All user reviews for the Fender '65 Deluxe Reverb

This is a classic 60s blackface circuit with 2 6v6 tubes, 22 watts, a tube rectifier, reverb and tremolo. The main differences between this and an original blackface are: a ceramic vs alnico speaker, a printed circuit board vs point to point wiring, a light weight cab vs a pine cab, differences in the components do to differences in modern and original component manufacturers, no tilt back legs on reissue and a grounded wall plug on the reissue. As the original, this amp has no master volume.

UTILIZATION

Positives: light weight, speaker cab does not sound boxy, 20 watts is great for recording, 20 watts is great for playing distorted classic rock when the amp is on 10.

Negatives: The classic 2 channel design is not very useful (I don't know why it was so prevalent), bright is always on on effects channel, 20 watts is not enough clean headroom for many situations depending on your drummer, the style of music, and size of the band etc.

SOUNDS

The Fender 60s blackface circuit is indisputably one of the best sounding ever designed. I would imagine an original Deluxe Reverb sounds slightly better then the reissue but the reissue sounds great! I recommend using vintage RCA tubes and trying a Weber 12F125 or Celestion 12H30 speaker. I'm sure there are other great speakers too. The oldest reissues use an emminence speaker which sounds bad at high volumes and should be replaced. The Jensen reissue speaker in the newer models is better.
This amp is famous for its sweetness (the 6v6 tube is unique this way) but the low notes are not as big and rounded like 6L6 tubes produce i.e. Fender Super Reverb or Twin Reverb amp. This amp is very versatile but at different volume levels. It goes from a classic clean country amp below 4 to a great blues amp at middle volumes to a rock and rock sex machine at 10. At 10 you get power tube distortion with tube rectifier sag at a volume level that is near perfect for a loud band.
All my other tube amps (newer Fenders, Marshalls, Peaveys) sound poor and anemic in comparison to this amp (though they do have other useful sounds and features). The Fender Deluxe Reverb Reissue sounds more musical with much smoother and much more beautiful harmonics. It sounds stronger, clearer, cleaner, and warmer. And its easier to EQ.

OVERALL OPINION

This amp changed my life! It made me realize how weak and sad many modern amp designs sound with all their features that rob the amp of tone and of how wimpy preamp distortion can be. This amp made me love and always want a tube rectifier if possible. This amp has started me on a path toward getting better more vintage tone and seeking out simpler amp designs. The Fender Deluxe Reverb is one of the most recorded amps in history for good reason. The Reissue Deluxe Reverb sounds great! It may or may not be suitable for live use depending on style and volume since its only 20 watts.