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Vintage threads from the first ten years

Fender twin reverb II

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12/16/1997 2:35 PM
Matte Norberg	Fender twin reverb II I want a very clean sound with a lot of punch for agressive funk "riffing". So, I came across this late 70's Fender twin reverb II 100W Head (blackface). Is it any good?

12/16/1997 5:27 PM

I recently did some minor repair on a friend's Twin Rev II, and I had not been aware of this Fender series before then. Turns out that Paul Riviera (you've undoubtedly heard of Riviera Amps) designed this series in 1982, (I think).

These are pretty cool amps, really. From what I understand, he was trying to 'evolve' the Twin, not in small part by adding a Master Vol, an overdrive circuitry, and channel switching. I can't be too specific without schematics, but I seem to remember reading that one of the things Fender wanted to return to was the lower plate voltages typically associated with BF amps. Anyone out there know more?

From what I've read, and seen posted on BBS' like this one, I think the general consensus is that this is probably the coolest series of amps that Fender designed in the CBS era. Naturally, others opinions may vary...

I really was impressed with my friend's TRII. It didn't measure up when A/B'd with my CBS era BF Twin (which doesn't differ much from the pre-CBS BF Twin) - but...then that's not really such a fair fight.

I'm actually planning on picking up one of these, should a good deal occur. I'd kind of like to try the Deluxe Rev II, or the Champ II. I've heard really good remarks about the Champ II.

12/16/1997 9:22 PM

If you like it, and the price is nice, get it. I think a decent price would be $200-300.
The Twin II will get pretty close to a classic Twin sound.
As far as lower plate voltages, I haven't seen them. I think the plate voltage runs around 480-500 VDC. The schematic specs 465 VDC on the plates.
The Twin-R , model AA769, specs the plates at 410 VDC. Model AB763 specs the plates at 460 VDC.
A posting below discusses modifying the power supply on a Twin II to lower plate voltages.
I think these Rivera-era Fenders were the last mass-produced point-to-point Fender amps.
I have a 1983 Concert 1-12 60W combo which kicks nicely. These amps are not the true "blackface" amps (which were made in the Sixties), but they are decent amps as far as I can tell.

12/17/1997 1:52 AM

If you like it, and the price is nice, get it. I think a decent price would be $200-300.
The Twin II will get pretty close to a classic Twin sound.
As far as lower plate voltages, I haven't seen them. I think the plate voltage runs around 480-500 VDC. The schematic specs 465 VDC on the plates.
The Twin-R , model AA769, specs the plates at 410 VDC. Model AB763 specs the plates at 460 VDC.
A posting below discusses modifying the power supply on a Twin II to lower plate voltages.
I think these Rivera-era Fenders were the last mass-produced point-to-point Fender amps.
I have a 1983 Concert 1-12 60W combo which kicks nicely. These amps are not the true "blackface" amps (which were made in the Sixties), but they are decent amps as far as I can tell.

12/17/1997 12:57 PM

I have two of these puppies and they are great. You can go from a classic twin reverb sound to a distorted sound with the channel switch. The overdrive is real versatile. I got mine to sound very tweedy at lower settings - then you can get a good marshall crunch by pulling out the mid boost and turning up. Bottom line - all tube very versatile 100w amp and they typically go for under $400. Tube effects send return too!

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