Which is your favorite Fender 1x12 tube combo amp?

[dr0]

I was looking at a large online music retailers site and using their nice "filter" tools I was able to sort out only the Fender tube amps in the popular 1x12 format.
I say popular because their are 15 distinct models with this basic configuration.
And of course, this is just one web site, and only what is available currently from Fender. When you add the back catalog, including special editons, and common mods which turn other Fender amps (like 1x10 and 2x10 combos) into this format, well there are a lot. The Fender Twin Reverb might be Fender's all time biggest selling tube amp, but I put the 1x12 combos outsell the big twins by a good margin.
Roughly, here is what i see:

12 watt
'57 Custom Deluxe (tweed, handwired, $2000)
Edge Deluxe (similar to above, Edge signature, $2300)

15 watt
Blues Junior III (tweed)
Blues Junior III
Bassbreaker 15 (the new tube amp family)
Princeton (tweed, Sweetwater exclusive, Cannibus Rex 12")

20 watt
'64 Custom Deluxe (hand-wired special, $2500)

22 watt
Deluxe Reverb (black)
Deluxe Reverb (limited edition 'wine red')
'68 Custom Deluxe Reverb (silverface look alike, 2 channel: 1 vintage, 1 custom "Bassman")
SuperSonic 22 (two channels: 'vintage' and 'burn')
SuperSonic 22 (same as above, only blonde)

40 watt
Blues Deluxe (tweed)
Hot Rod Deluxe III (black, mutli-channel)
George Benson Hot Rod Deluxe

Most of these amps are between $700 and $1200, I've called out the three above $2000. The price leaders are th Blues Junior III at $529 ($599 in Tweed).
Expensive little buggers. Luckily there are a zillion amps that fit this general category out there used.

My only 1x12 Combo is an old Ampeg. It's nice, it's surprisingly loud but I did use it to audition for second guitar spot in a punk/hard-rock outfit that had just moved to Portland from the midwest. They practiced in a storage unit and the other guitar player had a 1/2 stack, and it was too small. I didn't get the gig.

I don't have a favorite among these many amps, that while superficially are very similar have a 5X price spread.

Which is your favorite (or other not listed). Why?

HAVE AT IT! ENJOY!!

 

[Blille]

Re: Which is your favorite Fender 1x12 tube combo amp?

They are a bit different, I would say, all time favorite: Tweed Deluxe. I have a Marsh clone right now as my main amp with a cannabis rex.

Incredible amp, I play blue note Jazz or gritty blown up od tone and it’s best in class.


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[treyhaislip]

Re: Which is your favorite Fender 1x12 tube combo amp?

I use Fender Amps, currently have a Blues Deluxe (early 90s model, Texas Heat speaker, Fromel Supreme Mod) and absolutely love it.

I've had the Blues Jr., Hot Rod Deluxe and Bassbreaker (all 1x12 combos.)

The Bassbreaker would be a great one for Punk/Hard-Rock if you don't get your gain from pedals.

The Hot Rod Deluxe/Blues Deluxe would be a great clean base to use live--I've used them live with pedals for various tones, especially drive.

The Blues Jr. is a nice sounding amp, I prefer it with the Cannabis-Rex speaker. Can get loud, but I much prefer the above 3.

 

[Empty Pockets]

Re: Which is your favorite Fender 1x12 tube combo amp?

Deluxe Reverb cranked with a Muff.

 

[PS412]

Re: Which is your favorite Fender 1x12 tube combo amp?

Not in production anymore, and 10inch speaker in the combo. I like the Prosonic.
The Bassbreaker is pretty good.

 

[B2D]

Re: Which is your favorite Fender 1x12 tube combo amp?

Blues Deluxe Reissue

 

[rbc]

Re: Which is your favorite Fender 1x12 tube combo amp?

I don't know. I use Peavey amps

The Delta Blues 115 is my favorite, though I do think that the Fender '65 Twin Custom 15 is interesting. I never have had the opportunity to play one though.

 

[esandes]

Re: Which is your favorite Fender 1x12 tube combo amp?

If I was to pick one...the deluxe reverb in wine red. I had the pro reverb 1x12 combo. I read nothing but good reviews on the deluxe reverb. It's also st a wattage where you can pick a variety of different speakers to swap in if you don't like the stock Jensen.

 

[Blille]

Re: Which is your favorite Fender 1x12 tube combo amp?

I don't know. I use Peavey amps

The Delta Blues 115 is my favorite, though I do think that the Fender '65 Twin Custom 15 is interesting. I never have had the opportunity to play one though.

A 1x15 peavey is your favorite 1x12 Fender ? Lol


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[dr0]

Re: Which is your favorite Fender 1x12 tube combo amp?

If I was to pick one...the deluxe reverb in wine red. I had the pro reverb 1x12 combo. I read nothing but good reviews on the deluxe reverb. It's also st a wattage where you can pick a variety of different speakers to swap in if you don't like the stock Jensen.

