Fender Concert Series II Amplifier Rivera era 1982-1987

**Wildcat** · 08-14-2013, 11:29 AM

I just came across an amp on line, a Fender Concert Series II Amplifier, 1 x 12 speaker. Does anybody have experience with this amp? What caught my eye was the reference to it as 3/4 of a Twin Reverb, with more.

The following is a review from several years ago.

Fender Concert Review, ¾ of a Twin Reverb but more

After hearing two good examples of black face Fenders recently, one a Twin and the other, an exceptional Super Reverb, I felt the need for those types of black face sounds again. Ideally, I wanted that sound in a smaller, lighter package that, had channel switching, master volume and some other modern features, like an effects loop.

Rivera era “Concerts” were built from 1982-1987, not to be confused with the later, non Rivera “Concert Amp”, circa 1993. The amp is rated at 60 watts RMS. It is a hand wired, point to point amp. It has two foot switchable channels (with separate EQ.) and foot switchable reverb. The tube compliment is: 2, 6L6GCs, 5 12AX7s and two 12AT7s.

Layout of front; It has high and low sensitivity inputs. The clean channel has volume with bright boost, treble, and bass. (The reverb and presence also work in clean mode.) The lead channel has volume (with pull channel switch, when not using the foot switch), gain, master, treble, mid (with pull mid boost that adds a lot of boost), bass, reverb and presence. Then there is a standby switch and an on/off switch. The reverb is via a tube driven, Accutronics long tank (another benefit of a bigger cab).

Layout of rear, AC outlet, ground switch, main speaker jack (8 ohm), external speaker jack, line recording out, return level, effects return jack, effects send jack, send level, reverb tank out, reverb tank in, jack for channel foot pedal, jack for reverb foot pedal, hum balance pot.

The clean channel is surprisingly strong and holds clean way up until the bitter end. You have to get past 6, on the audio taper pot to begin to make it clip. It has the unmistakable sound of a good old black face Fender and probably closer to a Twin than a Super Reverb. The lead channel has its own sound. It is definitely not Marshallish. Some say it sounds like a Boogie but it sounds nothing like the MKI, MKII or MKIII amps I have had. It has its own, medium gain sounds that somewhat split the difference between a cranked Super Reverb and maybe a little Boogie-like.

**jorgemg1984** · 08-14-2013, 02:39 PM

On paper seems like a great amp... A blackface with some modern twists. If I had one I would probably mod the lead channel to a clean baxandall (like a "jazz amp") and add a dwell control for the reverb. Maybe a new speaker too.

Lage Lund used one for a long time.

**Gilpy** · 08-14-2013, 03:04 PM

I had one of these until recently, and played many gigs with it. These are really good amps, "the last of the hand wired Fenders", at least for a while.

The review posted above is accurate. It sounds like a good Fender should, with great clean sounds, lots of headroom and a nice reverb. The overdrive channel is OK, but a little bit nasty sounding. I got a better sound using a good pedal. It's worth owning just for the clean channel.

If you can get one of these at a good price, I'd highly recommend it.

**Wildcat** · 08-14-2013, 03:17 PM

Local seller is asking $635. 1983 Excellent condition. Not sure yet what the speaker and the tubes are.

**Gilpy** · 08-14-2013, 05:10 PM

I paid a little less, but these have become popular and prices have risen. In my opinion, well worth $635. Compared with other amps in the same price range, I think they're a good value. And these are likely to hold their value, if you ever have to sell.

**Spook410** · 08-14-2013, 05:49 PM

I have one. Got it new back when. It does work well and has some nice modern features while retaining all the black face parts you need. My single complaint is that it's heavy. If I can answer any questions or take pictures let me know. My is all stock except for replaced tubes.

**Moonray** · 08-14-2013, 08:11 PM

I have a 1X12 early 80's Concert, just like the one in the photo above.

Of course mine doesn't look quite as pristine as you'd expect for a 30 year old amp.

Mine kills.

I got it in part exchange for a RI Twin that I really didn't want to sell but was offered the Concert in
part exchange as a sweetener.

It sounded rather flat, as in "dull" sounding when I got it and was not at all impressed,but one of
my serious students had one that sounded great...clean, sparkly on the clean "Fender" black face channel.

So I felt the potential was there....I paid in effect the equivalent of C. US$600.

Long story short, I found the tube amp guru [probably in the country]....he asked what I didn't like
about the amp and what I was shooting for.

