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Aww I just can't make my mind up.
Posted: Thu Feb 24, 2011 9:32 pm
by MissionBrown
I've put my Delta Blues on consignment in a local store to fund my quest for a surf amp.
So far I have 1/3 the money I need to purchase a new Deluxe Reverb Reissue.
The last couple weeks have been spent pestering the local guitar stores for demo's of the DRRI and the Princeton Reverb reissue.
I also played with the Fender 63 tank for fun.
So my problem is that I really like the two Fender amps, but I just don't know which one to buy. It's not a matter of cash, because there's about $70 between the two, not a big deal really.
The 22watt amp has a great tone and the reverb is drippy and delicious, a little more bottom end than the 15 watt version, but both are in pretty similar sonic territory.
Neither will be any good to crank up at home, even my Valve Jr is too loud past 3 on the dial. I'm not really in a band either (we say we are, but we've not been together in the same room for 2 years).
My other option is to just get a stand alone reverb and just stick with the Valve jr.
This will be my last amp purchase that I can make without getting kicked out of the house. Has anyone else solved this dilemma and been happy with what they took home?
Re: Aww I just can't make my mind up.
Posted: Fri Feb 25, 2011 2:42 am
by Veenture
MissionBrown wrote:The 22watt amp has a great tone and the reverb is drippy and delicious, a little more bottom end than the 15 watt version, but both are in pretty similar sonic territory.
This will be my last amp purchase that I can make without getting kicked out of the house. Has anyone else solved this dilemma and been happy with what they took home?
My last amp purchase would definitely have to be a DRRI or even better, a vintage one. I agree about it's tone and reverb qualities. Since the day I purchased my Custom Vibrolux Reverb Reissue (for more power) I am still left with mixed feelings, to date. LOVE the DRRI;
thee definitive Fender tone (for me, at any rate). Good luck!

Re: Aww I just can't make my mind up.
Posted: Fri Feb 25, 2011 6:28 am
by TerryTNM
It may not fit the 'image' of a surf amp but the Roland Jazz Chorus 120 is the cleanest, loudest amp with a fabulous reverb. I have a '66 Super Reverb, 100w Vibrasonic and a reissue Twin Reverb . . . all take a back seat to the Roland.
http://shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_trksid=p3984.m570.l1313&_nkw=roland+chorus&_sacat=See-All-CategoriesI first became aware of them from Brian Lonbeck whose been playing one for years. After hearing Brian Lonbeck and Bryan Browne playing loud through the same amp at the same time I was sold. I had my own in 2 weeks. If looks is more important than sound then. . .
I'm just saying. . .
Terry
Re: Aww I just can't make my mind up.
Posted: Fri Feb 25, 2011 10:05 am
by vjf1968
TerryTNM wrote:It may not fit the 'image' of a surf amp but the Roland Jazz Chorus 120 is the cleanest, loudest amp with a fabulous reverb. I have a '66 Super Reverb, 100w Vibrasonic and a reissue Twin Reverb . . . all take a back seat to the Roland.
http://shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_trksid=p3984.m570.l1313&_nkw=roland+chorus&_sacat=See-All-CategoriesI first became aware of them from Brian Lonbeck whose been playing one for years. After hearing Brian Lonbeck and Bryan Browne playing loud through the same amp at the same time I was sold. I had my own in 2 weeks. If looks is more important than sound then. . .
I'm just saying. . .
Terry
If I may add a couple more pros for the Roland JC120.
-You do not have to fork out extra money for tubes and maintanence.
-the chorus/vib can get you a great leslie like tone.
-they are solid state so you can play at low volume.
-they are built like tanks.
-they can be had used for very little money. Seen them go used for about $400 USC.
Re: Aww I just can't make my mind up.
Posted: Fri Feb 25, 2011 11:58 am
by Mr. Bill
As cool as the JC-120 series amps are, if I could have only one amp in my life it would be a Deluxe Reverb. My personal preference is for a vintage one, but the reissue with a few tube tweeks would get me there as well.
The Deluxe Reverb can play clean at lower volumes, dirty at higher levels and downright smooth and creamy when pushed to the max.
Just my 2 cents.
Re: Aww I just can't make my mind up.
Posted: Fri Feb 25, 2011 1:45 pm
by vjf1968
Mr. Bill wrote:As cool as the JC-120 series amps are, if I could have only one amp in my life it would be a Deluxe Reverb. My personal preference is for a vintage one, but the reissue with a few tube tweeks would get me there as well.
The Deluxe Reverb can play clean at lower volumes, dirty at higher levels and downright smooth and creamy when pushed to the max.
Just my 2 cents.
I agree about the sound of a Deluxe Reverb. I have one. But for what the OP is looking for is something that will give him reverb without blowing everybody out of the house. Solid State amps are great if you want low volume without too much tone loss. And it sounds like a DRRI might break the bank. Plus the VIB effect on the JC120 is a cool sound.
Re: Aww I just can't make my mind up.
Posted: Fri Feb 25, 2011 3:21 pm
by jtr654
Buy Used and for less $$$ you could probably pickup a used Twin Reverb for less than either used PR or DR.
Re: Aww I just can't make my mind up.
Posted: Fri Feb 25, 2011 8:23 pm
by vjf1968
jtr654 wrote:Buy Used and for less $$$ you could probably pickup a used Twin Reverb for less than either used PR or DR.
In Australia? I would think a Roland JC120 would be easier to find there.
Re: Aww I just can't make my mind up.
Posted: Sat Feb 26, 2011 8:34 am
by jtr654
Didn't check where he was from sorry. In the USA my comments are valid.
Re: Aww I just can't make my mind up.
Posted: Sat Feb 26, 2011 6:42 pm
by TerryTNM
Y'a know, I think this outfit would be better than a Roland JC120.

These belong to Don Hunt Jr. A matching pair of Standel 25L15's
These match the case for his TNM MAPHIS

Sorry, I couldn't resist.