Yes, it seems to be a lot of people's favorite, not just on my little survey post, but on other threads I've read here. I have seen some people say that the Princeton is a little sweeter. We may not be getting the Princeton crowd because technically it's not really a 1x12, it's usually a 1x10.

I started thinking about this a while ago when I read this thread at another forum:

https://www.thegearpage.net/board/index.php?threads/princeton-reverb-vs-deluxe-reverb-tone-difference.446494/

... which seems to be full of Princeton lovers. But the Deluxe seems to overall have more people jazzed about it. Interesting that no one has picked any of the two-channel amps over the similar single-channel ones.

 

[FuseG4]

Re: Which is your favorite Fender 1x12 tube combo amp?

Supersonic 22! Half deluxe reverb with a *good sounding* fat switch (foot switchable), half gain channel that sounds right fender with the mid knob low or more modern with the gain 2 and the mids up.
Foot switchable fx loop.
Reverb is not as strong as a drri, works better for gain I feel like.
Decent stock speaker (fender lightning bolt I think), not as mismatched as I feel the C12k is with the Drri.

They started out with QC issues but i think they ironed out.. mine works ^_^
Anyways set it up and it's like having a drri and a blues Jr "plus" in one combo. I got the blonde/oxblood, looks great to me.
Sounds killer cranked up! No mods, no pedals.

 

[justFred]

Re: Which is your favorite Fender 1x12 tube combo amp?

Champ with a 12" speaker. On the 5F1 swap the .022 coupling caps with .047 or even better .1 to give it more bass response to drive the low end of the 12" speaker. SE amps just sound so sweet.

 

[PierceOkken]

Re: Which is your favorite Fender 1x12 tube combo amp?

Hot rod deluxe, top-notch pedal platform and overall rippin' amp

 

[dr0]

Re: Which is your favorite Fender 1x12 tube combo amp?

Supersonic 22! Half deluxe reverb with a *good sounding* fat switch (foot switchable), half gain channel that sounds right fender with the mid knob low or more modern with the gain 2 and the mids up.
Foot switchable fx loop.
Reverb is not as strong as a drri, works better for gain I feel like.
Decent stock speaker (fender lightning bolt I think), not as mismatched as I feel the C12k is with the Drri.

They started out with QC issues but i think they ironed out.. mine works ^_^
Anyways set it up and it's like having a drri and a blues Jr "plus" in one combo. I got the blonde/oxblood, looks great to me.
Sounds killer cranked up! No mods, no pedals.

Thanks for your response. Yea, I agree they look really nice. Maybe it's that I've owned an original Fender Silverface and a RI Bassman, but to me the best looking Fenders are the Blackface and Brownface ones in creme & brown. The Special Editions that are in darker colors like "wine red" and navy blue are nice too. Not a big fan of the seafoam green or baby blue ones. Of the 15 amps I mentioned that is one of my favorites, based on looks, along with the Wine Red SE.

BTW: It's a small pain-in-the-butt to put pictures on this board. For whatever reason I can't get the "use URL" feature to work, so have to download and upload. I suspect others may have the same problem, as I notice compared to other boards there are a lot fewer pics on this board. Which for a topic like this is a shame:

SuperSonic 22 - Blonde -


Wine Red Princeton SE w/ 12"


Baby Blue Princeton SE w/ 12" Even though I usually like more unusual colors, this one doesn't work for me. The "surf green" is even worse.


Probably my favorite color is the Classic Brownface 1961-1983. Also, seeing as I find Reverb over-rated ...

 

[esandes]

Re: Which is your favorite Fender 1x12 tube combo amp?

Yes, it seems to be a lot of people's favorite, not just on my little survey post, but on other threads I've read here. I have seen some people say that the Princeton is a little sweeter. We may not be getting the Princeton crowd because technically it's not really a 1x12, it's usually a 1x10.

I started thinking about this a while ago when I read this thread at another forum:

https://www.thegearpage.net/board/index.php?threads/princeton-reverb-vs-deluxe-reverb-tone-difference.446494/

... which seems to be full of Princeton lovers. But the Deluxe seems to overall have more people jazzed about it. Interesting that no one has picked any of the two-channel amps over the similar single-channel ones.

I tried all of the speaker sizes and only a 12" works best with guitars IMHO. Smaller speakers cut out a lot of useful low end that a 12" offers.

The deluxe reverb is also loud enough for gigging/jamming at venues or with a loud drummer without sounding weak.

IIRC Radiohead used deluxe reverbs for most of their albums. There's a reason why Vox or Marshall, etc. essentially use 12" speakers exclusively. They just generally sound better.

 

[dr0]

Re: Which is your favorite Fender 1x12 tube combo amp?

I tried all of the speaker sizes and only a 12" works best with guitars IMHO. Smaller speakers cut out a lot of useful low end that a 12" offers.

