Which Fender amp for the Beatles/Byrds sound?

[(kvalois)]

Hi, everyone:

I'm looking for opinions. Which FENDER amp is best for that Beatles/Byrds sound?

Thanks, Karl

[(paologregorio)]

I believe you want a Showman or Dual Showman.

[(sloop_john_b)]

Does it have to be gig volume or bedroom volume?

[(kvalois)]

It doesn't have to be BIG. Maybe 20-25 watts or so. And, hopefully, under 50 lbs!!!!!

Karl

[(sloop_john_b)]

It doesn't have to be BIG. Maybe 20-25 watts or so. And, hopefully, under 50 lbs!!!!!

Karl

How much are you looking to spend?

[(kvalois)]

Up to $1,000

[(w1nn1e)]

VOX AC -15 twin is what they used in the studio.
or a
VOX Pacemaker or Cambridge Reverb (tube or SS)
Fenders are too harsh and trebly and do not compress the sound as well as a VOX.
A Rickenbacker M-11 tube amp might do in a pinch...

[(AndyM)]

I would think the Deluxe Reverb model has the most chime without getting too harsh in the jangly treble range. If that is the sound you want, you can buy the Boss FDR pedal for a lot less $$. It has vibrato controls to dial in jangle.

[(stsang)]

I'd always thought The Beatles = Vox AC15/30/100 amps (in the studio and on stage); The Byrds = Fender amps (they used Showmans on stage).

So you may need to get two amps if you're very, very serious about perfectly nailing both The Beatles and The Byrds tones... Both bands also used studio effects such as studio compressors, reverbs on their records. Roger McGuinn claims to have DI'd his Ric + applied studio compression for The Byrds recordings rather than recording with an amp.

[(doctorwho)]

I my experience, a Fender amp with a Middle tone control gives a better sound than does an amp with only the Treble and Bass tone controls alone.

[(Aclempoppi)]

Excellent discussion!!! Every time I saw McQuinn, it was Twin Reverbs, from the mid 60's to the 90's. But that was stage work. Just want to know where you guys are, as far as, Class A amps goes. Got a 2012 360-12 string last may. Play it through mid '60 Fenders. But thinkin' about a 15watt Class A amp. As an amp tech-player, Matchless or Badcat seem to be the logical choice. Seems you folks prefer the Vox amps, but I just can't live with the heat and reliability issues. My question would be whether or not the class A amp really compliments the 12-strng? Have a 1955 class A 5-watt 2X10 amp, but that makes any guitar a stone-soul player! Thanks, Art

[(Aclempoppi)]

My bad, karl !!! Got to self-centered. A Twin Reverb would certainly take care of stage needs. A Showman( another 100watt amp) would also do the job. Actually, a good 2X6L6 Fender will provide the juice. It does come down to the speakers. Their effecicency and obviously the configuration really determines the sonic result. And that's your call ! You know what I mean? ( 4X12, 2X12, 4X10, 2X10, etc) JMO, Art

[(kawalsh)]

I have a Fender Super 112, a dreaded red knob tube amp from the 80's. It is a great amp. I have 3 fenders and a Rickenbacker Transonic 200, as well as an RG180, and have owned a Vox AC15 and some Mesa's. I sold the Vox because the Fender Super 112 could do anything the Vox could do. It has extremely active tone controls, unlike the Hot Rod Deluxe I also use, and has a great presence control which when pulled out becomes a sweepable notch filter. This is where you can dial in some really nice tones. I also have a 94 Twin that is loud and sounds pretty good, but no match for the super 112 in tone. They (red knob models) can be found for really good prices because some of the Fender amps from that era apparently sucked, like the red knob Twin. Many of the amps from that era are also solid state, but this is all tube. Downside is that it is heavy, with huge transformers. Anyway this amp is versatile, powerful and not big (1-12). I see them in the $300- $400 dollar range, so a good value too. You will want to change the ugly grey grill cloth, but it will probably need it anyway.

[(doctorwho)]

In case you want to consider a brand other than Fender, I highly recommend the current Kustom '36 Coupe. Rated at 36 watts and using two 6L6WXT+ (IIRC) power tubes, these are (IMO) equivalent to the classic Fender tube amps (Accutronics spring reverb! ) and they have modern perks (e.g., an XLR line out, dual foot-switchable channels ...).

[(jps)]

In case you want to consider a brand other than Fender, I highly recommend the current Kustom '36 Coupe. Rated at 36 watts and using two 6L6WXT+ (IIRC) power tubes, these are (IMO) equivalent to the classic Fender tube amps (Accutronics spring reverb! ) and they have modern perks (e.g., an XLR line out, dual foot-switchable channels ...).

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It also come with a back rest, I see.