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Topic: Fender twin silver face question? Which one? |
Jason King
From:
Missouri, USA
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Posted 15 May 2015 5:34 pm |
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| If you could pick a year or type of 70's silver face as a steel amp what would it be and why? |
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Lane Gray
From:
Topeka, KS
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Posted 15 May 2015 8:21 pm
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Probably the 135W Ultralinear. The stiffness that guitar pickers dislike is actually a positive for our purposes, and it drops the price. Win-win.
I love mine.
_________________
2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects |
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Tom Wolverton
From:
Carpinteria, CA
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Posted 15 May 2015 10:15 pm
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When looking at SF Twin Reverbs from the 70's. Is there an easy way to spot the ultralinear from the regular TR?
_________________
To write with a broken pencil is pointless. |
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Ken Pippus
From:
Langford, BC, Canada
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Posted 15 May 2015 10:36 pm
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| It says 135 watts on the back panel. |
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Gary Chiappetta
From:
San Bruno, California, USA
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Posted 15 May 2015 11:46 pm
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In 1975 I went to a large music store in San Francisco and tried out at least 20 different amplifiers with my then brand-new ShoBud Pro II. I chose the Fender Twin Reverb with JBL speakers because it was the one that sounded the best to my ears. It was an easy decision too because it sounded SO MUCH better than any of the other amps.
Today, shopping in the used-amplifier marketplace is a bit more difficult to do in terms of the strategy of trying things out. But, in the end, your decision should be based on how it sounds - to you.
Jason, are you looking for a Silver-Face to customize for yourself? Or are you looking for something that is "gig-ready?" |
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Dave Mudgett
From:
Central Pennsylvania and Gallatin, Tennessee
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Posted 16 May 2015 8:12 am
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Early non-master-volume Twin Reverb for me, for either steel or guitar. For silverface, I like the '68 or early '69 drip-edge amps best, but I like 'em right up to about '70 or '71 when bigger changes hit.
I just think the earlier amps are flat-out better-built and sound better, in most cases. The difference in power output is insignificant, IMO. The difference between 85, 100, or 135 watts isn't a big deal, volume-wise. The other thing is that, to my tastes, the later big silverface amps like Twins, Supers, and so on, can get kinda harsh when pushed. They may stay marginally cleaner for a while, but when really pushed, I generally prefer the earlier amps. But amps like this are very individual - I've heard great and not-so-great examples from all years.
The other thing is that construction techniques changed as they evolved. They moved to dadoed-in speaker baffles, the hookup wire changed, and in my opinion other materials and components gradually slackened in quality. But again, the individual amp matters.
So as you can see, opinions on these amps vary a lot. Some swear by ultralinear, and if you like the sound, they are a tremendous bargain - I see them for $400-500 pretty routinely at guitar shows. But I'm done with 'em. If I ever go back to a Twin Reverb, it will be a much earlier one. |
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Pete Burak
From:
Portland, OR USA
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Ken Pippus
From:
Langford, BC, Canada
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Posted 16 May 2015 9:59 am
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Have seen that one on there for a while. The only one whose opinion suggests that speaker could be original would be the current owner. They came with a 15, but were called a Vibrosonic. Pricey for not very clean.
But might well sound fabulous! |
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Lane Gray
From:
Topeka, KS
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Posted 16 May 2015 10:20 am
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Nope. They're not generally worth the same as the 85W. Damn sure not worth a premium.
_________________
2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects |
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Pete Burak
From:
Portland, OR USA
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Posted 16 May 2015 10:25 am
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I presume the guy wants to sell it.
If I were interested I would simply show examples of current market value, and make an offer.
The first thing I would do is take the speaker out and use a speaker of my own choice in a separate cab.
I would like to try it with a 1x12 4-ohm JBL-E120 speaker/cab I use. |
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Brad Sarno
From:
St. Louis, MO USA
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Posted 17 May 2015 6:40 am
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| Dave Mudgett wrote: |
Early non-master-volume Twin Reverb for me, for either steel or guitar. For silverface, I like the '68 or early '69 drip-edge amps best, but I like 'em right up to about '70 or '71 when bigger changes hit.
I just think the earlier amps are flat-out better-built and sound better, in most cases. The difference in power output is insignificant, IMO. The difference between 85, 100, or 135 watts isn't a big deal, volume-wise. The other thing is that, to my tastes, the later big silverface amps like Twins, Supers, and so on, can get kinda harsh when pushed. They may stay marginally cleaner for a while, but when really pushed, I generally prefer the earlier amps. But amps like this are very individual - I've heard great and not-so-great examples from all years.
