The future of Fender Valve amps... what is it?

[iwanthelp]

What I'm looking for here is just opinions from people who like Fender basically because for me the Fender company that now exists is not producing anything really that does justise to the name, tube amp wise anyway... others feel free to disagree with me on this.

I'm even contradicting myself a bit on this because I have a Fender Supersonic and I think its a neat little creation but, in reality I know it is just a rehash of two great amps basically using their name and creating a versitile but poorly built amp that is really nothing like the amps it claims to be. I like it but is it really the best Fender can do. In my eyes modern fender tube amps are over priced and not built to last.

this is a list of my gripes some already mentioned.....
a. All the amps seem versions of amps they have preiously made better and with more care, they seem to have no real new ideas.
b. Their Remakes are poor, its easier to pick up something second hand from a better era.
c. The new amps they have created, the Hot Rod and Blues deluxe line, seem to be very random, you can get an absolue gem or an utter dog, they are not 'outstanding amps' just decent starting points for clean tone, they use cheap parts the volume seems to go from 0 to 10... quality control seems to be absent
d. They seem uncapable of making a nice drive channel (this doesn't bother me for me fender is all about the 'clean') but if your going to put it on every amp at least make a bloody effort)
e. They only seem to make combo's these days.... I will never understand why Fender doesn't make more heads.....

Am I wrong about this I may well be, don't get me wrong I love 'the Fender sound'... so why can't I get it out of modern Fender amps. Thats what annoys me, when you by a Fender it doesn't to me feel like a 'quality instrument' It feels like a cash cow with a few strands of Fender DNA clinging on somewhere. Does anyone even know who it is who makes the decisions on the Fender project line these days, who are their builders?

If I had my way I would retire the Hot Rod series and blues deluxe and stop conning kids that for all that money they are getting a quality bit of kit
. I would hire a builder from around these parts to design a 40watt combo that has a good lead channel, much like they did in the 80's with Paul Rivera, probably based around the deluxe reverb or get the guy from Omega amps to have a massive going over of the hot rod line..... they just need to get people who give a dam in the system about quality control and such things.

Then I would introduce a range of heads based on the classics but again rebuilt to a level where they are on a par with say a boogie in terms of build quality and construction.... Fenders cost the same but to my mind a boogie is a much more reliable machine, why is this?

If Fender want to build high gain amps and lead channels fair enough but, introduce a new line for that, don't add anything to the classics. Let the experts in that area take care of that.

Fenders core market should always be clean amps and beautiful reverb, the number of times I have wanted a Fender head I can't explain....ok the supersonic is a head but thats the only one right? I'll say it a milion times make a twin head and a vibrolux head... they will sell as long as they are built with the integrity of the originals not some of the awful reissues we see today. It's never going to happen I suppose money is the route of everything but I'd love to see fender really stay truer to the name.... The CBS period was seen as dark but surely things are worse today? maybe its just me!

But I really hope fender take a long hard look at their range and realise they need to get some shit hot people in there, there is no reason why a mass produced amp has to be as bad in quality as modern day fenders... especially as they have the blueprint for how it was done so well in the past..... Maybe its just time for some of the very special builders on here to move into the big league.... I really think certain companies could destroy Fender at their own game as things stand....

sorry for this odd rant, I'd love to know your thoughts and opinions, does anyone think Fender is on the cusp of big changes or am I really just too attached to the name?

[SeeMoore]

Soon it's not going to be a question of what an builder is willing to do, but what he is allowed to do.

RoHs
Al Gore

Wait for it...

[aleclee]

Originally Posted by iwanthelp

am I really just too attached to the name?

IMO, yes.

Seems to me Fender's doing fine with their amps. They sell great and presumably have decent margins. On top of that, they're not bad amps (even the Hot Rods you criticize). Maybe their gain channels leave a lot to be desired but I think it's very telling that some sort of Fender is the the first amp suggested when someone's looking for a clean amp that takes pedals. That might not be sufficient for you but it seems to suit a whole lot of players, both pro and recreational.

As opposed to Gibson, I don't think FMIC is run by bozos. I suspect that making the changes you suggest would probably lower margins and maybe revenues as well. Let's face it, in the business world, the overriding aesthetic is profitability and building "higher quality" amps when there are relatively few complaints about even your value-priced gear seems like a ticket to lost sales and/or margins.

