Fender Blues DeVille actually sounds like the ORIGINAL 1959 BASSMAN!!

[@SuperGaryBurns]

For 1/20 of the price the Deville is a VERY good sounding amp , and a killer deal !

[@artysanmobile]

With the savings, I can afford the gym membership needed to use it regularly. I really do like mine, which I think is a v1.

[@amateurism1]

Mr. Segeborn, thank you for everything you do, the fact that you have to work two jobs to do it, makes me even more thankful for what you have done for us all-All of us appreciate you sacrifice and love for tone, we've all learned something from you. I don't know how you do not have 3 million subscribers and why Marshall hasn't given you an anonymous gift of money without affiliation to their brand, you have sold more amps for them than the best paid marketing team on Earth.

[@fivewattworld]

THIS is amazing! Thanks for making this man.

[@dummydingus8291]

I honestly prefer the Deville. I think it would cut better in a mix. I think you could get to 95% of the bassmans tone with just a simple speaker swap with the Deville.

[@ryangunwitch-black]

So many people don't think about this. Most of them don't need to because there's no mix in their room. Just a chair. It's so much more fun to play with actual humans. Most of the time. I really do love playing alone sometimes though so I get the desire for warmer, bassy tone.

[@firstnamelastname4282]

I have a ‘90s 4x10 tweed deville with three blown speakers that I recently acquired. In the ‘90s I had a reissue ‘59 bassman and I’m trying to get that tone again. Once I can confirm that the wiring is correct (not sure why three are blown), I’m wondering what I can purchase to get that tone again? What do u recommend? Thx

[@harryking8498]

@@firstnamelastname4282 I've had one of these since they came out in the mid 90's, and blew a few of the speakers. They were replaced under warranty. They are wired 2S2P.

[@LPCustom3]

The Bassman has a little more of an open sound. I wonder how the DeVille would sound plugged up to the Bassman speakers or the Bassman into the DeVille’s speakers. Cheers Johan!

[@whatyoumakeofit6635]

Must find out

[@JohanSegeborn]

Cheers, maybe we can have a look that too later on

[@THUNDERWORX]

I was wondering the same thing. I can't help but wonder if the Bassman had the same crisp sound that the Deville has when it was brand new. I like both sounds, but if a person was aiming for the current sound of this Bassman from a new Deville, it might be accomplished through EQ or different speakers. -Theory being that the Bassman speakers may have lost some of thier treble.

[@crownjewelmusicgearreview9430]

I was thinking the same and came to see if anyone else was thinking this :)

[@kennethc2466]

The Bassman is tube rectified vs SS in the Deluxe. Also, the preamp filtering cap is 8uF on the Bassman, to a 44uF on the Deluxe (and reissue 59 bassman). My 59 also uses a 12ay7 in V1, instead of the 12ax7 used in the Deluxe. They may sound similar, but are radically different amps.

[@-k-b-]

The bassman is quite literally bassier! Love how they both sound honestly, I bet combined they'd sound massive together

[@lawrencegreenwood4002]

An odd comparison in terms of speakers, but I wonder how a 212 would compare with the Bassman.

[@rickycompton2610]

This has got to be one of the best used amps on the market right now for that classic fender tone for cheap

[@sharpenflat6002]

Blues DeVille--great amp. They had some problems from 1993-1998 that was rampant. Turns out the problem was a defective diode that caused the problems. It was no fault of Fender. It takes a very experienced amp technician to be aware of this, but if you can get it done, this is a once in a lifetime opportunity to pick up a great amp. Love you, Leo.

[@NoStringsAttached777]

Any idea where this diode is located?

[@JRandallS]

The Deville sounds like the Bassman with a cold. Thanks for this, my son has the Deville and I've decided to build a turret kit from a Bassman and install it in the Deville.

[@destavaiwira9997]

Nice sound as always, Johan. Ah, yes, nice stool too.

[@hearpalhere]

You made both of them sound great Johan! Especially when you were playing the Strat, it sounded like the DeVille had a lot more "body" to the sound. I wouldn't know which frequencies that would equate to but it just seemed like the Bassman was a lot more pointed or narrow in it's sound. If I missed it somewhere in the video, I apologize but I'm curious what kind of settings you had going for both amps? I'm sure the volume was up pretty high on both but I'm curious about EQ settings as well.

