Vintage Fender Twin Reverb advice (101)

[markooo]

I have a chance to trade for a 68 TR Silverface.
I understand that Fender TR amps offer a classic tone that it is probably a must have, among others, for the earlier Fender sounds.

In a nutshell, is the 68' one to consider ? I am aware that some silverfaces have blackface circuits ...and there is the master volume considerations ... but I need a primer in TRs and especially the 68'.

Thanks.

[milk bone]

Assuming it has not been tinkered with too much, thats one hell of an amp. A silverface that early could easily be a blackface circuit with silverface cosmetics. In either case it should not have a master volume.

To me, the Twin is THE classic fender sound. and can be almost anything you want it to be with the right pedals. Do the deal dude, you won't regret it.......

[Gas-man]

I say don't do it.

Twin Reverbs were made for a time that has passed. That time was when PA's either didn't exist or were lousy so guitar amps HAD to be super loud--no such thing as miking an amp.

Twins are heavy and impractical. Plus, they sound plinky and lifeless at 2-3, which is what most gigs or home use would allow.

[wizard333]

Disagree with the 2nd guy, agree with the first guy. Twins can sound good at 2-3.

When you get it, 1) Have all the electrolytics replaced, 2) Have it re-tubed and biased. It needs its maintenance done, its not expensive to have it done, and you will not regret it tone or reliability wise. You wouldn't buy a vintage sports car and drive it around on dry-rotted tires or not change the oil would you? Of course not, so don't treat a vintage amp any different.

[bgoez]

I also disagree with Gas-man. They sound great at lower levels too. It totally depends on if you mind the weight and loudness of the amp. I love big loud amps at all levels and the late 60s amps are great sounding. shouldn't have the master volume as stated above

[gbravo]

I've got a 65 BF, a 68 SF and a 71 SF. They sound awesome at 2-3. If I were stuck on a desert island, I'd want a strat and a twin (and a few pedals).

[smolder]

Twins are great. Every guitar player needs a big heavy amp that can be cranked and never taken to a gig. Mine involves a 4x12... Buy an attenuator... And listen to wizard333.

[FlyngFarmer]

My '68 is a great amp, but yeah it doesn't really come alive until it is pretty loud. I put a Neo 15" in it and it's not as heavy as it was.
Only gets used at the outdoor gigs these days.

[Hulakatt]

Originally Posted by gbravo

I've got a 65 BF, a 68 SF and a 71 SF. They sound awesome at 2-3. If I were stuck on a desert island, I'd want a strat and a twin (and a few pedals).

If I had strat and a twin, I'd want to be stuck on a desert island. No one could complain how loud you cranked it! Although, I suppose accidentally setting off a tsunami might be a real concern but then again, that's the kind of tsunami that would make Dick Dale smile and I can live with that.

[JubileeMan 2555]

Originally Posted by Gas-man

... Plus, they sound plinky and lifeless at 2-3, which is what most gigs or home use would allow.

I don't think this guy has ever played a healthy fender. They sound great at any volume.


To the original poster:

I'd go for it. '68 is a great year. RIGHT before they started screwing around on the insides. If there are some changes, they can be easily removed. If you get it for a good price, you'll enjoy it.

[bgoez]

[mojotele65]

Originally Posted by smolder

Twins are great. Every guitar player needs a big heavy amp that can be cranked and never taken to a gig. Mine involves a 4x12... Buy an attenuator... And listen to wizard333.

we take 3 to every gig.....

[markooo]

Thanks for all the advice

[Baxtercat]

Depends on your volume needs. They're usually too loud, and I have a great one...about the same year.
I use it for once or twice a year outdoor gigs; that's about it.

[Maruuk]

Ridiculously chiropractor-enhancingly heavy, icy cold, dead sound. Like the man said, made for a different time and place when one small, portable amp had to fill airplane hangars and gyms. Great brights for chunk chords and funkomania riffs. But clean only, and when they start to break up, kind of a SS hard and unpleasant sound. They do one thing, absurdly loud. Even country bands don't use em much anymore since country-pop requires a lot more rock OD than it used to, and Twins can't rock OD.