What amp am I describing?

[Jarvis]

I'm tired of my Blues Junior. I've decided that instead of sinking more money into it for a speaker change, mods, etc. I should get a new amp, for I have changed my needs. Also, this would be after I purchase my Jazzmaster, might be something to keep in mind.

-First off, I'm looking to gig with this amp.
-I'm looking for something that has some clean headroom. I don't mean a high power Twin, but something where I can play clean on the bridge pickup and not have it distort. I'm starting to play a lot more clean and definitely a lot more barely broken up tone. You know, where it's not exactly dirty, but it's not exactly clean. My Blues Junior distorts too early. Now before anyone tells me to speaker swap or tube swap...
-I want something with 6V6/6L6 power tubes. Something Fendery, something American.
-I want some great reverb, or at least better than my Blues Junior. Trem is a plus, though it's not absolutely necessary. Footswitchable =
-I'd like this dream amp of mine to be a combo, and less than $1000.

Now, what I don't want:

-I don't want any onboard effects other than trem/reverb.
-I don't want a modeling/solid state amp.
-I don't want a Marshall/British style amp. This would be complimenting my other guitarist's Vox AC15.
-I don't want a ton of different channels and voicings. I just want to be able to play the damn thing.

Other notes:

-My main influences are Cold War Kids, Elvis Costello, Ryan Adams, Wilco, Delta Spirit, The Ventures and the Shins.
-I'd rather have something that does a good clean/slight break up sound (I could goose it with a pedal if I needed any more breakup) then a total gain machine. (Or I could just add a master volume... )
-The only other guitar I'd get besides a Jazzmaster is a Telecaster later on, so that might play into an amp selection?

Am I describing an amp that's actually in production? Before anyone says DRRI, I've tried one out, and I wasn't totally sold. I've also heard it pretty much hates pedals due to the bright cap and the speaker, and I'd hate to spend $850 on an amp only to spend $150 more on a speaker. Though the used prices aren't that bad. Also, I've been recommended a Super Reverb. Do they make them in anything that's not a 4x10?

Honestly, I'm open to any suggestions. Thanks for all the help, guys!

[jetset]

Find someone who has made a combo out of an early 70's Bandmaster Reverb.  You should be able to get a 2x10 or 1x15 nicely serviced for under a grand.  They are 40 watts, lighter (and cheaper) than a Super Reverb, and have the nice Fender build quality, reverb and trem.

Ask for one here with a "WTB" post:
http://www.webervst.com/bns/index.html?

-J

[RumorsOFsurF]

I'd recommend a Pro Reverb.  40 watts (the later ones are 70)  of Fender tone through two 12's.
http://www.ampwares.com/ffg/pro_reverb_sf.html

The Hot Rod series is good if you are on a budget.  They break up a little too early for my taste, though.
Some people around here think they are unreliable, but mine has been flawless.
The Hot Rod Deluxe is my current gigging amp, but I am actively seeking a Silverface or 65 RI Twin Reverb.

[glimmertwin]

...I'm in a similar position as you - and I'm going to let you in on a little secret.  I may get in trouble for saying this, but [he leans close so the other web boards don't hear] - a vintage Valco/Supro/Gretsch amp.  I have the same model that's in this ebay auction below and I can tell you it's the bee's knees for that touch sensitive clean to smooth distortion feel.  It's relatively light and has the sweetest trem on the block.  The small pan reverb sucks, but I use a Holy Grail and it sounds fine with it - who knows you might even be able to fit a long pan reverb in there with a little modification.  Anyway, I have a 2x10 6162 like the one below and it has Jensens and the original RCA tubes.  I spent just under $400 for mine and another $120 on a cap job/plug replacement, and $70 on a Holy Grail - nice amp for under $600.  It's loud enough for small rooms and most practicing situations but I'ts maybe a tad underpowered in my band since the singer plays through either a cranked bassman or a cranked AC-30.  Normally I drape a mic over the top and run it into the PA system and it gives me just enough beef to compete - problem solved.  We mic it at gigs and it's golden - put it on a stand so it's a little off the ground and I have no problem monitoring myself.  Most of the time when I use it, I crank it to ten and just play with the volume on the guitar or play lightly for clean stuff and dig in for distortion - works very well as it's a pretty dyanmic amp.  I think the 6163 may even be louder(single 15") but that's mostly speculation.  Soundwise I would say a Vibrolux Reverb is maybe a bit louder. 

...and looking at other amps, the Silverface Vibrolux Reverb can be had in the $800 range and it's a 2x10 beast.  Love that sound although it doesn't break up quite as nice as the Gretsch but it does have reverb.  I don't own one of these but I have played friends' and it has me gassing for one.  The Silverface Pro Reverb is also another good suggestion but I was never too keen on the break up and it had to be pretty loud to get it there to begin with - I would suggest using a booster pedal if you play through this one - plus the SF version is only a few pounds lighter than a twin...but the clean sound is freaking amazing.  For a while I was playing in stereo with a BFaced 70s Pro Reverb and this Gretsch and I can't tell you how happy it made me...sadly I never recorded anything with it(but I do have some recordings with the Gretsch on it now).

...also keep an eye out for a Savage Macht 12 - those things rock and occasionally I see them turn up used for $1,000-$1200. 

