Demos in the Dark // Fender '68 Custom Pro Reverb vs Deluxe Reverb // Guitar Amp Shootout
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- Опубліковано 3 сер 2024
- After several requests from DITD subscribers, @fender and I were able to get the '68 Custom Reverb and '68 Custom Pro Reverb in the same room for a tube amp comparison! Do you know which you like better? I don't.
More info: www.fender.com
Other Gear Used:
Heritage Guitars - H-535: bit.ly/HERITAGEGUITARS
0:00 Intro
1:08 Specs
2:46 All 5's
5:44 Cleans
7:49 Overdrive
9:46 Vibrato
11:46 Custom Channel
13:10 Closing Thoughts
#demosinthedark #fender #ampshootout
Cool that Fender clearly sees the value in this kind of content.
they’re such a treat to work with!
Lets face it, our man does great demos.
Of course they do- Free advertising
The mids are so distinct between these two amps. Wasn't expecting there to be that much of a difference. Thanks for the demo.
I really enjoyed this - just the right amount of information without letting the talking overtake letting us here the amps. And I like the way you broke it all down.
thanks robert! glad you found it useful!
Very helpful!!! Thank you for your hard work
you bet! thanks for watching! 👍
Just stumbling across your video 2 years post, but very timely for me as i'm looking to add another tube amp. I've owned the Pro Reverb for over year now and I love it for all the reasons you and others have mentioned. For clean... it's simply amazing! It's best listened to with a little tilt under it, and standing about 10 feet back from it... just a gorgeous, clean sound that can be dialed up or down to any flavor of light and bright, to deep and full as you want, especially having a "Mid" volume adjustment. When I bought this amp, I was skeptical of the neo Celestion speakers. I've always leaned toward Fender products that had Jensen speakers or full weighted magnets, but these Creambacks sound amazing.. I'll probably add a George Benson Twin, and that will round out my Fender sound. Thanks again.
Great demo, considering both of these amps and appreciate the information!
oh thanks so much! i had a lot of fun doing this one. still haven’t made up my mind though!
I have to congratulate you. A really good comparison. Two great amps. I love the Deluxe Reverb overdirive tones but, man, when you engaged the bright switch and scooped the mids on the Pro Reverb...
excellent video, excellent channel, keep at it! 👍🏼
thanks so much!
Love the headroom on that pro reverb. Can’t wait to hook one up to my pedal board.
i’ve been rocking it for a few weeks now and i don’t remember what life was like before. 😂
Both very different but very cool amps. I love my 68 Custom Deluxe but i had some quality control issues with the tremolo circuit which were fixed to an acceptable level, ( not perfect ) but it still kills with tone versatility and as pedal platform. The Pro- reverb is something i will have to save up for because i love that 6L6 vibe and headroom, great for funk, soul and everything else once you through some pedals in the mix. Dream demo and very satisfying to watch this comparison. So different but so very Fender. Cheers to and Fender for getting this comparison out there and first i believe.
thanks kriston!
I changed preamp tubes to old rca’s and it is completely free of noise and sounds like Jesus
The Pro does sound so freakin good! Love that mid scooped tone!
Wow, I didn´t expect them to be so different! A truly excellent comparison, very informative and clear. I think I prefer the deluxe's spongier tone... They both sound fantastic nevertheless.
The pro is nearly double the wattage so it’s going to sound a little fuller
Great demo/vid ...
Awesome demo and channel! I played both for a bit and chose the Pro. I just prefer the 6L6 tone. I run the Pro through a Weber Mass to get OD at a non-ear-destructive level. With the bass on zero, it cleans up the loose bass we hear in your demo (even with humbuckers); and if you dime the mids it has the cut many associate with the Deluxe. But honestly, I want BOTH amps. They are both amazing, versatile beasts. Something to note: Fender hand-wires the tube sockets on the Pro away from the board, so that they don't end up cooking other components. And, the bright switch is very effective for solving dark humbuckers not having enough "air".
The deluxe reverb also has hand-wired tube sockets.
The Custom Pro is an amp I would be very happy to own. I love the tone stack responses.
