Members gardo Posted March 15, 2017 Members Share Posted March 15, 2017 The new Custom Amp Series from Fender look fantastic,but are they really worth the money? [video=youtube_share;g-cqgvbAnPM] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members t_e_l_e Posted March 15, 2017 Members Share Posted March 15, 2017 i'll say no, these classic amps are often cloned and you can get them as kit to build yourself for about a 3rd of the price including a nice tweed cabinet...it does not say fender custom shop though Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members BG76 Posted March 15, 2017 Members Share Posted March 15, 2017 I have the '57 Twin. I also have quite a few vintage Fender amps. I can tell you that after replacing the 12AX7s with 12AY7s and pulling out (and replacing one) rectifier it sounds as good as my old ones. With a kit it depends on the quality of the components and the skill of the builder. There are other companies that make clones (Victoria, etc...). With this series Fender are priced about the same (or less) than some other companies and they're using great parts (Mercury transformers, Weber designed speakers - which are flat out amazing and to my knowledge not available without this amp although maybe I'm wrong). Plus with Fender you get resale, although I'm not selling this anytime soon. [ATTACH=CONFIG]n31940846[/ATTACH] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Mikeo Posted March 15, 2017 Members Share Posted March 15, 2017 i'll say no, these classic amps are often cloned and you can get them as kit to build yourself for about a 3rd of the price including a nice tweed cabinet... it does not say fender custom shop though This If I was gonna spend 2-3 grand on an amp, it sure wouldn't be a Fender. The Champ is like a grand and a cool recording amp. [video=youtube;jQgxTYKjlSE] Get em all now for a buck 50. http://www.ikmultimedia.com/products/fender2/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members gardo Posted March 15, 2017 Author Members Share Posted March 15, 2017 Key phase in the description "no pedal can do that" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members gardo Posted March 16, 2017 Author Members Share Posted March 16, 2017 In 1957 the list price for a Fender twin was $339.50 while the average American earned $3641.00 a year. According to census information a man working full time at least 50 weeks a year earned $4700.00 . The price is not so bad looking at in this context. I still don't expect to buy one Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members BG76 Posted March 16, 2017 Members Share Posted March 16, 2017 I bought mine used from GC Online. Cost me $1100 shipped to store. I couldn't have bought the parts for that. They sometimes show up for short money. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Mikeo Posted March 16, 2017 Members Share Posted March 16, 2017 I have the '57 Twin. I also have quite a few vintage Fender amps. I can tell you that after replacing the 12AX7s with 12AY7s and pulling out (and replacing one) rectifier it sounds as good as my old ones. With a kit it depends on the quality of the components and the skill of the builder. There are other companies that make clones (Victoria, etc...). With this series Fender are priced about the same (or less) than some other companies and they're using great parts (Mercury transformers, Weber designed speakers - which are flat out amazing and to my knowledge not available without this amp although maybe I'm wrong). Plus with Fender you get resale, although I'm not selling this anytime soon. [ATTACH=CONFIG]n31940846[/ATTACH] Victoria makes some killer amps. They aint' inexpensive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Les Paul Lover Posted March 16, 2017 Members Share Posted March 16, 2017 They seem to release those limited hand wired run every now and again. I'd like to try one. But in the hand wired realm, there's a lot else to choose from that'll be just as outstanding. Hell, a well designed PCB amp can be outstanding. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members BG76 Posted March 17, 2017 Members Share Posted March 17, 2017 I played their version of the Tweed Twin. I liked Fender's better (subjective). The speakers are killer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members GAS Man Posted March 20, 2017 Members Share Posted March 20, 2017 I bought the 1X12 Deluxe Custom. It's definitely a great sounding amp. The one problem I have with it (unexpected) is that it gets loud way too easily. It's one of those amps where you have to micro-nudge the volume control to get the volume at a point where it's more than just a tiny trickle, but less than too loud for living room play. I'd say that's hampering the utility I thought I'd get from it. But indeed, if you want to play something like a telecaster with a bit of a boost pedal, it's hard to beat the classic tones you can get. It's versatile enough, but I would not select it for guitars that are more on the "boomy" side of the tonal spectrum. Shortly after picking up that amp I also splurged on the blow-out deal that Sweetwater had on the Marshall 1973X. It's a 2 X12. Ironically, I find I have a bit of a preference for the Marshall since it sounds a bit more sweet at a lower throttle. Anyway, with both I guess I was looking to satisfy some "hand-wired lust" I had perking. Part of me would still like to get the Champ as well, but that's a lot of money for a 1x8 amp, but at least then it would be a bit more likely I could enjoy the natural OD tones without rattling the windows. P.S. Needless to say, I also "worked a deal" on it which helped soften the sticker shock. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators daddymack Posted March 20, 2017 Moderators Share Posted March 20, 2017 Although I would like to have one, my amps 'earn their living', and taking a $2-4000 amp out on a club gig, or even a corporate gig, is not going to happen on my watch. Big outdoor stage, sure [but I already have a BF amp for that].IMHO, these, like the custom shop guitars, are for the corksniffers and rock stars, not the rank and file working musicians like me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Les Paul Lover Posted March 20, 2017 Members Share Posted March 20, 2017 You probably have a linear pot in the volume control. You could simply get is swapped for a audio taper pot and you'd find that volume curve a lot more controlable. It's a common problem with vintage fenders, and amazing that they would reproduce this with the reissues. That's plain silly imo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members GAS Man Posted March 21, 2017 Members Share Posted March 21, 2017 I was wondering about bringing it into the shop to have that volume knob checked out. Your comment about linear vs audio taper makes sense to me. That indeed would make the amp more home friendly. Thanks for the suggestion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members GAS Man Posted March 21, 2017 Members Share Posted March 21, 2017 Yeah, I got a decent discount on mine, but even one of the sales staff I spoke to on the phone said these amps are not what you would bring to a gig, but "use at home for inspiration". I don't know if that totally makes sense to me, it does with me personally since I like to keep my gear in near mint shape, but it does indeed echo your sentiment. But OTOH, I've often thought, I've plunked out 1 K for a home theater receiver and a few thousand more for surround sound speakers, so why do I skimp on a guitar amp. So this was a splurge for me. Of course I do find I still fire up my affordable amps more often. LOL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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