I've got two Excelsiors and they are the best inexpensive amps on the market but only if you change the tubes. The 6V6's are particularly bad and will go nuclear on you with no advance notice. After a tube change the amp stops rattling and popping and just sounds smoother overall. These amps are for purists who know how to use natural power tube overdrive.The tubes, jacks and pots on these are chassis mounted (not on PCB) which is better than on my Hot Rod Deluxe.
Love your vids, Shane! I have an Excelsior Pro (with the upgraded speaker) and run it in stereo with my AC15-C1. One cool point with these Excelsior amps... much as with the original 3-position switches on vintage Strats, you can actually jam the Bright/Dark switch halfway and get BOTH voicings at the same time. This is the way I tend to use mine, and it's awesome!
Sounds better than those vintage ri amps fender puts out that cost as much as real vintage ones of the same ri and sound nothing like the originals ..its about time fender made something worth the price tag ,now lets hope they dont discontinue these. Good honest review sir
New colors out now so you can grab this one for $199 at guitar center right now if you can still find one. I snagged a floor model at $180 (US)! I do have that power tube rattle so I'm really glad I watched this so I know to just replace those.
Thanks for the nice comments. This amp is a real killer! :) I love it - can't wait to gig with it mic'd up (or even record it for an album or something)
*****if anyone is interested in trying, there's a spot in the middle of the bright/dark switch that slightly removes a little treble, but isn't too dark...it's definitely worth a try and yet another tone option on this great amp*******
Hey Shane, I want to buy most of the amps you demo! When I finally got my hands on a Peavey Bandit to try out, I was able to get tones similar to the ones on your video along with tones that I like to use as well. Keep up the good work!
Saw someone ask if it was loud enough for playing with drums and yes it is. Volume varies between guitars. Through my cheap fender strat it is plenty loud. Gretsch Electromatic (Korean version...I'm not high end! lol) comes out a bit quieter but I think it is still enough.
i would say yes and no. i tried it with my band of 3 guitars and a loud drummer and bass player, and i could only do rhythm. i couldn't get loud enough for any leads at all. but when some went for a break, me the bass player and guitarist who hopped on drums were jamming and it sounded perfectly fine in that situation. a speaker upgrade might help it with the bigger band a bit. 13 watts just isn't going to have the oomph of a 45-100 watt amp though. such a fun, cool little amp though. i always end up playing it forever.
@@TomMilleyMusic Swap the stock speaker for an Eminence Legend 1518. It sounds better and is a very efficient speaker with a sensitivity rating of 102db. Its a lot louder after the swap, more like a 20watt amp. No problem at all keeping up with a drummer.
love mine,,there is another tone setting i found between bright and dark.it`s loud enough to for rehearsal`s with drums,,i`m gonna take it to a show next weds see what happens.
I really want to try one of these out, great review. The only thing I'm not sure about is the amps lack of reverb. How do you think a reverb pedal would sound through this?
Also, in the video, you said you got a good deal from Rock Garage. Unfortunately, I'm stuck in the US, so I can't go there. Out of curiosity, what did you pay? I wanted to know just so I know what to look for.
wow, great demo , thanks for that ! Would you recommend this amp for classic old 50s chicago blues rythm playing like muddy waters or howlin wolf by the way ? Thank you very much
No problems at all. But it came with a rattle and you had to replace all tubes straight up. That ain't too convincing. Sounds great though. I've had so many leads and fender products break down in the last 5 years. I don't care what it looks like or the brand anymore. Just give me a great reliable sound. Thanks for the video though.
I have a Blues Deluxe at the moment but its been gathering dust in the corner for about 3 years now. Been thinking about downsizing for ages and A mate offered me a trade for one of these (obvs with some cash too). What do people reckon? Worth the trade? They sound fucking spot on here, i'll say that.
Hey brother, thank you for the great demos man! Im looking at pulling the trigger on this bad boy. Do you still like the amp as much as you did when you did this demo? Thoughts??
Nice vid Mate. Are you playing a '52 Reissue? I knew that Fender made it lefty but alas I've never seen one as noone in these parts will stock it. Seems like a nice amp too but yet again noone here's stocking them. Go figure.
I would have thought that reverb would have been far more popular. The Fendor Vapourizer (2x10) has a reverb tank, another one from the Pawn Shop series.
is this still a good amp in 2017? pr have the alternatives caught up? i.e options elsewhere? i'm currently looking at the micro terror for the price...thanks
You'll be hard pressed to find one of these... they were a limited edition. A micro terror is a great amp if you don't need a clean sound (they don't have much clean volume!) If you want something sort of similiar to this amp, you may want to try either a Fender Blues Junior or a Vox AC15. Two different types of sounds, so try out both to see which you like.
i just bought this amp its fuckin AMAZING AND BEAUTIFUL TO WATCH too very nice i will never change it with another amp i have the marshall. the exelcior sounds better and its not that expensive from here in europe malta it costs around 300 but when u see the back of this amp yul say its not expensive
I've got two Excelsiors and they are the best inexpensive amps on the market but only if you change the tubes. The 6V6's are particularly bad and will go nuclear on you with no advance notice. After a tube change the amp stops rattling and popping and just sounds smoother overall. These amps are for purists who know how to use natural power tube overdrive.The tubes, jacks and pots on these are chassis mounted (not on PCB) which is better than on my Hot Rod Deluxe.