So...he re-tubed, [power and pre] and re-capped,etc etc. Also replaced an input that was worn [and had failed on
a gig while launching into a rip shit and bust solo in front of 3000 people....was I pissed!]

When I picked the amp up....it was completely transformed into one of the best amps I've ever had the
pleasure to own.
I have his list of what was done in front of me....

...."Set bias and measured output"...60.5 watts RMS clip point
112 watts RMS max

BTW the power tubes he installed for my request for max clean head room were a matched pair of Svetlana 6L6 GC's.

The clean channel has huge power capacity, mids are set...you have treble and bass controls with a treble boost pull switch.
Although I can't imagine any situation where you'd want more treble.
There is also a presence control which gives a nice bit of air and works on both channels.
Reverb is also on both channels and foot switchable....nice smooth and deep verb.

Channel 2 is extremely versatile and can be used as a clean boost, or as a drive channel.
...Great variance available in drive mode...3 vol's....vol, gain and master.

So yup I'm a fan of the Rivera era Concert amp.

If you see one up for sale, swoop on it.
...You may have to get it serviced and set up like I did ....but wow....I don't need any other amp.....it kills.

However, one caveat....as a previous poster commented they are pretty heavy, not as heavy as a Twin...but
I'm 66 not out and can still deal with it....got me a small hand truck for longer schleps.

I forgot to mention that there is a [large] forum for Concert owners...heaps of ideas for fixes/mods etc
....consult Mr Google

**Jimmy Mack** · 08-14-2013, 11:28 PM

Really like mine, it has 2 10's. Eminence, stock, with the Fender label and they are great. I would like to know what modern Eminence 10 inch would be the equivalent. The reverb is sweet. The above comments are very consistent with mine except my "clean channel" breaks up at around 4. I have not re-tubed, but if I did, I might change the Drive channel ????? which I like.

**Moonray** · 08-15-2013, 08:16 AM

Hey Jimmy, it shouldn't affect your drive channel if you were to get the amp retubed etc

I play @ 4 as a normal clean sound and sometimes keep cranking it up if the gig warrants.
..Gets pretty damn loud...the clean channel gets a little furry up around 8 or 9...at which point
you'd get death rays from the band, if it was a straightahead jazz gig.

My experience is that the drive channel can be coaxed from a second clean,
...but with a different tonal quality [or use as a boost]...but there is much you can achieve by your
use of the 3 vol's...I can get mild, warm-verge-of-breakup ala Sco, to singing lead sounds
think early Capton, or Carlton in full cry.

....I only use those names to give a kind of reference....I'd put up some clips but do not
have the gear to make that possible.

You can also do over the top drive...but admit that I don't take it that far....not my thing.

...Reminds me of a cartoon someone printed in one of our local papers...shows a bunch
of young guys with ink,metal and lotsa hair....one guy holding a guitar plugged into a
very large amp goes...."Chords!?.....No dude, I play distortion"

I'd like to hear a 2X10 config....I dig 10's....I once had a 50 watt Marshall with an 8X10 cab.
Loved that thing....no master vol in those days .....19 mumble mumble....ha ha
...4 of the 10's were in the bottom half of the cab with the the other 4 in the top half slanting up
at about head height......you could open that baby up and just scream......I played a just reissued
Gold top Les Paul Standard with P90's straight into the Marshall.....what a sound!....wonderful memories.

But it'd be a beast to cart around at this advanced stage of the innings.

Dig my Concert to bits....had it around 10 years...a keeper.

**AlainJazz** · 08-15-2013, 05:55 PM

I guess I'm the exception here. I had one for a few years and to be frank, I hated it. I was very happy to find a buyer for it. To me, it sounds nothing like the classic fender amps. I've had a 60s deluxe and a super reverb and in my humble opinion, there is no comparison. The amp was very heavy to boot and took endless tweaking to get a passable sound. Maybe I had a lemon, who knows.

**Wildcat** · 08-15-2013, 06:31 PM

Originally Posted by AlainJazz

I guess I'm the exception here. I had one for a few years and to be frank, I hated it. I was very happy to find a buyer for it. To me, it sounds nothing like the classic fender amps. I've had a 60s deluxe and a super reverb and in my humble opinion, there is no comparison. The amp was very heavy to boot and took endless tweaking to get a passable sound. Maybe I had a lemon, who knows.

Wow I didn't see this one coming after all of the love for it. Interesting. Sorry to hear about that AlainJazz, but glad to hear you found a buyer..

