1968 Fender Deluxe Reverb Amp

S/N: A26938

This is a Fender Deluxe Reverb-Amp “drip edge” tube combo amplifier, serial number A 26938, completed in 1968. It is a push-pull tube preamplifier/amplifier mounted into a black Tolex covered cabinet with outside dimensions of 2’ Width, 17” Height and 9 ½” Depth. It is mounted with a black plastic carrying handle and silver polyester grille cloth surrounded by a decorative aluminum frame known as a drip edge, a feature unique to the late 1960s era Fender amplifiers. The tube complement is one GZ34 rectifier tube, two 6V6 power output tubes, four 12AX7 tubes  and two 12 AT7 preamplifier tubes. One 12AX7 tube has been removed from the circuit. It is equipped with an onboard reverb tank with input and output plugs for the reverb unit and a reverb pedal, jacks for a speaker and extension speaker, on/off and standby switches, a fuse and a ground switch and the power cord, all mounted on the rear of the chassis. The speaker is a single 12” Celestion Vintage 30 speaker.

The front control panel includes: two “Normal” input jacks, a bank of knobs marked volume, treble and bass, two “Vibrato” input jacks, bank of knobs marked volume, treble, bass, reverb, speed, intensity and a red jewel indicator light. One input channel for normal and one input channel for Vibrato have each been transformed into tone knobs.

The transformers include a power transformer, marked 025130 - 606 - 8 - 02, a choke marked 022707— 606639, an output transformer marked 022640 - 606 - 8 - 05 and the reverb choke marked 022921 - 606 - 8 - 604. The date codes indicate a manufacturing date in early 1968. The amplifier pot codes all date from the fourth week of 1968, with the exception of the two added pots replacing their respective input jacks. The tube chart label on the inside of the chassis is, unfortunately, not stamped and some portions of the label are rubbed away, so the information for the final production date is not available. 

This is the earlier AA763 circuit, identical to the earlier and much prized blackfaced circuit of the mid 1960’s. It has been modified to conform to the specifications preferred by Trey Anastasio, of the band Phish. The most notable modification is the removal of one input each from the normal and vibrato channels. In their place are two knobs; these allow for the adjustment of the mids in a more specific way than the original circuit would allow. On the inside, they are connected to each bank of the original circuit with a long cloth wire and an added resistor. The bright cap has been removed as has one of the 12AX7 preamp tubes from the original circuit. The electrolytic caps and a few of the coupling caps have been replaced.  

Overall, this is a beautifully preserved and great sounding amplifier. The tubes are mostly vintage examples of the highest quality save for a pair of recent JJ 6V6S power output tubes, all of the transformers are original and show no signs of re-winding. Only a few of the internal components have been changed, along with a few reversible modifications, indicating careful service over the years. The power cord has been replaced with a three prong cord and the “Ground” cap has been taken out of the circuit, an important modification for safety. The speaker has been replaced.  The reverb footswitch is included.