[@frankiethefish73]

I was in a band back in the late 90's, I had a 1995 4x10 Blues Deville and the other guitarist had a 1995 Bassman reissue. Everyone in the band tried playing through both, and it was unanimous that the Bassman reissue was the better sounding amp. Although they were very similar, the Bassman had that extra bit of fullness, responsiveness, sparkle and articulation. It was just too bad it didnt have a reverb, but then it wouldnt be a reissue. Back then the Deville was around $600 and the Bassman was around $950.

[@danecope7243]

I just picked up a deville reissue yesterday because I was minutes late for getting a bassman... gotta say I'm super stoked on the tone especially considering the savings. If you can locate one don't hesitate!

[@anthonyrichard461]

Had a 410 DeVille in the 90's and now have a hand built 59 Bassman clone. I found the volume on the Deville was hard to control and probably needed a tapered potentiometer. On 2 it was too low for stage and on 3 it was too loud. The Deville was a decent amp but the highs were a little ice pickey. My new hand built Bassman is a dream amp, very controllable volume with a thick full sound with the highs not piercing. It was built by a very good amp tech with all premium components. It apples to oranges but my Bassman is my new favorite amp especially with a Strat. Good day!

[@MrBallynally2]

Yes, a little hard to control and often too loud on stage. I played one in the 1990s after getting the brown 2x10 vibroverb which was more acceptable on stage. Ayway, the deville had the same volume pot issues as the later hotrod. Makes me think a different pot and a lower gain V1 might solve that. 12ay or 5751.

[@MrBallynally2]

I preferred the 1990s reissue Bassman w the 4 blue frame Eminence alnicos to the Deville..

[@MannyJuarez-pr5bh]

Yeah I run a 5751 in v1 with a little black box to drive it harder and control it. Love my blues deville 95’

[@rickycompton2610]

Agreed Gary I also have the made in USA Blues Deville 4x10 I retubed it and turned up the bias Fender runs the bias on these amp to cold it really came to life after the retube and re biasing

[@paulcowart3174]

Tubes last a lot longer is why Fender does that but totally agree

[@Andy_Yates]

I bet they sound very similar through the same speakers. The character of the gain is very similar. The best I can describe is the difference I heard at some point. When you compare speakers like Celestion or EV to a Jensen, you get the very Jensen-y eq curve, and then acclimate. This is how it felt switching from Bassman to the DeVille. Really cool to hear them side by side. Never would have thought they'd be similar in the slightest

[@Okla_Soft]

When I first got really into guitar and bands like The Strokes, I took note of their guitarists’ rigs, one of which was two of these fender Deville 4x10s. Awesome. Completely awesome.

[@daviddorrian5349]

Great sounding amps, I also enjoy the foot working on a totally different timing to what you were playing, mind of its own!😅

[@Herfinnur]

It's strange, because objectively they do sound quite different, but it's more like you're listening to the same amp through two different microphones. The "soul", for lack of a better word, is there. I think I would be equally thrilled to play through either of them

[@owlytimbre9103]

I know of many that would love to hear all possible bassman clone circuits. Including the sovtek. I also notice a much better recording quality this time. It's the room Mike? Sounds world class, my man.

[@JohanSegeborn]

Thanks, glad you noticed!! I went back to API 512C preamps today!

[@artysanmobile]

Oh? How badly would you love to hear them?

[@owlytimbre9103]

The earliest Marshall and tweed bassman circuits have similar topographies so I have read but never actually been able to hear. The sovtek mig 50 is my personal holy grail. Same tube architecture and tone stack. But it's all academic until you die and go to amp nirvana. Of course Johan is at its gates. Lol.

[@Herfinnur]

I noticed that in this and the Mesa Boogie video

[@arthurnawrath6701]

Hi Johan, Great Video! Do you Play the Drive Channel at the BDV?

[@keithwilkes308]

Johan---luv the comparison-----I would luv an old bassman, but cannot afford-----the Blues Deville sounds amazing as well----a bit different, but amazing.....the 'ole' bassman just sounds a bit more "organic" if I could call it that------would luv it being Fender amps if you in some of the comparisons added just a touch of reverb......

[@JohanSegeborn]

Thanks Keith! You’re quite right about that. I always forget the reverb

[@stephenshaw2548]

You're right johan The 59 is probably the best sounding amp of all time Like the way you play straight without reverb

[@devinmasters7038]

Did the deville have the blue alnico speakers in it? Or the ceramics?

