Fender Concert II?

Chris Bauer · From: Nashville, TN USA

Okay Fenderheads, I need your input.

I've been approached about a horsetrade gear swap that would include an early 80s Fender Concert II as a part of the deal. I know nothing about these amps other than vaguely recalling seeing them in stores oh-so-long ago.

From the description, it sounds like it might be a good amp for lap steel and maybe with my CG but I can't tell if it's actually more of a high gain screamer than I'd want.

Any input on what these sound like, reasonable estimates of value (assuming it's in at least good to very good shape), care & feeding, etc?

Thanks!

Donny Hinson · From: Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.

Basically, it was designed as a pretty clean-sounding amp. The 1-12 model may satisfy if you're pushing it real hard. The 2 and 4 speaker models would have to be pushed too much to sound good for lap steel, IMHO. Most players want lower-wattage amps for lap steel use.

"Book price" for a real nice one would be $400-$500.

Dave Mudgett · From: Central Pennsylvania and Gallatin, Tennessee

Fact sheet is here: http://www.ampwares.com/ffg/

Paul Rivera - designed amp from '82 to mid-eighties. Just scroll down to Concert, you'll see the "Concert II" link in the left pane.

I think these would make a good intermediate-volume pedal steel amp. 60 watts, most of the ones I've seen had one of the Fender EV speakers - nice and heavy-duty. Great jazz guitar amps, so should be fine for pedal steel also, if not pushed real hard. Low - intermediate volume gigs, studio, and so on.

I think this is the best distortion circuit put in any Fender amp from that period, but it's still buzzy, to my tastes. I'm not a fan of the distortion circuits in this era of Fender amps. If I was looking for nice, warm distortion for, let's say, the typical Tweed Pro lap steel sound, I would look elsewhere. But if you're looking for something clean, it might be very nice.

If I could find one of these in nice shape at Donny's price range, I'd probably give it serious thought.

Just my thoughts. YMMV, and of course it's always a good idea to give a listen first.

Tony Prior · From: Charlotte NC

I used an early 80's Concert 2x10 for several years, I guess it is a Concert II, and YES, it is a Paul Rivera designed amp from when he worked at Fender.

My overall opinion is that it never really rose to the occasion, It had an OK sound but was just missing something. The Overdrive was a bust in my view.

For my money, The Hot Rod Deluxe or Hot Rod Deville will offer a NO contest comparison.

Personally I think $400 or $500 is better spent on a different amp. Sad

Michael Holland · From: Nashville, Tennessee, USA

I own both the Fender/Rivera Concert 1-12 and a USA made Hot Rod Deluxe. I agree, the HRD is a very good amp when outfitted with good tubes and speaker(s). But the point to point, handwired Concert is a gem. Side by side, the Concert wins with a beautiful, full midrange and plenty of clean power (they're 60 watts from 2 6L6). Since I'm a pedal freak, I don't use the lead channels in either amp. Chris, if you want to try it out come on over to the house one day.

Chuck Thompson · From: Illinois, USA

hiya chris - i have owned 2 concert II's over the years - my only experience with them is with the 1x12 models and that with guitars, but i think they are highly underestimated gems and have thought so for years - the last 2-3 years have seen their prices jump dramatically so i think people are starting to figure it out - well made last of the ptp hand wired fenders - great blues tone through the od channel - it doesnt do the metal scooped mids od thing but for fender grind they are awesome. if you can buy a real nice one for $400 i would say snap it up - if you dont like it you will be able to make a profit selling it to some discerning guitar player

David Doggett · Posted 10 Mar 2008 10:19 pm

These Rivera II series Fenders are not the classic silver-face or black-face Fenders. But they are the last of the hand-wired Fender tubers, and they do have a following. The Concert II seems to be a master-volume Pro Reverb with several speaker combination options. They also had some new features, such as a pull-bright volume knob, a pull-boost mid knob, and a presence knob. Those can be useful for quick tone changes. The EV speakers are very good. There are some differences in tone between the II series amps and the preceeding silver-faces, but it is hard to describe the differences. For steel I like them as much or better. They have lots of sparkle and a little grit. And they are very loud, with lots of clean headroom.

Chris Bauer · From: Nashville, TN USA

Thanks guys.

Looks like this particular deal has tanked but it's been interesting and helpful to read about these amps. Someone emailed me to point out that there's one for sale on Craigslist right here in Nashville though the seller wants $600+ for it.

Michael - Thanks for the offer. It would be good to get together. Even if I don't go after a Concert II, it would be good to get together. Plus, I'd love to get a look at your all-star pedal roundup!

Dan Tyack · From: Olympia, WA USA

Has anybody used the mid 90's Concert amps? These look virtually identical to the 80s, but usually used Eminence speakers. I think the official name might be "Pro Tube Series Concert".

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