The Fender Deluxe: A Short History, or From Woodie to Silverface and Everything in Between

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This is the next in my series of video short histories of famous gear. "The Fender Deluxe Amplifier, or From Woodie to Silverface and everything in between." As you might have guessed from the channel name I'm particularly interested in smaller amps or pedals but also pieces that have such a long legacy that they are sort of "do it all" items. In that spirit a Deluxe Reverb is a "big amp" in my world. I can't imagine needing more average wattage and headroom than this amp can provide if you're in a mic'd and proper PA setting... but as the saying goes, "You're mileage may vary."
I'd like to specifically thank three custom amp builders for providing me with great info when pulling this together.
Carl Carassco at Carl's Custom Amps. His knowledge of all things "tweed" has been an invaluable resource when pulling these vids together.
carlscustomamps...
David Allen at Allen Amplification. I've leaned on David for his knowledge and excellent parts for about a dozen years now. His knowledge of brownface circuits in particular was a tremendous help here.
www.allenamps.com/
And Dan Lurie of FYD Amps. Dan has been the source of nearly everything I might know about the inside of an amplifier. He has either built or shepherded me through builds of almost every amp here in my small studio set up (and it weighs on his mind that I still own an amp made by another company. :)
www.fydamps.com/
I'd like to be clear that I was sponsored in know way by any of these fine gentlemen or their companies. Well, unless kindness to the less informed can be considered sponsorship that is.
Thanks for watching the video and thanks ... for being a part of the
five watt world.
Keith

[@RickBeato]

I can’t believe that I don’t know this stuff! Thanks Hypes!!

[@RickDanner]

Rick - best amp ever

[@garygratzer9670]

Really Rick! You guys that spend so much time playing well are missing so much. 😄

[@dunebillydave222]

Well if you didn't know it, I don't feel so bad. I'm blown away by your rich wealth of knowledge and mastery of technique across multiple platforms. Thank you.

[@Darthhalitosis]

Hey Rick, thanks for putting me on to Keith's channel :) much appreciated!

[@DMSProduktions]

Hypes?

[@juddalexander5642]

Just bought a 68 re-issue. I love the silverface aesthetic and the blackface tone. The bass-man tone stack and sharing of the trem and verb with both channels is awesome. Killer tone.

[@davidrobson1807]

Judd Alexander I’ve had one for about 3 years. Just the perfect amp! The Custom channel is fat, warm and crunchy. The Vintage is clear, clean and dynamic. I consider this one of the best amps from Fender in the last 25 years. It absolutely killed my Hot Rod Deluxe.

[@fragtagninja1633]

@@davidrobson1807, the 68 is a great amp dude! Play the hell out of that thing.

[@jorbjorb1]

This is my go to amp as well! Such a great amp.

[@nickjimenez6138]

Are talking about the 68 twin? Ive been saving my pennies for awhile for that one. Getting close. Played on one a couple times at GC. Always a joy.

[@TheMadShredder]

@@nickjimenez6138 no they're talking about the 68 custom deluxe...if you're tight on cash buy a used 68 twin. It would save u lots of $.

[@charliebabbit4325]

I use a 68 Custom Deluxe Handwired. The Custom Side Hits like and early 60s Bassman. Which is what I grew up playing, purely reliving the beauty tones of youth.

[@allgrainbrewer10]

Rick Beato brought me here, and I’m glad to have found you. Excellent channel!

[@fivewattworld]

Thanks Larry! I think Rick is encouraging me to do videos on the gear history of the stuff he wants to know more about ;). Which was part of why I started doing the channel for myself anyway. Welcome to five watt world.

[@progpogs]

I almost legit cried when you mentioned the gift. Nothing like the father-son bond.

[@davidkieltyka9]

One of the oddest things about the tweed-era Deluxes to us “modern” folk is the interactivity of the Instrument & Microphone channels. Turning up the volume of one channel reduces the midrange response of the other. The original idea was you’d use a Deluxe for amplifying your guitar and your voice at the same time. Kind of a mini PA. Turning up the Mic channel to the 8-9 range scoops some mids from the Inst channel, adding a little more headroom. Keeping the Inst channel at 3-5 or so emphasizes mids in the Mic channel, letting vocals cut through better.

