1972 Fender Twin Reverb

tenniso · 11-06-2009, 07:26 PM

i am thinking about getting this amp. i am worried that it will be way too loud. i have heard that you can take out some of the power amp tubes and lower the output to about 40 watts. i know that is still loud as hell, but i would help. what do you guys think. i play in a medium size bar.

B Bent · 11-06-2009, 07:27 PM

Yep, It will be loud no matter what!

PS...Where in ATL do you play?

tenniso · 11-06-2009, 11:07 PM

Bradley's in East Cobb. we do open mic on wednesdays, but i want to get something else going. open mic is too hit or miss for me. some nights do well, some nights i get pissed.

i guess i take it too seriously.....

the guy who invented fire · 11-07-2009, 05:14 AM

I used a 1969 Twin Reverb as my main gigging amp or a lot of years, also in Atlanta FWIW...they are loud and heavy but you'll never have to worry about being heard!

If you pull 2 tubes you should disconnect one speaker to keep the impedence correct but the truth is by that point it's still just as heavy as a Twin and almost as loud!

If you plan on using a box for ALL of your OD and crunch tones a Twin can be a fine answer as long as you feel like hauling it around.

SlowGroove · 11-07-2009, 08:20 AM

Hey, what ever is good enough for Jack White is deff good enough for us little people

And you can always do what he does !
Use an MXR Micro Amp to hit the pre amp valves a little harder.

James

SlowGroove · 11-07-2009, 08:21 AM

PS : if it counts for anything, i prefer the sound of a Deluxe Reverb.

James

saladin · 11-07-2009, 08:29 AM

Gimme a wooden stage with a nice Twin Reverb in the corner with the tilt legs and I'll be in heaven. So what if it's heavy and loud, nothing else can capture that vibe.

tenniso · 11-07-2009, 08:34 AM

so, can i get some good tones at reasonable volumes with this amp? Or, does it have to be cranked to sound good? I have been jonesing for a Vox valvetronix vt50.

Lewguitar · 11-07-2009, 08:53 AM

You can get some great clean tones out of that amp and if you can turn it up passed 5 or 6 without going deaf you'll get some good overdrive out of it as well. But really, I think the days of amps like that are numbered. They're just to heavy, to loud and to clean. Even the jazzers who used to use them have switched over to light weight solid state Polytones and the like.

the guy who invented fire · 11-07-2009, 08:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tenniso

so, can i get some good tones at reasonable volumes with this amp? Or, does it have to be cranked to sound good? I have been jonesing for a Vox valvetronix vt50.

"Reasonable" volume is a sticky term...

Like I said a Twin Revrb was my main piuece for a long time, did a LOT of gigs with it but I was told to turn down a LOT.

If you want amp overdrive keep walking...if you are planning to use pedals for your drive sounds and want all kinds of headroom and volume get the Twin and stop looking.

Funkfingers · 11-07-2009, 09:02 AM

Fender Twin Reverb amps shift a lot of air. They need to be used in a big room.

If the '72 you are considering is a "Silverface", it may have the infamous pull-out Distortion feature on the control knob nearest the red pilot light. Check to see whether the loudspeakers are labelled JBL (or Lansing). If the vendor does not know the difference, you might be able to buy low and sell high to fund a more suitable amplifier.

I am tempted to go along with the Deluxe Reverb suggestion posted above. If you want a good all-rounder, check out the Hot Rod Deluxe series. These will probably have about the right output level for bar gigs.

tenniso · 11-07-2009, 09:27 AM

i really like the hot rod deluxe and a guy i play with has one. i would be getting this twin reverb thru a trade. i just cant spend the money now for an amp, so if i turn down the twin, i will just have to hold out.

there is a silvertone 10xl i found locally that i might pickup. 10 watts tube. i think with the right speaker it might do for now.

Lewguitar · 11-07-2009, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Funkfingers

If the '72 you are considering is a "Silverface", it may have the infamous pull-out Distortion feature on the control knob nearest the red pilot light.

That stuff came a little later - the push/pull master volume that doesn't really work and all that.

'72 Twins do tend to have the brown capacitors with the murky yellow writing that some guys really dislike and tend to replace right away. I do!

And, if I remember right, the '72 model cannot be biased properly without doing a blackface conversion. I could be faulty in my remembering, but I think they have a balance control instead of a bias adjustment. No biggie - if you can do the conversion back to blackface specs yourself.

Personally, I think the '73 and '74 version is a little better amp. Better capacitors for sure! You'd still need to do the blackface conversion though.

You know, if you can get it and then, as Funkfingers suggests, sell it and make a few bucks it might be a nice one to flip.

