6v6 Deluxe Reverb alternative

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CountFunkula

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I tried a Deluxe Reverb, and I fell in love with the way those 6v6s break up. Very similar to the clean channel of an RV50. However, it sounded a little too compressed. When it was cranked, it didn't clean up with my pick attack. It also didn't sound "wide" enough. Any less volume, and it wouldn't be enough gain. Some more headroom would be nice, too. I guess I'm looking for a more dynamic, big-boy DR. What other 6v6s are out there?
 
Re: 6v6 Deluxe Reverb alternative

Vibrolux reverb is bigger, but it has to run 6L6's.

If you tried the reissue, then maybe looking at a small clone builder (one of our mods does BF clones) might help with clarity, plus you get more options with personalised builds.
 
Re: 6v6 Deluxe Reverb alternative

This'll do it. PTP wiring, a solid finger jointed cabinet and more headroom than an ab763 deluxe due to solid state rectification. Also a master volume circuit so you can dial in the right amount of breakup for your working volume. Unfortunately they can be a bit hard to find these days...
PRIIadphoto.JPG
Dunno if you can read the text on the amp - its Princeton Reverb II (not to be confused with a princeton reverb). Designed in the early 80s by Paul Rivera as fender's answer to the mark series boogies that were all the rage at the time. Some of these came stock with EV speakers. There was also a Deluxe Reverb II in the same series which was Paul's favourite amp of the bunch. You get the idea behind the design from fender's advertising slogan at the time (even tho it might contain a more than a little exaggeration!)

Oh yeh, this dude has one:
joeperryscaled.jpg

However, seeing as you mostly liked the (ab763 circuit) deluxe, but wanted a bit more punch and stronger lows, you can go a long way towards getting that with a more efficient and generally "better" speaker than the jensens the deluxe reverb reissues have in them. A cannabis rex is fat and warm and efficient, or if you really want to add some heft, try a swamp thing.
Or...you could get a solid state rectifier circuit installed instead of the regular tube one.
 
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Re: 6v6 Deluxe Reverb alternative

If you can find one, a Mesa Blue Angel has 2 6v6s, and 4 EL84s, which you can use separately or together, So one set of tubes can make up for the other sets' shortcomings.
 
Re: 6v6 Deluxe Reverb alternative

Well, the original BF Deluxe Reverb is one of the all time greatest small club amps ...
Personally, I feel that the Reissue is a little finicky ... it CAN be touch sensitive and dynamic, but the point where it becomes that way is rather dependent on the tubes, the bias point, the speaker... and your own playing skills.
for instance, by comparison, something like a tweed Deluxe with its cathode bias, is dynamic and touch sensitive throughout its volume and tone range.
The good thing about the reissue amp is that you can find them used.
I'd suggest taking a look at the Fender Super Sonic 22, which has DR cleans, and a foot-switchable lead channel for about the same price. I'd note that in demos though, after a while, it seems to me like the lead channel is a little "raspy".

As far as boutique amps, two I can think of are the Fargen Blackbird, and the Tone King Imperial.
 
Re: 6v6 Deluxe Reverb alternative

The 65 Amps Memphis (now named the Monterey) is a fun 6V6 amp, with an EF86 in the preamp. Here's a nice YouTube demo of one:

 
Re: 6v6 Deluxe Reverb alternative

Curly said:
Well, the original BF Deluxe Reverb is one of the all time greatest small club amps ...
Personally, I feel that the Reissue is a little finicky ... it CAN be touch sensitive and dynamic, but the point where it becomes that way is rather dependent on the tubes, the bias point, the speaker... and your own playing skills.
for instance, by comparison, something like a tweed Deluxe with its cathode bias, is dynamic and touch sensitive throughout its volume and tone range.
The good thing about the reissue amp is that you can find them used.
I'd suggest taking a look at the Fender Super Sonic 22, which has DR cleans, and a foot-switchable lead channel for about the same price. I'd note that in demos though, after a while, it seems to me like the lead channel is a little "raspy".

As far as boutique amps, two I can think of are the Fargen Blackbird, and the Tone King Imperial.
Click to expand...

Yeah I have never been a huge fan of the RI. I have a 68 drip edge & when I first got it it was somewhat temperamental and was difficult to keep it clean. After my amp tech well its my main gigging amp.
 
Re: 6v6 Deluxe Reverb alternative

LOL you guys

The OP was asking for new TUBES, not an amp.

OP, you may not be able to get the kind of results you're looking for with just a power tube swap.
 
Re: 6v6 Deluxe Reverb alternative

It sounds like the things you don't like are the things that are a 6V6...

What brand 6V6's were in there??

The JJ 6V6's are cleaner, have more headroom and less compression but they are not true 6V6's.
 
Re: 6v6 Deluxe Reverb alternative

Agileguy_101 said:
LOL you guys

The OP was asking for new TUBES, not an amp.

OP, you may not be able to get the kind of results you're looking for with just a power tube swap.
Click to expand...

OH Lol! i thought he wanted a "deluxe reverb alternative" ie. an alternative to the deluxe reverb!:smack:

Ok...to the OP: get some JJ's.
If that doesn't do it, get a better speaker.
If that doesn't do it, change the rectifier to solid state.
 
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Re: 6v6 Deluxe Reverb alternative

if the question IS a matter of tubes -- and It's still not clear to me that it is -- then, yes, JJs are the answer.
however, what you gain in the "bigger" part of using those, you lose in the way it breaks up ...

If the discussion really is about tubes in a Deluxe Reverb, then you need to do as Christian suggested: state what's in there now. You also need to know how the amp is biased.
 
Re: 6v6 Deluxe Reverb alternative

solid state rectifier and rebias, tubes, speaker, transformers (maybe).
 
Re: 6v6 Deluxe Reverb alternative

CountFunkula said:
I tried a Deluxe Reverb, and I fell in love with the way those 6v6s break up. Very similar to the clean channel of an RV50. However, it sounded a little too compressed. When it was cranked, it didn't clean up with my pick attack. It also didn't sound "wide" enough. Any less volume, and it wouldn't be enough gain. Some more headroom would be nice, too. I guess I'm looking for a more dynamic, big-boy DR. What other 6v6s are out there?
Click to expand...
Just quickly...off the top of my head.....
What tubes are in the amp now.?
I would try a pair of Tung-Sol 6V6 and make sure you check out the bias.
Also make sure there is an AT7 in the Phase Inverter.
What speaker do you have in there.?
A new speaker from Eminence, that is more efficient than your current speaker, might make all the difference in the World.
best
 
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