Fender Deluxe Reverb RI - clean headroom

ICBM

GuyBoden said:

I have an old Deluxe Reverb, they break up very early, so they aren't very good for clean headroom at loud gigs. The only way to get more headroom is to change the output/input Transformers to 40+watts

Not entirely true. Fitting 6L6s increases the clean headroom and punch of the sound quite noticeably. (Not plug and play, it needs a rebias, which may be outside the range of the trimmer so you need to change a resistor.) If you do that, you can also fit a solid-state rectifier as well, which gives a bit more again.

Another option is to change the speaker. Rather oddly, the DR is mismatched as stock, and actually loses a bit of power and headroom when driving the standard 8-ohm speaker - the true match is closer to 16 ohms. (This is why fitting 6L6s increases the power, rather than decreasing it as would be expected if 8 ohms was the correct load for 6V6s.) So if you fit a 16-ohm speaker - and especially if you pick a very efficient one - you will get more power and volume even with 6V6s. A good candidate would be an Eminence Wizard 16.

If you went the whole hog with 6L6s, solid-state rectifier and a highly efficient 8-ohm speaker, you'd probably be pretty close to the volume at least of a Vibrolux, if not quite a Pro, but still at the size and weight of a Deluxe.

John_A

ICBM - Would the standard PT in the DR or a reissue have enough oomph to supply the extra current draw of the 6L6's?

GuyBoden

ICBM said:

GuyBoden said:

I have an old Deluxe Reverb, they break up very early, so they aren't very good for clean headroom at loud gigs. The only way to get more headroom is to change the output/input Transformers to 40+watts

Not entirely true. Fitting 6L6s increases the clean headroom and punch of the sound quite noticeably. (Not plug and play, it needs a rebias, which may be outside the range of the trimmer so you need to change a resistor.) If you do that, you can also fit a solid-state rectifier as well, which gives a bit more again.

Another option is to change the speaker. Rather oddly, the DR is mismatched as stock, and actually loses a bit of power and headroom when driving the standard 8-ohm speaker - the true match is closer to 16 ohms. (This is why fitting 6L6s increases the power, rather than decreasing it as would be expected if 8 ohms was the correct load for 6V6s.) So if you fit a 16-ohm speaker - and especially if you pick a very efficient one - you will get more power and volume even with 6V6s. A good candidate would be an Eminence Wizard 16.

If you went the whole hog with 6L6s, solid-state rectifier and a highly efficient 8-ohm speaker, you'd probably be pretty close to the volume at least of a Vibrolux, if not quite a Pro, but still at the size and weight of a Deluxe.

Yes, those changes are an easier option, but don't give as much clean headroom as installing bigger output/Input transformers and 6L6's.

GuyBoden

Kebabkid said:

just want to know whether the clean headroom is enough to stay clean and above a drummer for gigging?

No

ICBM

GuyBoden said:

Yes, those changes are an easier option, but don't give as much clean headroom as installing bigger output/Input transformers and 6L6's.

Not *as* much, no - but they go a fair way towards it without the expense and major work of replacing them, which is especially difficult for the PT since it needs the chassis cutout enlarging.

Personally, if I really needed *all* the extra headroom of the bigger transformers I would just get a Vibrolux rather than do that. But if you're trying to get a good compromise between increasing the headroom and keeping the smaller format, you can definitely make a useful difference without changing the transformers.

McToot

All this has done is made me want a DRRI even more than I already did, which was quite a bit.  I couldn't give a rat's nadgers about clean headroom as I don't gig

Thanks Cos.  I'll send you the bill for the relationship counselling. 

Kebabkid

Ah, always happy to help Jules This would be a lovely amp for you and it takes pedals so well and better than my H&K. Tell Mrs.McToot a Greek bearing gifts gave it you!

Blueingreen

Really excellent, informative thread.  Almost makes me wish I were contemplating a DRRI.

richardhomer

I would love a DRRI for no other reason than they look great - blackface Fenders are my favourite 'look' and the Deluxe is perfectly proportioned.

Is finding an amp attractive unusual?

Kebabkid

richardhomer said:

I would love a DRRI for no other reason than they look great - blackface Fenders are my favourite 'look' and the Deluxe is perfectly proportioned.

Is finding an amp attractive unusual?

Totally agree and "No" to the latter.

Someone mentioned the DRRI is now available as a head and I found this
http://www.thomann.de/gb/fender_65_deluxe_reverb_head.htm
That's a useful format to have it in but the I'd go for the combo

dindude

Have you seen this Cos......

I think it looks great, 25 watts of simple 6V6 goodness designed for high headroom. Not cheap, but not quite top end prices either.

http://www.theguitarstoreonline.co.uk/Rivera-Venus-Deux-25-Watt-1x12-Combo/p-0-2680?Source=Froogle

Kebabkid

Cheers D and that does look good although I've never got on with the Riveras I've tried before and I had a Fender Concert head (Rivera era) and it didn't really work for me. Of course, being a Carr user yourself, you'll know that they have their lovely 40W Slant 6V (4 6V6s) amongst their range but that costs a lorra lorra money!

Kebabkid

Kebabkid;300741" said:

richardhomer said:

I would love a DRRI for no other reason than they look great - blackface Fenders are my favourite 'look' and the Deluxe is perfectly proportioned.



Is finding an amp attractive unusual?





Totally agree and "No" to the latter.



Someone mentioned the DRRI is now available as a head and I found this

http://www.thomann.de/gb/fender_65_deluxe_reverb_head.htm

That's a useful format to have it in but the I'd go for the combo
There's also a Custom Deluxe too that's a Silverface
http://www.andertons.co.uk/combo-amps/pid30475/cid691/fender-68-custom-deluxe-reverb-guitar-amplifier.asp?LGWCODE=30475;56375;2717&utm_source=googlebase&utm_term=2274006000&utm_medium=pricecomp&utm_campaign=GoogleShopping&gclid=CKGfyLDA2b8CFVHKtAodSRYAGw

ICBM

dindude said:

Have you seen this Cos......

I think it looks great, 25 watts of simple 6V6 goodness designed for high headroom. Not cheap, but not quite top end prices either.

http://www.theguitarstoreonline.co.uk/Rivera-Venus-Deux-25-Watt-1x12-Combo/p-0-2680?Source=Froogle

My god that is ugly!

noisepolluter

richardhomer said:

I would love a DRRI for no other reason than they look great - blackface Fenders are my favourite 'look' and the Deluxe is perfectly proportioned.

Is finding an amp attractive unusual?

The amount of times I've ended up noodling in the spare room, the DRRI having caught my eye as I walked past in the middle of something else. The lacquered tweed Blues Junior lined up next to it also helps