[@andrewksadventures]

Great demo Johan! Very similar sounding amps, with the original Bassman sounding perhaps a bit warmer and fuller and the Blues Deville being a bit more nasally and rattly sounding in the top end. Could that be down to the newer or less aged speakers or is it in the circuitry?

[@JohanSegeborn]

Thanks Andrew! It’s definitely both. Maybe we can switch speakers later on

[@andrewksadventures]

@@JohanSegeborn That would be good! Cheers buddy. Take care.

[@briancrabaugh6966]

So close it’s insane!!! Closed my eyes and could barely hear a difference. In a band setting, no way. Must get one (new and cheap of course)! Cheers!

[@JohanSegeborn]

Cheers Brian!

[@SlydeChaplain]

Dude, I swear, you always seem to have done the research for me! Lol! Keep it up👍😉 Great, as always!

[@mrskelington]

Great comparison. Do you think there is much of a difference between the 212 HotRod DeVille and the 410 Blues DeVille?

[@silviospizzeria]

It’s my dream to jam with you dude lol. Underrated guitar player.

[@Person-cv9dj]

Hey johan since you have tons of experience with the marshall amps that have four inputs i wanted to ask you if it was possible to switch in between inputs with an AB pedal. I wanted to ask since i am really temped to buy a soldano superlead 60 ii and it has two inputs so i thought maybe i could switch channels with an AB pedal. Thx for your response in advance and love your videos keep up the good work

[@simonmastromatteo5692]

How were you driving the Deville ? I'm assuming clean channel dimed ? Great stuff.... what a sound from both !

[@arthurnawrath6701]

Hi Johan, Do you Play the Drive Channel? Greetings Arthur

[@kernalkarma4752]

Love the chimes on the bassman .

[@tomasgarcia6117]

Using my AirPods, there is such a massive difference. Idk how to explain it, the baseman has such a raw rock and roll tone, it sounds wider as well. It breaks but there’s alot of room, it’s super clean even with high gain. The deville is much more modern and cuts alot higher. At least to my ears. I enjoyed this video.

[@SansibarRacing]

Indeed, to my ears they are also pretty far apart. I prefer the Bassman by a mile. Much fatter and rounder, the DeVille sounds a bit congested. As other have noted, question is how much it has to do with old speakers. But I've only heard really good things about the blue frame alinicos used in the DeVilles.

[@a_new_hourbandofficial9121]

Johan all your reviews are legit good!! Keep up the good work my friend!!!!

[@camhaines5482]

Great video. The 68 Deluxe Reverb has a channel that is supposed to be similar to the Bassman. Would love to hear a comparison.

[@DarkhorseSoundSA]

Did you share the settings you were using on the DeVille anywhere?

[@sonnywolfblues]

I love the Blues Deville...I own 2 of them and it is my current gigging amp.I wouldn't say they sound exactly like a 1959 Bassman but they certainly sound great in their own right and have that 1950s tweed character that I love.I like to dial mine by cranking the mids to 12 and closing the bass and treble to zero and setting the presence to around 5 on the clean channel with the bright switch turned off...gives a nice thick midrangy tone great for Blues which is augmented by my 808 Tubescreamer.What's strange about the Deville is that the treble actually scoops the mids out the higher you turn it up which is why I prefer the close the treble and bass and only use the mid knob.

[@NoStringsAttached777]

That is very interesting as I just read that the tone stack is interactive and what you have stated points to that being correct

[@area51pictures]

Siouxsie Medley from Dead Sara played one of these when I saw them in DTLA and good god it was astonishing

[@anthonymichael3029]

Are you running the Deville flat out on the clean channel for that breakup? It sounds incredible. I’m quite surprised, pleasantly.

[@JohanSegeborn]

Thanks, yeah with the V both are dimed and I back off on the guitar volume. I use the clean channel on the DeVille

[@edwardmonsariste4050]

Thank you very much for your videos! Awesome video! How close could a Blues Deville get to a modern Bassman LTD? It seems like a lot of the Bassman LTD sound is those 10” speakers. Or maybe speaker swap with the Blues Deville? Again, thanks a bunch for your informative videos.