[@flydeluxe]

Another fine example of what makes the internet great. This is exactly the kind of stuff I want to know. Thanks David!

[@thebooda]

I love these videos! Wonderful delivery, excellent commentary, great historical & factual examples and loads of information. So glad I was directed to this channel! I hope your channel takes off. I could listen to this stuff forever. Keep it up! oh and Thank you!

[@ImTheDude326]

Things I wish I had from this video... 1. This guy’s sweet mustache. 2. A Fender Deluxe amp.

[@fivewattworld]

Ha! Funny.

[@voided76]

careful! those mustache comments will get you banned. I got banned. I came back.

[@ImTheDude326]

Only sending love to this channel!

[@voided76]

@@ImTheDude326 there is love for all. ^_^ even crate blue voodoos.

[@chrisbarnes8867]

A suggestion for your collection of suggestions: The relationship of Fender amps and JBL speakers. Why did Fender apply the orange JBL logo on some models and some not? The sonic characteristics of different JBL speakers. Etc. OR The different speakers used Fender used throughout the years. Maybe Rick Beato and you could tackle this in an episode together.

[@andymelendez9757]

An essential piece of gear. I remember these things being around and sounding great from age 6 to 60 and beyond!

[@winterturtle5764]

I have never before heard such a good brief description of BF vs SF Fenders. Friggin' bravo! 😂

[@HeadHunterJujujaja]

Thanks for all the information. I believe your videos are the best guitar gear information available today. I would like to add a Princeton or a Deluxe Reverb to my stable and knowing the history just solidifies the desire.

[@tysonrinker5958]

The 5e3 is just so perfect. I love them !!

[@SoulMarc]

Cheers for this instructive video. I've owned a 1979 Silverface since 1987, with a booster pedal. Not sure it's the best circuit, but it does the trick for me, esp. with pedals, and it is LOUD!

[@jacobl6572]

Thanks for the info. I had owned a HRD and a couple Deluxe reissues. I made, from a You Tube tutorial, some upgrade mods, about $15-$20 spent in replacing some caps, like a silver mica for the highs and resisters plus an old vintage speaker which it improved the sound a lot. The music store owner and tech guy was amazed at the new tone. I wish Fender would re-think spending a few dollars more on cost for critical parts as not to compromise their original sound. I ended up doing a total redo hand wire job on one Deluxe with all quality American components except for the Russian tubes to get close to the real Deluxe tone and a robust made amp that can hold up.

[@fivewattworld]

Small changes can make a big difference. A speaker is always the place to start. Thanks for sharing this Larry.

[@randyvanvliet226]

Generally speaking, silver mica caps are much closer tolerance % wise than the other stuff... well known... by Cornell Dubilier reps, electronics part houses, and ham radio operators that build fine antenna's and want the best caps.

[@mikehancho7172]

Stopping by here after getting my 68 custom deluxe. I’m in love with this amp man. Love this channel

[@trent69marc]

around 2015 Fender released a deluxe reverb head. I own one, using it with a old marshall 4x cab and it´s fantastic! I think there was also one in blonde and as far as i know these were the only deluxe reverb heads fender ever built

[@kevino3129]

Ah, to go back in time with the knowledge of what tones would be chased 55 years in the future. My band mates would complain about my 65 deluxe Reverb not being loud enough and if I had the money, I would have bought a Twin and a Strat, instead of my Hagstrom II. Sure wish I had them today. Kinda makes you melancholy.

[@anonymousguy7723]

As always, an excellent video. Please do the short history of the Fender Vibro-King. I personally own the rarest ones ever made. It’s a 2003 custom Fender Vibro-king in the color of “ sunshine “. Only nine of them were made. For the right amount, I’ll sell it.

[@olovstenlund502]

I appreciate how you save all the "click subscribe" stuff for the end!

[@flamencoprof]

Here in NZ back in the late 60's I remember going to local dances, often in church halls. When the band had a break I would be hesitantly edging up to the stage to eye up all those knobs and switches which fascinated me. I read all the labels, trying to figure out what they all meant. My mate would be chatting up the girls.

[@martinreid1740]

Thanks for a great video,I traded my 60's deluxe for a Musicman 2-10 65. I still miss that amp.

