Fender Amplifiers (Guide): Discover Their LEGENDARY Series and MODERN Models. Series: Twin, Twin Reverb, Bassman, Deluxe Reverb, Hot Rod…
As many of you know, Fender is one of the most prestigious brands of electric guitars and basses in the world. But its production of amplifiers for these instruments is equally celebrated for its role in the development of numerous musical genres.
So on this page, I’ll showcase everything from the most classic and traditional tube models to modern modeling and solid-state versions.
FENDER Twin Amplifiers
As we know, an electric guitar cannot function—at least not as it was designed to—without an amplifier specifically built for this purpose. So, after designing its Telecaster guitar model, Fender promptly launched an amplifier tailored to that instrument: the Fender Twin.
One of the best-known and most widely used lines of electric guitar amplifiers in history. The Fender Twin has played a fundamental role in the development of California music and genres such as blues and rock. It has been used by legendary guitarists like Eric Clapton, Keith Richards, Jack White, and John Frusciante, among many others. However, this amplifier has also been used in any genre that requires a distinct tone, such as jazz or country.
Fender Bassman
In 1952, Fender followed suit and released an amplifier for its newly launched Precision Bass model, and thus the Fender Bassman was created.
Although this amplifier was initially designed for amplifying the electric bass, it has since been used to amplify other instruments such as the electric guitar, and was used by legendary artists like Jeff Beck and Kurt Cobain. Furthermore, the Fender Bassman became the quintessential amplifier, inspiring the high-gain amplifiers developed by other brands such as Marshall and Mesa Boogie.
Today, the Fender Bassman is still available for both bassists and guitarists, although it costs around $2.200. It is a stage amplifier that is quite bulky due to its four 10-inch speakers and weighs 24 kilograms.
Fender Launches the Deluxe Reverb and Twin Reverb Amplifiers
In the mid-1960s, Fender would release two of its most iconic models: the Fender Deluxe Reverb and the Fender Twin Reverb.
As for the current reissues of these models, I’ll tell you that the ’65 Deluxe Reverb is basically the little brother of the ’65 Twin Reverb. Although their prices aren’t that far apart—the Deluxe costs about $1.800, and the Twin Reverb goes for around $2.200.
Don’t panic just like with guitars, anything made in the United States is very expensive. But later on, I’ll show you some more affordable tube amps, and I guarantee that these are the kind of amps that, with a single powerful guitar riff, can knock the fillings out of your teeth
Okay. Getting back to the topic, the Fender ’65 Twin Reverb is considered a true masterpiece from the brand, boasting an incredible 85W of power and two 12-inch speakers. This amp lets you play at a pretty high volume without adding distortion.
Although we can also make it crunch deliciously with a good distortion pedal, or simply by turning up the amp’s volume. That said, using distortion pedals to control this amp’s saturation would be much more convenient and versatile.
In short, it’s a beast that’s clearly geared toward professional musicians, and its natural home is on stage.
Tone Master Series
In fact, Fender has recently released transistorized versions of both the Deluxe Reverb and the Twin Reverb as part of the Tone Master series. Aesthetically, they are identical to the originals, but without the weight and maintenance issues of the classic versions.
The Fender Tone Master Deluxe Reverb features a 100W power amp designed to match the 22W tube power of the original version, and is equipped with a 12″ Jensen N-12K speaker with a neodymium magnet, all for a price just under $1.200.
The Fender Tone Master Twin Reverb model is designed to replicate the original’s high, distinctive clean headroom. To achieve this, it delivers 200W of power to emulate the tube version’s extraordinary 85W of power and features two 12″ Jensen N-12K speakers, all for a price of around $1.400.
Power output shouldn’t be a concern with these two units, as both amplifiers feature a switch that progressively reduces the power down to 1 watt for the Tone Master Twin Reverb and down to 0.2W for the Tone Master Deluxe Reverb.
