Testing a Twin Reverb

[smurph1]

I got some good news today..I have been Gassing for a Twin Reverb, ever since I played one recently..A friend of mine who used to be a bandmate has a used one and he is going to let me "borrow" it for a while to see if I really like it as much as I think I do..I know that when I'm playing rhythm, I need a pristime clean tone..No fuzz at all..Those amps seem to fill the bill..Yes its heavy as hell, but I'm playing bass in the band, so no need to haul it around..So now all I need to do is go get the amp, change my phone number, and move..then I got it made..Ha Ha

[Steiner]

You may have to move anyhow; those beasts are Loud!

 

I played through a Twin in the 70's when I had a FRAP pickup installed in my acoustic. I found it was the same tone just louder. Loved it! The Twin is permanently in my collection. No other amp can do what it does as well.

 

Like they say... It's worth the weight

[smurph1]

You may have to move anyhow; those beasts are Loud!

 

I played through a Twin in the 70's when I had a FRAP pickup installed in my acoustic. I found it was the same tone just louder. Loved it! The Twin is permanently in my collection. No other amp can do what it does as well.

 

Like they say... It's worth the weight

Good Point..It wouldn't be the first time I was evicted for loud music..I grew up in the 70's after all..I'm pretty excited about it.. just hope that I might be able to pickup more hours at work, so I can pay for the dang thing..He's only asking $600 for it, and it's in excellent condition..So we shall see..

[smurph1]

It also seems like the kind of amp that responds to pedals pretty well..I am very old school..Maybe a tube screamer and a dyna comp and thats about it..because that amp is so clean, it probably shouldn't alter the pedals tones..Is that true or am I just full of manure?

[Steiner]

I'm a simple guy so I try to keep things that way: Guitar, cable, amp. If it doesn't sound quite right, I replace one or more of the components. I have effects units but haven't taken the time to learn them (the shame!). I know a multitude of players use them so they must be friendly AND flexible.

 

At $600 you cannot go wrong. They street for $1850. If it's pristine shape you should be able to get $900 or more.

 

Play it on the borrow factor and decide if you get that tone in your head. That's where the value is!

 

Enjoy!

[pushover]

If it's in good shape, then I don't think $600 is a bad price. How old is it?

 

So let me gently lob a suggestion your way, as something to possibly consider.

 

For the 1st time in the 20 years I've owned the thing, I finally brought my Music Man HD-130 reverb into the shop for some TLC. Did some research before bringing it in, and it brought back many memories. Some seem pertinent to your thread, so I thought I'd share.

 

I bought my amp cause I thought it just sounded awesome, and at the time it was much cheaper than the Twin. If you know the story about Leo and Music Man, it won't surprise you to find out that inside the MM Hd-130 reverb is almost a clone of the Twin reverb. Some differences but at the time when I did a direct comparison between the MM and Fender I actualy preferred the MM, and so did my pocket book. It's not good as a high-gain amp, but neither is the Twin. It's got exactly the same crisp cleans the Twin is renown for.

 

So if this particular Twin doesn't work out for you, you might want to take a look and see if you can find any old MM's out there. They're built like tanks, so there should be plenty of them still going. Don't know too much about what they're selling for these days, but not too long ago it wasn't unusual to find them in the $300 range. Obviously your ears may not agree with mine, but it might be something to consider as a possible alternative.

[smurph1]

thanks for that..I think its 3-4 years old..The guy I MIGHT buy it from is an old friend who is positively fanatical (is that a word?) about taking care of his stuff..He even has his old original Mexi Tele with nary a scratch on it..It's at least 10 years old if not more..But I really like being able to take her home and use her for a while..(Kinda sounds like my college days..) But time will tell, I guess..I will keep you posted..He might even take the Gibsonette in trade..But I'm not sure I want to part with that yet either..Lots of unanswered questions I guess..HA HA

[smurph1]

Well..I guess I probably won't be getting that "Twin"..I need to be responsible..I don't have the money to get it..My Blues Junior provides a very nice clean tone, at a high volume..I really don't need such a high powered amp..the Junior does a good job, and it's paid for..BONUS!!!

[tulk1]

Well..I guess I probably won't be getting that "Twin"..I need to be responsible..I don't have the money to get it..My Blues Junior provides a very nice clean tone, at a high volume..I really don't need such a high powered amp..the Junior does a good job, and it's paid for..BONUS!!!

 

If that were a '60s Twin or even a '70s Twin it'd be worth being irresponsible. But as it's a Y2k+ Reissue, yeah, best to be responsible and savor what you have. Karma comes around. Something nicer will come your way. And there ain't much wrong with a good sounding Blues Jr. Almost like a Twin Jr.

[smurph1]

If that were a '60s Twin or even a '70s Twin it'd be worth being irresponsible. But as it's a Y2k+ Reissue, yeah, best to be responsible and savor what you have. Karma comes around. Something nicer will come your way. And there ain't much wrong with a good sounding Blues Jr. Almost like a Twin Jr.

Yeah..Thanks for that..Believe it or not, It doesn't sound as good as my Junior..The reverb lacks that certain "Something"...Plus I hurt my back bringing it into the house..Oh Well..

[MacDoggie]

I agree with the prior statements. If you can work with the volume it puts out, the twin is fabulous. I don't gig so I can't work with the volume they put out, but if I had to pick out a amp for pure tone, that's the gotta have amp.