'65 Twin Reverb 2x12-inch 85-watt Tube Combo Amp Review

Worth it

Started with a tone master Twin - tried to like it but wasn't feeling it - then exchanged for a Princeton... which worked for a few hours but died shortly thereafter with a bad tube. A supply chain tube shortage required sending the amp all the way back to Sweetwater for replacement, and my thoughts were 1) the Princeton was breaking up too early... as do my Blues Deville 2-12… read more and Blues Junior, and I just wanted something clean with a less bright EQ profile to pedal into. And 2) they had the Twin in stock. So glad I upgraded. Yes it's heavy as a house (buy the caster set) and yes over 4 on the volume knob it will blow the doors down. But the sound is full and responsive, and the volume know is linear-ish and can be set reasonably low. Went through 3 amps to get to the place I should have started - with the blue chip top of the line. While this is definitely too much for an apartment setting, if you have some space and the neighbors aren't home, this amp is a pleasure. It takes humbucker driven pedals just as easily as clean, singing strat tones played gently. Reverb tank is wonderful as well.

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Just a great amp

I never write reviews, but I have to chime in about this amp. I have had mine for 3 years now. I also have had real 65 blackface twins back in the day (yeah, onw with JBL's - now that was a heavy amp!), as well as a Marshall Plexi and a Vox AC-30. Nothing is as good as this amp; it just gets it right. Yeah, its heavy, and I am not a spring chicken - I use a hand truck to move it… read more around. No big deal. It's loud, but with the right power tubes it sounds good at a reasonable volume (i use JAN Philips 6L6WGB tubes), no pedals are needed. I play strats, tele, les paul, jazzmaster - all I really need is my strat. I used to gig more often than now, but I still get out there. Often just me with a pedal board and looper. I own a princeton reverb, deluxe reverb (both reissues): I love Fender clean tones. For the reissues, I always relplace the output transformer (current ones Fender uses are crap), replace the Jensens with Webers, and get some NOS tubes. The result: as good as the original amps, in my opinion. Not as serviceable with the printed circuit board, but that classic sound is there, and the components are otehrwise new. You do not need to make the improvements I did on these amps, but I can hear the difference. These are all excellent amps, but the Twin is the most versatile and best-sounding. I have been playing for over 50 years, many kinds of music. The Twin is the best amp you can get - it can do it all, and do it well. Nothing even comes close.

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Why don't Sweetwater publish my review?

I've written two reviews now, none of them published..

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55 Years Old And Still The Best In Sound

Bought 65 Twin and 65 Jaguar in August 1965. Played in band called Revalleers at Ohio State for Fraternities and Sororities. Had a blast. Still have Twin and Jag and they are still the best. Twin's name is George and the Jaguar is Jane. Recently purchase a couple of Strats and a Fender acoustic. Really having a great time Also have my Mom's 1892 Steinway Model H. Does not… read more get any better than that

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Love this amp

I have several tube amps including an orange and vox, but without a doubt my new favorite and go to is my 65' twin reverb. I haven't had the amp long but I have fallen in love with how sweet it sounds, the headroom, and the spring reverb. I can't wait to get home from work to play my 60s tele through this amp. Worth every penny.

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