Fender Blues Deluxe Tweed 40-Watt All-Tube Combo – 1996

This is a superb example of the USA-made Fender Blues Deluxe, dating from 1996 and representing the original run of these much-loved American-built amplifiers. Clad in classic tweed with its oxblood-and-gold grille cloth and chrome control panel, the Blues Deluxe has become something of a modern classic in its own right. Built between 1994 and 1996 before the model was later reintroduced, these early examples have a particular appeal to players who appreciate the combination of vintage Fender styling and practical gigging power.

This example is in excellent condition and presents extremely well. Fully workshop inpected and ready for a new home.

It has the wonderfully familiar tweed appearance, clean chrome control panel and classic black chicken-head knobs associated with the original production. It is a substantial but very practical 1x12 combo, and everything about the design suggests an amplifier made to be played rather than simply admired.

The factory specification is classic Fender: 40 watts from a pair of 6L6 power tubes, with three 12AX7 preamp valves driving a single 12" 8-ohm Eminence Special Design speaker. The circuit is fixed-bias with a solid-state rectifier and incorporates two channels, spring reverb and a series effects loop. There are two inputs, with the Normal channel offering Fender's characteristic clean platform alongside a Drive channel for adding some additional valve grit and character.

The sound is where these amplifiers really earn their reputation. The Blues Deluxe has a big, warm Fender clean tone with plenty of headroom, a strong low end and the familiar glassy upper register that works beautifully with Stratocasters and Telecasters. Push the amplifier harder and the 6L6 output section begins to deliver a rich, harmonically complex breakup that is particularly effective for blues, roots, country and classic rock. The spring reverb adds that spacious Fender character without obscuring the fundamental guitar tone.

There is also considerably more volume and authority here than the name might suggest. At 40 watts, the Blues Deluxe is perfectly comfortable on stage, while its responsive clean channel makes an excellent foundation for pedals. It is equally at home with single-coils or humbuckers, and the Drive channel can take you from gently pushed blues tones through to a much more muscular overdrive.

The original Blues Deluxe was aimed squarely at players who wanted genuine Fender valve tone in a practical, reliable format, and it found favour with professional blues, country and rock players. It belongs to the same broad lineage of Fender's working-player amplifiers that has seen Fender combos become staples of stages and studios for decades. The combination of 6L6 power, 12" speaker, spring reverb and generous clean headroom makes this a particularly useful amplifier for players who want their guitar and pedals to remain the focus of the sound.

Factory specification:

• USA-made Fender Blues Deluxe, 1996
• 40 watts
• All-tube preamp and power section
• 3 x 12AX7 preamp valves
• 2 x 6L6 power valves
• 1 x 12" Eminence Special Design speaker
• 8-ohm speaker load
• Two channels – Normal and Drive
• Fender spring reverb
• Series effects loop
• Two instrument inputs
• Vintage tweed covering
• Oxblood/gold grille cloth
• Chrome control panel
• Black chicken-head control knobs
• Solid-state rectifier
• Fixed-bias output stage

A particularly good example of the original USA-built Blues Deluxe and a wonderful choice for the serious player looking for a great-sounding, straightforward Fender valve combo. Vintage-inspired looks, proper 6L6 power and a superbly usable range of tones make this a very compelling amplifier for both the studio and the stage.!