I recently had to decide between these two, I picked the Deluxe Reverb - love the amp.
Wow! This video just reinforces my love for the Pro
perfect!
Early sections of shootout were pretty close, but the Deluxe sounded better cranked and with tremolo. I'd have liked to see you explore the mid control on the Pro to hear how that helps or is an advantage.
The headroom on the Pro is a plus but I thought the Deluxe had a bit more sparkle and life to it.
Nice demo. When I think of the 60's fender sound in my head, the Deluxe nails it, both clean and bent.
I dont know man.. That Pro Reverb sounds much fuller, cleaner, deeper, rounder and heavier to my ears. I have a deluxe reverb and want this Pro Reverb Badly! Thanks for the demos 👌
you bet, man!
I A/B'd them for two hours in a local guitar shop and the Deluxe was thinner sounding. Not in a bad way, but the Pro is just deeper. I bought the Pro (and it doesn't hurt that it's almost ten lbs lighter than the Deluxe).
6L6 makes magic
Just the opposite for me. The Deluxe sounds warmer and fuller.
I get endless inspiration from my Deluxe.Amazing amp
I have two Pros now in my collection, a 74 40 watter (no mid control) and a 79 ultra linear 70 watter (mid control), so I am very used to and like that 6L6 deeper tone. They are both goto amps for me and of course are 2X12 combos so heavier. This was a great demo, and first chance I get to, I will test demo the new 68 Pro. The Pros were labeled "the perfect amp" by more than one :-)
i can agree with that statement!
I’ve also got a 79 ultra linear PR. It’s great and so under appreciated
I'm a sucker for a Deluxe... have a blackface '65 reissue from 1998. Clipped the bright cap. Tremolo ticks but I don't notice it at any sort of volume. Got it used and it's a great backup to my #1 Morgan MVP23. I dig the Deluxe over the Pro but they both sound really good...
I have a all original 1968 fender super reverb … it sounds amazing … can’t beat a 68 ..great video sounds great
I have a few boutique amps and play the 68 deluxe more than them.. I always thought a deluxe was a smaller gig amp.. wrong!! It will ring your ears outdoors especially if you like it pushed hard.. I think alt of people get the pro thinking it’s more of a powerhouse but honestly how much can your ears take? Killer review
They both sound great! I think the deluxe wins for me. I like the earlier break up and spongier feel of a deluxe
that makes sense! that’s def your sound!
Thanks for the comparison. I thought I’d like the deluxe better but the mid knob on the pro makes a difference. Also, more headroom. If I want some OD, I have plenty of quality pedals for that.
I have the deluxe reverb and can’t say enough good things about this amp. It’s everything I’ve wanted in an amp and more. It’s got Stevie tones for days and rocks Led Zeppelin very handily as well. There’s almost nothing this amp can do as far as I’m concerned. I highly recommend it
thanks for the insight!!!
love my Deluxe
How how usable is it in a home setting
Is yours noisy?
@@carterh746 Get a Champ.
Two fantastic amp, and very different to one another. Deluxe all the way for me. Great demo and what a company Fender is!
they definitely have their own applications! i still can’t decide!
@@DemosInTheDark Decided yet?
Wow, killer sounds all around here. I think the Pro would sound really special through a g12h30 or an alnico gold. That creamback cuts a bit too much of the highs for me. That bassman channel sounds really nice too though. The only option is to have both and run them in stereo!
THAT! brilliant!
I actually did that, it’s tone heaven!
Fun to hear the Heritage. Seems like they fly under the radar but I'm not sure why.
i’m not sure either. they’re amazing machines!
Que diferebcias verias comparandolos con un supersonic 60w que es el que yo tengo??
Played the 68 Deluxe today in comparison with my TM Super Reverb. Had a good hour alone in the rehearsal space to crank them up. My Super can kinda do everything and is a great platform because I can run it clean and still be louder than our drummer if I want. But man, using the Custom Deluxe overdriven and without pedals was such a joy. So much fun that little thing. Wouldn’t stay clean enough in our band and is too loud for studio recording at home. But now I’m dreaming of rigging both if them up for a live gig. The 68 is pure rock n roll goodness with a Gibson P90 guitar.
u try the pro yet??? wowww
@@soofitnsexy Haven't tried it yet but my next amp is definitely going to be a Creamback platform.
