Grateful Dead Music Forum

I did it. I bought a used Twin '65 Reissue on eBay last night. I instantly felt a combination of elation and worry.

I'm mostly a basement player, and I haven't gigged for a while. I know I won't be able to go past 2 on the volume. (I have kids at home who prefer not to have their hearing damaged at such a young age.) Will I still get a sweet sound? When I do get together with others I'm not looking forward to hauling the monster out of the basement just for a one-off jam.

I'll have to sell my Hot Rod Deluxe now to make room (both in terms of cash and literal space). I think it's worth it though because the Deluxe felt a little muddy to me, even on the clean channel. I'm eager to hear how my strat and tele sound through the twin. I know I'll love it, I just hope I didn't buy too much amp.

Jef

SWEET!

I have the 65 re-issue... Its heavy as anything but crank cleans tone. Add some tube screamer and mxr and it whistles at the high notes. When playing at home I am about 2.5 while gigging 4 to 4.5. What kind of speakers? Stock? JBL's ala jerry?

Speakers are Jensens. I'll see how I like them before thinking about changing them.

I might retube it. Groove Tubes are OK but I know I can do better. I'll have to do some reading on people's favorite tubes for the twin.

I think mine came with Jensesn in there too. I have them just sitting around.

OK, I got the 65 Twin. Some initial reactions:

Sounds great (of course). But not as loud as I thought. I had it at 3 and it wasn't too loud for my 4-year old or 1-year old. (At least I didn't HEAR them complaining - lol)

The back panels are cheapo. I expected wood like on my AC30. These are flimsy and look like they could break right off.

Reverb is amazing, but I wouldn't see needing to put it past 4 or so. Channel 1 is not too useful.

Trem is nice as fast. Sounds like a square wave which I'm not as big a fan of. I like a fast trem on some songs, and it's helicopter-like.

The second input is quieter than the first on each channel. At first glance it would seem I could get the amp to break up at lower volumes, but I'm guessing the power tubes wouldn't break up unless I ran the guitar through the first input at volume closer to 8. Anyone try this?

I'm a long way from checking this out, but these are my first impressions.

Jef

You did good, I have worked with Waldo to get all the mods and cap #'s and tap points if you prefer to do some mods. I was able to re cap the tone stack and everything. The stock twin RI is great and don't let the Part to Part school get you worried about mods and such. Its actually easier to work on, things are organized and labeled well. One of the best amps I have ever had. For tubes get you some mullards in the first two slots, then some JJ's or something less expensive if you like, but the first two are critical for quality. Try the SED 6L6GC's, they give you the best head room for clean playing but are pricey like $120 for a quad, a lot of other tubes break up early, these give you clean power loud. Get good 12AT7's like NOS phillips for your hard working reverb and the other 12At7 slot too. If you need a connection for tubes PM me and I'll get you in contact with a guy I deal with, he's reasonable and DOESN"T SELL REJECTS. be careful bidding on Ebay for "cheap" high dollar tubes, they are usually rejects with microphonics problems, not always, but it is more and more popular every day.

You did great my man. Best first mod, get some kickin speakers like webbers, Commonwealths (Heavy Like e120's), JBL E120, k120(preferably for weight). I think it was Brad from SMS that said Fenders and JBL's were made to be together. That's not money wasted. If you do mods let me know I can help. Jboy