I think there are too many variations to say that only a 12" works best with guitars. First off you have the type of speaker. 10" speakers are extremely popular with bass players, so you can obviously make very bassy 10"'s. Of course those are long throw speakers especially made for bass. Then you have the type of enclosure: I've found that sealed cabs generally have more bass than open backed cabs. Then you have the number of speakers. I own 1x12, 2x12, 4x10 in open backed config and a 4x12 Orange cab. I find the Orange too boomy and bassy for most applications. It goes on top of the sound the bass player is putting out, and makes for a more muddy mix than a little lighter toned bass. (I'm talking basic blues/ rock here)

I think the classic 2x12 and 4x10 are pretty close in terms of overall output and sound quality, but I think the 4x10 probably has a little nicer lows (the Fender Bassman - well the name says it all really). Or take SRV's classic Super Reverb tone, for instance.

But again, this is the 1x12 combo thread, and even a lot of Princeton die-hards prefer the 1x12 and swap out the standard 10", and of course Fender has done a bunch of special edition Princetons and all of them have a 12" speaker, I believe. So, for the 1X* yeah, I think the 12" is better for bass.

Now which has better bass response, a 2x10 like a Fender Super or a similar power 1x12? For whatever reason the 2x10 is not a very popular configuration anymore. I have heard that the Super was Leo's personal favorite amp (at some point, sorry I don't have a ref. for that claim). It would be fun to A/B test s Deluxe Reverb RI vs. a Custom Vibrolux Reverb (to pick two current production similar powered amps) and see how the bass response is on both. I haven't done that, but I wouldn't say for sure the 12" is going to rule. You actually have more total speaker area w/ 2x10. (2x10 = 78x2 = 156 sq.in. of surface, 1x12= 113 sq.in) 38% more speaker! The 2x10's are almost the same size as the 1x12 too (unless you are cramming it into a Princeton size cab.) Pretty size efficient.



Mesa 10" Powerhouse Bass Enclosure It would be fun to try one of these. After all Leo Fender presumably built the Bassman for Bass players, but it's been a Guitar amp since introduction. Why not try some of these modern base enclosures. (Not sure what the frequency response and stuff is like on them.)

 

[Blille]

Re: Which is your favorite Fender 1x12 tube combo amp?

Supersonic 22! Half deluxe reverb with a *good sounding* fat switch (foot switchable), half gain channel that sounds right fender with the mid knob low or more modern with the gain 2 and the mids up.
Foot switchable fx loop.
Reverb is not as strong as a drri, works better for gain I feel like.
Decent stock speaker (fender lightning bolt I think), not as mismatched as I feel the C12k is with the Drri.

They started out with QC issues but i think they ironed out.. mine works ^_^
Anyways set it up and it's like having a drri and a blues Jr "plus" in one combo. I got the blonde/oxblood, looks great to me.
Sounds killer cranked up! No mods, no pedals.

I was interested in this one but heard a couple of QC horror stories and forgot about it. They obviously fixed it which is great.

The half gain channel is like a cranked DR, a tweed or something completely different?

It feels like two amps in one


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[FuseG4]

Re: Which is your favorite Fender 1x12 tube combo amp?

I was interested in this one but heard a couple of QC horror stories and forgot about it. They obviously fixed it which is great.

The half gain channel is like a cranked DR, a tweed or something completely different?

It feels like two amps in one


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I think "half" is a typo, should just say gain channel,
But yeah I used to own a deluxe reverb ri and you can make the gain channel of the supersonic sound very much like a cranked DR, and the mid knob adds a lot of fatness, but not the complex Tweed sound.

 

[Wattage]

Re: Which is your favorite Fender 1x12 tube combo amp?

My amp tech threatened to stop doing repairs for me if I bought a Supersonic lol, sound great though

I love the Bassbreaker 15 and I love Deluxes of near any kind

 

[Boogie Bill]

Re: Which is your favorite Fender 1x12 tube combo amp?

Fender doesn't really make any amps nowadays that interest me in the slightest. I've owned several BF and SF amps over the years, and Fender 75 and a Super Champ with the EV 10". I'd love to have the Super Champ and my '64 BF blonde Tremolux rig back, but other than that I'm totally happy with the Mesa amps I have now. I suppose a ProSonic or a Concert would work if I had to, but in the direct comparisons I've done, there's nothing Fender has that I would choose over a Mesa.

For the price you're talking, you could easily obtain a fully-loaded Mark III combo with EQ, reverb, Simul-Class power and EVM speaker. Mark IVs sell for not much more, and give you a more versatile R2 channel, a programable efx loop, and more power amp and tube options. Whether for stage use or recording studio, Mesa's are far better made and more versatile than what Fender has to offer. I'd much rather use the amp's natural tube distortion than spend my life (and my money) in the never-ending, eternal search for the dirt box(es) of the month.

Fender, and Marshall, have made some great amps over the years, and I've owned quite a few. I just got tired of being frustrated with them.

YMMV

Bill