Next step up from a Fender Deluxe Reverb in a head form?

Blackface Tremolux.

 

Or Bandmaster, Bassman.....but mmmmmm Tremolux

 

Bandmaster is what you seek

 

http://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/msg/2820587405.html

 

The Bandmaster is a great sounding amp but a bit more than one step up from a Deluxe. The Tremolux is tube rectified and operates at the same voltages as a Deluxe.

 

Fargen Blackbird.

 

Tremolux=30 watts w/tremolo
Bandmaster=40 watts w/tremolo

Both do a nice Fender clean.

 

Do you need or want reverb?

Most Fender heads don't have reverb. If you need reverb the bandmaster reverb is a couple of steps up from a Deluxe reverb, only comes in SF though....

 

I know the OP is looking for a head, but a Vibrolux combo is hard to beat.......

However, I think Fender really found the magic in the 30-45 watt range. Tremolux, Bandmaster, Bassman, Super, Vibrolux - they all sound exceptional. All slightly different, but not a bad one in the bunch.

 

I wanted the same thing ( I have a vintage 65 dr). I ended up with a Carr rambler and couldn't be happier.

 

Try hunting down a Twin Reverb II head. I played through one at a club jam a year ago---an unusual jam, it was at a used instrument shop where you could pick instruments off the wall and plug into the amps on display/sale, and I plugged my Les Paul into a Twin Reverb II head. Absolutely incredible head. Had I not found the Twin Reverb combo I now own, I would have bought that head and tied it to a BandMaster 2x12 cabinet I acquired at about the same time . . .

 

In that case, it all boils down to what you can find. Locally (on CL), I see Bassman heads appear most frequently, so that might be a good starting point.

 

Nothing wrong with an old Bassman. In a pinch, it even makes a good bass amp....

 

Divided by 13 SJT 10/20. Done.