Blackface Deluxe RI tweaks

Re: Blackface Deluxe RI tweaks

The only mods I know of that would be clipping the bright cap to tame the harshness and then a lot of folks change speakers, put in better tubes.

It's a circuit board amp. There's not a lot you are going to find on the net unless it involves putting in a new hand wired component board.
 
Re: Blackface Deluxe RI tweaks

any suggestions on the speaker.......for reference, i have a G12H30 Heritage in the 18w, so i'm used to sticker shock...lol
 
Re: Blackface Deluxe RI tweaks

I have an Avatar Hellatone 30.

you can find them on Ebay, or from Avatar
 
Re: Blackface Deluxe RI tweaks

There's a million things that can be done to improve Deluxe Reverbs.

1. Celestion G12H30 speaker
2. Put reverb/vibrato on BOTH channels
3. Then change the tone stack in the normal channel from .1 & .047 tone caps to a pair of .02 for more of a Marshall tone and add 47 pf bright cap to the volume control.
4. Add mids to the normal channel by changing the 6800 ohm resistor on the back of the treble pot to anywhere from 10K to 25K.
5. Change the .047 coupling cap on the plate of the normal channel's 12ax7 to .02.
6. Double the size of the negative feedback resistor to open up the tone and make everything sound more lively and present. Play around with that resistor...see what value suits you.
7. I'd get rid of any ceramic caps and replace them with silver mica...especially the 250pf treble caps in the tone stacks of both channels.

When you're done you'll have a killer sounding ab-NORMAL channel that will sound especially great with single coil pickups...and your Vibrato channel will give you the standard blackface tone.
 
Re: Blackface Deluxe RI tweaks

Hmmmmm......anything else, Lew? lol. Actually i would like to pretty much stick the Blackface tone....only better. The 18w does a good Marshall impersonation. Funny part is that the Les Paul and the Tele seem to sound a little bit better through the Deluxe as it sits right now. Actually the Tele probably sounds a fair amount better. The Strat seems to work better through the 18w, particularly since I put the 5 way switch in it. The Les Paul has very little of what you would call clean headroom with the 18w.(If there is such a thing with any Marshall type amp..lol) The situation with the Stat may change once i install the Antiquities and the RS kit........updates to follow.
 
Re: Blackface Deluxe RI tweaks

the guy who invented fire said:
First things first...get a KILLER speaker...you'll thank me!


Listen to him. Even the new Jensen speakers they are putting in these amps royally suck!!!!
 
Re: Blackface Deluxe RI tweaks

I bought mine with a vintage Jensen speaker (1964 I think) and NOS tubes.

Didn't need to do a damned thing to it to make it sound amazing.
 
Re: Blackface Deluxe RI tweaks

Skarekrough said:
I bought mine with a vintage Jensen speaker (1964 I think) and NOS tubes.

Didn't need to do a damned thing to it to make it sound amazing.

Maybe so...but I'll bet mine sounds better! :) Lew
 
Re: Blackface Deluxe RI tweaks

Lew....which Emminence speaker most closely approximates the Jensen.....or Oxford..... that came with the original blackface Deluxe?
 
Re: Blackface Deluxe RI tweaks

another one for Lew.......from reading your post, It sonds like NOS tubes, speaker, new negative feedback resistor and changing the ceramic caps would result in an improved standard blackface tone. Is that correct?
 
Re: Blackface Deluxe RI tweaks

jdm61 said:
another one for Lew.......from reading your post, It sonds like NOS tubes, speaker, new negative feedback resistor and changing the ceramic caps would result in an improved standard blackface tone. Is that correct?

IMO: yes! But I really like the sound of two .02 caps as opposed to the .1 and .047 caps Fender used in the tone stack of blackface amps. Plexi Marshalls and the famed '59 Bassman that the Marshall is a copy of used a pair of .02 caps for the mids and bass caps. My Fenders all have been modded like that and I can get as clean as I need to and get a much better tone for overdriven rock n roll tones.

To me, stock blackface Fenders need more mids and a little more grind. I'm not as big a fan of of that super clean surf, jazz, country guitar tone they were designed for as I am of the 59 tweed Bassman tone and the tone of the tweed amps of the 50's.

If you do the mods I suggested (and they will work on any blackface or silverface Fender reverb amp) you'll have a killer sounding amp with much more of a Marshall/tweed Bassman tone but with that wonderful spring reverb.

Lew
 
Re: Blackface Deluxe RI tweaks

ParaGuitarMedic said:
Just for the Record, I have a G13H-30 in my DR. It flippin' rocks!!! Thanks again for your advice, Lew!

You are welcome! I love helping players get great tone. Lew
 
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