Have them both. I’m keeping them both. They’re awesome
good on ya
I still love my 68 deluxe - it's got that sag and the custom channel is amazing. (You can also jumper them together as they're in phase) It's a rock & roll machine. Pro reverb is 25% lighter though. If I was shopping for an amp today it would be a tough call.
Which inputs are you using to do this? Thanks
@@veerchasm1 I'm plugging into input 1 of the Custom channel then out of the input 2 and jumping to input 1 of the Normal channel. But you can experiment. Most of the time I'm just plugging straight into input 2 of the Custom. It just seems to compliment humbuckers best to my ears.
One thing you missed and i think is a huge plus to the Deluxe Reverb - plug into vintage channel 1 and jumper Vintage channel 2 to Custom channel 1 -- if you want to hear some pure magic from an amplifier when dialed in to taste on both channels at once- just amazing
How do you do that? Do inputs also act as outputs? How?
Do exactly what he said. Plug guitar into vintage 1, get a patch cable or short instrument cable and plug one end in the custom 2 input and the other in the vintage 1 and enjoy. Go check out Justin Ostrander’s channel. He gave a demo of this in his things you didn’t know about a deluxe reverb video.
@@Flat_StanleyThanks, yes, I did that too. Wanted to ensure this is a modern thing as well as vintage-amp thing. As soon as I set it up, out came "Won't Get Fooled Again" tone--from a 22 watt combo, not even touching the existing settings! Gotta love Deluxe 68 RI and Tweed Blues Jr. IV.
I had forgotten that trick. I had done that on my 1968 Bassman head (gone, any story)
Nice demo! I'd be in the deluxe camp, but I'd have to replace that speaker.
@Demos In The Dark: I bought the Pro two days ago, and it sounds great. Can't really use it in my apartment though, it's really loud. I would go deaf if I played with volume at five. I hope you are playing this demo with earplugs!
it's definitely a chest rattler!
attenuater its worth it
In this comparison I prefer the Deluxe. It offers more versatility with two unwieldy voices channels and has tremolo that sounds great. The Pro sounded darker especially when pushed with humbuckers. I have found it’s not entirely “ equivalent” to simply set knobs at 5 on both amps to consider them equal. I prefer to optimize each amp finding the settings where it sounds best. The midrange knob on the apro can shape the tone significantly by scooping the mids or turning them up. More midrange on a Strat or Tele bridge pu can be awesome. But on the neck Pu, I might scoop the midrange to capture classic Gilmour/ Hendrix bell like chimey goodness. Well done no matter what! thank you! Great playing and very helpful.
it's always tough to cover all the bases. i do what i can and what i think is fair. appreciate the insight. thanks!
@@DemosInTheDark totally get it! Your demo was superb and super helpful to draw great comparison and contrast. Thx again.
Really curious what you think about this versus the 68 vibrolux from a few years ago. Mainly which breaks up faster and is louder. Sweet video!
gosh, by that description, i think i’d love that!
Great shootout, I was curious. I got the 68 Princeton and it rocks, kinda thought about a speaker swap but it ain’t broke.
i have a 65 princeton reverb and started to get nervous about the speaker, so i grabbed a weber alnico period correct one so i could preserve the original and it’s WAY better.
I think that’s the move for sure, always forget about Weber. Thanks!
Have gigged with the Deluxe for 6 years and it's never let me down. IMO the best 1x12 combo on the market rn.
I have a new tone master deluxe. Love it
Would absolutely luv a Pro Deluxe vs. Princeton! I searched all over UA-cam and I don’t think one exists. 😳
Dang I like both!!!
right?!?
Have the original Pro (2x12; using it for 30 years now) and this one is seriously good. My vote goes there with no doubt. Deluxe great as well, tho other type of animal. Using Les Lius pedal on Pro, specially if cranked (also, I have Master Volume installed in my Pro) - gives you all possible 'best' sounds Fender rooted amps can offer. Endless & all amazingly great. Nice demo.
i love those old pro's man. good on ya for keeping it real with that bad boy for so many years!