To be honest, it sounds kind of like you want Fender to be Mesa-Boogie with a badge that says F-E-N-D-E-R. Though Mesa's design and construction might be somewhat envied by Fender, I suspect that Randall Smith might be amenable to becoming more like Fender if his company could have the sales and profits of FMIC's amp business.

[Marty McFly]

I have a Blues Deluxe re-issue, and haven't had any problems with it.

I would like it if Fender offered more amps in a choice of head or combo, though, and not just the combo.

[teleamp]

Originally Posted by SeeMoore

Soon it's not going to be a question of what an builder is willing to do, but what he is allowed to do.

RoHs
Al Gore

Wait for it...

True, it will be here before we know it, stock up now.

Plus, I see boutiques being a thing of the past when big brother steps in, its hard to believe thaat it hasn't happened yet. The days that amps being sold without any kind of certifications are numbered.

MikeY

[rockon1]

Its interesting you mention the Super Sonic. I swore off(or thought I did) Fender amps after my HRD. I liked the cleans but a good OD channel is important to me and the HDR's stunk. I couldnt find a pedal(never have) that would do the job and sold it. Enter the supersonic. Just last week I picked one up and so far I love it. The most amazing dirty channel Ive ever heard in a Fender!
Now the Vibro/bassman thing? They are just names of amps I dony care about in the first place. Maybe a little change is a good thing. A Fender known for its dirty channel instead of its cleans! Bob

[karmadave]

My faith in Fender amps will be fully restored when they re-issue a handwired, original spec version of the Blackface Vibrolux Reverb...

-KD

[FFTT]

The only thing keeping Fender amps alive are the prosumer PCB re-issues which sell at an affordable price. Some do offer a pretty good bang for the buck, but QC is a total crapshoot.

I have always felt that they need to offer a full line of their legacy circuits, but so many other builders are building them better than the originals.

As far as investment grade amps, you'll always do well buying an original
legacy Fender, providing that it has been well cared for.

As we have all seen from the Emporium sales, gbase and e-bay, the value retention of some booteek amplifiers is not a sure thing even with the finest build quality.

However there is still a need for finely crafted, roadworthy amplifiers for those who prefer not to take their vintage amps on the road.

It's a shame that you have to go to Fender Custom Shop or Master Built if you want a new Fender amp or a finely crafted guitar, when all of their products should be built with that quality across the board.

[JamesHealey]

The quality control is poor and the range is bad im sure the PCB Prosumer Reissues mentioned above are the only reason fender stays afloat..

I use the Deluxe Reverb '65 Reissue and it's not bad once u spend a few dollars changing the tubes, speakers and snipping the bright cap.

just a shame it doesnt arrive like that stock.

[FFTT]

"Tis what happens when a corporation gives the bean counters too much
authority.

[soldano16]

Originally Posted by Marty McFly

I would like it if Fender offered more amps in a choice of head or combo, though, and not just the combo.

I think part of that is the issue of getting a reverb unit into a head. I had a Bandmaster Reverb and that head cab was BIG. Maybe Fender feels folks won't buy the supersized head cabs.

[FFTT]

If only Fender would offer the Vibro-King and Vibro-Verb in a head only version

[Scott Auld]

I played with the sea foam green Deluxe at Sam Ash last week for a long time. I think it's clean channel is just divine.

[CocoTone]

With the legacy of previous amps, it makes no sense to me that they don't go back to building what we all go out looking for. The old tweeds and blackfaces that they had before, but in bigger quantities, and with better QC. Keep the hot rod series for the newbies, but bring back what the players want. That would take care of the clone makers, as they wouldn't be able to compete price-wise. Back to basic if you will.

CT.

[67super]

Originally Posted by karmadave

My faith in Fender amps will be fully restored when they re-issue a handwired, original spec version of the Blackface Vibrolux Reverb...

-KD

That would sell well but would cost at least $2500 street price. People like me would rather buy an original. The old ones are easy to get running top notch and retain their value much better than a new one.

Originally Posted by GuitarTone

They should never have got rid of Paul Rivera....big mistake.

His range of amps today are better than anything Fender will ever produce.

I'm pretty sure he left because of differences with management and I'm darn sure he doesn't regret it.

I do own a Super Sonic myself which is my only new Fender and I think it's a great gigging amp with lots of versatility.

The Al Gore/RoHS factor is going to affect everything we do so get use to it.