The other thing is that construction techniques changed as they evolved. They moved to dadoed-in speaker baffles, the hookup wire changed, and in my opinion other materials and components gradually slackened in quality. But again, the individual amp matters.
So as you can see, opinions on these amps vary a lot. Some swear by ultralinear, and if you like the sound, they are a tremendous bargain - I see them for $400-500 pretty routinely at guitar shows. But I'm done with 'em. If I ever go back to a Twin Reverb, it will be a much earlier one. |
AMEN! Testify brother!
Brad |
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Erv Niehaus
From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
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Posted 18 May 2015 7:14 am
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| I have an early silver face that came with JBLs from the factory. It's about a '67 model, hard to beat. |
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Bill Terry
From:
Bastrop, TX
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Posted 18 May 2015 8:04 am
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| Quote: |
| Early non-master-volume Twin Reverb for me, for either steel or guitar. For silverface, I like the '68 or early '69 drip-edge amps best, but I like 'em right up to about '70 or '71 when bigger changes hit. |
Yessir...
_________________
Lost Pines Studio
"I'm nuts about bolts" |
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Erv Niehaus
From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
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Posted 18 May 2015 8:46 am
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An Emmons p/p and a Fender Twin Reverb, the real deal!  |
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John Billings
From:
Ohio, USA
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Posted 18 May 2015 9:22 am
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"Is there an easy way to spot the ultralinear from the regular TR?"
You can't lift the ultralinear.
_________________
Dr. Z Surgical Steel amp, amazing!
"74 Bud S-10 3&6
'73 Bud S-10 3&5(under construction)
'63 Fingertip S-10, at James awaiting 6 knees
'57 Strat, LP Blue
'91 Tele with 60's Maple neck
Dozen more guitars!
Dozens of amps, but SF Quad reverb, Rick Johnson cabs. JBL 15, '64 Vibroverb for at home.
'52 and '56 Pro Amps |
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Pete Burak
From:
Portland, OR USA
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Posted 18 May 2015 9:53 am
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It will usually say 135W (or whatever the output Wattage is) just below the speaker jack...
And yes, it's the one that feels like it's bolted to the floor. |
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Ken Pippus
From:
Langford, BC, Canada
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Posted 18 May 2015 10:20 am
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| C'mon Pete, you know you need the exercise! |
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Pete Burak
From:
Portland, OR USA
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Johnie Helms
From:
Oklahoma, USA
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Posted 18 May 2015 3:43 pm 71 SF Fender Twin
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I'm currently usin a 100W. 71 SF twin NMV with a 15" speaker conversion..
Now that I become reacquainted with Fender amps once agin.. I absolutely enjoy playing through this amp..!
Not sayin there ain't some fine sounding SS Amps out there, but sumpin' bout those glass tubes..! Idk... |
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Ken Pippus
From:
Langford, BC, Canada
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Posted 18 May 2015 8:29 pm
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| Yup, Pete, I like that one. Probably not at that price, though. |
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Pete Burak
From:
Portland, OR USA
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Posted 19 May 2015 5:38 am
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"Great condition for it's age, clearly been well taken care of. NO tolex damage. Asking $680"
ime, People always post a price that includes wiggle room for negotiaion, so I try not to poo-poo an item I'm interested in because of a posted price.
fwiw, I bought a '70 DSR Head for $550 a while back, took it directly to my guy for a 3-prong plug, and it is now in regular rotation.
I've found that if you provide examples of "fair market value" and show "cash in hand", it's pretty easy to negotiate a win-win buy-sell-trade with local Craigslisters here in the Portland area. |
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Jason King
From:
Missouri, USA
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Posted 19 May 2015 7:48 am
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| On the master volume models what is the best way to get a loud clean sound. Should you set the master on 10 and then turn each channel up to volume you want? How do you all that have them like to set them? |
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Pete Burak
From:
Portland, OR USA
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Posted 19 May 2015 7:53 am
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| Yeah, ime, just leave it on 10. |
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Lane Gray
From:
Topeka, KS
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Posted 19 May 2015 10:49 am
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The ones without the master knob are always on 10.
_________________
2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects |
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John Billings
From:
Ohio, USA
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Posted 19 May 2015 11:28 am
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When my tech converted my Quad, I managed to find a BF Twin faceplate. Tech removed the Master Volume.
_________________
Dr. Z Surgical Steel amp, amazing!
"74 Bud S-10 3&6
'73 Bud S-10 3&5(under construction)
'63 Fingertip S-10, at James awaiting 6 knees
'57 Strat, LP Blue
'91 Tele with 60's Maple neck
Dozen more guitars!
Dozens of amps, but SF Quad reverb, Rick Johnson cabs. JBL 15, '64 Vibroverb for at home.
'52 and '56 Pro Amps |
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