[@rickycompton2610]

Johan this was a great video another underrated hem is the Jet City 50 watt combo amp you should do a video on that one if you can find one in your country

[@garenmcvay2695]

I enjoyed your review of the vintage Hot Tubes by TCE, you really had a great goin there with some outstanding playing. I have one just like it !

[@BruchholzBandit]

Does the Deville also have a massive pine cabinet?

[@jaybirdgoody]

So you turned the Deville up pass 2? Joking. Honestly though, is that the Deville's clean channel?

[@john808welk]

Honestly this sounds closer than the actual 59 bassman reissue. I bet it would sound even closer through those old speakers.

[@JohanSegeborn]

Thanks Johnny!

[@charlesbolton8471]

That’s probably why Fender discontinued the 4x10 Blues Deville/Hot Rod Deville. It was also substantially less expensive than the 59 Bassman Reissue.

[@Blaydrnnnr]

Thanks Johan!!! I asked to see more comparisons to the original circuit and the newer models of a similar cuircut a few weeks ago, and here it is! ( Hot rods, Devilles, the original...) My Blues Deville is a 1996. The only thing I had to dal with it was the volume. It went from no where enough, to too freaking loud in a click. Had to replace the volume pot to something more linear. And damn... that Gibson sounded so freakin' great!!!

[@jonnybeck6723]

One thing I love about your vids are the "gut shots"... Please keep doing that whenever possible. ("Hey (!), wha'd'ya thimk you're doing taking my amp apart?!?") 😬 Thanx & Cheerios Johan (not the cereal)

[@soapboxearth2]

If you've got a deville or hr deluxe that you love and intent on keeping, check out some repair videos. There's some preventative maintenance that needs to be done so the board doesn't burn itself up.

[@baldpaulstudios7023]

Hey John, thanks for the videos. I know how much work it is. The only thing I'd like to see is for you to try each amp with the others speakers. That to me is a true comparison. The way you do it certainly helps me compare the amps, but when your doing newer vs older, using the same cab ( which I've seen you do before) thats key to me. Thanks again for all your hard work!

[@ivan_emege]

Tony Joe White used a Fender Blues DeVille with four tens, the first one that Fender made. He said it was a lot like a Super Reverb or Bassman.

[@freelancevt]

Fantastic comparison of two VERY good sounding guitar amps!

[@andreacampana4754]

They both sound good to me. The Bassman has that characteristic Tweed raunchyness that is what makes it so unique.

[@JohanSegeborn]

Thanks Andrea, yeah the Bassman is the Benchmark

[@eddieholmes3236]

Great comparison Johan!

[@joshuagarcia5689]

Thanks John

[@DanMarcelino]

Nice video! Are you Norwegian by chance?

[@pensive_]

Very nice comparison, thank you very much. The blues Deville doesnt really cut it. I did a blind test with someone else playing the video clips. I picked up the inferior sounding Deville every time. Maybe the Old speakers are just way better sounding, which causes my dismay with the Deville. Would have been nice to ONLY use the 50s bassman speakers in the comparison.

[@DeadHandBlues]

Does the Deville have ceramic or Jensen P10R speakers? Honestly in a band mix the Deville would sound so much better. The Bassman speakers are sounding a bit too loose for my liking.

[@rgbplumbinghilton]

I have a Hotrod Deville 4x10. It is a very nice amp. It is one I will never sell. The nearest I will ever get to a super reverb.

[@michaeljoeseph8900]

They both sound good but close to alike Great vid

[@memphishancock6483]

You should see if you can get your hands on one of the 2003 Hotrod Deluxes, they have jensens and the clean channel cranked sounds absolutely huge

[@James-eg3nf]

I have a 90s Blues DeVille 2x12 and it's glorious, though not quite the sound of the 4.x10 (the 2x12 is bass-ier). Either way, these amps are LOUD as hell and almost unusable in some live situations unless you use an attenuator box in the effects loop. They are also prone to all kinds of failures (loose solder joints, bad capacitors, bad jacks, bad knobs, etc.), so I have retired mine and use a Fender Bassbreaker 007 instead for recording as well as a few different sold state amps for live playing. But I DO miss the inimitable sound of that amp, especially with a strat - it's like that amp was made specifically for that guitar.

