Blackface vs Silverface

[WhoFan]

Re: Blackface vs Silverface

Deluxe is better for playing "MIKED" at clubs. Vibroverb is LOUD - You will not need to use the PA. Tone similar, but not really exactly the same.

I am a firm believer that you do not need any thing more than 40Watts if you want to keep playing at clubs.

100Watt Marshalls, Mesa Boogies, etc are just too loud to keep the bartender happy!

I play an original 65 Deluxe non-reverb and it is pretty loud but not loud enough if your drummer and bass player are Motorhead fans.... But tilted back like a monitor and mic'ed at clubs it works great... i tried playing stacks in clubs and it does not work for me that well as the soundman always tries to move your cab and turn ya down... (but i bought smaller 1x12 cabs to use with my heads so they work like combos.) So ya small Blackface amps are great club amps as long as you like pedals for any real distortion tones.... Very early Silverfaces i heard are Blackface circuits in a new looking package

 

[Bludave]

Re: Blackface vs Silverface

A lot of great points in this thread, good job guys!

Blackface amps generally breakup quicker than Silverface amps. You may want to keep that in mind depending on what is more important to you. My Silverface Vibrolux Reverb has pretty good headroom, but the stock speakers gave it a mushy bottom, now with G10L-35s, it keeps together very well. Since mine dates back to August 1970, it doesn't have a master volume on it and it's towards that blackface era transitional phase.

One of these days, I'll get my Vibrolux Reverb redone the right way completely recapped, retubed and try that bias dealie Lew mentioned

Ecxellent point....... Probably the reason why I have always liked my SF Super better than the BF counterparts I have played thru. Make no mistake about it though.... if you crank a SF Fender it will sound heavenly!!

 

[ModestCargo]

Re: Blackface vs Silverface

Sorry to hijack but just out of curiosity...

would a silverface Deluxe give me a fairly smooth sounding overdrive at bar/club levels? (just by cranking it up)