Well, I am going on Sunday to see, play and hear her. I will know if tone works for me. Also, the only Blackface era amp I can compare it to is my 1964 Bandmaster. I am really looking forward to how it compares to the Bandmaster.

My feeling is that in theory a good amp tech can diagnose any tonal issues and we can adjust what I can not. Otherwise it is a matter of "taste" and what you want at that time in your life.

However, this brings up the question, are there such things as a "lemon" tube amplifier ?? I have bought and sold my share of tube amps, but for me it was more a learning curve on the variations of amps and what I like and don't like.

AlainJazz you and others bring up another good point. With the weight issue, a local sale for the amp make the most sense. Shipping a beast like this would be a chore. I had a silver face Twin sometime back and bought and sold it local.

**Jimmy Mack** · 08-15-2013, 07:31 PM

Good luck on the auditioning. You could be in for a real treat, or just a mediocre waste of time, it depends on quite a few variables. Take YOUR guitar. The one you feel most comfortable (tonewise and feel) with. Before you leave home base, play that guitar in your best amp, then you can compare realistically. I've had guys bring their own guitars to compare to a guitar I was trying to sell them!

Look at the speaker! Fender???? A good Celestion???? A good Fender might be a good Eminence. Look for a quality spkr.

Check the screws !!!!! Worn screws means "work has been DONE" and worn screws spells "amateur".

The amp should be reasonably QUIET. Or you won't enjoy it. Sometimes, lousy tubes contribute to noise - very often.

My expectation is that you will like it, if everything is in order. A crummy speaker (non-stock) may be a bargaining point, you can always get advice on replacements. A lot of players prefer a 12 in. to 10's. It has its advantages.

If I were to sell mine today, I would want to see a lot more than $635. I got mine in trade for a '83 Super Champ! What I have now is its Big Big Brother.

**Phlatt Wound** · 08-15-2013, 11:28 PM

I've got one that I bought new back at the time. It's had a JBL E-120 in it for just about ever. And yes it's a heavy dude! Back when doing louder gigs I also used an extension cab, with a 15" JBL D-150 (I think that's right), that's a converted Fender 2x12 cab.

The drive channel was somewhat hard to tame at first but I eventually got a smoother overdrive by swapping the early gain stage tubes. So long ago that I don't remember the details of the swap but I might have ended up with an AT7 in there somewhere instead of an AX.

Still playing it now and it gets nice, clean, warm jazz tones. The other guys have covered it pretty well already in this thread.

It's nice to know it's worth as much $$ as it is.

**AlainJazz** · 08-16-2013, 05:29 AM

Wildcat, best thing is to just try it out with your own guitar. Like I said, maybe mine was a lemon or broken and I didn't know it. I just know that from the minute I bought it, I couldn't warm up to it. It was my very first online purchase many years ago. I ended up buying nothing online for several years because I was so disappointed.

However, one thing I should mention about it is that it was certainly an impeccably built amp that oozed quality of workmanship (in the construction, not its tone). It was more solid and "heavy duty" than any amp I have ever owned.

**jorgemg1984** · 08-16-2013, 06:03 AM

Alain are you sure the amp had good / tight tubes and was properly biased? Or not in need of some swerivcing? Or had been modded? Was the speaker in good shape? It can happen with older amps... I remeber some recent reports of guys buying used fuchs or redplates (very expensive amps) and hating the sound and later discovering issues like I described above. Once the builders put everything as it should be they started sounding good. Or maybe it was all good and you just didn't liked it

I am not sure about how "consistent" tube amps are supposed to be... but I never played two twin reverbs who sounded exactly the same except for the RI series (who sounded all equally bad to me). Maybe point to point adds to that incoherence?

**AlainJazz** · 08-16-2013, 07:26 AM

hi Jorge, as far as I could tell, everything was in working order and all original. I had tried changing all of the tubes but it hardly made a difference. I don't have any reliable amp techs in the area so I didn't have it checked out.

**Wildcat** · 08-16-2013, 08:56 AM

Thanks for all of the help and suggestions.
I will take my guitar and I will play my best amp before going.
Also, I talked to Michael at Eurotubes and he gave me some suggestion on tube types for a clean amp with lots of headroom as I am going to look at the tubes that the owner has in there now.
Also I will be looking if a replacement speaker was installed.
For Input/gain tubes I prefer a gold pin 5751 over a low gain tube as IMO it affects the tone.
So, I am going to look the amp over before I play it, just to know what I am dealing with internally.
I will report back.