@@DemosInTheDark Nice, thnx. You can hear it here, just amazing what it can do just with room volume (tho Master plays a role, eh, it just doesn't need any pedal)... Body, depth, natural sustain, nothing forced in a sound... ua-cam.com/video/4_aqmSKBMAE/v-deo.html
thank you for the demo ! I was ready to pull the trigger on the pro reverb, but I definitly won't, compared to the deluxe, the sound is boxy and thin.
oh good! i'm glad this helped you make an informed decision!
6L6 vs 6v6. I like 6v6 more but that’s my ears. I also like el34s more than 6L6s so I’m biased. Great demo man. The Pro sounds great but I think the Deluxe sounds better and will cut through more in the mix and mids. OD sounds better to me on the 68CDR.
i’d agree that the deluxe is quite a bit more focused!
I love my 68 custom pro. I had the deluxe for a while too and liked it a lot, but the noise floor was too much for me (this was a couple years ago, so maybe they’ve fixed it since then). I did like the feel of the deluxe a bit more, as it was a bit more saggy/compressed, but the light weight, mid control, increased headroom, etc. of the Pro make it a better amp for me. YMMV. They both sound great cranked and convinced me that people who crap on overdriven Fenders haven’t cranked the right Fender (and turned down the bass control as the volume goes up).
I eliminated the noise in my 68 Custom DR by replacing the filter caps with F&Ts, moving the power transformer center tap and power supply filter cap ground off of the PCB and onto the chassis near the PT. Attached the heater leads directly to the power tubes and adding an artificial center tap, again on the chassis. Nothing else worked
@@jerrymcgeorge4117 Well that's a hell lot of work to make a new amp work properly. They fixed the noise hum on the 68 Vibro champ reverb and the 68 Pro Reverb. That means that there clearly is an engineering problem on the 68 models before these 2.. Gosh..
The two channels on the deluxe is really nice. Also I don't need 40 watts personally. They both sound great though!
there ya go!!!
As a longtime user of channel switching amps, what's your "workflow" in using the DRRI with two separate non-switchable channels?
@@ensignofindustry1033 if you are asking me I would use them separately depending on what I was playing at the time. I mostly play at home or at church. At church the vintage channel would be used, at home either channel depending on what I wanted to play. Having said that I do not own a Deluxe, I use a Boss Katana currently but someday would love to own a Deluxe and having the bassman style channel available for jamming and fun is a bonus for me.
Delux sounds wayyy more classic!! just discovered u!! great stuff and hello from nyc
heya chris! used to live there myself! glad you're here!
@@DemosInTheDark just subbed! where are u livin now??
To my ear, deluxe is more mid scooped that like much better. I wanted the pro though as it’s much lighter and I assume more headroom… hmm… is this because of that neo speaker? I am about buying a neo creamback for my bf 65drri to make it easier to carry around.. If anyone know the answer for my concern… help.
I didn’t know you can use the reverb and term on that left channel on the Deluxe. Did I hear that right?
Im almost sure my 65 Reissue doesn’t do that. I’ll have to plug the 68 in and try that. If so that’s awesome!!!
Anyone know if fender has fixed the high noise floor of the 68 custom line that has plagued it since it’s release?
neither of these amps seemed especially noisy to me. it's possible your threshold is lower than mine. all these years of fuzz collecting has probably dampened my senses. hahaha
Owned both, now just the Pro. Couldnt use the Deluxe because of hum and hiss. Destroyed my recordings. Got a replacement, same issue.
Ordered the Pro: Dead silent
Another notable thing: I have the same speaker as the Deluxe in a cab. Sounds very close with the speaker change
@@JBAikensMusic thanks..what speaker u recommend
i wonder if most of the sound difference is in the speaker. Wonder what they would sound like with the same speaker.
Which of these would u say sounds like a 112 twin reverb?
