New Vintage Fender Amp Score !

Kramer Guy

Kramer Guy

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Hey guys ! I scored this 1988 Fender Studio 85 yesterday from this guy in Boston who had been advertising it on Craig's List for quite a while. He was only asking $120.00 for it but was willing to do a swap for another amp, preferably a Peavey Bandit 112 . I contacted him and told him that I had a 1989 Solo Series model and he called me and was willing to take a drive down to my home in R.I. Within the hour, he was here and after going over it , a deal was made. This amp has to be one of the best looking Red knob Fenders that I have ever come across and there are absolutely no flaws at all with it. This was obviously well taken care of and it shows. It's a 85 watt combo even though it says 200 watts on the back. Fender did email me a copy of the manual and the schematics which I do appreciate. This is one great sounding amp , although it's not really made for Metal, but my band does Blues and Classic Rock which this will fit right in .
 
Re: New Vintage Fender Amp Score !

Very cool.... Those "RED KNOB" Fenders are pretty cool..... BUT can you tel me is that tube or transistor? I can't remember. I know the red knob Twin was 100W powered with 4 6L6 but I'm not sure about this one. Good luck with it....
 
Re: New Vintage Fender Amp Score !

I am pretty ignorant of that era of Fenders.
Anybody know if that is anything like the "old" M85 Fender use to make.?
 
Re: New Vintage Fender Amp Score !

It's solid state . I just got the manual and schematics in today from Fender and it's a 65 watt combo and not 85 as I previously said it was. My bad. It doesn't matter anyway, because this is one LOUD combo , especially seeing that it's 25 years old and still in excellent condition. I've been playing for 40 years and this is IMO, one of the best SS Fenders , no make that one of the best SS amps period, that I've ever played through. This isn't going anywhere at all. It's a keeper for sure ! I just ordered a new Fender single button footswitch for it yesterday from Musician's Friend. All of my guitars sound great through it.
 
Re: New Vintage Fender Amp Score !

I remember those from way back - I seem to think there was a 2x12" version as well. Nice score.
 
Re: New Vintage Fender Amp Score !

Chris of Arabia said:
I remember those from way back - I seem to think there was a 2x12" version as well. Nice score.
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You're probably thinking of the Red knob version of the Twin . When this came out , it was this along with the Stage 185 , which is I believe a 85 watt version . Either way , ever since I got it , I can't stop playing my guitars through it. This easily blows away any of Fender's Solid State product that they have out today , especially their high and mighty " Mustang " amps which everybody seems to rave about .
 
Re: New Vintage Fender Amp Score !

My first "real" amp was a Fender Deluxe 85, which is very similar looking to your amp there. I bought it brand new from Guitar Center back around 1989/90 or so. I used to take it up into the empty hay loft of our barn, crank it up and rock out. Not sure if I'd dig the tone nowadays, but I'd like to have one just for nostalgia's sake.
 
Re: New Vintage Fender Amp Score !

Kramer Guy said:
This is one great sounding amp , although it's not really made for Metal, but my band does Blues and Classic Rock which this will fit right in .
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I love my Red Knob, those were very popular with the metal guys in the 80's and 90's. The onboard distortion is pretty good but you can really open it up with the right pedal. You get a lot of bang for your buck - tone and wattage wise with a Red Knob. Good luck with it.
 
Re: New Vintage Fender Amp Score !

BrianS. said:
My first "real" amp was a Fender Deluxe 85, which is very similar looking to your amp there. I bought it brand new from Guitar Center back around 1989/90 or so. I used to take it up into the empty hay loft of our barn, crank it up and rock out. Not sure if I'd dig the tone nowadays, but I'd like to have one just for nostalgia's sake.
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I'd put this up against any of today's Fender's new Solid state amps. Especially that highly touted Mustang. IMO, this would blow it out of the water .
 
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