Old Fender blackface amps!

Jay Ganz · Post by **Jay Ganz** » 30 Aug 2000 10:08 am

Hey Robby,
I think every amp sort of has it's own
thang goin' for it. The old pre-CBS Twin Reverb I have
IS an outstanding amp tone-wise,
but if you really have to push your volume
& you wanna stay pristine clean...you almost
hafta step up to a 200 watt solid state amp. If you don't mind a bit of overdrive, than stick with the TUBE AMPS!

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<img src=http://www.geocities.com/ganzpics/EmmonsNeon.jpg>
Got That Steelin' Feelin'
[This message was edited by Jay Ganz on 30 August 2000 at 11:12 AM.]

Bob Metzger · Post by **Bob Metzger** » 30 Aug 2000 1:02 pm

Since Peavey is the only major manufacturer that supports steel guitarist (via amp manufacturing), Peavey amps have been used for many, many years for recordings and live situations and after many years of this, that has somewhat become the sound that is expected when one hears a steel guitar. If the shoe was on the other foot and most steel players were using Twins for the last 35 years, then the Fender sound would be what was expected when a steel guitar is heard. That's just they way it is. However, in my case, I like to hear different sounds from the steel and I'm also interested in novel amp rigs. I have heard many great steel tones from Fender amps now and in the past. There is a place for it all.

Bob

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 30 Aug 2000 1:37 pm

Well said, Bob. Each amp has its own unique personality, and it's indeed lucky for Peavey that Fender remains so narrow minded. At least the folks at Peavey try to please the market.

Fender...well you could say they're more "stuck in the '60s" than I am. And THAT'S saying something!

Dave Van Allen · Post by **Dave Van Allen** » 30 Aug 2000 5:22 pm

Hey dixie! you're a picker after my own heart...

"Coming up next on Celebrity Death Match: Leo vs Hartley..."

signed

Fender Junkie
=======================
"blackfaced"Vibrolux
2 Blackface Bassman
each with 2x12" cabs

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"I AM ZUMBODY!"

Zumsteel U12 "Loafer" 8&6
www.voicenet.com/~vanallen/
ICQ 42635125

Bob Carlson · Post by **Bob Carlson** » 30 Aug 2000 7:42 pm

I had a Fender twin reverb to play my Fender standard guitars through when I bought my steel. And I like the tube sound!
One of the prettiest tones I've heard is Jay McDonald playing with Buck Owens. Buck liked Fender Bassman amps so I assume thats what he's using. And I only play here at the house so the neighbors and I don't need 200 watts.
Bob Carlson

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Jeff Hyman · Post by **Jeff Hyman** » 30 Aug 2000 11:44 pm

I've used quit a few combinations of stereo amps over the years. About a year ago I started using only one of my Webbs and a new Fender Deluxe tube amp as my 2nd amp for stereo. It is without a doubt the sweetest sound I've ever gotten... and the closest to Mooneys tone I've ever gotten to. I've spent 25 years tryin' to get his tone without success. This new combo is pretty close at times. Fine tuning right hand string attack, and left hand bar bouncing has helped too. Moon can make a whole note sound better then most others 32nd notes in a bar. He used an older Fender.

RJP · Post by **RJP** » 31 Aug 2000 4:45 am

As an aside, Rivera now makes amps in the vein of the old Fenders. In fact, Paul Rivera used to work for Fender during the 80's. I sometimes use mine on stage and it works fine, but I may get a separate amp for the steel becuase I really don't like fooling with the controls to adjust my guitar and steel sounds.

Anyone else have any luck with Rivera?

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Ron Plichta

MSA Classic S-10
Fender Stratocaster
Fender Telecaster
Rivera R100

Bob Carlson · Post by **Bob Carlson** » 31 Aug 2000 6:23 am

Ron,
Get a Fender twin re-issue. The pre 66 Twins have two seperate controls and inputs...thus the name Fender Twin. You can use one or both at the same time.
The Twin Reverb replaced that amp which also has two sererate controls and you can switch between them with a foot switch. Yon can also turn the reverb on or off with the foot switch.
You can only use one chanell at a time, but you can have both your steel and your standard pluged in and switch back and forth with the foot switch.
Bob Carlson

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Bob Metzger · Post by **Bob Metzger** » 31 Aug 2000 4:57 pm

I think it's called the Twin because of the two 12" speakers. The original Twins (tweed) had only one set of EQ controls.

Any knowlegeable amp tech can add reverb to the 'normal' channel of the Twin Reverb so you can 'dedicate' each preamp for its own instrument. I've re-voiced alot of Twin Reverbs so steel guitar sounds very, very good in its own channel (with reverb, too). Check some of the older threads on this on this forum.

Bob

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 1 Sep 2000 5:02 pm

Yes...the 15" Vibra-Sonic was designed for steel...

IN 1963!

and what have they done since???

ZIP!

(that's MY 2 cents!)

[This message was edited by Donny Hinson on 01 September 2000 at 06:15 PM.]

David Biagini · Post by **David Biagini** » 1 Sep 2000 5:12 pm

Well Donny, when they get it right the first time...

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 1 Sep 2000 5:31 pm

Don't get me wrong...Fender's are great. I own a few of 'em myself. But Fender got "lazy", and then Peavey came along and "cleaned their clock".

David Biagini · Post by **David Biagini** » 1 Sep 2000 6:58 pm

Sorry Donny, I couldn't resist! I hear what you're saying but that 30 to 40 year-old Fender sound still does it for some us. I do have a Session 400 and it is a good sounding amp. But when I want to sound like "me" I plug into my Dual Showman. It gives me the pedal steel sound that is in my head.

Keith DeLong · Post by **Keith DeLong** » 2 Sep 2000 4:00 am

When I first got a steel, I plugged into my old '64 Super Reverb--no doubt about it, it's close to the early 60's sound, not as much clean power as the Twin but fun to work with at rec room volume. I have since bought a Peavey Nashville and I guess you could say it's nice to have the choice. My guitar is a single neck (left handed Endicott), that has 2 pickups, a George L nearest the bridge and what looks like a Sho-Bud single coil mounted next to it. I can get quite a variety of sounds with that combination, But when it all comes down, it's all in the hands of the player, and I've still got a long way to go in that department.
Keith DeLong

RJP · Post by **RJP** » 2 Sep 2000 5:22 pm

Our bass player just bought a silverface Twin with the optional JBL speakers. I used it at practice last night with my electric guitar and the sound was SWEET! I asked him to let me try it with my steel next time (I didn;t have the steel last night because we didin't have the full band and it was a more informal jam session). If it sounded that good with my Strat, i can't wait to hear it with my MSA.

Regarding Peavey, I understand what everyone's saying about them being an innovator in the PSG amplification field. Yet I can't overcome my less than favorable impression of the company after trying their guitar amps. I've never heard a Peavey sound as good as a Fender and I will admit that I am a tube junkie.

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Ron Plichta

MSA Classic S-10
Fender Stratocaster
Fender Telecaster
Rivera R100

mark bjorke · Post by **mark bjorke** » 3 Sep 2000 6:52 pm

Hi Ron! and everyone else. I've been reading this forum off an on for a year or so. As a wannabe steel player this place has so much info and people willing to share it always a pleasure to peruse. Naturally I was drawn into this discussion. I'm a believer in Fender Amps, I have three, a 1964 Backface Bassman, a 66 I think, Bandmaster and a 70's Deluxe reverb. I'm just a lowly six string guitarist but I love the sound of steel and plan to get one eventually.

RJP · Post by **RJP** » 5 Sep 2000 10:39 am

Welcome aboard, Mark! Another one from the Fender Forum comes over! So when are you getting a steel (or are you still waiting for me to learn and sit in with your band)?

Anyway, a friend turned me onto a Fender Super Twin the other day. That model was built from 1977-80 and it has 180 watts RMS with 2 12" speakers; I think it should have enough headroom for steel. I used to have one in my headbanger days (late 70's- early 80's) so I might give it a try if the sound and price are right.

Anyone else try a Super Twin?

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Ron Plichta

MSA Classic S-10
Fender Stratocaster
Fender Telecaster
Rivera R100

Tele · Post by **Tele** » 5 Sep 2000 12:56 pm

I always play my Sho~Buds through a 1959 Tweed Twin.I put 2x12" JBLs in it and it is definetly the sound that I hear on the old records. Since this Twin has about 80 Watts it is clean enough, I'll never replace it with a Peavey, only like to add a Vibrasonic or Twin Reverb with 15" JBL.

JB Arnold · Post by **JB Arnold** » 5 Sep 2000 1:01 pm

I have the 65 reissue, and it's an absolute killer amp. No way a peavy sounds better. Gots to have them tubes, man....

John

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Better Late than Never!
www.johnbarnold.com/pedalsteel

Joe B. Long · Post by **Joe B. Long** » 6 Sep 2000 6:53 pm

I have an early 60's Blackface Super Twin Reverb (Hernia Giver). I put a 15" evans eclipse speaker in it and it will nock your socks off. And when your done with a gig you can cook breakfast with the heat given off of the 6-6L6's. I don't use it too much because it is so hard to lift. When I do almost everybody compliments about the great sound.