Fender Performer 1000

[ElUnoAstuto]

Anybody know anything about these amps? It sounded really freakin' good, and one of the pawnshops here has one for $100. It says it's got "vacuum tube distortion", so I assume it's some sort of hybrid amp? The cleans are awesome, the reverb is heavenly, and the big surprise for me, is that this amp had tons of gain! And it sounded good! It sounded great everywhere from 1 to 10, with 1 being like a TS type sound, and 10 was pretty metal, enough to play modern metal, and it didn't sound like garbage. Come to think of it, I really didn't find too many sounds that I didn't like on that amp. Any info would be much appreciated.
-JJ

 

[Animal]

Re: Fender Performer 1000

My friend has a Performer 650 combo, and it sounded so damn good to my ears that I decided to go and get one myself when one came up last year on ebay.

But for some bizarre reason though, my 650 doesn't sound anywhere near as great as my friends 650. It has a 12AX7 in the pre-amp section and I've switched the tube around many times before only to be disappointed. Mine has a really harsh top-end while my mates has a liquidy tube-amp like feel.

I checked out his 650 a few weeks ago to see what 12AX7 he had inside of there and it was low and behold, a common 12AX7A Sovtek. Haven't tried out that particular tube yet in my 650 but if it's anywhere near as effective as the 12AX7WA Sovtek that came with my amp when I bought it then I highly doubt I've ever figure out why my 650 sounds so mediocre in comparison.

If the Performer 1000 sounded great to your ears then you may have stumbled upon one of the "good" models. The versatility of the performer line of amps is quite amazing considering how they can go from fender clean to marshall/mesa scream effortlessly with the functionality of channel switching, effects loop and lush reverb to top it off. I Just wish my Performer 650 did it in a more classy fashion.

 

[ElUnoAstuto]

Re: Fender Performer 1000

Yeah, I was really surprised. I just picked it out of convenience, because they had some pedals I wanted to try out, so you know, a nice solid state neutral Fender clean would be perfect. Low and behold, I wound up tweaking the amp more than the pedals! I might go back and play it today, just for kicks.

 

[WhoFan]

Re: Fender Performer 1000

If i remember the 1000 right was it not from the late 80's with the dark greyish covering and red knobs...?

anyways what can you buy for $100 anyways these day...? not a hell of a lot as far as amps go. if you can get an amp that you like and will use for $100 go for it...

 

[Animal]

Re: Fender Performer 1000

If i remember the 1000 right was it not from the late 80's with the dark greyish covering and red knobs...?

Nah, I'm pretty sure the performer series is from the mid 90's.

 

[WhoFan]

Re: Fender Performer 1000

Nah, I'm pretty sure the performer series is from the mid 90's.

oh yes.... must be 90's judging from that photo... Back in the late 80's thru the early 90's i had huge love for Fenders high Gain combos.... i had a whole bunch of different ones... mostly SS combos... Deluxes, Princtons, Pincton Chorus, Ultra Chorus, among others.... i still have a Princton Chorus and a Stage 100 in my collection, and i may sell them soon for some better stuff.... i don't really love them like i used to in the past... but for a late night or home Practice amp the Princton Chorus amp was my pick for 15 years...

I used to love my Ultimate Chorus amp.... turn that sucker up and feedback crazy lash chorus tones like on Bostons first album until the cows came home.. I sold it 10 years ago to help pay for my 5150 stack... I have my eyes open to buy another Ultra or Ultimate Chorus amp if i can score one dirt cheap... I do not want the DSP crappy version, i wnat the older one with the real Chorus.... I will not go out of my way to find one but if i spot one i'll grab it... that amazing stereo clean sound with the chorus is what i'm after... the Princton Chorus has crappy speakers in it.... no good for loud clean sounds..

Anyways the Performer amp series may be a cool amp to toy with....