When you think of guitar amplifiers and their tonal DNA, the most common name that springs to mind is Fender. Although there are many other great brands that exist, this one is fundamental, as though a genre unto itself. Hearing the name Fender is synonymous with that all-American sound.
It’s not just the all-American sound that Fender amps achieve. More recently, Fender has proved that they can bring the gain just as well as the rest of them while maintaining that signature Fender sound. Couple Fender’s amps with their extensive pedal ranges and the amount of choice you have is huge.
Regardless of the genre of music, you’re looking to play, you’ll have no shortage of options. Here, we’ll take a quick look at Fender’s Blues Junior and 65 Deluxe Reverb Combo amps.
| Features: | Fender Blues Junior IV Valve Combo | Fender 65 Deluxe Reverb Combo |
|---|---|---|
| Cost: | $750 | $1800 |
| Max Wattage: | 15 | 22 |
| Power Tubes: | 2 x EL84 | – |
| Weight: | 31 lbs. (14.06 kg) | 42 lbs. (19.05 kg) |
| Pre Amp Tubes: | 3 x 12AX7 | – |
| Output Impedance: | 8 Ohm | 8 Ohm |
Fender Blues Junior IV
When looking at gig-worthy amps, things can start to get a little difficult when it comes to choosing the right one, as there’re just a lot of choices out there that come in different powers and features. On top of all that, most of these amps are pretty expensive to buy upfront, so naturally, guitarists look to get the most for their money. While there’re a lot of options out there, one of the most common choices has always been the Fender Blues Junior IV, an amp that has risen to prominence during the 90s and its fourth iteration seems to be one of the best in the market.
Design
The cabinet styling for this amp is more or less the same, borrowing its dimensions from the narrow panel tweed amps of the 1950s, while its black vinyl and tastefully yellowed silver sparkle grille cloth is inspired by the blackface reverb-equipped combos from the 1960s.
Sound Quality
The Junior’s reworked preamp and new loudspeaker combine to unleash a great range of Fender tones, from spanky, sparkling cleans, to fat and smooth midrange crunch that’s spot on for classic rock and blues. The amp has a fat switch that adds a generous midrange boost and can be remote-controlled from a footswitch for greater versatility, while the improved reverb circuit is very impressive, with no noise and a smooth, warm delay that feels more integral to the overall tone of the amp, which harks back to the best blackface reverbs of the 1960s.
Regardless of the guitar you use, the Blues Junior flatters single coils and humbuckers alike, not to mention drive pedals with plenty of volume. The sounds from the amp are top-drawer, comparing well against many so-called boutique amps which can cost four times the price. Factor in its compact dimensions and lightweight, and it’s easy to see why the Blues Junior remains popular.
Overview
If you normally rely on bigger, larger tube amps or modelling amps for gigging, then the Fender Blues Junior IV may prove that it’s more than enough. If you learn to appreciate the simplicity of the amp, then it will work wonders for you regardless of your style or guitar. For the price of the Blues Junior IV, you’ll be hard pressed to find any flaws in this iteration of Blues Junior. With its tiny dimensions, lightweight body, new speaker, and modified preamp, you got yourself a winner.
Fender 65 Deluxe Reverb Combo
The Fender Deluxe Reverb is one of the most revered amps in history. Whether it’s country and blues or rock and jazz, the amp has long been favored for its rich tones and versatility. As it’s getting harder and harder to find an original Deluxe Reverb that doesn’t need serious restoration, the people at Fender have been kind enough to reissue the ’65 Deluxe Reverb so mere mortals can have a shot at these classic tones. As it’s a reissue, we need to ask the tough question, is it worthy of the name?
Sound Quality
Hearing the clean sounds from a good all-tube Fender amp is always legendary, and Fenders Deluxe Reverb Combo hits the nail right on the head. Let’s make it clear – if you’re looking for a high-gain metal machine, this is one should stay away from! However, coaxing great country and jazz tones out of the amp is a piece of cake right out of the box.
Trying to get anything that requires a fair amount of dirt can be trickier. The Deluxe Reverb Combo may be only 22 watts, however, it’s a LOUD 22 watts, with a fair amount of clean headroom before it breaks up. If you wanted to keep things in control from a volume standpoint, then it’s suggested to use a good overdrive or distortion pedal to meet your needs.
While some claim that the tone isn’t an exact duplicate of a true vintage model, you really need to take into consideration that many of the electrical components found in the original builds (caps, transformers and resistors) simply aren’t available anymore. While the Deluxe Reverb Combo sounds great, discerning players may be able to tell the difference – although that’s certainly not a deal breaker.
Overview
Fender’s 65 Deluxe Reverb is a faithful reproduction of one of the most iconic Fender models that was ever produced. For something that was made more than 50 years after the original, it does a great job of replicating the tone that guitarists adore. The fact that it does it at a decent price may even make some question whether investing in a true vintage model is even worth the expense.
Conclusion
Although Fenders Deluxe Reverb Combo may be costly to some, it’s a remarkable amp that replicates the original brilliantly. On the other hand, Fenders Blues Junior IV amp is just as good as the Reverb Deluxe. It will come down to your personal taste.