Is the new Fender ‘65 amp worthy of its name and reputation?
You have definitely heard of the legendary Fender ‘65 amp, the one that stood alone at the top, and the one that is praised by both hobby players and professionals alike.
If you are seriously thinking about buying the Fender ‘65 Twin Reverb, definitely give this review a read, as there are a few characteristics that might make you give up on this review, depending on your personal musical needs, of course.
Fender ’65 Twin Reverb Review & Breakdown
One of the most requested amps from the Fender catalog, the so-called powerhouse of clean tone and the amp every other brand is trying to replicate, is the Fender ‘65 Twin Reverb.
If you are a loud metalhead thinking to yourself “cool amp and all, but is it loud enough?”Well, you are in for a surprise. This is an 85 watts amp, issued with dual 12-inch Jensen C-12K speakers, with Normal and Vibrato channels, and for all you guitarists in a band, there is a set of back legs for tilting the amp.
Additionally, the front panel has channel controls with standard options such as the bright switch, Hi and Lo inputs, and the volume, treble, middle, and bass dials. The Vibrato channel, on the other hand, has a couple more options than the Normal one, such as the added Reverb and Vibrato dials, which further customizes the sound output. On the far right, there is a bright red on & off light, the whole look gives it a familiar old-school flare.
Being a tube amp, there is always a concern about the durability of the housing that protects the delicate materials inside, with the addition of analog circuitry, for hitting the vintage taste buds of old-school amp fans. You will be happy to hear that the case is very durable and offers great protection to the components, having been made from birch wood and Tolex covering.
As for the tubes themselves, the Fender ‘65 Twin Reverb has two sets of preamp tubes, a 12AT7 and a 12AX7, in addition to the Grove Tube 6L6 output. This combination of tubes is what makes the tones so clear, with a double cherry on top for the extra ‘60s sound.
This amp is amazingly loud and might not be a good starter amp for new guitar players, as it requires a lot of tinkering with the controls and dials to hit the desired tones. Having said that, it does offer a lot of controls and customization, so one might feel overwhelmed in the beginning, but after finding your bearings, you will never go back to some other amp.
If you are an experienced guitar player, and if you think that this amp lacks an extra “oomph” for your guitar playing, you can plug in any effects pedal you have and further improve your experience.
- Clean Tone
- Suitable for every genre
- Durable, Vintage Look
- Heavy
- Too Loud for Smaller Apartments
Features
Design
The reissued amp looks almost identical to the original from the ‘60s: the silver grill, the position of the controls, even the tubes inside are of similar type, which is what gives the amp its unique sound. It’s heavy, sturdy, and wide (26.5 inches) given the fact that it has two speakers inside. A timeless design that will always look slick.
Sound
The sound is crystal-clear due to it being reissued with the same circuit as the original, the so-called “blackface-era” circuit. In addition, the aforementioned 6L6 tubing is one of the culprits for the amp’s clear tone, at any volume level, and being an 85W amp, it produces pretty powerful sounds from its two Jensen speakers.
Utility
This amp can be used for basically any genre of music you want to play. However, it is best used if you are planning on being a professional or semi-professional musician. Its power and tonal range are excellent for medium to large gigs and open areas, and its fullest potential would not be achieved if it sat down in your apartment room with the volume dials turned in the lower halves.
Who Is It Suited For?
To put it shortly, everybody. The clear tones, famous brand, versatility, and sturdiness, both professional musicians and guitar enthusiasts should use it but if you want to use it to its full potential, you simply have to do it during a gig or in a big open area where you can let it roar at the audience or friends. In any other case, it would be like riding a Harley 20 miles per hour: it can be done, but you have to feel the power.
Conclusion
Everybody has heard about the legendary Fender ‘65 Twin Reverb amp, one of the most beloved amps by both legendary musicians and hobby guitar players. Its reliance on the vintage image of the Fender ‘65 amp is what makes this reissue the cream of the crop.
The power, the sturdiness, and the clear tones are what will make you fall in love with this amp and make you forget about your daily troubles and just focus on your music.
Hopefully, this article has helped you in choosing your amp, if not, at least you have learned about what makes the Fender ‘65 Twin Reverb a legend in the world of guitar players. Thank you for reading and stay tuned for our next review.
FAQs
I need an amp for occasional playing for my family and friends. Is this one a good choice for me?
Yes and no. While this amp is amazing and powerful, it might be overkill for your occasional playing. But if you like to play it loud and have beautifully clear tones, this one is definitely the right one for you. Also, have in mind that it is a bit on the heavier side, so you might have a problem lugging it around, but again, most tube amps are heavy.
Is maintenance of Fender ‘65 difficult, and what is the lifespan of this amp?
Fender ‘65, being a tube amp, requires little to no maintenance. As long as you are careful with it, without throwing it around or soaking it in liquid, you will be alright. With careful handling, Fender ‘65 can last you 20 years or more, due to it being a tube amp with easily fixable and common parts.