[@scotteglasel6077]

I’ve always loved Fender amps. My 1st was a Vibro Champ in the late ‘60’s, But my favorite was my silver face Dual Showman from the mid ‘70’s. It has 2 x 12 cabinet that I put EC 12L’s in. It got any tone that I wanted.

[@lonniezamarripa959]

Thanks for the knowledge. I have 2 amps. A 70’s Peavy Classic 50. And a .65 Deluxe Reverb reissue with the Alnico Blue Spkr.

[@russellesimonetta3835]

The later silverfaced amps were known for icepick highs. I like them more now than when they were new. I played drums in bands when blackkface were new!

[@josephtravers777]

Yeah, the SF amps all had that scooped mid sound. Only difference between the BF & SF are a few resistors that account for that tonal variation.

[@flydeluxe]

"icepick highs" says it all. I had one of those back in the day and I hated it for that exact reason! Haven't owned a Fender amp since. After this video, I realize that I threw the baby out with the bathwater in forsaking Fender amps.

[@ZRJZZZZZ]

You put together in such an excellent and successful way so much information that my ears understood but that I was trying to locate in disparate sources without success over the past several years. Thank you.

[@jspanos500]

I have a 90s DRRI and it has miles and miles of sweet Fender tone and takes pedals like a champ. The key is to either bypass or replace that horrid bright cap they put on the reverb channel.

[@weschilton]

and now we have the Fender Tone Master deluxe... a digitally modeled amp in a blackface cabinet that sounds pretty amazing!

[@hoopy63]

Wes Chilton I have one and can only agree that it sounds amazing... even if only at suburban lounge room volume. Hope I get to crank it one day (without using the attenuator).

[@SeanKerns]

LOL @ "opinions vary". Another great overview. Thanks!

[@deepwater2652]

One of my favorites!

[@joet_swbo101]

I'd love to see something similar for the dual showman

[@fivewattworld]

Hmmmmm, I’m building a list and gathering possibilities. Thanks! Keith

[@jasong546]

Thanks for a nice video again sir. There’s often inaccurate information about Fenders start with amps, and you did well, enjoyed it!

[@patreidcocolditzcastle632]

thanx kieth just discovered your channel all i can say is its excellent history.thank you very much

[@fivewattworld]

Thanks Pat! Welcome to five watt world man!

[@babayaga1767]

Me: This would I ordered came into narrow I can't use this crapp Leo: hmm I think I'll design and iconic amplifier out of it and put it to good use

[@andypearce5537]

I knew Keith would have the info I needed!!

[@fivewattworld]

Thanks Andy!

[@angusorvid8840]

These things really rock, especially when you crank them and put a decent overdrive pedal in front of them, like an OCD or Tube Screamer.

[@therugburnz]

I like most every working Deluxe I try but I like the sound of concertina / cathodyne phase inverters even for my clean(ish) sound.

[@matthewf1979]

For anyone watching this a year later - The Deluxe Reverb stayed pretty much the same all the way up to 1982. If you know how to open an amp up and solder, you can clean up the lead dress, do some basic maintenance and have a killer amp for a steal of a price.

[@peacefulruler1]

But later ones have a particle board cabinet, right?

[@batmandeltaforce]

I am uneducated on Fender amps, simply because I do not like them and never have:) However I still need to be educated on them:) Thanks, I appreciate your presentations:)

[@cowasakiElectronics]

Interesting video. I have about 2 hours work to finish an early model Deluxe clone in the morning (but with highest quality components). Then I can find out how they sound too :)

[@joshuahaley4367]

I believe Cat scratch fever was recorded with a twin reverb pushing dual showman cabinets

[@eddisonbuenano5282]

Eyyyy, he's back with another video

[@WillyMcCoy50]

Love the sound of all the Deluxe series. They lost me when they found printed circuit boards. Now I switch between a '65 Magnatone 262(2×6L6) and a '67 Supro Royal Reverb(2×6973). A 5 watt single ended Fender would be a great addition!

