Fender '68 Custom Deluxe Reverb - Combo Guitar Amp - Vintage and Modern
The jewel in Fender's crown, revisited for modern expression.
The Fender '68 Custom Deluxe Reverb® pays homage to the iconic 1968 "Silverface" look, but make no mistake: its circuitry has been tweaked for today's musician. With 22 watts of pure tube power and a Celestion® G12V-70 speaker, this amp delivers faster saturation and an organic touch response. Whether you use the "Vintage" channel for that classic tone or the "Custom" channel for a pedal-optimized platform, this amp is the ultimate studio and club authority, available at Garage à Musique.
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The Grain Authority: Why is the '68 Custom Deluxe Reverb a must-have?
While the 1965 Deluxe Reverb is known for its crystal-clear sound, the '68 Custom is its more rebellious cousin. Fender has reduced negative feedback to deliver an amp that breathes more and saturates more musically as you crank up the volume. The major innovation lies in the "Custom" channel, which incorporates a modified Bassman® tone circuit, perfect for adding body to your overdrive pedals. With spring reverb and tremolo available on both channels, it's the surgically precise tool for any guitarist seeking authentic rock and blues tones at Garage à Musique.
Full Technical Specifications
Electronics & Power
| Characteristic | Details |
| Power | 22 Watts |
| Amplifier type | All lamps (Tube) |
| Canals | Two (Custom and Vintage) |
| Entrances | Four (1/4", two per channel) |
| Custom Channel Controls | Volume, Treble, Bass |
| Vintage Channel Controls | Volume, Treble, Bass, Reverb, Speed, Intensity |
| Effects | Spring Reverb, Tremolo (Vibrato) |
Speakers & Lamps
| Characteristic | Details |
| Speaker | 1 x 12" Celestion® G12V-70 |
| Total impedance | 8 Ohms |
| Power lamps | 2 x 6V6 |
| Preamp tubes | 4 x 12AX7, 2 x 12AT7 |
| Straightener | 5AR4 Lamp (Rectifier Tube) |
Construction & Look
| Characteristic | Details |
| Cabinet material | Birch/Pine Plywood (7-Ply Birch/Pine) |
| Coating | Black Textured Vinyl |
| Grid fabric | Sparkling Silver (Silver-Turquoise) |
| Front panel | Silverface™ style with "Drip Edge" |
Dimensions & Accessories
| Characteristic | Details |
| Weight | 42 lbs (19.05 kg) |
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 17.5" x 24.5" x 9.5" |
| Footswitch | Included (2 buttons: Reverb/Vibrato) |
| Cover | Included (Fitted Cover) |
Comparative Analysis
Based on consensus from Guitar Player, MusicRadar and Gearspace.
| Alternative Product | Market Segment | Comparative Analysis | Available at Garage à Musique |
| Fender '65 Deluxe Reverb | Purist Standard | More "headroom" (clear sound for longer), ideal for surf/jazz. | Available here |
| Fender '68 Custom Princeton | Small format | 12W, 10" speaker. Perfect for home use, but only for a powerful mixer. | Available here |
| Vox AC15C1 | British character | More mid-range and aggressive sound, but less deep reverberation. | Available here |
| Blackstar Artist 15 | Modern / Flexible | Very versatile, but doesn't have the "mojo" of Fender's 6V6 tubes. | Product not listed |
| Supro '64 Reverb | Vintage Shop | Very typical 60s sound, but less versatile than the two channels of the '68. | Product not listed |
History & Evolution
The year 1968 marked Fender's transition from "Blackface" to "Silverface" front panels, introducing the iconic aluminum frame around the grille (Drip Edge). While the original '68 models are highly sought after, Fender has opted for an improved circuit for this reissue: the two channels are now in phase, allowing them to be bridged for a massive, full sound. The Celestion® speaker adds a touch of modernity by handling distortion better than vintage speakers, a choice approved by our experts at Garage à Musique.
Cultural References & Artists
Keith Richards - Le son Silverface définit les rythmiques rugueuses des Stones post-1968.
Mike Campbell (The Heartbreakers) - Un adepte des petits combos Fender pour leur texture unique.
The Beatles - Utilisés intensivement durant les sessions de Let It Be et Abbey Road.
Chris Stapleton - Apprécie le grain organique des amplis Fender à lampes 6V6.
Gary Clark Jr. - Utilise la saturation naturelle de ces circuits pour son blues moderne.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
What is the major difference with the '65 Deluxe Reverb?
The '68 Custom has reduced negative feedback, giving it a more "open" sound and earlier saturation. Additionally, its reverb and tremolo work on both channels, unlike the '65.
Is the "Custom" channel really different from the "Vintage" channel?
Yes. The Custom channel uses a tone circuit based on the 1950s Bassman®. It offers richer low-mids, making it a surgical platform for your effects pedals at Garage à Musique.
Is 22 watts enough to play in a group?
Absolutely. The Deluxe Reverb is the ultimate club amp. It's powerful enough to be heard next to a drummer while still allowing the tubes to work to achieve that famous "sweet spot".
Why did Fender choose a Celestion speaker?