D.Dailey · 11-07-2009, 10:10 AM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bAnk9...eature=related

I have a deep set affinity for the old Fender Twin Reverb..

One of the guys that I gigged with back in the early 70's played a 60's SG and a Twin Reverb..
The only pedal he used much was a Vox Wha..
We did alot of Allman Bro's, Mason and Savoy Brown stuff..
His setup killed..
It tragicly died in a car wreck in New Jersy in the early 80's..

Both the amp and axe..

the guy who invented fire · 11-07-2009, 10:10 AM

My memory is not what it used to be (gosh, I didn't think I'd be saying that for a while!) but I think that 1972 was the last year of a NON Master volume TR...

Also, I think Lew is correct about the bias situation...Im a also thinking that that era Twin would have a balence control...sure it works ok but will never get the bias dead on.

Truth is a 72 TR is a decent amp and is a MUCH better amp than a reissue Twin Reverb plus after some time you could put a little money in it and have an amazing amp but the issue is simply is it going to be too much amp for you.

glassman · 11-07-2009, 10:55 AM

I have seen quite a few Twin Reverbs coming through the shop lately...it seems some guys are rediscovering them around here and need to get them spruced up.

The "bias balance" silver-face amps get a lot of undeserved bad press. While it's true that the bias isn't adjustable; it is on the warmer side of neutral...where most guys choose to have it anyway. With proper tube selection it can be dialed in to wherever you want it. The most prominent difference that you hear when a Blackface mod is performed is the changes to the phase inverter.

11-06-2009, 07:26 PM	#1
tenniso Toneologist Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Atlanta Posts: 677	1972 Fender Twin Reverb i am thinking about getting this amp. i am worried that it will be way too loud. i have heard that you can take out some of the power amp tubes and lower the output to about 40 watts. i know that is still loud as hell, but i would help. what do you guys think. i play in a medium size bar.

11-06-2009, 07:27 PM	#2
B Bent Vibroluxologist Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Mr. Ray Charles wrote a tune about my beloved state being on his mind. Age: 29 Posts: 7,387	Re: 1972 Fender Twin Reverb Yep, It will be loud no matter what! PS...Where in ATL do you play? __________________ I get weak in the knees at the sight of a vintage Fender amp!

11-06-2009, 11:07 PM	#3
tenniso Toneologist Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Atlanta Posts: 677	Re: 1972 Fender Twin Reverb Bradley's in East Cobb. we do open mic on wednesdays, but i want to get something else going. open mic is too hit or miss for me. some nights do well, some nights i get pissed. i guess i take it too seriously.....

11-07-2009, 05:14 AM	#4
the guy who invented fire Fuzzy Guitars Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Just follow the sound of FUZZ Posts: 15,221	Re: 1972 Fender Twin Reverb I used a 1969 Twin Reverb as my main gigging amp or a lot of years, also in Atlanta FWIW...they are loud and heavy but you'll never have to worry about being heard! If you pull 2 tubes you should disconnect one speaker to keep the impedence correct but the truth is by that point it's still just as heavy as a Twin and almost as loud! If you plan on using a box for ALL of your OD and crunch tones a Twin can be a fine answer as long as you feel like hauling it around. __________________ ...using transistor powered boxes to make small tube amps sound HUGE...

11-07-2009, 08:20 AM	#5
SlowGroove Mojo's Minions Join Date: Feb 2008 Age: 36 Posts: 3,265	Re: 1972 Fender Twin Reverb Hey, what ever is good enough for Jack White is deff good enough for us little people And you can always do what he does ! Use an MXR Micro Amp to hit the pre amp valves a little harder. James __________________ Stoner Rock and Stoner Metal are interchangeable terms describing sub-genres of rock and metal music. Stoner rock is typically slow-to-mid tempo, low-tuned and bass-heavy. It incorporates elements of Psychedelic Rock, Blues-Rock and Doom Metal into a more repetitive and riff-centred style. Melodic vocals and 'retro' production are also common traits. Gibson SG Special w. SD A2P's ->pedal board ->Bassman

11-07-2009, 08:21 AM	#6
SlowGroove Mojo's Minions Join Date: Feb 2008 Age: 36 Posts: 3,265	Re: 1972 Fender Twin Reverb PS : if it counts for anything, i prefer the sound of a Deluxe Reverb. James __________________ Stoner Rock and Stoner Metal are interchangeable terms describing sub-genres of rock and metal music. Stoner rock is typically slow-to-mid tempo, low-tuned and bass-heavy. It incorporates elements of Psychedelic Rock, Blues-Rock and Doom Metal into a more repetitive and riff-centred style. Melodic vocals and 'retro' production are also common traits. Gibson SG Special w. SD A2P's ->pedal board ->Bassman