[@goodun6081]

K McCoy, here is a tip for you, the Magnatone 262 can safely run 6V6s instead of 6L6s, if you use good quality 6V6 tubes. The 262 has lower working voltages then a 260, and anyway magnatone amps generally didn't push their tubes anywhere near as hard as Fender Amps do. (I suppose if you really wanted to optimize the 262 for 6V6's, youd probably want to change the cathode bias resistor for a little less plate current and run the amp into a higher impedance speaker load, but it isn't strictly necessary.)

[@JSGuitar80]

0:37 First Narrow Wood Model 26 editions 1:07 T.V. Front 1:23 Wide Panel 1:40 5e3 3:45 Brownface 5:19 Blackface 6:20 Silverface 6:45 Differences between Blackface and Silverface 7:06 "Blackfacing" 8:32 Deluxe Reissues

[@chuckschillingvideos]

I know everyone goes wild for the tweed Deluxes, but the TV front Deluxe is my favorite.

[@Splattle101]

Great vid on one of my favourite amps. Thanks for posting! Pettifogging nitpick following. You said the brown Deluxe became a two channel amp, implying the tweeds were not. The tweeds WERE two channel amps: normal & bright. The difference between the two being the tiny little bright cap on the volume control of the bright channel. It only makes a difference at low volumes. Get the volume above half way and the two channels may as well be identical. The comment about the brown Deluxe being 'gained up' is true. The preamp in that model is a bit of an anomaly in the Fender lineup. The plate load resistor is 220 kOhm, vs the usual 100 k plate load in most Fender preamps. The bigger resistor confers a flatter load line and therefore more voltage gain. I don't know why Leo did it either, but it sounds great, like a mini Marshall! :D

[@fivewattworld]

Mea culpa. Living and learning. Thanks for helping that process along. :)

[@brucepiland]

Man, how good do you have to be to play with Steely Dan?

[@bryur29]

Larry Carlton good

[@HilkoGuitars]

Again great video! Thanks for taking the time making these great YT Vids!

[@fivewattworld]

I took a look at your channel dude! When Rogers launched into the old stuff ...well I subbed man!

[@HilkoGuitars]

​@@fivewattworld He's the man! I'll be touring with him again as his guitar tech this summer (replacing the main guitar tech as he needs family time this summer) Looking forward to that. Anyhow keep those great video's coming. Thanks!

[@mrfuzztone]

Never played a Fender Deluxe. The Tungsten Cortez is a nice sounding 5E3 copy.

[@guyonamotorcycle1]

Traded in my Twin for a Delux. Now I can play in the house ;-)

[@chuckschillingvideos]

C 'mon, now. Sometimes the entire county needs to hear!

[@timcastle165]

Great video!! I have a Fender Super Champ X2 which I love. I also have a Crate GTX Dual Triode 100 which is in very good condition, but with a Peavy Scorpion speaker. Don’t know anything about these amps, maybe you could do a video about the Crate Amps? Just wondering.

[@Flat_E-ric]

Is the sc x2 in any way comparable to old circuits/sounds mentioned?

[@timcastle165]

eric de wit I’m not sure, but it sounds good to me. I normally play on channel one which I believe is the “tube” side, but on channel two, now you get into all the “voicing” and other effects. I find it to be a good practice amp and it can get loud!! I’ve been toying with maybe buying a VOX or a Marshall to have as a second amp if and when I sell my CRATE , but I think I’m leaning towards a Fender Blues Jr tube amp (100% tube amp). I would search you tube for SC X2 videos, plenty out there! I will never sell mine! Hope this helps and sorry for taking so long getting back to you!!

[@fragtagninja1633]

Hey Keith, have you considered covering some of the new stuff Marshall is offering? They have some killer reissue gear out now that has 20, and 5, watt power modes. They are coming in mini heads and 1x12 combos. They include the 1959 SLP / Plexi, the JCM 800, and even the Silver Jubilee! Very in line with your gear philosophy.

[@fivewattworld]

Good idea. The new studio series amps are very interesting.

[@fragtagninja1633]

@@fivewattworld, I love my jubilee.

[@MosriteCharlie]

Some players up their amp power by changing out to a Fender Vibroluxe (3 ten inch speakers) or the Fender Twin (2 twelve inch speakers) when just adding a custom 2 twelve inch speaker cabinet to the Deluxe Reverb will suffice. Breakup remains the same but tonal quality improves at lower volumes while sound power increases with the additional speakers.

