Fender ’65 Twin Reverb – Is It Good? [REVIEW]

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

fender 65 twin reverb amp review

If you’re wondering if Fender ’65 Twin Reverb is a good tube amp or not, you’ve come to the right place! In today’s in-depth review, I’m going to take a very close look on that high-end combo. It’s a truly iconic model, but is it actually worth the money?

The truth is that Fender ’65 Twin Reverb is one of the best tube amps of all time. It exceeds all the expectations and it sounds absolutely amazing. Although it’s cheap, it will be a perfect amp for any passionate guitar player.

Let’s dive deeper with research to find out what exactly makes the ’65 Twin Reverb so good and so popular among the guitarists all around the world. Firstly, we’ll have a look at the detailed specifications of that combo. Additionally, we’ll investigate the major pros and cons of that model. Of course, there will be a sound demo included as well so you’ll also be able to hear how it sounds.

Specs & Pricing

fender 65 twin reverb amp review

Fender ’65 Twin Reverb is a high quality tube combo suitable for the most demanding guitarists out there. This is a reissue of one of the most legendary amplifiers manufactured by Fender as you can imagine – it’s awesome!

What makes it so cool? Most importantly, the amp features:

  • 85 Watts of power
  • 2 x 12″ Jensen speaker
  • 2 Individual Channels (Normal & Bright)
  • High-quality preamp tubes – 4 x 12AX7, 2 x 12AT7 preamp tubes
  • High-quality power tubes – 4 x 6L6
  • Built-in Reverb & Tremolo

As you can imagine, these things make this combo an absolutely killer amp! It’s a really versatile combo, so it can be used for a lot of different styles of music. Whether you’re searching for glassy cleans or punchy, fat tones – this combo won’t let you down.

It is also worth mentioning that Fender ’65 Twin Reverb looks fantastic from the outside too. It’s made with a thorough precision and attention to detail, so it’s very unlikely that you’ll experience any factory flaws or quality control issues. The amp features a classic look and it’s made of birch plywood with black tolex.

When it comes to pricing, just like any other high-end Fender tube amp – it’s not that cheap. However, considering how versatile and good sounding it is, I wouldn’t say that it’s overpriced. In my opinion, it’s worth every cent!

Here’s the sound demo – feel free to check it out below.

Who Is It For?

Fender ’65 Twin Reverb is suitable for guitarists of all levels, so it doesn’t really matter whether you’re a more advanced player or a complete beginner. You will definitely notice the uniqueness and the high quality of that amp!

However, since it’s a pretty expensive piece of gear, most of the time it’s used by intermediate and professional guitarists.

Since it’s a very versatile combo, it can be used for a lot of different styles of music. Whether you’re into oldschool rock, blues, country, jazz, indie or grunge, you can be sure that this combo won’t disappoint you.

Additionally, the ’65 Twin Reverb is also a perfect amp for any music studio. It also works amazingly during live gigs and studio sessions.

If you’re a working musician who’s searching for the best tube amp for live performances, this probably one of the best amps that you can potentially get. This tube combo guarantees a fantastic tone that amazingly cuts through the mix.

Bear in mind that this is not a cheap amp, so it’s mainly designed for guitarists who know what they’re searching for. If you’re looking for a budget combo, the ’65 Twin Reverb won’t be a good fit for you.

Overall, I’m positive that the vast majority of guitar players will really enjoy using this combo. As I said before, it exceeds all the expectations!

Here’s an another sound demo.

Pros & Cons

Just like any other tube amp available on the market, Fender ’65 Twin Reverb amp has its own pros and cons. You don’t have to worry too much about it though – the cons of that amp are really subjective!

Pros

  • Amazing Tone
  • High Versatility
  • Sounds Awesome
  • Footswitch Included
  • Perfect For Gigs & Studio

Cons

  • High Price
  • Weighs A Lot (29kg!)

As you can see, there are a lot of things that can be classified as advantages of the ’65 Twin Reverb. This combo looks and sounds absolutely amazing – isn’t it all that matters in the end? Surely, all passionate guitarists will appreciate that level of quality.

