The Chetboard

I have just purchased/received a new 59 Gent and could not be more pleased! Thanks to all who replied to my August post. Currently I am playing the new guitar through a Fender Super Champ XD. I am considering buying a more expensive amp and wanted to learn what other 59 Gent players use/recommend. I have been told that the Victoria Regal II amp is a good match and also Fender's Vibrolux and Deluxe Reverb amps. I play at home in the family room and like what I believe is the thick/creamy 50's sound with low volume. Any suggestions?

Hello Les,,,,you're asking for suggestions so I'll give you mine. I have owned and played a lot of amps and for my 6122-1959 I think its hard to beat the new Fender Deluxe amp. Now it may be only 22 watts RMS but it can be played at loud volumn OR very low volumn and it keeps the same tone throughout its range. Perfect for sitting around the house or playing out on a job,,,,and its hard to 'break-up' so you don't have to worry about distortion, its clean as a pin at any volumn. I love the tone. Fender put that 100 watt speaker in it and it will "carry the mail" for most usage. They are a little pricey, but so are the other amps you mentioned, and a lot of times you get what you pay for. It matches that guitar really well . . . . OK, that's my .02 cents worth. Oh, one other thing,,,,the reverb in that amp is particularly outstanding, its not corny sounding and its about as clean as a digital reverb out-board unit, you don't need a lot, a little goes a long way.
Gayle Moseley

Les,

I agree with Gayle that the Deluxe Reverb RI (DRRI) is an outstanding amp. It just has "that" sound. Unless it's impossible, I would go to a store and play several amps, because the best amp is the one that sounds best to you--and is easy for you to set to the sound you like. Several models you might try include the DRRI, Princeton Reverb, Peavey Delta Blues (15"), Music Man RD-50 (used, of course), and even a Vox VT30 (modeling amp). All of these (except the Vox) have been discussed by Paul and others on the board, so I'm not telling you anything someone else here can't as easily tell you.

I threw in the Vox modeling amp because I have a couple and I happen to like them. I have a first generation AD15VT and an AD60VTX, which is the cat's pajamas. These amps do have a lot of digital circuitry, are not "true" tube amps, and can be noisy and finicky. But they offer an extremely wide tonal palette and are very light. Plus, they have onboard effects--no other junk to carry around with you. But you already have the XD which has some of the effects, I suppose. With the SECOND generation Vox modeling amps, the number follows the alphabetical prefix (VT30, VT50, etc.). These have more flexibility for combining effects and I would at least look at one if possible. People are always wanting the latest thing. Since the 3rd generation is out now, you might find an orphaned VT30 on the cheap. Just a suggestion.

Please do tell us what you end up with and how you like it!

LMark

I'm with Gayle for sure! I took Paul Yandell's recommendation and bought myself a Deluxe Reverb Reissue and it surely has all Gayle says and more. I could not be happier with an amp and believe me when I say I have owned a lot of amps in my time. This one is the best!

Thanks so much for the input! Please help me clarify!! I was looking at the Fender website and found a Fender "Deluxe" amp (Vintage Modified group) 40W, 12" speaker, MSRP = 1,079.99. I don't think this is the amp that you were recommending. I believe you like the Fender "Deluxe Reverb" amp (Vintage Reissue group) 22W, 12" speaker, MSRP = 1,399.99. I live in northeast Missouri so opportunities to play the more expensive Fender amps are limited at best. More than likely I will mail order an amplifier so I want to make sure I have the correct model. Thanks again!!!

LesD

Hi Les.......This is the amp I have and the one I think you want.
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/guitars/fender-vintage-reissue-65-deluxe-reverb-guitar-combo-amp

After much debat and trips to St. Louis and Kansas City, I decided to purchased a Victoria 5112 amplifier from Cream City Music in Wisconsin. Very pleased with the amp as I play my 59 Gent "low volume and clean" in our family room. Thanks for everyone's thoughts and suggestions!

LesD