[@KayZee1957]

Do you mean vibro king? A vibrolux/reverb was a 2x10 5881/6l6 amp. Basically half a Twin.

[@lesly9101]

Great Channel...!

[@kurtwestphal]

keith i absolutely love your vids.. the historical context is fantastic... hendrix, electric ladyland, showman amps, twins , ?

[@fivewattworld]

The Twin is on the list and I’m flirting w the idea of doing Short History videos on one artist, like Hendrix.

[@FrancisFurtak]

Hey Keith , Really enjoy your shows . A lot of good info. I think the best sounding amp I ever played through was a 59 Bassman with 4 ten inch speakers using a Strat. it just brought all of the tone out of that guitar. It sang with no need for any effects. Could you please do a show on that amp. Thanks FF

[@fivewattworld]

Thanks for watching Francis.

[@CoryHawthorneCharmGames]

I think Stern is using a pair of 68 reissues.... the blue light. Great amp.

[@fivewattworld]

Absolutely. He used to always use Yamahas but I'm sure that Fender hooked him up for the tour with EJ.

[@kosmicwizard]

Maybe you could do a video on the history of the Dumble ODS?

[@_RLP]

Great video, man. Informative and concise. Thanks for this. Would Love to see something like this for the hot rods and the blues Deluxe, since they're sort of a "modern family of old-school amps". Cheers

[@fivewattworld]

I know what you mean. I bought a pair of HR Deluxes in 1994 when they were released. 25 years ago!

[@_RLP]

@@fivewattworld All great amps. However, some people get confused when choosing one of the three. These people would benefit from one of your videos on the subject. Out of curiosity, which one do you prefer?

[@fivewattworld]

@@_RLP What are the choices again? Do you mean the reissues? Or the HR's? I'll answer both questions. I play jazz and blues mostly so the amps I use either don't need to be very loud at all (my 5 watters) or need to be able to be really clean for which I used either my DV Mark Jazz 12 (Solid State, I know, the horror right?) or my Gibson GA40 clone that I built with Dan from FYD. Probably about 15 watts. If I need more volume I add my Vox AC10 which also fills out the upper mids really well. So I went off in a different direction, :). If the HR, I'd have a Blues Jr. and hop it up, new iron, new speaker likely. A full on deluxe is just too big for me to want to carry around at this point. I sort of have 30 lb self imposed limit. :)

[@_RLP]

@@fivewattworld I was talking about the HR Deluxe, HR Deville and Blues Deluxe. But yes, the Jr is also an option. Good stuff you got there. As for the solid state, there's some good stuff out there. I have a fender champion 40 that, with the right pedals, does the job really well in small venues and rehearsals.

[@gregsadar1825]

I have to admit, I’m a silver face guy.

[@catfishdave8192]

I wondered if he was still in business. also wonder why he discontinued the helium and many other pedals

[@fivewattworld]

I understand he’s going to bring the helium back. He’s transitioning to direct sales and is settling in to that still,

[@andrelousada]

3:00 there's a Valley Arts! Great guitar!

[@0riole11]

FWIW anyone looking to snag a 5E3 clone at a good price, have a look at the Joyo Beale Street amp. OK the amp is PCB and not point to point and they stuck a 12AX7 in V1, but replace that with a 12AY7 and it's a 5E3 circuit

[@akahanga]

great info , thanks!

[@zitherzon2121]

0:48 "My new amps go to 12." Leo.

[@cubfan909]

Were any of the Fender Champs built during the Riviera era? If so what years were that? Thanks.

[@fivewattworld]

I decided to stop when they discontinued the original circuits. The Rivera amps, as far as understand, were VERY different animals. Channel switching, boost pull pots etc. By all accounts very cool but I felt that if I included them I'd have to do everything else Fender called a deluxe and that would have made the vid way too long. I've had this question a few times though so maybe a vid about the "Rivera years" is in order.

[@cubfan909]

@@fivewattworld So what years were that, early 80's?

[@fivewattworld]

Mickaël Holladay yeah I think 80-82?

[@cubfan909]

@@fivewattworld And a dead giveaway would be knobs that have the push/pull for bright/normal, right?

