I Gigged the Fender Deluxe Reverb for the First Time in 35 years (sort of)

[@mattc1176]

Remove the bright cap from the vib channel as others have said - easy, reversible and a pretty clear improvement in my experience

[@jimmcdougall9973]

I could definitely watch more of you and Jake jamming. Just so natural. A dance between two great guitarists. The tones complimenting each other perfectly. And most importantly, you were both having fun. Great stuff!

[@joemiller9856]

Loved the isn’t she lovely jam!

[@PFAllen2]

That is a wonderful clip of you and Jake.

[@KristopherCraig]

Thanks for the shout out. I’m actually based in Canada and Thailand when I’m on my leave but I work for Cunard which is a UK company.

[@justarthur1788]

If you're finding the vibrato channel spikey have a tech remove the bright cap. It's one of the most common things done to this amp and easily reversible. Fender even released software for the tone master deluxes to that effect - bright cap removed on reverb side.

[@BrandOdyssey]

Nice playing at the wedding chaps. Top notch.

[@chuckfarley7642]

The vibrato channel is screechy because it has a bright capacitor. It can be easily removed. The normal channel is less noisy because it has one less tube stage. So if you don’t like the reverb and aren’t using the tremolo, I would just use that channel.

[@MurrayWilliams]

Too much reverb is like having too much money in the bank. Turn it down. You’ll always have as much as you need. More than you need is better than not enough. Thanks for the video John!

[@lightningstrikes7314]

Love your style of sarcastic incoherent BS.

[@MurrayWilliams]

@ It’s neither sarcastic nor incoherent. I’ll grant you the last sentence is a fragment.

[@lightningstrikes7314]

@@MurrayWilliams 'Convoluted' and 'Pretentious' were probably better lexical choices to be fair.

[@steviebhoye]

I too use the Normal channel, (with an attenuator) Volume on 6, Bass and Treble around 5. I then run a patch cable from input 2 of the normal channel to Input 1 of the Vibrato channel, turn reverb uo to 8 and blend some of the vibrato channel in subtly to taste. Works for me. :)🎸

[@SuperBatiskaf]

Unfortunately you can't run DRRI on the bridge as you did it on marshall Plexi. The two channels of DRRI works out of the phase, the vib channel has extra gain stage for reverb (and bit more gain as well). But you can use a/b box with phase inverter. Before ab box I use buffer of tumnus deluxe for impedance resolving -passive ab box very sensitive to impedance. DRRI sounds amazing, on steroids. My amp settings are as following: Vib channel: vol max, treb max, bass on 3 Norm channel: vol max, treb 6, bass 4 With attenuator for sure. With vol on my tele I can have all spectrum of great tones, I don't need pedals at all

[@steviebhoye]

Only out of phase if using a splitter before inputs - jumper works great for me - no phase issues at all?

[@SuperBatiskaf]

​@@steviebhoyeyes, ab box splits the signal and reverts phase on one channel. You can use jimpering without ab box, but you should setup the eq on channels in very different manner, one channel with treble accent, another channel with a bass accent. It's not so flexible, so I prefer ab box. Sorry for my English btw

[@RyanBlue-z5j]

I don't know what I did so right this year but my wife just gave me a deluxe reverb this weekend as an early Christmas present. I can't wait to use it at band practice this week and when gigging season starts this spring

[@raymondmeers]

The 'gig' sounded great

[@rigorhead01]

Love gigging my ol Deluxe Reverb!

[@josephfloyd4217]

Just change the reverb driver tube to like a 12aT7 or a 12aU7 to get it more controllable. Also, you can internally bridge the channels so that the reverb can be used on the normal channel.

[@wilfredsalcedobarrios4733]

Out of this world, your playing, John

[@dscataglini]

Bright cap mod is one of the most common mods on the deluxe along with a replacement of the reverb potentiometer to allow a more gradual sweep. So common that they baked it into one of the tone master firmware updates. I believe also Silverface used to ship with the bright cap removed for a little while (I might be wrong)

[@RandyCraig-e3c]

One factor with the change in amplification is "Moore's Law." Which is "observation that the number of transistors on a microchip doubles roughly every two years, with a minimal increase in cost."

[@Rummy73]

If you folks prefer only the normal channel on a DRRI, then consider a Princeton. The circuits are comparable because neither has a bright cap like the DRRI's Vibrato channel. The bright cap often is not a good match for drive or fuzz. In addition, the Princeton will have reverb and trem. Get one with a 12 inch speaker. The mesa cali tweed 2 20 also fits the bill. It can be attenuated among 20, 10, and one watt. Gorgeous reverb. Cheers.

[@rigorhead01]

Great advice

[@BOSSenjoyer]

Bassman if you don't need verb

[@Wadey1960CS]

LEGENDS!! @Jake Loosemore and @John Nathan Cordy

[@joefriedmanguitarnut]

The deluxe reverb usually needs to be turned up quite a bit or if you put an xotic rc booster or Keeley Katana boost in front; sort of helps it “get there” if you know what I mean.

