Anyone have an old "blackface" Fender eg Twin master

MVI

New member
I doing well again this year, and after buying into some solid mutual funds, I'm thinking that the 70's blackfaces are some simple ( if heavy ) quality old "built like a tank" blues amps that are probably reasonably accessable ( Dollar-wise ) these days. You guys are probably all into the gain-monsters, but just wondered if anyone has a closet classic like a blackface Fender Twin with master volume & if so, what's your take on the beast ?
 
Re: Anyone have an old "blackface" Fender eg Twin master

There is no such thing as a blackface Fender Twin with a Master Volume!! If you are speaking of the early 70's amps those are Silverfaced made from 67 or 68 through 76 or 77. The first few years of the Silverface amps they were essentially the same as a black face and IMHO some of the early SF SR, DR and Twins are better than some blackface amps. Fender did not add a MV until somewhere around 74 (all these dates could be off a little I'm doing this from memory). IMHO stay away from the MV Fender SF amps. They leave a lot to be desired. Go for an early SF without the MAster Volume. Its a much better made and sounding amp.

I have a 1968 Super Reverb and a 1967 Deluxe Reverb. Both of these amps are exceptional. Another option you have is to buy a non MV amp and then have it blackfaced. This is a really good thing to do.

As far as models go. The Twins are the least expensive, mainly because they are so loud and so heavy. They can be unusable due to the voulme the put out. They are 80W and heavy. The Super Reverb is a much better sounding amp, but it is still very heavy (about 80lbs). They are 40W and have 4 10" speakers. Easier to get som balls out of them, but they can also be very loud. The Deluxe Reverb is the most expensive at this point. The SF models are running between 12 to 2000, depending on condition. They have 22W and sound awesome at low volume. A very good choice to use in a lot of smaller situations. The main problems with a DR is the lack of headroom and when you crank them the bottom gets kind of mushy sounding. This can be remidied by putting a Celestion G12H30 in replcae of the stock speaker.

The Vibrolux is also a great little amp, like half a Super. It was 2 10" speakers. the Vibroverb also a great little amp. If you can find one that has the 1 15" that would be the one to get. SRV used Supers and Vibroverbs.
 
Last edited:
Re: Anyone have an old "blackface" Fender eg Twin master

ya the early Silver Faced amps are pretty much as good as the mid 60's Blackfaced ones
 
Re: Anyone have an old "blackface" Fender eg Twin master

Ok guys...I think there is a little confusion here...

The Twin Reverb became a Silverface in 1968 and a master volume was added in 1972 BUT...Fender went BACK to a Blackface in 1980 and the Twin Reverb was discontinued in 1982, so...from 1980 to 1982 you could get a Blackface Twin Reverb with a Master volume...now all that said it's just not a veRy good amp!

If you want a good sounding Twin reverb get a 60's Blackface or an early Silverface W/O a Master Volume...
 
Back
Top