How do guys like the Neo Creamback in the Pro Reverb
That new deluxe doesn't have the sweet cleans that my early 70's one has. I wonder what they did to it?
you need both!
truer things have never been said.
How long should I wait to warm up the tubes before playing on the 68 Deluxe Reverb?
i give it 45-60 seconds
Got a chance to try a Pro at my local shop and still prefer the Deluxe for sure. Both are great though!
Why?
@@shckltnebay To my ear the DRRI just had more oomph. The sound was more full and rich-maybe it had a bit more bottom end? Anyway, just one guy’s opinion so take it for what it’s worth.
both sounds good but, neither of two have the clean headrom that i need, prefer my twin 65, thanks for the vid!
Cheers for the comparison! Not sure which I like best... maybe the Deluxe Reverb takes it for me, just! Thanks for the video... your content is great.
definitely more focused!
These are both great amps. I like the sound of the Deluxe more in the all 5s section of the demo, but prefer the Pro in the Cleans section. Ditto for the Pro in the Overdrive section. The Pro seems more practical for weight and ease of use. Deluxe has the added 'custom' channel. Tough choice.
Have a bassbreaker 45 but decided to buy a pro reverb because it fits in my tiny 2 door cars front seat. It’s a lot more convenient for practice
I had to disregard what eyes told me with this one. I tend not to like vintage Silverface Fender amps but the different speaker and voicing mods with these definitely get past that bias. FWIW I slightly preferred the cleans from the Pro Reverb and the drive tones from the Custom channel of the Custom Reverb.
dude, i know. when they sent the pro, i was like “silverface?” and after plugging in, i was like “SILVERFACE!”
@@DemosInTheDark You did a great job with the comparison so thanks.
I LOVE silver face fenders. Check this out though from Psionic Audio, the video is titled "Fender Deluxe Reverb Reissue - They All Have This Problem (Yes, Probably Yours, Too)"
I strongly considered both of these amps, but ended up buying the 68 Deluxe. At 22 watts, the Deluxe breaks up at just the right spot for my tastes. The Pro would probably be a much better amp for a live rig, but it's just too much volume and headroom for a home recording setup. Deluxe Reverbs are kind of perfect for home studios.
Both sound great! But the Deluxe Reverb has the tube rectifier and that's what makes the difference.
I mean if it didn't we would all get the Tone Master (also a fine amp), Right?
Tubes are like Yachts and Diamonds...You can never get enough! Lol
Plllllleeeeeeeaaaaaasssssssseeeeeeee do a Deluxe Reverb vs the Princeton Reverb. Flavors of AMAZING both, and it would be great to see an A/B of two great sounding amps with different approaches.
You didn’t mention that the the deluxe has bug tremolo and the pro has bias shift trem. Huge difference in the way those 2 sound. Also I think the pro’s tone stack is the same as channel one of the deluxe with added mids control . A comparison of the deluxe’s custom channel would’ve been more apples to apples.
Good to know. I’m a huge fan of bias shift tremolos. They sound the most trippy and helicopter choppy cranked.
Between those two I liked the Custom Vibrolux Reverb best. By far.
It’s a shame Fender discontinued the Vibrolux Reverb.
Plus you can jump the two channels on the Deluxe.
truth!
Hmm. 🤔 Now I think Fender needs to build a 1x12 Tonemaster Pro Reverb, or some kind of 40 to 80 watt 1x12. I know no such vintage amp existed, but it would be cool.
Back in the day some people used to mod the Deluxe Reverb to 6L6s and upgrade the transformers for a loud compact amp. It could be a Tonemaster recreation of that.
I want that Strat, Fender send me that Strat please 🤷🏽♂️🤪👍🏽👍🏽
Why have the reverb on, it messed up the tremolo comparison
Pro reverb it is. I love the sound of scooped up mids.
Videos like thai needle a db meter so we can hace años idea of how loud the amp is.
Both are great amps, the Deluxe edged out the Pro IMHO. The Pro has more head room true, but lacked the richness of tone from the Deluxe. Great video... I stick with my '65 DRRI unless someone give me a Pro, then I will do both.
DIME EM!!!!!