Anyway, all of those are good suggestions - if your trying to compete with an AC15, they should all work for you - my biggest beef is I have to compete with two of the loudest amps known to stages...


Gretsch 6162 - 2x10
http://cgi.ebay.com/Gretsch-6162-Tremol ... dZViewItem

...here is a 6163 - never played one, but with a 15" speaker and a similar one going for $400 recently, I would bet you could score one under $500.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Gretsch-6163-Execut ... dZViewItem

[mezcalhead]

the Silverface Vibrolux Reverb

.. would be my recommendation.

[jetset]

You'll spend more money on a Pro Reverb or Vibroluxe Reverb because they are stock Fender amps and thus have more collectors value.  A Bandmaster Reverb in a new cab is going to be a few hundred less for basically the exact same amp in terms of wattage, transformers and features. 
-J

[mezcalhead]

Good point .. the Fender heads are noticeably less popular than the combos, for whatever reason (with the blackfaces, because they lack reverb I guess).

[Jarvis]

Turns out the guitar club sponsor/health teacher at my school is an avid amp builder... he's built a few marshall clones, including a couple without a kit. He's been slowly convincing me to have him help me build an amp... and the Fender Amp Field Guide has a ton of schematics... I could do my own Bandmaster Reverb 2x10, or maybe even a Super Reverb 2x10? I'll have to chat with him about it, if any of this is actually feasible. thanks for all the help, guys! Are there any huge differences between a Bandmaster Reverb and a Super Reverb?

[The Baron]

Might be a shot in the dark. I know its not 6l6 but how about the
well proven Peavy Delta series. Either 2x10 or 1x15 with nice headroom and
an excellent value.

Dan

[jetset]

Turns out the guitar club sponsor/health teacher at my school is an avid amp builder... he's built a few marshall clones, including a couple without a kit. He's been slowly convincing me to have him help me build an amp... and the Fender Amp Field Guide has a ton of schematics... I could do my own Bandmaster Reverb 2x10, or maybe even a Super Reverb 2x10? I'll have to chat with him about it, if any of this is actually feasible. thanks for all the help, guys! Are there any huge differences between a Bandmaster Reverb and a Super Reverb?

They are the same amp, except the ouptput transformer: beefier on the SR, and set up for a 2 ohm load instead of the 4 ohm BMR.

You may be wise to have your teacher guy start with a Weber kit.  The 6A40 is basically a Super Reverb chassis, and you can choose your cabinet and speaker combo:

https://taweber.powweb.com/store/kits_60a.htm#6A40

-J

[Felix]

Might be a shot in the dark. I know its not 6l6 but how about the
well proven Peavy Delta series. Either 2x10 or 1x15 with nice headroom and
an excellent value.

Dan

I second this very good advice. It's not a 6l6/6V6 amplifier, but it does offer most of the qualities you want in an amp. It does the clean, on the edge breakup unlike any amp I know under $1000 USD. Not to mention, it's a very reliable, toneful amp.

[Amber]

Maybe you're after a KranK?

[Vinkie]

Read a good review on the Allen Accomplice in Vintage guitar a while ago. You can either use 2x6V6 for 20W or 2x6L6 for 35W so you can chose your preferred headroom. In general these designs are Fender inspired but a bit easier to control and carry around. They are also offered in kit form. I'd be very interested to try one but near impossible to find over here in NL.

http://www.allenamps.com/accomplice.html

[ohm-men]

Indeed a SF Silverface Bandmaser (Reverb or non reverb model, no master volume) in a combo.
Or a Peavey Delta blues, very nice amps imo
I was in a simelar situation after I sold my Sovtek MiG 100 ( I wanted a more 60-ties vintage sound and less power) I used a Bandmaster reverb at first (very nice, and very clean) and later on I went with a BF tremolux (still do) and recently a restored BF showman (more power for live gigs)
But I'm always impressed by the Peavey Delta Blues amp....(If I had'nt have what I have now, it certaily would be my no1 option)
Old Fender amps are nice, but expieriance learned that there is useally a LOT of work involved in making them sound again like they used to do....
I have replaced literary every wire and faulty part on the Showman (luckely for me a got a very good friend who's a amp doctor, so to speak and I only have to pay for the parts) but still...Once fully restaured they are superb, but I heard and played some awfull lived out amps in the past.....

[øøøøøøø]

You are describing a real Deluxe Reverb.  I cannot blame you much for being tepid on the reissue.  I'm pretty tepid on them too, although I did play one that sounded good once.

Pro Reverb and Vibrolux Reverb are also good recommendations.  A Deluxe, Pro or Vibrolux can be had silverface for reasonable $$$ and especially with the Deluxe, silverface is just fine.  Not as great as blackface but they made very few changes to the circuit; the main difference is quality of components.  Which are, of course, still better than what they use in the PCB reissues.

I've never been sold on the bandmaster.  I tend to prefer amps that give me the goods in the low-end, and the bandmaster with its puny output transformer does not.  If you like a more 'diffuse' bottom end (nice way of saying mushy) then you may dig it just fine.  If your main guitars are Fenders it might never be a problem.  If you like to play a low open "E" chord on a humbucker guitar and have it punch you in the chest, then the stock BM might not be for you.