[@em001868]

Really nice comparison. The Bassman has the warmth of speakers that are WAAAYYY broken in. The DeVille has the crisp-ness of a great sounding tweed amp that will cut the mix nicely. I share the comments of the people who would like to hear the DeVille through the Bassman speakers an vica versa. There are point made about the filtering cap differences and the V1 tube but that is only going to change the point of breakup in the volume. I guess the only thing left to do is gig with one of each and daisy chain them!! 🤘

[@valendis]

I don't know if it's the speaker I'm listening it through or if you guys all ruined your ears but they actually sound quite different, the bassman sounds way more open, "organic".

[@ivorytelecaster]

I love stumbling across a video that raves about a piece of gear I already own. Unfortunately it doesn’t happen often enough. 😂

[@siegfriedwashburn3484]

Hi Johan! This is my favorite amp. If it was working with my ESP, I am sure, it will work with everything! See you! Zigfrid

[@JohanSegeborn]

Cheers Zigfrid

[@JOE007111]

Nice comparison!!!!! The sound very close, little differences, but close. I love both. Maybe the difference could be by the speakers. Thank you very much.

[@charlesbukowski9836]

2:08 2 seconds of the Reelin' In The Years intro

[@philcory5043]

It does indeed sound blissful. I prefer the Gibson through them both. Great Video dude ☺

[@JohanSegeborn]

Thanks Phil!

[@philcory5043]

@@JohanSegeborn I didn't realise you are running 2 jobs man. That's commitment! I think I speak for many in applauding you for this! I live very simply too so I know how it feels. ;)

[@Nobody92421]

Thanks for posting.

[@lifeofalex9199]

Bassman has a little more of that vintage warmth. But that’s probably because of the age. The Deville definitely gets in the ballpark. Not a clone, but a good modern alternative for sure

[@Richard_P_James]

The price of the Blues DeVille just went up 😎

[@ATreeForFive]

I would run both at the same time. They would sound fantastic blended together 💪🏼

[@andrearecchia8859]

Nice!! Next : compare blues junior with tweed deluxe 5e3!

[@JohanSegeborn]

Thanks Andrea!

[@abubakr6939]

With the Flying V there was a more pronounced difference, and despite both sounding great, in general the bassman sounded better

[@charlfrick8245]

Bassman for me by a country mile, thanks Johan!

[@51bobtube]

the Deville suffers from a crappy low voltage supply for the reverb and the switching. It always fails eventually. It can be fixed but it will fail again in the future. I've fixed enough of them to know

[@vintagetone22]

great demo from the king.nice amp.

[@stevehammer781]

Thank you for the comparison. The tone differences are miniscule in your studio, and one would not know the difference in a live, stage setting. Tho I own Marshall JCM 800 2205 & 2210 stacks as well as a couple 5150 stacks, the sound of the Blues Deville 410 RI caught my attention and now I own one and play through it with an Epi Casino. If you want classic Beatles (Paperback Writer, etc), Stones (Shattered, etc), the Blues Deville 410 will take you there (and sound exact with an Epi Casino). Great amp for a fraction of the cost of a '50s Bassman 410. Well done, Johan!

[@MrMcflanigengaming]

I have a 73 super reverb and I prefer the blues devil it so versatile. Mine has the blue alnicos in it I love the thing

[@giulioluzzardi7632]

5hose Jensens sound ace!! Try the Deville using the Bassman speakers maybe for a more accurate comparison?

[@mwooly1]

I got one, and it sounds best for me, it’s got more mids/reverb/versatility and cheaper than Bassman, but printed CB can be a problem.. thanks for demo JS

[@ahankararockband]

Thanks for the show, Johan. They sound very close, pricewise De Ville is alot better deal unless you are a collector.

[@garyseritt]

Looking forward to this one! I have a USA Blues Deville 4x10 and it's a monster

[@JohanSegeborn]

Glad to hear it Gary! Impressive indeed

[@ahankararockband]

I have always dreamt about good Fender AMP, never got one, but know what a baby it is. I play Marshalls, class amps, too, but Can not do what Fender can. Actually they complement each other and every guitar player shoud have a Fender and a Marshall. Tganjs Johan for your passion, skill and hard work to show US the sound of those classics! 🙏💙🌅

[@garyseritt]

@@ahankararockband I have a 1968 fender bassman as well and it's fantastic. Fender has made some great amps through the years

[@garyseritt]

@@JohanSegeborn as always, Strong Work with this comparison!!! Is it too late to ask about the settings you used?

