1961 Fender Brownface Deluxe: calling all Fender pros

[deftgala]

I need some thoughts on this amp... I've got a chance on purchasing it but need some advice from the pros on this one. Here's the e-mail the guy sent me. I am waiting on pictures from him too:

quote:

"This one is killer. Nice NOS tubes, replaced a few old caps, 3 prong cord. The rest of the chassis(electronics) is original and in great condition. The cab is a rebuild. Brown tolexed like the original, exact specs for size. Solid pine, baltic birch baffle board, Weber 12a125a(Jensen p12q) Alnico speaker. Amp has been dated to late 1961 so its one of the first made. I have the Fender replacement footswitch(RCA plug) for the tremolo as well. I just had it looked over at Capsule Music in Toronto when I had the speaker installed, so it is running at a perfect bias right now. I can send you pictures if you want and are welcome to come by and take it on a test run. Email me for pictures or questions. Paul."


Opinions please... he's asking $1,400CAN... aprx. $1100USD.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: 1961 Fender Brownface Deluxe: calling all Fender pros

I have one. They're very cool amps. I bought mine without a cabinet, just the '62 chassis and I built a solid cherry dovetailed cabinet for it and after trying lots of 12" speakers settled on a mid 60's Celestion G12 alnico 12. Those are my fave speakers with tweed and brownface Deluxes. Tonewise the brownface Deluxes have a ballsier tone than the blackface version...more mids and a little more snarl/honk to the tone. Cranked up, mine gets a very cool soloing tone: snarly and a bit like Clapton's tone with Cream. The blackface version has less "bark" and less midrange. The tweed version is cathode biased so it compresses a little more easily than the '62 brownface version. Anyways, it's a cool amp. Not the cleanest or most versatile amp I own but one of the ballsiest, especially for soloing.

As for the one you're thinking about, I think it's overpriced for an amp with a non original cab and speaker. I've seen all original ones going for that price.

Do a search on Ebay for 61 or 61 Deluxes in the completed auctions and see what they're going for...

Lew

 

[The Golden Boy]

Re: 1961 Fender Brownface Deluxe: calling all Fender pros

So, basically, you're getting a chassis that's had work done to it.

 

[deftgala]

Re: 1961 Fender Brownface Deluxe: calling all Fender pros

alright.. thanks for the review Lew... I am most curious to know what sort of natural OD they have.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: 1961 Fender Brownface Deluxe: calling all Fender pros

alright.. thanks for the review Lew... I am most curious to know what sort of natural OD they have.

A description of reality isn't reality. You just have to try one and see to really know. I described it pretty good although the speaker will make a huge contribution to the tone. Most brown Deluxes came with an Oxford speaker I think and they are nothing special IMO. The Weber P12Q is a cool speaker: bright and plucky. But again: try one...then you'll know, although you won't be able to make anyone hear what they sound by describing it either! :laugh2:

 

[deftgala]

Re: 1961 Fender Brownface Deluxe: calling all Fender pros

A description of reality isn't reality.

woah, Lew... I want what you're smoking!!!!

You just have to try one and see to really know... try one...then you'll know, although you won't be able to make anyone hear what they sound by describing it either! :laugh2:

this is so true. The reason I ask about the year and model is because I've learned that specific era's of gear makes a small difference. I think I've finally come to appreciate vintage gear and specific eras when they are regarded as being at their peak. If I can acquire some of this gear by trading in some of my current gear that seems expendable, than by all means I will. I also have my heart set on getting a '63-'67 BF too. One piece at a time.