It has a volume control. I just turn it up till it sounds good. Leave the bright/dark switch on bright when cranked.
Both modes give great, totally useable sounds. Cool demo of how dynamic this little beast is!
I was playing one of these in a shop today, couldnt believe how good it sounded. Thought I was fooling myself for a second. Nice demo
Love your vids, Shane! I have an Excelsior Pro (with the upgraded speaker) and run it in stereo with my AC15-C1. One cool point with these Excelsior amps... much as with the original 3-position switches on vintage Strats, you can actually jam the Bright/Dark switch halfway and get BOTH voicings at the same time. This is the way I tend to use mine, and it's awesome!
Gary Stackhouse looking into grabbing an excelsior to run in stereo with an AC15 as well.
You're happy with the mix I take it?
Sounds better than those vintage ri amps fender puts out that cost as much as real vintage ones of the same ri and sound nothing like the originals ..its about time fender made something worth the price tag ,now lets hope they dont discontinue these. Good honest review sir
Just got one of these and I love it. It's about as similar to a Blues Junior as a Tweed Twin is to a Twin Reverb.
New colors out now so you can grab this one for $199 at guitar center right now if you can still find one. I snagged a floor model at $180 (US)! I do have that power tube rattle so I'm really glad I watched this so I know to just replace those.
Man, you have one of the best channels on UA-cam in my opinion. Keep on rockin' mate.
Thanks for the nice comments. This amp is a real killer! :) I love it - can't wait to gig with it mic'd up (or even record it for an album or something)
FENDER AGAIN DONE AN AMAZING JOB ON THIS AMAZING AMP buy it guys its d best
*****if anyone is interested in trying, there's a spot in the middle of the bright/dark switch that slightly removes a little treble, but isn't too dark...it's definitely worth a try and yet another tone option on this great amp*******
Nice playing. I love the sound of this amp!! I see one in my future for $299 US dollars!
Man, your playing is brilliant. Also, amazing tone. Great demo!
This is the best Excelsior demo yet...Thanks for posting the vid!!!
the speaker is huge very powerful and stays clear
I got one the other day and its is an awesome amp, especially for the music that I play.
it's awesome man, when you're ready to buy one tell em you're a mate of mine ;)
this amp is amazing im n crazy love with it i will never change it
A fellow lefty! Cheers mate & great playing! I hope to get to this skill level someday...
This is amazing! I have to get one of these amps! And I also need to practise some of your licks, they are very cool!
I’m picking one up this week, if you say it’s one of the best amps it’s good enough for me ,,!
Thanks for the response! But I'll have you know, because of your review, I bought the amp, and want to get a second!
Excelsior in my opinion is way better tonally but it's not quite as loud. :) I'll do an A/B soon for you.
nice demo -- just the right amount of playin'. Thanks for the effort!
Seen a few videos for this, now I have to go and try one. Great video and great playing there sir.
Hey Shane, I want to buy most of the amps you demo! When I finally got my hands on a Peavey Bandit to try out, I was able to get tones similar to the ones on your video along with tones that I like to use as well. Keep up the good work!
Saw someone ask if it was loud enough for playing with drums and yes it is. Volume varies between guitars. Through my cheap fender strat it is plenty loud. Gretsch Electromatic (Korean version...I'm not high end! lol) comes out a bit quieter but I think it is still enough.
i would say yes and no. i tried it with my band of 3 guitars and a loud drummer and bass player, and i could only do rhythm. i couldn't get loud enough for any leads at all. but when some went for a break, me the bass player and guitarist who hopped on drums were jamming and it sounded perfectly fine in that situation. a speaker upgrade might help it with the bigger band a bit. 13 watts just isn't going to have the oomph of a 45-100 watt amp though. such a fun, cool little amp though. i always end up playing it forever.
@@TomMilleyMusic
Swap the stock speaker for an Eminence Legend 1518. It sounds better and is a very efficient speaker with a sensitivity rating of 102db. Its a lot louder after the swap, more like a 20watt amp. No problem at all keeping up with a drummer.
love mine,,there is another tone setting i found between bright and dark.it`s loud enough to for rehearsal`s with drums,,i`m gonna take it to a show next weds see what happens.
Appreciate the video, bud. Helped me finally pull the trigger on a new amp. Thanks for sharing!
Nice amp demo, but the Barden pups are outstanding!
Thanks Steve :)
I'm not sure man, they are somewhere around there I think.
hello friend i really liked the amplifier after i heard your preview. Are you curious to know which selectors you use on the guitar?
wow that gives an SRV tone
what are your settings on the amp for this? any pedals?
and the sustain? incredible
Cheers, I try to keep all intros under 45sec-1 min usually
It's in Blues Junior territory. Bigger speaker, 6v6 v el84 plus has tremolo
I really want to try one of these out, great review. The only thing I'm not sure about is the amps lack of reverb. How do you think a reverb pedal would sound through this?
Thanks Ric! :)
did you listen to the demo? of course it would!
Great Review, good playing, lovely sound. I'm sold !
thank you :)
Is the clean, say, loud enough to play with a drummer and a bass player at reasonable unmic'd volume?
OK - I'm buying one as soon as I get back to the US. is it loud enough to play with drums for small gigs?
Would be interested in a side by side BJ v Excelsior comparison
Cheers! :)
Also, in the video, you said you got a good deal from Rock Garage. Unfortunately, I'm stuck in the US, so I can't go there. Out of curiosity, what did you pay? I wanted to know just so I know what to look for.
Great Review! Thanks man! Keep the good playing!
Fantastic review, thanks mate
wow, great demo , thanks for that !
Would you recommend this amp for classic old 50s chicago blues rythm playing like muddy waters or howlin wolf by the way ?
Thank you very much
To Purple Haze: Maybe the Excelsior is cheaper because it has been discontinued. Also, the finish on the Ramparte looks better than on the Excelsior.
June Lambert it's a limited run.
So far, no problems at all :)
No problems at all. But it came with a rattle and you had to replace all tubes straight up. That ain't too convincing. Sounds great though. I've had so many leads and fender products break down in the last 5 years. I don't care what it looks like or the brand anymore. Just give me a great reliable sound. Thanks for the video though.
Oh yeah! :)
I just can't figure out if it's the amp that sounds so good , or that kick ass Telecaster!
can I ask please the RRP on these? Around $570?
I need this amp
u better buy bro theres no better trust me i had marshall this is better trust me
i dont understand why fender block the speaker with a big strip of wood
Acoustically it does not make sense....but it is in the shape of an 'E' for Excelsior - very old school appearance 😎.
haha awesome :) thanks
sounds amazing!!!!
I have a Blues Deluxe at the moment but its been gathering dust in the corner for about 3 years now. Been thinking about downsizing for ages and A mate offered me a trade for one of these (obvs with some cash too). What do people reckon? Worth the trade? They sound fucking spot on here, i'll say that.
Lol made the same trade to get mine, great amp, but got a supro so...
Hey brother, thank you for the great demos man! Im looking at pulling the trigger on this bad boy. Do you still like the amp as much as you did when you did this demo? Thoughts??
I miss this amp :-(
good job!
I want one!!!
they're $300 in the US
Big enough for a full band?
Jeremiah Zumaya Official not unless you mic it. This is a 13w amp.
u cant buy better trust me guys i connect it with the g5 pedal it sounds amazing.now i play all day
Nice vid Mate. Are you playing a '52 Reissue? I knew that Fender made it lefty but alas I've never seen one as noone in these parts will stock it. Seems like a nice amp too but yet again noone here's stocking them. Go figure.
Does anyone know why the light flickers on my Excelsior or is anyone else have the same problem ?
i see yours is flickering too
It may be the rate (speed) of your tremolo. I don't own one of these, but I see they have a trem circuit built in.
DirtyBluesStank light flashes based on the speed of the tremolo.
Tremelo?
I would have thought that reverb would have been far more popular. The Fendor Vapourizer (2x10) has a reverb tank, another one from the Pawn Shop series.
For the price you can't beat it with a stick!
the quick answer is no, sorry.
The price on these Amps are gonna go up so get one now! :D
We're at $500 for the Pro version.😎
Tinny sound would be good for country music only!!!!
Smokin'
GRAET amp
ECXELLENT even.
and when he bends? wow guys
is this still a good amp in 2017? pr have the alternatives caught up? i.e options elsewhere? i'm currently looking at the micro terror for the price...thanks
You'll be hard pressed to find one of these... they were a limited edition. A micro terror is a great amp if you don't need a clean sound (they don't have much clean volume!) If you want something sort of similiar to this amp, you may want to try either a Fender Blues Junior or a Vox AC15. Two different types of sounds, so try out both to see which you like.
the laney cube sounds better
no way man trust me
This has got to be blatant sarcasm.
Sounds like ya got a microphonic tube
i just bought this amp its fuckin AMAZING AND BEAUTIFUL TO WATCH too very nice i will never change it with another amp i have the marshall. the exelcior sounds better and its not that expensive from here in europe malta it costs around 300 but when u see the back of this amp yul say its not expensive
Want want want want want want want want want want want want want want want
so i can put better tubes? oh wow man can u tel mel the best there is bro ?
thx bro yuv been a lot of help i think this amp is staying with original ones this amp sounds the best man really nice i love it
GAAAAAAAAAAASSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
some of your bends are off pitch!
Misaka Mikoto anime profile pic = no opinion
dont even bother dude.. if you didnt say anything then he (or somebody else) would ask you why didnt you say shit..
thank you :)