Got me a Deluxe (DRRI)

Dan Beller-McKenna · From: Durham, New Hampshire, USA

So, having declared my love for the Deluxe Reverb after using a '71 SF at a recording session a few weeks ago, I picked up a recent (2014) '65 reissue to start the journey. I was thinking I would save up and spring for an early '70s SF (and I might yet), but a knowledgeable friend of mine made an interesting observation. He's a pro guitarist and has owned and operated a first rate local music store for decades. He pointed out that they did an A-B comparison at the store between a stock, original BF Deluxe and a reissue. First run through, the original won hands down. But(!), when they plugged the drri amp into the original BF amp's speaker, all concerned noticed very little distinction between the original BF and the drri. In other words, one of the determining factors in the tone of the older original Fender tube amps is a speaker that's had half a century to break in (vs. a new speaker). Not the only factor (I inject, because I can already hear fingers typing feverishly among the diehard Never-Reissue-ers among us), but one, and possibly a critical one.

So.....so far I like the amp quite a lot. True to the preceding anecdote, it sounded fairly "meh" when I first plugged in. After a brief checking out period, I took out the stock Italo-Jensen C12n and replaced it with a well broken in Weber 12F125b. Instant (major) improvement. Amp became louder (more efficient speaker I suppose?) without breakup, and the tone was greatly improved: lost some boxy mid, hard highs of the Jensen. I have another Weber to try in there, but I'll let my ears get used to this one first. To be fair to the Jensen, the excellent cosmetic condition of the amp suggests it rarely if ever left home, so that speaker may not be broken in much, if at all.

It's a little hard to tell at "bedroom" levels, but my impression is that this amp (with the Weber, at least) gets pretty loud without breaking up. I'll get to find out at a gig in one week: four piece, no drums, all acoustic except for me. Its those types of gigs and at-home playing that I'm aiming for with this amp. (Wait......do I hear fingers feverishly typing again??) I have no intention of bringing this amp onto a stage with a drummer (I have a Twin and an LTD 400 for that), unless perhaps he or she uses only brushes, and unless it is a band I trust to keep stage volumes very low, and there is a sound person I trust to mike it well.

All in all, a very auspicious first impression.

Larry Dering · From: Missouri, USA

I own a DRRI as mentioned and have for a good while, 10+ years. It still sounds meh to me. My son bought the same thing and used it heavily in his band. His sounds way better to me. Still stock as it came just road worn. Mine sat in the corner mostly unplayed. I had too many better sounding amps so it got left behind. Maybe I should try one of my older speakere and give it another try. I head Jerry Roller play one at a show in Missouri and it sounded terrific yet was also stock. You may be on to something Dan.

Dan Beller-McKenna · From: Durham, New Hampshire, USA

I really think the speaker is a huge part of the sound. Next I'm going to try a Weber Chicago I just picked up.

Benjamin Franz · From: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

I put a JBL d120 into my DRRI and it’s a fantastic amp.

Larry Dering · From: Missouri, USA

I have a D120f. Might give it a go and see.

Larry Dering · From: Missouri, USA

I have a D120f. Might give it a go and see.

Dan Beller-McKenna · From: Durham, New Hampshire, USA

I'll bet you like it! I'd put my EV 12L in there, but I don't want to add that much weight.

Ken Metcalf · From: San Antonio Texas USA

Speakers break in differently when pushed hard regularly.
They loosen up over time and are stiff when new.
I used to plug in a cd or something to a new amp and play in loud when we would leave the house.
After a couple of 8 hour shifts there is a noticeable difference.
Very noticeable in a Peavey NV 112.
_________________
MSA 12 String E9th/B6th Universal.
Little Walter PF-89.
Bunch of stomp boxes

Steven Paris · From: Los Angeles

John Goux · From: California, USA

Of all the things in a signal chain, the speaker makes the most dramic difference.
J

George Redmon · From: Muskegon & Detroit Michigan.

Dan, i loved both the original 65 Deluxe Reverb amp i had, as well as the 65 Deluxe Reissue, i used for a short time. I put a coffee can magnet Electro Voice 12" SRO speaker in mine. I agree made it a different amplifier.

Not sure about the speaker break in thing. I just could never tell much of a difference between doing the high volume closet blasting bit, and just playing through it. Was never worth all the effort. I discussed this with Ted Weber after buying my first Weber speaker from Ted Weber himself. I asked him this very question about doing the loud 10-12 hour closet sound blast break in. Here's what he finally wrote me back and told me.

Hi George,

While a new speaker is a little stiff when new and will pick up some low end as well as experience a downward shift in its bass resonance after it has been thrashed with high power for awhile,
generally, the speaker will sound very good right out of the box and the break in may not be as dramatic as some may claim. I can't tell much difference if any. George, i would suggest you just play through it and not worry about break in. We build our speakers to sound great right out of the box, and they only sound better the more you play through them.

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Thanks very much,

Ted
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Weber Speakers
1308 E. Hoffer St.
Kokomo, Indiana USA 46902
765.452.1249
Fax 765.452.6228

Dan Beller-McKenna · From: Durham, New Hampshire, USA

Very interesting take, George. Could all be the power of persuasion.

For kicks, I threw a CTS that I had lying around in there today and, damn, it sounds at least as good as the Weber. I am inclined to leave it in the Deluxe, which would allow me to return the Weber to the amp its been in for a while.

I can't imagine it can't handle 22 watts, but I'm curious to know something about this CTS. The only hit I found for the "451" part of the code is a speaker someone pulled out of a Wurlitzer organ cabinet. I would have guessed this came out of a guitar combo or cab, but what do I know.

Sounds good/is good, but I'm always curious. Anyone know anything about this speaker? Obviously a ceramic magnet, so: later? Any idea why so many CTS speakers have the sub-code 651806 (I saw several googling for more info)?

Thanks for any info or leads.

Bill Sinclair · From: Waynesboro, PA, USA

That ceramic magnet looks pretty big. I'd imagine the rest of the speaker is designed to handle more than 22 Watts. Do I spy a paper towel and Elmer's glue patch on the cone though?

Dan Beller-McKenna · From: Durham, New Hampshire, USA

Sharp eyes there, sir! Yes, just did the fix the other night, which is what led me to try popping it in the deluxe reverb.

Michael Johnstone · From: Sylmar,Ca. USA

A patch made from a woman's nylon stocking and Weldwood contact cement is more viable and permanently flexible patch for a torn speaker cone. It has no discernable effect on the sound and physical excursion on the cone. It has to be done with a bit of artisanship of course.

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