• Registered: 2010-02-09
  • Posts: 19

Topic: Blackface pro reverb or super reverb?

Hey guys Im getting ready to graduate high school and my dad found these two vintage fender amps for a reasonable price. He said he would get me one for doing well in school, and for learning the entire fleetwood mac Mr. Wonderful album .  Im looking for an amp that will give me that nice pure singing peter green, mike bloomfield tone and sustain. I've played through both of these amps but i have not had the chance to turn them up loud enough to hear them break up. Im just looking for an amp than will not get farty sounding when pushed. I plan on attenuating the amp, as well as replacing the oxford speakers with ev12ls or celestion 30 watt greenbacks in the pro reverb, or if i opt for the super reverb i would replace the speakers with ev10s or weber silver 10s. Which amp do you guys think will suit me best? Maybe Joe could give me some input as well.
Any input or suggestions are appreciated.

Guitars- Gibson 1960 V.O.S Les Paul, Fender Eric Johnson Strat, Martin SWOMGT.
Amp- 1967 fender vibrolux reverb
Effects- Ibanez TS-808, BBE Two Timer, BBE Soul Vibe, Vox V847, Dunlop Hendrix Fuzz Face, Tonebender MKII, BK Butler Tube Driver.
  • From: Florida, USA
  • Registered: 2008-06-04
  • Posts: 1,420

Re: Blackface pro reverb or super reverb?

My '68 Super is one of the only Fender amps that I've ever played that doesn't fart out at low volumes.  Gotta love those 10s, they give a really focused/tight low end.  The Pro Reverb is a fine amplifier and actually may be more collectable IDK.  The Pro Reverb is often heralded as a lower volume Twin as far as tone goes.  I'm biased because I'm so happy with my Super Reverb, but I think you really can't go wrong!

'67 and '74 Fender Twin Reverbs, '74 Marshall 1987 lead mkII, Metro Superlead 100. Pedals from TC Electronic, Ibanez, Dunlop, BK Butler, Electro-Harmonix, Fulltone, Maestro/Gibson, Loopmaster switching, VoodooLab, Boss. Gibson and Fender guitars, Dimarzio pickups.
  • macg1
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  • From: St. Petersburg, FL
  • Registered: 2010-01-21
  • Posts: 1,020

Re: Blackface pro reverb or super reverb?

+1 for the Super.  But, like all Fender amps they sound best when the power tubes are cooking, so crank it up and make no excuses.  I just played a Pro the other day for the first time and i cannot put my finger on it, but i was underwhelmed... (personal opinion of course).

Amp: Firebird Musical Amplifiers
Guitars:62 LP SG , 02 FB VII, JB FB I, 76 Electra Omega, 64 Firebird V, 73 LPC, 61 Custom Tele, 59 and 60 Melody Maker
Effects: Mythos Chupacabra, Strymon Deco/Flint
  • From: North Carolina
  • Registered: 2008-10-26
  • Posts: 2,926

Re: Blackface pro reverb or super reverb?

I bet they both sound great so I am going to take a different stab at it.  Go for the lighter one.  I'm guessing one has 2-12's and the other 4-10's or 4-12's.  Unless they got wheels I would pickup each one and pick the lighters of the 2.  If its down to tone I would agree which tubes can get hotter faster.

AD3THREE's Website

  • From: North Andover, MA
  • Registered: 2010-03-23
  • Posts: 35

Re: Blackface pro reverb or super reverb?

I had a 72 Super Reverb for 16 years and it was a fantastic amp.  I have also played through several Pro's...Both have their qualities.  Nothing sounds quite like a cranked Super Reverb though.  To me the Pro with a 15 is a great sound and they have their own grind with 2x12.  Ultimately you should play through both and see how they speak to you in terms of feel.  They are both very loud.  I agree that the only way you will get the "feel" from them is to crank them.  Both are great amps though, you won't be disappointed by either one.

Amps: Hand Made JTM-45, 18 Watt TMB, AB763 Pro, Route 66 Clone.
Guitars: 2007 R8 Les Paul Iced Tea Burst, Refinished 83 Les Paul Studio, , Homemade 50's S style guitar.
Effects: Micro Vibe, CryBaby, Fulldrive II, OCD, Fat Boost V1
  • Registered: 2009-10-10
  • Posts: 438

Re: Blackface pro reverb or super reverb?

I like the Super Reverb's.  I hesitated to comment on this topic because I have never played a Pro Reverb.  My bandmate has a late 60's Super Reverb and he loves it.  I play an old Fender Bandmaster head through a Marshall 4x10 cabinet which is a similar set up although the closed back keeps things a little tighter.  I don't know about the Pro Reverb, but I don't think you can lose with a Super Reverb.