[@charlesbolton8471]

@@ahankararockband You say that you have always dreamt of having a good Fender amp. I just want to let you know that regardless of whatever the situation is that is preventing it life can change to make it happen. It doesn’t matter the situation whether it’s purely financial, whether it’s location based (if you are outside the USA), or if it is the opinion that you don’t “deserve” it yet because of your skill level. Any of those issues can be overcome with time.

[@blakestone75]

At this point in the amps life, how much has changed in that old bassman that affects the sound? I wonder how close the DeVille is to a "new at the time" Bassman. I'm not sure which I prefer, I'd have to see how they sit in a mix.

[@ianskelding2218]

The bassman amp was a darker sounding amp, though very similar, but remember there's about 45years difference in the vintage, which would account for the mellower darker tone of the older amp

[@wallywanker7435]

I have the 2x12 blues Deville 1995. I also have bad tinnitus from it. Just couldn’t help myself from turning it up .

[@TheChadPad]

I am HERE for that Flying V man! God, listen to that. 2:53

[@JohanSegeborn]

Glad to hear it! ;-)

[@tpzid]

Do these have identical speakers? If not the demo is not valid. IMO

[@donofly]

I have a mid 90's blues deville 4x10 in mint condition, but the speakers are magnet ones just labeled fender. I think i prefer jensens in fender amps over anything else. I have Jensens in my twin reverb.

[@reno145]

How do you like the Peavey Classic 4x10? Mine pairs nicely with my Delta Blues.

[@JohanSegeborn]

It’s a great amp. Simon has one in his store right now so we can compare it to the BD

[@reno145]

@@JohanSegeborn Yes please! With a Strat as well as a Les Paul, if you feel so inclined.

[@paulcowart3174]

I use a Peavey Classic 4/10 with a lot of different heads w good results

[@adamwatson6916]

For me when I think of classic 70s hard rock the gibosn t top comes to mind before the paf . Pafs are more the 60s blues rock thing but for hard 70s rock and roll its t tops and tarback super humbuckers all the way the tarback a very underrated pickups but sometimes has the misfortune of being paired with 150k pots . With 300k pots they are killer. With 500k they can be a little shrill. .

[@stepitupandgo67]

I prefer the bassman...the deville probably cuts through the mix a bit better though, and still sounds excellent!! The other guitar player of my band back in the day had a deville and I always loved the tones he got out of it...

[@mack1mus]

I owned a blues deville & i loved it. But it never went past 2.5 on volume, even at gigs., Its heavy & bulky to move around, so i traded it in. But it would be really interesting to see how it compares to a Concert brown face (4 speakers)

[@jonnybeck6723]

Did you find the 15 to 20 watt difference was noticeable, prolly mostly w/ the slight added headroom (?) ...also I'd dig a similar vs. with a Hot Rod Deville's extra gain stage. I'll bet the Jensen alnicos and the Eminence alnicos are very close (?) cheers

[@JohanSegeborn]

The DeVille was only slightly louder actually. Cheers

[@mbach1187]

The bassman reissue doesn't sound closer??

[@martynrandall7652]

Far out what a massive sound!

[@JohanSegeborn]

Thanks! :-)

[@jamesmetabolic]

What Year ‘Blues deVille’..?

[@rafaelzengo5534]

To my ears the Bassman has some sort of tonal quality that sets it apart, definition, I dont know. But the Deville sounded quite impressive too.

[@williambain7900]

I own a blues deville but I think the bassman reigns supreme

[@jcoulter43]

Both sounded good, but I thought the Bassman had it all over the DeVille in all areas. If I hadn't heard the Bassman, the DeVille would be a good pick. Maybe some EQ would help the DeVille? Great comparo as always Johan. God bless and rock on 👍🎸😎

[@BluesHeavy]

The DeVille is a great amp but its a bit harsh the tonal complexity of the Bassman and the lack of ear piercing highs are what distinguishes it. That could be a simple speaker issue but the true difference in higher end to lower end amps are two things 1) Hardwired clean point to point are much easier to repair. If you have solider gun your in business a PCB board amp is another deal all together and require a longer repair process. 2) the subtleness in responsiveness and compression is vital to the ears of a trained musician that ear piercing high end would be a deal killer for me