On the other hand, this is a pretty expensive combo. I think that the high price is the biggest disadvantage of that amp. Because of that, not everyone will be able to get it – at least not straight away.

Additionally, bear in mind that this is a pretty heavy piece of gear! It weighs a lot – 64lbs (29kg).

Nevertheless, I still believe that Fender ’65 Twin Reverb is one of the best tube amps that you can possibly get for yourself. That’s why I think that the advantages of that model outweigh it’s disadvantages!

Fender ’65 Twin vs Super vs Princeton Reverb

If you’re thinking about getting a high-end tube combo, you’re probably already aware that Fender has a lot of amazing amps in their offer. Most of the time, guitarists have to make a choice and choose one of the three following amps: the ’65 Twin, Super or Princeton Reverb.

All of these amps are great, but which one of them is actually the best?

Well, the truth is that it’s really difficult to pick a clear winner of that battle. All of these amps sound spectacular!

Hence, choosing one of these three amps will be solely based on your own persona preference.

Here’s a really good video that compares the tone of all of these three amps – feel free to check it out below if you’re interested.

Would I Choose The Twin Reverb?

That’s a tough choice! All of these three amps sound spectacular. I guess I’d have to choose all of them instead of choosing just one!

However, I’m sure that no matter which one you decide to get for yourself, you won’t be disappointed at all.

Cheaper Alternatives

If you don’t like the sound of Fender ’65 Twin Reverb or you simply can’t afford it right now, that’s not a big deal! There’s still quite a lot of other fantastic tube amps available on the market. In fact, some of them are way cheaper than this high-end Fender combo.

Of course, choosing a new amp depends on the size of your budget and your own personal preferences when it comes to amplifiers. Still, here’s a few more fantastic amps that are also worth checking out.

Firstly, I highly encourage you to check out the Peavey Classic 30. This is one of my all-time favorites! I used that model on several occasions and it always made a really good impression on me. This combo is far more affordable than the ’65 Twin Reverb and it’s still a fantastic choice for home practice, live gigs and studio sessions. I’m sure that a lot of you will absolutely love it!

other alternatives amps

Alternatively, you can also check out the Fender Blues Junior IV. In comparison with the ’65 Twin Reverb, this particular model is way smaller and way less powerful. It features 15 Watts of power, but it’s still a perfect tube amp for home practice, small gigs and studio recording. If that’s what you’re searching for, you should definitely take some time to check it out.

If you’re on a tight budget and you still want to find a great sounding and versatile amp, perhaps choosing the Fender Mustang GTX 100 will be the best option for you. This is not a tube amp – this is a modeling combo. It’s significantly cheaper than the ’65 Twin Reverb, but it’s pretty powerful and it’s packed with various presets and amp voicings. I’m sure that a lot of you will love it!

FAQ

Where is Fender ’65 Twin Reverb manufactured?

Fender ’65 Twin Reverb is manufactured in the United States.

Are tube amps good for beginners?

Yes, tube amps have a very characteristic tone, so I’m sure that all beginners love that type of sound. However, tube amps tend to be more expensive than solid-state amps.

Where can I find the manual to the ’65 Twin Reverb model?

The manual to the ’65 Twin Reverb combo can be found here.

Where can I find out more about Fender amps?

If you want to learn more about Fender amps, you can always visit the official website of Fender.

Summary

As you can see, Fender ’65 Twin Reverb is an absolutely unique all-tube combo. I know that it’s not cheap, but considering how good it sounds and how versatile it is, it’s definitely one of the best tube amps manufactured by Fender right now. That’s why I highly recommend checking it out!

What do you think of that combo? Would you add it to your own gear collection? Leave a comment down below and let me know what you think, I’m really interested to hear your thoughts about it!

Thanks for checking out today’s review, hopefully it was helpful and you found what you were looking for! If you enjoyed this article and you’re searching for more gear recommendations, you may also like: