Best Affordable Fender-style amp

[sbaker5150]

I have a Fender SF Champ w/ Weber Sig Alnico speaker + mods.

I used to own a modded Blues Jr. but sadly it had to go.

I would like something close to a Deluxe Reverb. But I also like the Blues Jr./Hot Rod series. What of the Hot Rod series would you suggest?

Also what Fender clones or Fender-style clones might fit this lust?

Anyone selling a Fender BF?

 

[takakat]

I think affordable Fender style amp is Fender itself.
Clones are more expensive unless you build them yourself.

 

[hasserl]

I wouldn't suggest any of the hot rod series amp. If the DR is what you like I'd suggest getting a DR, or you may want to try a Princeton Reverb instead, a little smaller, lighter, lower powered than a DR; though they can be modified to be very close to the DR in volume with a slightly different tone, more tweedish in flavor.

Personally, after owning and servicing/repairing quite a few Fender amps, and building tweed clones, I'm getting to the point where the Musicmaster Bass, with a couple of slight mods and a speaker change, is my favorite Fender amp. I have one I keep at our practice place so I don't have to haul an amp to practice, and I find the tone I get from it is often the most satisfying I get, period. I just bought another one off the bay so I can have one here that I can take out to jams where I don't need a lot of power, and I can leave the other one at the practice studio and still have that great tone for other gigs and jams. The tone is classic Fender and the dirt is smoother than other BF/SF amps, yet easier to attain. Pushing the front end with the usual dirt pedals or clean boost gives up very satisfying distortion, all at a sane volume level. There is no comparison to a Blues Jr or Pro Jr, the MMB is far superior IMO; except for the lack of reverb. But if you can deal with that the MMB would be my suggestion for anyone looking for great Fender tone in a small package, low volume format; and the prices they are available at makes them a steal.

 

[In Tune]

The Fender Vintage Modified Deluxe. It really is Deluxe Man.

 

[drbob1]

Dollar wise you can get a DRRI used for $500. That's the best deal in a Fender amp. For another $300 or so, you can get a SF which will sound marginally better or a Vibrolux Reverb which is a little louder but not much bigger. The Princeton, maybe $700 for a SF. They're all great, although slightly different sounds adn will hold their value well and give you many years of great service with minimal maintenance!

 

[guitarlifestyle]

I've heard good things about the Fender Pro Jrs. I don't know if you were looking for something with more wattage, but I've heard those get used around town for recording quite a bit.

 

[hasserl]

Dollar wise you can get a DRRI used for $500.

I've never seen them go for this little. That would be a good deal.

 

[5E3]

I've never seen them go for this little. That would be a good deal.

Me either. But I found an unmodified DRRI on my local Craig's List for $700, and the guy took $600 for it. I put another $150 into it with new speaker and tubes. Turned out great (IMO) for $750. I think the new prices at MF are now $1299.

 

[buellwisner]

Dollar wise you can get a DRRI used for $500. That's the best deal in a Fender amp. For another $300 or so, you can get a SF which will sound marginally better or a Vibrolux Reverb which is a little louder but not much bigger. The Princeton, maybe $700 for a SF. They're all great, although slightly different sounds adn will hold their value well and give you many years of great service with minimal maintenance!

I don't think you'll find one for $500 now that Fender raised the price to $1199.

 

[Austinrocks]

hot rod deluxe is my current fender, its gettting omega modded right now, and I am running JJs 6v6s which give me low power 6v6 tones which I love, easy to go back to the 6L6s if I need more power, really happy with that amp.

 

[kensmith]

I don't think you'll find one for $500 now that Fender raised the price to $1199.

I agree, I was searching this weekend and finally found one "somewhat local" on ebay. I have to drive about an hour to pick it up on Wednesday, but it is mint condition with no wear all stock for $615. It will leave me some $$ to experiment with speakers. Most seemed to be going for $700-800 on ebay and CL.

 

[earache33]

i just picked up a DRRI for $400 off of craigslist. i was a huge pain in the ass callin the guy every hour, along with everybody else. that was a good day.