These power ratings correspond to the tube versions; for this reason, the maximum power ratings do not match those of the Tone Master models.
Hot Rod Series
In the 1990s, Fender developed one of the most successful amplifier lines in terms of value for money, and it is currently in its fourth generation. This line is the Hot Rod series, manufactured in Mexico to reduce production costs. But let’s not kid ourselves—these are professional amplifiers, and although they’re more affordable, they’re by no means low-cost amplifiers.
Fender Blues Junior: Among the Most Successful Models
The most popular amplifier in this famous series is the Fender Blues Junior. It’s a compact yet fully featured tube amplifier with 15 watts of power, a 12” Celestion speaker, and authentic classic spring reverb.
An amplifier with excellent clean tone, but one that’s also ideal for use with effects pedals, since it handles the distortion from these devices very well. A true all-around amplifier that can produce everything from mellow tones to the heaviest hard rock sounds using effects pedals.
At first glance, this amp might seem unremarkable due to its compact design, but this little guy, paired with a few effects pedals, is literally a beast. It’s used by top-tier professionals like John Mayer and Noel Gallagher of Oasis. It costs around $780, but keep in mind that this is likely an investment that will last a lifetime.
Fender Hot Rod Deluxe
If you need to reach 40W of tube power, this series includes the Fender Hot Rod Deluxe, which features a 12-inch Celestion speaker and is priced at around $1.000.
An amplifier that’s quite similar in features and price—and also one of the brand’s best-sellers—is the Fender Blues Deluxe Reissue, with an attractive Tweed finish and a 12-inch Eminence speaker.
If you need a wider sound range, there’s the Fender Hot Rod Deville 212 IV with two 12-inch Celestion speakers and 60 watts of power. If the 15-watt Blues Junior is a killer, this one is “Jack the Ripper.”
It typically costs around $1.200, and some of its users include guitarist Albert Hammond Jr. of The Strokes and Robby Krieger of The Doors.
Fender Amplifiers: Bassbreaker Series
Also made in Mexico, we have the Bassbreaker series, which has a modern look but is essentially a recreation of the legendary Bassman from the 1950s, with some improvements and new features. You could say it’s Fender’s line of high-gain amplifiers.
In this range, you can find tube amps with power outputs ranging from 15 to 45 watts, available in head and combo versions.
Super-Sonic and Princeton Series
Fender offers other notable lines, such as the Super Sonic series and the Princeton line—which is highly regarded in the studio—but when it comes to classic amplifiers, you essentially have a solid foundation in Fender’s extensive amplifier catalog.
Modeling Amplifiers
Fender doesn’t just offer its customers high-end amplifiers; it’s a brand that covers all segments of the market.
Fender Mustang LT25
For example, if you need a modeling amplifier for practicing at home, we have one of the best-selling amplifiers of this type on the market: the Fender Mustang LT25.
This amplifier is affordably priced at around $160, yet it features a rather elegant design, 25 watts of power, an 8-inch speaker, a headphone output, a tuner, and a USB port for connecting the amplifier to a computer so you can record. It offers versatility and absolute convenience, as this series features digital effects built right into the amplifier itself and doesn’t require maintenance like tube amplifiers do.
The Mustang series also includes other models with varying power outputs, ranging up to 100 watts in the transistor-based Fender Mustang GTX100 model, which features a 12-inch speaker and is priced at approximately $500.
Fender Amplifiers: Champion Series
The Champion series is another line of transistor amplifiers with built-in effects, and the least powerful model is the Fender Champion 20, available for a modest $150. Compared to the Fender Mustang, it’s a more affordable and simpler option for those who don’t want to overcomplicate things.
This series also comes in different power ratings, and the most powerful version—the Champion 100—delivers 100 watts with two 12-inch speakers, priced at around $460.
While there are legendary guitar amplifier manufacturers like Marshall and iconic guitar makers like Gibson, Fender does the same—but under a single brand. Both its guitars and amplifiers are universally recognized.