As for the gain channel, I would be quite happy just putting a good overdrive pedal in the clean channel for some blues, and fusion.

**Klatu** · 08-16-2013, 09:53 AM

Originally Posted by AlainJazz

I guess I'm the exception here. I had one for a few years and to be frank, I hated it. I was very happy to find a buyer for it. To me, it sounds nothing like the classic fender amps. I've had a 60s deluxe and a super reverb and in my humble opinion, there is no comparison. The amp was very heavy to boot and took endless tweaking to get a passable sound. Maybe I had a lemon, who knows.

This was also my experience. I had mine for a few years and it never lived up to the standards set by my 1968 Super Reverb or my Evans FET 500. I found the clean sound to be "harder" than the cleans I prefer, and the overdriven tones were buzzy and horrible.

Like others have noted, it's possible that I got a lemon, but I wouldn't go down that road again.

**Wildcat** · 08-16-2013, 11:41 AM

Doing some reasearching I came across this modification from Dan Torres for the Concert II, Deluxe Reverb II, Twin Reverb II:

http://torresengineering.stores.yaho...hanswitfe.html

A kit for the Rivera designed Fender channel switching amps made in the 1980's.
These amps have black faceplates and are channel switchers with two channels.

These amps have great potential and the kit brings it out.

The kit rebuilds the clean channel for a more classic "Super Reverb" tone, and for much more tone, response, gain and sustain from the overdrive channel. Includes a master for the whole amp. A fairly EZ kit to install, you are replacing parts on the circuit board and rebuilding some circuits for better performance. this is one of our oldest kits, dating back to the time the amps were first made.

**Spook410** · 08-16-2013, 12:26 PM

Now that you mention it, I'm not a big fan of the stock Fender speaker. I use mine with a 2X12 closed extension with a couple of vintage style Celestions. These sound noticeably better. Warmer. Smoother. Richer. I don't know how much of the difference is the speaker model, closed back, or 2X12 config (actually 3X12 since I don't unplug the amp speaker), but it is quite different with the extension plugged in. It seems attributable to more than sheer speaker real estate. There's something edgy and unsatisfying about the stock speaker and one of these days I will replace it (I've only had it for 30 years).

**Wildcat** · 08-16-2013, 01:11 PM

The attached photograph is the current and my proposed tube layout. The V6 is for the effect loops.

**D.G.** · 08-16-2013, 01:39 PM

I had one, I did not like it. Toneless, heavy, uninspiring, etc. I tried different tubes and speakers and Torres mods, etc. and nothing worked. You can't polish a turd.

I also had a Princeton II that left me feeling pretty much the same as the Concert II did.

YMMV.

**AlainJazz** · 08-17-2013, 12:06 PM

Wildcat, I have had lots of amps including the Concert and the two fenders I mentioned (both considered classic amps). About three years ago I was finally cured of my amp GAS. I have been using a Henriksen Jazzamp. In my opinion (and really this is just my opinion), it is the best sounding amp for jazz that I have ever owned (by far). It is small, loud, and has a warmer, less colored tone than the fenders. It is the only amp through which my guitars all sound significantly different. The old fenders have a great sound no doubt, but when playing an archtop through them they sound very colored and somewhat muddy. The Henriksen sounds much more natural to my ears.

**Spook410** · 08-17-2013, 01:17 PM

I also have a Jazzamp (head/110ER Redstone) and I do like it. Still, it is so very different from a Fender. Not sure I would want to give either one up. I don't care for the Henriksen with my Strat/335/Les Paul and the Fender does offer a very traditional jazz tone with an archtop passed down from the 60's. However, when you want to scoop some mids out for a clear, woody acoustic tone, the Jazzamp works and the Fender not so much.

Sigh. My house is full and I can't have one (or more) of everything. Flat tops, archtops, solid body, amps, PA, recording gear.. this is insane.

**AlainJazz** · 08-17-2013, 01:30 PM

I agree that Henriksen isn't as good with a solid body. It is really an archtop amp. Depending on the type of archtop, fender amps may or may not work. I have an L5 that just sounds boomy through the fenders no matter what I do. Through the Henriksen it sounds real sweet! I recently got a Sadowsky Jim Hall and playing through the henrriksen is just about the best tone I have ever heard on any guitar/amp combination.