tanks VS the new reverb tanks

[@michaelwbuncher7599]

My DRRI that is less than a year old came with a ruby tubes tank.

[@PsionicAudio]

Good. I've seen some but didn't know if they were aftermarket or stock. (The majority of stock tanks are Acc/Belton).

[@michaelwbuncher7599]

@@PsionicAudio it was a "limited" (seem common to me) model from sweetwater that had the alnico Jensen P12Q, but nothing in the listing implied an upgraded reverb tank. Wonder if that's just what's available or if it's standard issue now.

[@maxpeck4154]

Just sold a '98 DRRI that aside from some ticking tremolo was a lovely amp. You're not wrong about the stock speaker. Awful. The greenback in the AC15C1 that I just bought sounds great and it's not broken in yet. I prefer cathode biased el84 amps.

[@donlovell6708]

Until Fender makes reliable input jacks that don’t break loose, they are not a good deal, all late models have that problem

[@stephenfrancis303]

I puy an ev coffee can sro speaker on mine drri it makes it so heavy. But it sounds great my drri needs some work i get loud amp then i get almost no sound the back to sound

[@maximilianlun]

I want ask you whta you think about the tweed 59 bassman ltd... is it build good for a "new" Fender amp?

[@jeevenbhambra438]

Hey i have Princeton Reverb 65 Reissue. For some reason the footswitch just doesn't seem to work. When plugged in Reverb and Tremolo both go dead on the amp. I've opened up the footswitch and all the connections look solid, any ideas? Thanks!

[@PsionicAudio]

The insulation inside those footswitch cables often breaks beneath the jacket, causing shorts. They’re really crappy pedals, sorry. Your amp itself is probably just fine.

[@acemechanical275]

Have you got any rubber walrus protectors?

[@PsionicAudio]

Call the police.

[@WinstonTexas829]

I have a 2012 '65 PRRI. I love it but my tech had to modify & upgrade it to render it a truly pro amp. They cost over £1K in the UK. I will never understand why Fender can't just do it right in the first place. Surely it's attitude rather than costs alone?

[@thecappy]

How are the hand wired re-issues? Worth the upcharge?

[@PsionicAudio]

Pretty much a sideways quality move at a higher price. Terrible lead dress, fake blue molded caps, bad PCB, bad solder, bias trem they present as 'custom' because they can't use the opto roach in Europe.

[@jtube1100]

Yikes - the hand-wired reissues have PCBs too?! Where are the PCBs used? Or is this referencing some non-US models?

[@tuckmiester77]

Please can you expand on this. I am considering the hand wired vs a Ampclone of AB763

[@mrbigbluesfan]

@@jtube1100 if you’re talking about the fenders I think they have hand wired components on an eyelet board

[@garymallard4699]

Those Rubber covers on the Rear Switches are to protect the switch when Groupies throw Freshly Worn Panties at the Musician....the " Moisture " can cause alot of Issues and Corrosion at the Least!!

[@chickenlickin3820]

Bloody hell! amp is still on at end of video and all the chassis screws are out! : (

[@kenaiello4851]

Stock speaker is actually good just takes time to break in it opens up big time. I play mine loud at 5 most of the time plus nos preamp tubes and eh power tubes biased at22.

[@57ebartley]

Where can I get an $8 power cable for my Fener amps? I was just at Guitar center and they were $20.

[@jimmy5634]

Seems like according to you Fender could have made a better amp. I haven’t heard of a lot of quality issues with these, nor complaints about how it sounds. Just sayin’

[@watkinscopicat]

to me a good old silverface is more desirable than these.

[@dahliafiend]

Yep and a minimum of a thousand more to buy and then some more to get it shipped.

[@JB19504]

So a guy who knows all about amps, forgets to completely push in his mike jack. OoooKayyy!

[@watchfan6180]

Horror show. I have a Fender Mexican Player and Boss Katana 50. Was about to purchase Blues Jnr, may not bother. You pay £700 and then needto pay another £400 to bring it up to standard. Bloody rip off, Fender are aware of these issues I am sure

[@scotty362100]

You would think someone with an "audio" channel, would have a little more attention give to the audio levels, or lack thereof on his videos!

[@elipse4594]

You have a very low voice

[@dekalbes335]

So....buying any Fender reissue or otherwise Amp . Is a crapshoot. Sigh.

[@egoncorneliscallery9535]

I think Lyle should stop saying anything about speakers. Clearly not his forte..

[@richardhendel8132]

After watching your video, It seems you have nothing good to say about Fender reissue amps. To bad. I have a master's in electrical engineering so I know what you are talking about.

[@DirtCityMTB]

This dude is definitely bias against newer fender amps and always talks about the vintage ones. The reissues are fantastic in my opinion.

[@rob_in_stowmarket_uk]

Hi Lyle. Bet they didn’t drop the price by $7 though! 😬 Oh, and I’ve always thought that Jensen was a really horrible speaker. Glad you (kind of) agree. 👍🥴