BF Amp

[hawklet06]

I am looking for a Blackface fender amp. I am trying to stay below 1500, and the lower the better.

Right now I am looking at Gries 20 or 35, griesamps.com/ , and vintage sound 22, www.vintagesoundamps.com/amps.htm . (Check out the cherry wood amp).

I noticed a Richter in another thread. Can anyone give me some more information on these?

I was wondering what other builders I have left off. I know Fender, but I would like something hand-wired, and a little more upscale.

EDIT... If anyone knows if I can get a Dumble SSS type amp in this price range, please let me know...

[jeremym19]

I currently have a Richter 5E3 and if your going for a blackface sound the Richter probably isnt the best choice as she only makes tweed amps, they sound great but aren't blackface.

That said I'm thinking of selling the Richter and getting a Gries 5 or 20. I would like some better control over my volume and with the master the gries should give me that.


If your looking for a SSS I would check out www.ceriatone.com. He doesn't advertise them but he could probably put one together for you.

[hawklet06]

I've looked at the ceriatone amps, but I don't want to deal with shipping from Malaysia.... (Although they do look great and are price great too.....)

[jeremym19]

i hear the Fargen Blackbird is a good blackface type amp but I have no experience with it

[hawklet06]

What about Bruno Cowtippers? I hear they have great cleans....

As I look at more amps the price tag keeps going up

[Rich]

Here's what I would do in your position.. Free advice..

Get a nice silverface Fender amp, flavor of your choice, then blackface it if you must. You can find help on forums, and I don't think the mods are particularly difficult or expensive. There are folks out there in cyberland with blackface plates, if the cosmetics worry you, but the SF amps are not going to stay cheap for long...

If you load a JBL, EV, Jensen, or Weber speaker in a SF Fender amp, you won't need anything else, and your pocketbook won't suffer. I have a Vibro Champ, a Deluxe Reverb, a Pro Reverb, and a Vibrosonic Reverb- they are all great. I have had others, but these amps cover any style and any venue very well.

My personal preference is stock silverface, with upgraded speakers. I've tried many amps over the years, and come full circle back to early 70's Fender amps.