  • From: Burlington, Ont Canada
  • Registered: 2010-04-01
  • Posts: 365

Re: Blackface pro reverb or super reverb?

Ditto on the Super Reverb. I recently traded a '69 for a Marshall Bluesbreaker RI and I'm disappointed - I NEVER should have traded it. Cant speak for the Pro though - never played through one

Gits: '03 Gibson Historic R7 Goldtop, '06 Gibson R8 Plaintop, MIJ '62 RI Strat,  and others...
Amps: '99 Marshall 1987x Plexi RI, 1969 Fender Super Reverb

My band: www.meanbones.com
  • Registered: 2007-11-04
  • Posts: 404

Re: Blackface pro reverb or super reverb?

Go for the Super... Derek Trucks only reciently traded his for PRS amps.  But he used one on the road for years and his tone is to die for.

PS- Its really friggin heavy. But two 12's are heavy too.

  • From: Florida, USA
  • Registered: 2008-06-04
  • Posts: 1,420

Re: Blackface pro reverb or super reverb?

kevman13 wrote:

Ditto on the Super Reverb. I recently traded a '69 for a Marshall Bluesbreaker RI and I'm disappointed - I NEVER should have traded it. Cant speak for the Pro though - never played through one

EEEK!  I feel your pain bigtime bro...I'll NEVER let my '68 drip-edge Super go.  It's one of my favorite all around amps that I own for sure.  There is hope however.  I picked up my Super for around $800 less than a year ago so you can find killer deals on them.  I'd sell the RI Bluesbreaker and buy another Super with the cash!  BTW don't get me started on the RI PCB Marshalls/Fenders nowdays...thats a gripefest for a whole 'nother day!  (though I did like a RI Bassman once)

'67 and '74 Fender Twin Reverbs, '74 Marshall 1987 lead mkII, Metro Superlead 100. Pedals from TC Electronic, Ibanez, Dunlop, BK Butler, Electro-Harmonix, Fulltone, Maestro/Gibson, Loopmaster switching, VoodooLab, Boss. Gibson and Fender guitars, Dimarzio pickups.
  • From: Burlington, Ont Canada
  • Registered: 2010-04-01
  • Posts: 365

Re: Blackface pro reverb or super reverb?

I may just have to bite the bullet and sell the BBRI -  I was OBSESSED with Capton's "beano"tone for a while (still am in a way) and was determined to find it, which led me to the BBRI. I have modded it slightly (KT66's, etc.) and it DOES sound way better now but nothing sounds quite like a Super Reverb. BTW I saw your Youtube clip with your Super going for JB's tone - amazing!

stratpaulguy86 wrote:
kevman13 wrote:

Ditto on the Super Reverb. I recently traded a '69 for a Marshall Bluesbreaker RI and I'm disappointed - I NEVER should have traded it. Cant speak for the Pro though - never played through one

EEEK!  I feel your pain bigtime bro...I'll NEVER let my '68 drip-edge Super go.  It's one of my favorite all around amps that I own for sure.  There is hope however.  I picked up my Super for around $800 less than a year ago so you can find killer deals on them.  I'd sell the RI Bluesbreaker and buy another Super with the cash!  BTW don't get me started on the RI PCB Marshalls/Fenders nowdays...thats a gripefest for a whole 'nother day!  (though I did like a RI Bassman once)

Gits: '03 Gibson Historic R7 Goldtop, '06 Gibson R8 Plaintop, MIJ '62 RI Strat,  and others...
Amps: '99 Marshall 1987x Plexi RI, 1969 Fender Super Reverb

My band: www.meanbones.com
  • From: Florida, USA
  • Registered: 2008-06-04
  • Posts: 1,420

Re: Blackface pro reverb or super reverb?

Thanks!

'67 and '74 Fender Twin Reverbs, '74 Marshall 1987 lead mkII, Metro Superlead 100. Pedals from TC Electronic, Ibanez, Dunlop, BK Butler, Electro-Harmonix, Fulltone, Maestro/Gibson, Loopmaster switching, VoodooLab, Boss. Gibson and Fender guitars, Dimarzio pickups.
  • From: North Andover, MA
  • Registered: 2010-03-23
  • Posts: 35

Re: Blackface pro reverb or super reverb?

Yes...super reverbs are very, very heavy, and if you want big speakers in them...they are even heavier.  I recently re-furbished a super here in Austin, with four Celestion Gold 10s in it...it tipped the scales at 102 lbs.  But...it sounded glorious.

Amps: Hand Made JTM-45, 18 Watt TMB, AB763 Pro, Route 66 Clone.
Guitars: 2007 R8 Les Paul Iced Tea Burst, Refinished 83 Les Paul Studio, , Homemade 50's S style guitar.
Effects: Micro Vibe, CryBaby, Fulldrive II, OCD, Fat Boost V1