I thought the pro reverb was a 2 6L6 Twin Reverb with a tube rectifier? A fucking grail amp.
Clean I can’t beat a deluxe. Has more bite. The lack of mids helps clean or light breakup. Overdrive yes, u want some mids
The package is great on the pro reverb, but the voice of the speaker chosen just doesn't fly with me.
Deluxe hands down!!!
Pro Reverb sounds much fuller and better cleans.
Bought a Deluxe, no regrets
I have a hard time getting that classic spongy deluxe fender tone at live volume without being miced. I think it has to do with mines cream back speaker. Not as big a fan in person with that speaker. I play alternative country mixed with classic rock though. The tone is cool. But if I want to go gain I prefer my orange or vintage 60s odd ball amps. I just want the nasty country spank from the fender. I recommend getting a different model if your after the same as me.
I like you show where you put the bottom I don't why they went with the rock sound Marshall has that covered I want a clean sound
Its all about the cleans which the Pro does way way louder
them be loud cleans for sure!
Until you go to 90% of modern venues and they want you to mic and the 40w doesn’t cut it. I’ve been playing out with 2 deluxes for 2 years and it’s only had to be broken up on 1 occasion and it’s a very smooth overdrive and can be smoothed out with the guitar volume. 22w is absolutely perfect these days
The reviewer seems to have a much harder time playing the Pro Revrrb. And this is because of the tube driven (DR) vs solid state (PR) rectifier.
The first is squishy, the pick attack reacts slower with more compression. As a result it's easier to play, and has more the "plays itself" feeling.
The PRO Reverb has a much faster attack (good for George Benson like staccato lightning fast clean jazz licks), and that's because of the solid state rectifier. You have to play better and precisely to get a good result... And it won't let the mistakes unheard 😊😊😂
If fender only made a deluxe pro reverb
touché!
I don't get why the deluxe looks bigger
Nananana
6l6 vs 6v6 Its the 6l6 pro that wins for me, lighter MORE clean headroom . The deluxe has its place but there is a reason the new pro was developed .In this time of so many pedals (that did not exist in 68) why would you want to limit your self to an amp defining your tone. Fender made amps defining the job you were going to do in the old days . Playing in your bedroom -champ bar -deluxe arena-twin . Now you can cover all those with a PRO. OR you can be really smart and buy a USED Hot Rod Deluxe for less than half the $ and put the rest toward other gear and get the same Great TONE. Plus take it from someone who was there - everybody thought fender was done during the CBS era (68) so they were not considered quality in their own time. Buck skin fringe jackets were cool in 68 ! Your better than that .
Power transformers is where the big difference is in clean headroom.
The Psionic dude said that the Pro Reverb has the Bassman tone stack. It sounds it too. So the Pro Reverb is basically a smaller Bassman with a reverb and biased tremolo. Not really in the same cmparible tonal category as the Deluxe.
Do you have a link please?
According to the description on Fender’s website the Deluxe and Twin both have it on the custom channel.
Both have what ? . . . the tube biased tremolo, or the Bassman Tone stack. I was primarily referring to the tone, as to why they are not comparable. I do not see that on the Fender website. Yes for all that much more money the custom's have the biased Tube Tremolo. It is just because in Europe they made the photocel of the current standard tremolo illegal. Psionic also says that the Custom Deluxe Reverb is a sham. Just marketing. I am open, but I still do not see any Bassman tone stack in a Deluxe Reverb@@charlesbolton8471
The pro is a perfect amp. I always wanted half a twin. Now they make. #muffafuzza
A BASSMAN tone stack without a middle control.......right...
I am biased 'cause I only like blackfaces in Fender amps' line, but I found the Pro's breakup awful. The Deluxe is a different beast. I still don't like it in its silverface version, but it is more musical.
fair enough!
Pro reverb all day long
Now put a Neo Creamback in the Deluxe and see what happens.
I listen to the Vibro Champ and think "this is the perfect Fender clean sound", then I listen to the Pro Reverb and think "no, this is the perfect Fender clean sound", then I listen to the Deluxe Reverb and the same thing happens again..
hahaha! EXACTLY!