Is a RI Fender Amp For Me?

[japetus]

I have played Fender Blackface and Silverface amps for a long time, and I love them. I don't play high gain very much. What I want is a new (modern) amp that I don't have to recap, or worry about old amps just breaking down gigging. I am really looking for simplicity, and a good durable build.

1 Channel (I use boosts or OD to get to where I need to be gainwise)
50 Watt
6L6
Treble, Mid, Bass control
Do not need a fx loop

That is it. Are the Fender RI amps really good at all?

 

[japetus]

I will add that my main OD is a Boss Blues Driver, and a Keeley 3 way modded Rat.

 

[skoora]

There's not any re-issues I can think of that have a mid control and are 50 watts. Closest is a Tweed Bassman iirc and I don't care for the Ltd Bassman's. Too bright. Whether it's the speakers or not don't know. FWIW I would have no fear giggling an older amp. They worked for decades. Why wouldn't they keep working with routine maintenance. Plus they're probably a lot more reliable than some of the cheaper, thinner pcb, double sided boards that have tube sockets mounted to them and make connections with ribbon cables. That being said the Deluxe Reverb reissue is a well proven amp but only 22 watts. You're best bet may be a HotRod Deluxe 40 watt model. Great cleans, shitty OD channel but you wouldn't be using that.

 

[japetus]

There's not any re-issues I can think of that have a mid control and are 50 watts. Closest is a Tweed Bassman iirc and I don't care for the Ltd Bassman's. Too bright. Whether it's the speakers or not don't know. FWIW I would have no fear giggling an older amp. They worked for decades. Why wouldn't they keep working with routine maintenance. Plus they're probably a lot more reliable than some of the cheaper, thinner pcb, double sided boards that have tube sockets mounted to them and make connections with ribbon cables. That being said the Deluxe Reverb reissue is a well proven amp but only 22 watts. You're best bet may be a HotRod Deluxe 40 watt model. Great cleans, shitty OD channel but you wouldn't be using that.

I have the older amps, maybe I just need to stop being such a turd and just not worry, and if they break just deal with it. I also agree those Deluxe amps rule.

 

[skullfxr]

I just recapped my Bandmaster, it's not hard or expensive to do. I had it done in twenty minutes.

 

[lespaul6]

I played through a super reverb reissue before and thought it sounded fantastic.. clean punchy and tight.

 

[fusedbrain]

The 68 Custom series of re-issue amps are really nice. Fender did a good job with those.

 

[Hamer95USA]

Use the vintage Fender amps that you have not, bring them in for a recap or other maintainence, and keep them biased & running properly. I would also carry an extra backup amp, fuses & tubes for emergencies as well. You have the real deal Fender amps. Play them onstage instead of keeping them at home like a museum. The reissues might sound good. Most of the reissues usually need to be tweaked to get closer to the sound of the vintage Fender amps. I did play a Fender Super Reverb reiusses which sounded good, but was loud for the place I played at, even turned down.

Guitar George

 

[kingpinMS3]

Just get a 5150.


oh wait, this isn't sevenstring.org...

 

[dirtyfunkg]

There's not any re-issues I can think of that have a mid control and are 50 watts. Closest is a Tweed Bassman iirc and I don't care for the Ltd Bassman's. Too bright. Whether it's the speakers or not don't know. FWIW I would have no fear giggling an older amp. They worked for decades. Why wouldn't they keep working with routine maintenance. Plus they're probably a lot more reliable than some of the cheaper, thinner pcb, double sided boards that have tube sockets mounted to them and make connections with ribbon cables. That being said the Deluxe Reverb reissue is a well proven amp but only 22 watts. You're best bet may be a HotRod Deluxe 40 watt model. Great cleans, shitty OD channel but you wouldn't be using that.

I have the older amps, maybe I just need to stop being such a turd and just not worry, and if they break just deal with it. I also agree those Deluxe amps rule.

I'd always be more worried about a true vintage Fender growing legs and walking out the venue.

 

[skullfxr]

There's not any re-issues I can think of that have a mid control and are 50 watts. Closest is a Tweed Bassman iirc and I don't care for the Ltd Bassman's. Too bright. Whether it's the speakers or not don't know. FWIW I would have no fear giggling an older amp. They worked for decades. Why wouldn't they keep working with routine maintenance. Plus they're probably a lot more reliable than some of the cheaper, thinner pcb, double sided boards that have tube sockets mounted to them and make connections with ribbon cables. That being said the Deluxe Reverb reissue is a well proven amp but only 22 watts. You're best bet may be a HotRod Deluxe 40 watt model. Great cleans, shitty OD channel but you wouldn't be using that.

I have the older amps, maybe I just need to stop being such a turd and just not worry, and if they break just deal with it. I also agree those Deluxe amps rule.

I'd always be more worried about a true vintage Fender growing legs and walking out the venue.

Valid point.

 

[misterspockyall]

Bogner goldfinger phi. Sold my blackface reissue and will never go back. Lemme know if you want a more detailed breakdown.

 

[skullfxr]

You can find silver face twin reverbs for cheap. If you are set on blackface it is a relatively easy mod. I got mine for around $600 two months ago.