11-07-2009, 08:29 AM	#7
saladin Super Toneologist Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Ann Arbor Posts: 1,464	Re: 1972 Fender Twin Reverb Gimme a wooden stage with a nice Twin Reverb in the corner with the tilt legs and I'll be in heaven. So what if it's heavy and loud, nothing else can capture that vibe. __________________ Trainspotter

11-07-2009, 08:34 AM	#8
tenniso Toneologist Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Atlanta Posts: 677	Re: 1972 Fender Twin Reverb so, can i get some good tones at reasonable volumes with this amp? Or, does it have to be cranked to sound good? I have been jonesing for a Vox valvetronix vt50.

11-07-2009, 08:53 AM	#9
Lewguitar Ascended Master of Tone Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 13,713	Re: 1972 Fender Twin Reverb You can get some great clean tones out of that amp and if you can turn it up passed 5 or 6 without going deaf you'll get some good overdrive out of it as well. But really, I think the days of amps like that are numbered. They're just to heavy, to loud and to clean. Even the jazzers who used to use them have switched over to light weight solid state Polytones and the like. Last edited by Lewguitar; 11-07-2009 at 09:31 AM.

11-07-2009, 09:02 AM	#11
Funkfingers Mojo's Minions Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: In a corner, over by the Dodge. Age: 47 Posts: 4,341	Re: 1972 Fender Twin Reverb Fender Twin Reverb amps shift a lot of air. They need to be used in a big room. If the '72 you are considering is a "Silverface", it may have the infamous pull-out Distortion feature on the control knob nearest the red pilot light. Check to see whether the loudspeakers are labelled JBL (or Lansing). If the vendor does not know the difference, you might be able to buy low and sell high to fund a more suitable amplifier. I am tempted to go along with the Deluxe Reverb suggestion posted above. If you want a good all-rounder, check out the Hot Rod Deluxe series. These will probably have about the right output level for bar gigs.

11-07-2009, 09:27 AM	#12
tenniso Toneologist Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Atlanta Posts: 677	Re: 1972 Fender Twin Reverb i really like the hot rod deluxe and a guy i play with has one. i would be getting this twin reverb thru a trade. i just cant spend the money now for an amp, so if i turn down the twin, i will just have to hold out. there is a silvertone 10xl i found locally that i might pickup. 10 watts tube. i think with the right speaker it might do for now.

11-07-2009, 10:10 AM	#14
D.Dailey Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: The Beer Tent Capital of the World (Muskegon , Michigan) Age: 55 Posts: 89	Re: 1972 Fender Twin Reverb http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bAnk9...eature=related I have a deep set affinity for the old Fender Twin Reverb.. One of the guys that I gigged with back in the early 70's played a 60's SG and a Twin Reverb.. The only pedal he used much was a Vox Wha.. We did alot of Allman Bro's, Mason and Savoy Brown stuff.. His setup killed.. It tragicly died in a car wreck in New Jersy in the early 80's.. Both the amp and axe.. Last edited by D.Dailey; 11-07-2009 at 10:23 AM.

11-07-2009, 10:10 AM	#15
the guy who invented fire Fuzzy Guitars Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Just follow the sound of FUZZ Posts: 15,221	Re: 1972 Fender Twin Reverb My memory is not what it used to be (gosh, I didn't think I'd be saying that for a while!) but I think that 1972 was the last year of a NON Master volume TR... Also, I think Lew is correct about the bias situation...Im a also thinking that that era Twin would have a balence control...sure it works ok but will never get the bias dead on. Truth is a 72 TR is a decent amp and is a MUCH better amp than a reissue Twin Reverb plus after some time you could put a little money in it and have an amazing amp but the issue is simply is it going to be too much amp for you. __________________ ...using transistor powered boxes to make small tube amps sound HUGE...

11-07-2009, 10:55 AM	#16
glassman Electron Herder Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Fort Wayne, IN Age: 45 Posts: 1,573	Re: 1972 Fender Twin Reverb I have seen quite a few Twin Reverbs coming through the shop lately...it seems some guys are rediscovering them around here and need to get them spruced up. The "bias balance" silver-face amps get a lot of undeserved bad press. While it's true that the bias isn't adjustable; it is on the warmer side of neutral...where most guys choose to have it anyway. With proper tube selection it can be dialed in to wherever you want it. The most prominent difference that you hear when a Blackface mod is performed is the changes to the phase inverter.

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