Should Fender Re-Issues their Red Knob Series Of Amps ?

Kramer Guy

Kramer Guy

New member
I'd like to hear from you guys about this . Ever since I got my 1988 Fender studio 85 combo a couple of months ago , I won't use anything else. I absolutely love this amp and I would love to see Fender re-issue these Red Knob combos from the 1980's . These amps from this era of Fender's history such as the Studio 85 , Stage 185 , Fender 85 , etc , definitely have their own unique sound and I think would be great sellers in today's market if they were bought back. What do you all think about this ?
 
Re: Should Fender Re-Issues their Red Knob Series Of Amps ?

maybe the evil twin, cos its was a pretty amazing and versatile amp, but i dont think they would bother with the ss red knob amps.
 
Re: Should Fender Re-Issues their Red Knob Series Of Amps ?

gibson175 said:
maybe the evil twin, cos its was a pretty amazing and versatile amp, but i dont think they would bother with the ss red knob amps.
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This.

The champ 12 which my brother has, needs too much work to sound worth a damn, and sorry but I had a red knob princeton, and played the others BITD .and IMO they are average sounding SS amps at best. I tried the various red knobs and bought the princeton as a pedal platform for a original Sansamp, the onboard cleans and gain were meh, but the sansamp sounded best through the red knobs for some reason.
 
Re: Should Fender Re-Issues their Red Knob Series Of Amps ?

I love my red knob M80 Pro. Great spring reverb, killer gain and the cleans are sparkling. You do have to futz with it to get dialed in right but once you do it is a fun amp to play.
 
Re: Should Fender Re-Issues their Red Knob Series Of Amps ?

These were standard fare when I was in high school and played many of them and the competing pre transtube peaveys and solid state crates. They were meh at best. If you dig it great but I dont see any reason to reissue them especially in the current market with kids now used to a bazillion presets from their Vyprs or Mustangs.
 
Re: Should Fender Re-Issues their Red Knob Series Of Amps ?

I worked in a big guitar store when these came out. Wasn't a fan then and Rose colored glasses wouldn't change my view on the red knob series now. This was a pretty weak chapter in the book of Fender IMO.
 
Re: Should Fender Re-Issues their Red Knob Series Of Amps ?

Kramer Guy said:
I'd like to hear from you guys about this . Ever since I got my 1988 Fender studio 85 combo a couple of months ago , I won't use anything else. I absolutely love this amp and I would love to see Fender re-issue these Red Knob combos from the 1980's . These amps from this era of Fender's history such as the Studio 85 , Stage 185 , Fender 85 , etc , definitely have their own unique sound and I think would be great sellers in today's market if they were bought back. What do you all think about this ?
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It is always a good feeling to find an amp that just seems to fit your playing. Sounds like you have done so with the 85.
As far as "reissues"....maybe from a marketing stand point. Not sure the demand is there.
At this point in time...there are A Lot of amps that do what your amp is capable of. There is no shortage of amps (in all price ranges) to choose from today.
Was not the case 30 years ago.
best
 
Re: Should Fender Re-Issues their Red Knob Series Of Amps ?

Well maybe if Fender were to fit them with Eminence speakers ? I installed a Texas Heat in my Studio 85 and it has made a world of difference in both the sound and volume of the amp. Just my opinion but I think if Fender were to reissue some of these amps and have them fitted with USA made , Eminence speakers like the Texas Heat or say, the Swamp Thang , I think they would sell and be a welcomed break from the overrated , at least IMO, Mustang combos .
 
Re: Should Fender Re-Issues their Red Knob Series Of Amps ?

The ones I have played were not anything special. I did a shootout a couple years back of the super 112 red knob and the hot rod deluxes. The hot rod deluxe won by a mile.
 
Re: Should Fender Re-Issues their Red Knob Series Of Amps ?

Kramer Guy said:
Well maybe if Fender were to fit them with Eminence speakers ? I installed a Texas Heat in my Studio 85 and it has made a world of difference in both the sound and volume of the amp. Just my opinion but I think if Fender were to reissue some of these amps and have them fitted with USA made , Eminence speakers like the Texas Heat or say, the Swamp Thang , I think they would sell and be a welcomed break from the overrated , at least IMO, Mustang combos .
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That would drive up the price point. I get it you dig them and thats cool but really the people who wax nostalgic about them are few and far between. Another problem with reissuing them particularly with an inflated price point to cover a upgraded speaker is that there are tons of them still floating around used for really cheap prices.
 
Re: Should Fender Re-Issues their Red Knob Series Of Amps ?

Mixed a band last night and the guitarist got a great in your face dirty rock tone with a wah, a DS-1 and a red knob solid state (not sure what exact model). It isn't thick and muddy like modern tones or harsh and painful like all the digital amps I have mixed but it was just aggressive crunchy ballsy bright rock tone
 
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