Product Review: The Fender 1965 Twin Reverb Reissue Amplifer

Originally born in 1965, the Fender Twin Reverb guitar amplifier is still one of the most versatile and powerful choices on the market. This amp is still in production in reissue form and can be purchased new or used. This piece of equipment has been the mainstay for country musicians since it's introduction as well as rock stars such as Jimi Hendrix and Eric Clapton. The reissue is still made from the same blue prints and schematics as the original, with the added benefit of having a printed circuit board. Although they are pricey, they are worth every penny.

The Twin Reverb comes with many unique and useful features that most amps can't even come close to. Rated at 85-watt output, this is the only amp you will ever need for any gig. Four 6L6 power tubes create the intense output; most other models use 2 6L6's at the most. The amp comes with 2 Jensen 12 inch speakers in the cabinet, which makes for a very deep, tight, room filling tone that can't be beat. As with all of the Fender Blackface models, it comes standard with a vibrato channel and foot pedal controlled reverb. The reverb itself is 3 spring and tube driven just like any true Fender amp.

Depending on your style and requirements, and Twin may or may not be for you. A new 65 Twin Reverb reissue is available for around $1300, which is a hefty price tag. The amp weighs in at around 90 pounds, which makes it bulky and tough to pick up and move around at times. On the volume, all the way to 10, it stays perfectly clean and clear. If something that "breaks up" into a little bit of distortion is what you are looking for, a Blues Junior or Deluxe Reverb would be a much better choice. Also, the amount of tubes used by this model might be costly to get replaced when they wear out. None of these things are world enders, but should be considered into the decision of owning one of these.

If you get past picking up and moving it, this amp has a ton to offer! I use mine with Telecasters, Stratocasters, and dual humbucker guitars and it brings out the best in all of them. Dialing in the right tone with a Twin is easy and fun. Using my Ibanez jazz box, I up the treble, scoop the mids and go easy on the bass for a great country tone not unlike Duane Eddy. You can do that and get the right reverb tone without a pedal, just like the many artists did on their recordings. The bright channel also helps the clean tone of dual humbuckers immensely. Using a Telecaster or Stratocaster, adjusting to the guitar is a snap! Up the bass, easy on the mids, and even on the treble and you are set. Getting clear highs, even mid tones, and thumping tight bass notes is super simple with this amp.

This amp is very sensitive compared to some others and gives many options for finding just the right tone. The pickups in my guitars range from bone stock, to single coil/humbucker, Custom Shop Texas Specials, as well as full dual humbucker and I can get the best out of them all with this amp! With even just a little bit of adjustment, this amp will wrap right around any guitar and bring out the very best in it. Even with bone stock, standard pickups, they sound unique and wonderful. Hot Texas Specials can be dialed into twang country, in your face blues, and mellow jazz with just a tweak here and there. Humbuckers, in any arrangement, sound bright and clear through this amp. That is something I have found to be very unique about the Twin.

A Twin can handle just about any gig of any size. Even in a noisy bar, I have never gotten this amp over 4 on the volume. Many professionals play concert halls and stadiums with these and have fantastic results. Even for playing at home, setting it on 2 or a little under does the trick just fine. The tilt back legs also make it very easy to angle it so that you can hear yourself over the band. The feature also works well at home to enjoy the tone of your guitar while playing it. Not to mention, it's really cool to look at! Leaving it in the living room or bedroom adds the class of a vintage piece of Fender. Unless you tell your friends, they probably won't know it's not an original.

If you think a Twin might be for you, I strongly recommend trying one out! They aren't for everybody, but if that unique classic sound is what you want, a Twin will deliver. You may have to hire a roadie or make good friends if you aren't a body builder but that's all part of the experience of being a musician. If you fall in love with one, a Twin Reverb will be the only amp you ever need, which is nice when it comes time to replace tubes. I really just can't recommend anything better. There are a lot of good choices, but for me, this one is the best of all!