[@MreenalMams]

I've tried the Deluxe vst on Amplitube.. I think I like the Champ more than it though..

[@78tag]

Since this is about the natural progression of all things "AMP" I'm a little surprised you didn't at least mention the lastest TONE MASTER versions of the Deluxe and the Twin.

[@fivewattworld]

It hadn’t come out when I made the video.

[@allenbrininstool7558]

You missed the Blues Deluxe started in '96

[@fivewattworld]

It doesn’t use the original circuit. More just the name, but very cool amps.

[@davidbrenton7032]

@@fivewattworld had mine rewired to SE3 great amp

[@legomrrevies]

What was that song in the beginning of the video?

[@cliveclive54]

Thanks friend,great vid and info \m/

[@fivewattworld]

You're welcome Clive.

[@CIRCLEOFTONE]

Awesome. Subbed and shared.

[@fivewattworld]

Thanks man. Welcome to five watt world!

[@CNCTEMATIC]

I like what you guys are doing. Very cool. Just one problem: The name "Five Watt". Five watts is never enough. I'm not a big wattage amp guy by any stretch (Deluxe Reverb actually!), but 5 Watt amps are not loud enough to be heard in a band. It just gives an initial impression that everything is underdone.

[@fivewattworld]

Not in a band but one electric backing up a singer songwriter a Champ can sound great. I chose the name because I was in the midst of downsizing my gear and realized that my everyday driver was a pair of 5 watters (amazing boutique 5 watters I'll grant you, but I helped build each of them...) So the name is less about wattage and more about scale of things if that makes sense. I sometimes say, "it's more an attitude than a wattage." I just want to think about "what is enough for me?" And I do think we'd all be, ok I'll say it, happier, if we asked ourselves that question more often. It made a difference for me which is why I started doing this....Well and it gives me a way to connect with more musicians after moving into the mountains of New Hampshire. Hope you dig where I'm coming from. And for what its worth I totally get being in a live music world where a Deluxe is your "5 watter". Rock on! And thanks for watching.

[@CNCTEMATIC]

@@fivewattworld Thanks for your reply. I like the philosophy of the show and have enjoyed the material so far, cheers

[@Connor12596]

I'd love to have an episode on the hot rod deluxe despite its young age in comparison to the deluxe

[@fivewattworld]

It would be interesting, but I don’t have either amp. A store should that though, or That Pedal Show maybe.

[@RedArrow73]

Unrelated: It could be said that Pete Townshend invented the amp stand, even if it took the form of a bottom cabinet. Amp stands should be used more often, even when miking.

[@stevenhoman2253]

What about Fender's twin reverb? It came in a camel coloured cloth overlay with rear controls.

[@thomasmarkt]

Hi, why do you not mention the Deluxe Reverb 2?

[@fivewattworld]

It is hard to get good research on the Rivera era, early 80’s amps. They only built them for a very short time and I’ve never had the pleasure of playing one. The closest I’ve come was playing s super champ. It was memorable.

[@stevefiorito5379]

Great video ... thank you. Back in the 60s, most of the guitar players I knew, including myself, steered clear of the silver faces. The general perception at the time was that CBS had ruined their amp line with shoddy engineering and manufacturing. I'm surprised to see many good players using the silver faces. All of the Fender amps I owned before CBS and after were all black faces.

[@fivewattworld]

I think the silverface amps getting played have likely been modded to blackface spec and tweaked, and retweaked for dependability by now.

[@MichaelMitchell9969]

What aboutb the super? I have a 68.

[@jagtone]

DRs, unlike some other models, didn't change much in the SF era, other than the pretty terrible (but ignorable) boost circuit at the end of the era. But one important change is the phase inverter coupling cap, which is a factor of ten larger than the BF value. This let's too much bass through, which makes the amp farty at volume. Changing that one part (from .1uf to .01 uf IIRC) goes a long way to improving the tone. Also , the speakers in many of the 70s DRs are crap compared to the BF era. Upgrading to a Weber, Jensen, etc. is very worthwhile.

[@fivewattworld]

Thanks Ben.

