1966 Fender Deluxe Reverb

This is one of the main amps that defines the Fender/American sound and is an enduring classic both in clubs and the recording studio. It is often claimed to be the most recorded amp of all time. At 22 Watts of power provided by two fixed bias 6V6GT’s and arguably the best spring reverb + optical tremolo ever conceived, the term “Desert Island Amp” was coined for this exact model. Famous users include: Eric Johnson, J.D. Simo, and Trey Anastasio.

This amp came in to my shop having had been worked on a number of times in the past. The amp already had a partial cap job, re-tube, and plate resistor replacement, but the quality of the work was middling and the cap job was already a couple decades old. The reverb did not work right and the amp just sounded pretty mediocre. The power cord had been replaced too but even this was sloppy. This one needed a full restoration including a cap job, new power/misc. resistors, cleaning, new reverb tank, and new tubes.

Amp was completely restored. All filter/bias/bypass caps were replaced with upgraded voltage and temperature rated MOD/Vishay brand electrolytic’s. New 2 Watt Metal Oxide power dropping resistors were installed for better reliability and lower noise floor. All plate resistors were replaced with 2 Watt Reduced Mass Metal Film type units for preventative maintenance and reliability. All screen resistors were replaced with 3 Watt Cement 470 ohm type units for same reasoning. A new 3AG Fuse was installed as the one present was the wrong value. New vintage spec correct Carbon Comp 1/2 Watt resistors were installed for grid stoppers of the power tubes to fix the issue of non-original parts choices. This also means that we retain collector’s grade build quality/value of the amp. Two .02uf 500v Vishay brand Ceramic capacitors were used to mod the Trem circuit to slow down the oscillator and produce a more atmospheric/swampy effect - this was done per customer request. The replacement Ruby brand reverb tank that was previously installed was the wrong model and still had the packing foam stuffed inside the springs - how this kind of thing happens is always astounding to me. No wonder the Reverb sounded bad! This was replaced with the correct MOD brand 4AB3C1B tank and new wiring.

The original tubes (a mix of NOS and new) did not test good and were all replaced. V1/V2 = JJ 12AX7MG, V3/V6 = EHX12AT7, V4/V5 = JJ 12AX7S, V7/V8 = JJ 6V6S Matched Pair, V9 = JJ GZ34. These tubes were picked for best tone, and reliability. The 6V6GT’s Fixed Bias was set to %60 Class AB Plate Dissipation with a B+ of 450VDC. New Knobs and new Back Panel Hardware were installed as both were in need of attention. New chassis straps, with associated screws and nuts were installed as the originals were bent, rusted, and stripped. The lower back panel was missing and was replaced with a Mojotone made re-pop. The tube sockets were all treated with De-Oxit to remove/prevent corrosion. The pots were sprayed out and the amp was cleaned inside and out. This is now a proper 66’ Deluxe Reverb!