[@CliffMcCauley]

On the pricier side, but if you ever wanted to make a good faith larger purchase, Wayne at headstrong Amps here in the US does an unbelievable Princeton reverb with a 12 inch speaker. Takes pedals like a dream, bottom holds together well, no spiky deluxe issues with pedals, sweet spot can be found at a little more manageable volume. For what it’s worth from a no name guy from Texas on the Internet.

[@TheBbtlegit]

Love you playing out on live gigs

[@JakeLoosemore]

That kids Nacho sounds good

[@57ebartley]

Well I just acquired a Princeton FSR limited model with Red wine tolex and Wheat Grill. It also has a 12 in speaker. Can’t wait to try it out in a bigger room. I couldn’t believe how my leads soared when I kicked on my drive.

[@rigorhead01]

I play in a classic rock cover band with a drummer that plays a typical acoustic kit. We're pretty loud, and the Deluxe Reverb Reissue keeps up just fine. My clean tones are still quite clean, but with just enough compression to make it feel good, but not so much that you feel like you're out of clean headroom. The sweet spot for me. I do love gigging my channel switching amp, the Mesa/Boogie Electra Dyne. It has the best overdriven tones ever, but sometimes the Deluxe Reverb is just simply a more appropriate amp to gig. Also the Electra Dyne is a 90 watt, 45 kg beast, so there's that too 😀

[@ksharpe10]

Supposedly the SECRET SAUCE is jumping the 2 channels, see the video by justin ostrander on the fender deluxe reverb. He shows how to dial in the 2 channels.

[@Rummy73]

Tame the reverb with a 12AU7 tube. This is a tried and true "hack".

[@joefriedmanguitarnut]

Also - most of the Nashville guys play the NORMAL channel; that avoids the bright cap and you can jumper into the VIBRATO channel

[@pmunkey1]

Hi John. Just played the Thatch, Croyde with the band Radio Sunset with my Deluxe Rvb, and managed to get it up to 4, however I do play with a loud drummer😅 it also has a Cannabis Rex speaker In though, so not sure what difference that makes. Anyway great video. 🎉

[@jimhall5393]

You might want to try the Tonemaster version. Half the weight and multiple wattages so you can drive it more at lower volumes. The cream one with the ceramic celestion is pretty good.

[@djillogika]

The reverb on my Deluxe Reverb doesn’t do what you described. The level is set to around 3. I would suggest swapping out the tube or the reverb tank to see if that improves things.

[@tonystartup3817]

Crikey, i think the reverb is even longer than one i put in my hurricane

[@barrygruber9274]

Hey John, I cut the bright cap and it really stops the vibrato channel from killing your ears. Rob robinette page is great for different options for the reverb sound. I played about with valves to tame it and it sounds great.

[@RandyCraig-e3c]

I love giveaways, Mr. Xmas.

[@Wingman52]

I have one of the older DRRI amps from the 90s I think.. I play it mostly at home and find no problem playing at 3 or 4, even more, but I do turn the guitar down a bit. On Strats especially, this works really well because a Strat all the way up has quite a bit of high-end boost. With the amp up and the guitar down you get awarmer less brittle tone, use tone knobs to dial in just the right amount of edge. I also use the normal channel as a rule and I use an old Alesis Microverb which IMHO is a much nicer sounding reverb than the standard Fender one. For Fender amp newbies different tubes can have a big impact on the amp's sound, break up, compression, etc., and of course the speaker you use ( Celestion Vintage 30 in mine) can almost turn a DR into a completely different amp.

[@26theband]

As everyone has said…that’s not normal for the reverb…sounds like the cable going to the reverb tank is faulty or not fully plugged in or wrong tube. Get it fixed and snip that bright cap and you have the best reverb and trem in an amp. When the bright cap is cut the trem channel is glorious! Also if you swap out the Jensen for a Greenback or a V30 the Deluxe is even better cause it’s not so scoopy and shrill up top.

[@andypeacockmusic]

Can recommend cutting the bright cap on channel 2.

[@Arthur_My_Dear]

From your comments, sounds like a ‘68 Princeton Custom Reverb my suit you

[@law6044]

The Deluxe has been an aspirational amp for some time. Figuring out whether a 90’s Vibroverb or Vibrolux would be a better option? If anyone can offer their thoughts, would be much appreciated!

[@BOSSenjoyer]

'65 Super Reverb RI is the same circuit as a stock BF Vibroverb but 4x10 instead of 1x15 and go for like half off used (1000-ish). Vibro-King might be worth a look if you're spending more than that.

[@lanceholland]

Not sure what's up with your reverb - but there's something wrong.. My real 1965 BFDR doesn't sound like that until the reverb is up at 8. Is it possible that the wrong tube is installed? I leave mine on 3.5 and it has none of that character.