[@davidhadler1]

Recently discovered your channel and am very much enjoying these histories. Though specific opinions will always vary, I'm wondering, do you think the 57 Custom reissue holds up well to the sound of the originals? Also, you mentioned that, given prices, clones are an option. Any suggestions on a few that might be worth looking at? Thanks for any advice, and, of course, the great videos. :-)

[@fivewattworld]

Hi David, I wish I could be of more help on the tweed deluxe front. I've played a few but I really couldn't make recommendations. If I was diving into the market and needed options on TD I'd go one place, to Telecaster Guitar Forum, TDPRI. I'll bet there are already numerous strings but if you ask you would get a LOT of very well informed opinions on who's doing it right out there. Enjoy the search. Keith

[@davidhadler1]

Thanks! @@fivewattworld

[@daveycmusic5150]

Great vid, as always. I would only suggest you never use Neil Young as a reference for tone again. Lol.

[@robertrussell2717]

Keith, I want to get two amps to run stereo effects to them. (right and left) ...I play a rockabilly sort of style, and prefer clean sound with a lot of headroom.. or perhaps even pedal platform. (I guess?) What would be the lightest/smallest amp, that once I had two running would work very well with a live drummer or small stage situation? (With tons of clean headroom and beautiful sparkle)

[@fivewattworld]

Hey Robert, Would you mic them or do they have to keep up without the PA? I know the right guy to ask for you. Keith

[@robertrussell2717]

five watt world - sometimes they would be, but there are times when they might not... so, looking for a 50/50 solution?

[@fivewattworld]

Ok, so if you need to do it without PA at times and assuming things will get "energetic" playing this kind of music you're going to need some wattage. If weight is a factor, my rockabilliy friend and I both thought that a pair of Boss Katana amps might be the answer. If it was me I'd run one wet with the effects and the other dry for clarity. Unfortunately you're not going to do this with tube amps if weight is an issue. Even Deluxes weigh about 42 lbs. A pair could do that job but that's not light. Hope that helps. Keith

[@robertrussell2717]

five watt world - it helps, I was considering two deluxe amps... I was just not sure if there was anything as good or better that was smaller and lighter. If I do get two deluxe, this reply makes me feel less like I did not do enough research. ;)

[@fivewattworld]

Robert Russell if you can carry then two deluxe would move enough air to be sure! Rock on!

[@quiksilver78]

Is the 57 Blues Deluxe a whole different type of amp?

[@fivewattworld]

It is. Different circuit altogether though very popular worldwide.

[@rondelio8562]

I have a question for 5 watt, if you are seeking to find the best sound with the least amount of gear, then why don't you look into the new modeling amps? With some of these, they use a 12ax7 tube circuit and a variety of amp models, and a fair selection of effects such as chorus, delay, etc. Would that not somehow constitute "the best sound with the least amount of gear" since it is all in 1 box?

[@rondelio8562]

BTW, great video on Fender Deluxes!! And, yes, I truly appreciate good tube tone!

[@fivewattworld]

Hi Ron, I hear you. A freind, Rhett Shull is using a Helix live now, with the power cabs for stage volume and there is a real appeal. But honestly, what if that went down? My pedalboard breaks I can go around it and keep playing. I built most of my amps (and Dan at FYD checked my work ;) so if they are a problem I'm confident I can fix them. If I went to a Helix (or something like that at home) no problem. It breaks I'm going to the store, but even there, doing content for the channel I'd want a back up. And if I was out on the road with one I'd def want a back up. So yeah, I think this might be the future of minimalist guitar rigs (or even something running in my computer. But it's a journey and I'm just not there yet. Remind me I said that next year when I'm doing the Helix/Fractal/Boss GT-1000 video. :)

[@Bravo4400]

I know this is heresy, but you failed mention the Tonemaster Deluxe. I would love to know how you think it stands up to its tube counterpart.

[@fivewattworld]

It actually wasn’t out when I made the video. I played one at Rock Beato’s studio and was impressed. I plan to do one if the new “just one amp” videos on it though so stay tuned.

[@phillipmetzger8909]

Hi Keith - What is the name of the Tom Petty tune at the beginning of the video? I can't get it out of my head!!!