[@JHPRS]

I Googled changing the reverb tank in a Deluxe Reverb with a new tank that has a shorter decay time and it's easily done. :)

[@alexdenton6586]

Where’s the video on patreon ? Can’t find the guitar tab for your solo on the video where you attack jhs I might take patreon just for that

[@KozmykJ]

What does the 'splashy reverb' sound like set to 1 or 2 ? You might have an electronics problem ...

[@Sparksnorthern]

JNC, get a Mesa Mark IV going in your routine will ya? Would love to hear you rip on one of those

[@chrisgmurray3622]

The higher the poweramp is, tye louder the reverb will be on master volume amps, and in the non master amps the more level you get, the more reverb you get. Fender amps only sound louder because they are mire toppy ; turnnfownnthe treble and the amp won't cut through or sound half as loud. In the function band I used to play in, if we were judged to be " too loud", I would dial up a more bassy tone and people would be nodding in agreement because the psychoacoustic perception of volume is in annamp's brightness ( well often anyway) Fender amps were bright for this very reason ..; to sound louder thannthey actually were. On another note, musicians need to grow a backbone and resist overbearing demands to be quieter onstage, or more amenable to the sound person. The very spirit of rock and roll has been the rebellion agsinst " control" and authority. I realise that he who pays the piper calls the tune, but a sound perdon is there to serve the musicians, not the other way around. Faint heart never won the fair Lady, and the best music, whether Joe pass in solo flight at a subtle level, or a punchy bar band at thumping volume, is what makes music art, rather than the apologetic pandering of good musicians to control-freak FOH engineers, or ignorant employers. I'm not praising arrogance, just saying, if you're playing rock music you have to throw your heart out first then leap after it... and if you give an inch they'll take a mile, so don't be part of the problem , be part of the solution. I don't mean, bliw your ears out, just have some grit, or just pkay acoustic level jazz for the rest of your life and influence others to fo the same.

[@rigorhead01]

I have the bright cap removed from the Vibrato channel

[@glencruciani]

The reverb should never be above 3 on that amp. Mine is between 2.5 and 3. I use it just as the basic verb, so I'm never playing completely dry. Any additional verb can come from a pedal. I have the 64 custom reissue and play with a Cali 76 and the Gladio SC always on. I use a variety of other drives that I stack to taste depending on the tone I'm looking for. It can be magical if you run 2 in stereo coming out of something like a Strymon Big Sky or an AT Halo.

[@johnplaystheguitar123]

lol i was about to say i bet they play isn't she lovely.

[@JHPRS]

I'm just curious John, have you ever tried a Quilter Aviator Mach 3, solid state amp? I have one and it's easily the best solid state amp I've ever heard. :)

[@Wileylikethehawk]

You owe it to yourself to put a V30 in there. The Deluxe Reverb secret weapon.

[@mattc1176]

If you want to buy one I have the one I took out of mine…! I much MUCH prefer the Cannabis Rex in there myself - but it is a very popular speaker choice for sure.

[@rigorhead01]

Really? I have been considering a different speaker in my DRRi. I've heard a few people suggest the V30. I would want an English made one though.

[@Wileylikethehawk]

@@rigorhead01 I find it smooths off some of the spiky stuff and makes the amp sound louder and warmer - which really works, especially live. Takes out a bit of the hollow stuff where you get lost in the mix. I’ve always been a fan of v30s in Fender amps, but the deluxe in particular.

[@BOSSenjoyer]

If you like Celestion check the Classic Lead 80. It's basically a Mesa Black Shadow C90.

[@tonystartup3817]

Wow, a V30, really. I have one in my cornford hurricane and it can do clean and edge of breakup sounds quite nice, but always thought V30s were considered more hard rock speakers

[@nekkon1989]

No offence but on the first clip it kinda sounded like a Tonemaster Deluxe

[@zThisPlay]

2:00 singer as usual comes in and ruins everything

[@1man1guitarletsgo]

"Too much reverb" is one of my gripes about Blues Juniors, and the main reason I wouldn't buy one. Sounds like the DRRI has the same issue. It's not just a case of turning it down, as others have suggested; its _character_ needs to be more adjustable. No such issue with the BDR, strangely. As for your gig, sitting on the amp: I played a very enjoyable instrumental-only gig in a small house, sitting on an amp, and with a double bass player, also amplified. We set our amps to be no louder than a hard-strummed acoustic guitar, meaning we could play softly and still be heard, without being too loud for the environment.

[@Deep_Jimpact]

Bro, you hadn’t played it since you were 5?

[@alexdenton6586]

Sort of

[@Thanos40k]

Its far from perfect... It is too heavy and it doesn't have a knob for mids.... Also your tone depends on the electricity variations...

[@SpaceJockey805]

Here comes Cordy, telling us something that weve all known for decades. Fender amps = good... now lets watch him take it apart, because surely its overpriced.