[@fivewattworld]

It’s a live version of “She’s a Woman in Love” Here’s a good one: kzbin.info/www/bejne/boG0loWvi7WEkLc

[@fivewattworld]

And Phil, So imagine how it was in my head after editing the video. :)

[@poochfunk5070]

Larry calrton is almost certainly using his dumble in the live vid

[@fivewattworld]

For sure, but I think I put that on screen. The interesting thing is that by all accounts Dumble is obsessed with the sound of a cranked Deluxe, has a big collection of vintage ones and uses them to help him when he's voicing a custom amp for a customer (client?). So since the original track was recorded on a Deluxe I figured I was cool with going this way in the vid.

[@billville111]

+ - 20%. This is why Neil Young can't find a backup after a lifetime of searching. What chance do we have?

[@TheeRocker]

ha,, kinda validates every sim maybe closer to actual, with those tolerances,,, Or completely false ? lol,,,

[@honkytonkinson9787]

Is this cathode biased and fixed bias stuff the same as a class A type and class A/B, or push/pull?

[@fivewattworld]

Oh man, you should google that. Some of the definitions are sort of debatable.

[@honkytonkinson9787]

five watt world I’d never heard of cathode vs fixed bias before, though I have heard of amps that need to be manually biased when changing tubes or amps that bias on their own, which I assumed had to do with the type of circuit and number of tubes. Guess I’ve got more to learn about tube amps lol. I’ve already got enough guitar amps though and I’m afraid the research will give me a bad case of GAS

[@ldesmond6729]

What was the song in the intro?

[@fivewattworld]

I'd tell you but then the video might get blocked/demonitized. You can find it on KZbin. A concert at a famous venue in Boston.

[@f3uibeghardt522]

What is the quintessential Fender tube amp?

[@fivewattworld]

Princeton or Deluxe, I’d say, Depends on how loud the amp needs to be.

[@f3uibeghardt522]

@@fivewattworld Thanks for the response. I can't seem to find any definitive answers as to what Fender's perennially best-selling tube amp is. I'm not in the market for a live amp, just a recording amp. I'm trying to find the amp equivalent of an American Standard Strat or Les Paul Standard. Obviously, amps are different animals than guitars are, but I need something that's just the gold standard, benchmark all-around meat-and-potatoes Fender tube amp.

[@fivewattworld]

Actually their best selling amp is the hot rod Deluxe. But if you’re not gigging it I’d say a Princeton. One of if not the most recorded amp of àll time.

[@f3uibeghardt522]

@@fivewattworld Thank you so much.

[@Neil-Aspinall]

I have never understood why Fender released so many 'similar' amps?

[@stewarttomkinson3356]

You forgot the fender blues deluxe

[@buckodonnghaile4309]

Good enough for Grant Green probably too good for me

[@fivewattworld]

Ah, embrace to challenge Bucky. Listen to “Idle Monents” and feel the burn man.

[@buckodonnghaile4309]

@@fivewattworld I will do that, I love Grant Green and have Live at the Lighthouse on in the background right now. Great channel!

[@burnbabies666]

Do a video on sunn amps

[@vlxxx]

But hey, nobody is gonna get the full effect from any of these amps until they turn the volume up. Tube amps used for guitar is all about getting the tone of a stage musician cranking his amp to stand out in the mix. Low volume means shit for a tube amp. Tubes can't whisper and sing.

[@fivewattworld]

Agreed. Which is why using the right amp for your gigs is so important.

[@iggypyro78]

I've heard Neil play that 59' many times live - and it's the tone I've been chasing since I was 15 and playing my first guitar. "Live Rust" - for me - is the holy grail of guitar tone. I love your videos man. Keep it up.

[@warshipsatin8764]

i agree man neil young is responsible for some of the greatest sounds in the history of guitar music. i could hear that cinnamon girl riff for the rest of my life

[@waitaminute7257]

This gentleman goes an insane amount of time in between blinks. He'll stare right into your soul. Great informative videos as well.

[@MaciekMalczyszyn]

It's called "teleprompter" 😉

[@rileyhorton2793]

The blinks are edited out.

[@guitarfreak585]

The other guitar player in my band recently traded a brownface deluxe for a 59 tweed deluxe and good lord they are miles apart. Pretty amazing sound from both.