The Celestion® G12V-70 allows you to obtain a more robust and less "shrill" sound in the high frequencies when using overdrive pedals, while still retaining the necessary punch.
Is the amp noisy (hissing)?
Due to the reduction of negative feedback to gain dynamics, the '68 Custom models may exhibit a slight residual hiss greater than the '65 models. This is normal behavior for this high-performance circuit.
Can I bridge the two canals?
Yes! Since they are wired in phase, you can use a "Y" cable to go into both channels simultaneously, allowing you to blend the clarity of the Vintage channel with the body of the Custom channel.
Does the tremolo make a "click" sound when activated?
Fender has integrated a noise reduction circuit for the tremolo, but as it is a vintage tube optical effect, a slight pulse can be perceived depending on the gain settings.
Should I warm up the amp before playing?
Yes, it is recommended to leave the amp in "Standby" mode for about 60 seconds to allow the tubes to warm up, thus extending their lifespan.
Is the reverberation long?
It's a "Long Spring" unit (Accutronics style). It offers immense depth, ranging from a light ambiance to a totally immersive "surf" sound.
Is this a good choice for the Blues?
This is undoubtedly one of the best choices in the world. The natural compression of the 6V6 tubes and the 5AR4 rectifier provides a perfect "sag" (dynamic sag) for expressing the blues.
The Grain Authority: Why is the '68 Custom Deluxe Reverb a must-have?
While the 1965 Deluxe Reverb is known for its crystal-clear sound, the '68 Custom is its more rebellious cousin. Fender has reduced negative feedback to deliver an amp that breathes more and saturates more musically as you crank up the volume. The major innovation lies in the "Custom" channel, which incorporates a modified Bassman® tone circuit, perfect for adding body to your overdrive pedals. With spring reverb and tremolo available on both channels, it's the surgically precise tool for any guitarist seeking authentic rock and blues tones at Garage à Musique.
Full Technical Specifications
Electronics & Power
| Characteristic | Details |
| Power | 22 Watts |
| Amplifier type | All lamps (Tube) |
| Canals | Two (Custom and Vintage) |
| Entrances | Four (1/4", two per channel) |
| Custom Channel Controls | Volume, Treble, Bass |
| Vintage Channel Controls | Volume, Treble, Bass, Reverb, Speed, Intensity |
| Effects | Spring Reverb, Tremolo (Vibrato) |
Speakers & Lamps
| Characteristic | Details |
| Speaker | 1 x 12" Celestion® G12V-70 |
| Total impedance | 8 Ohms |
| Power lamps | 2 x 6V6 |
| Preamp tubes | 4 x 12AX7, 2 x 12AT7 |
| Straightener | 5AR4 Lamp (Rectifier Tube) |
Construction & Look
| Characteristic | Details |
| Cabinet material | Birch/Pine Plywood (7-Ply Birch/Pine) |
| Coating | Black Textured Vinyl |
| Grid fabric | Sparkling Silver (Silver-Turquoise) |
| Front panel | Silverface™ style with "Drip Edge" |
Dimensions & Accessories
| Characteristic | Details |
| Weight | 42 lbs (19.05 kg) |
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 17.5" x 24.5" x 9.5" |
| Footswitch | Included (2 buttons: Reverb/Vibrato) |
| Cover | Included (Fitted Cover) |
Comparative Analysis
Based on consensus from Guitar Player, MusicRadar and Gearspace.
| Alternative Product | Market Segment | Comparative Analysis | Available at Garage à Musique |
| Fender '65 Deluxe Reverb | Purist Standard | More "headroom" (clear sound for longer), ideal for surf/jazz. | Available here |
| Fender '68 Custom Princeton | Small format | 12W, 10" speaker. Perfect for home use, but only for a powerful mixer. | Available here |
| Vox AC15C1 | British character | More mid-range and aggressive sound, but less deep reverberation. | Available here |
| Blackstar Artist 15 | Modern / Flexible | Very versatile, but doesn't have the "mojo" of Fender's 6V6 tubes. | Product not listed |
| Supro '64 Reverb | Vintage Shop | Very typical 60s sound, but less versatile than the two channels of the '68. | Product not listed |
History & Evolution
The year 1968 marked Fender's transition from "Blackface" to "Silverface" front panels, introducing the iconic aluminum frame around the grille (Drip Edge). While the original '68 models are highly sought after, Fender has opted for an improved circuit for this reissue: the two channels are now in phase, allowing them to be bridged for a massive, full sound. The Celestion® speaker adds a touch of modernity by handling distortion better than vintage speakers, a choice approved by our experts at Garage à Musique.
Cultural References & Artists
Keith Richards - Le son Silverface définit les rythmiques rugueuses des Stones post-1968.
Mike Campbell (The Heartbreakers) - Un adepte des petits combos Fender pour leur texture unique.
The Beatles - Utilisés intensivement durant les sessions de Let It Be et Abbey Road.
Chris Stapleton - Apprécie le grain organique des amplis Fender à lampes 6V6.
Gary Clark Jr. - Utilise la saturation naturelle de ces circuits pour son blues moderne.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
What is the major difference with the '65 Deluxe Reverb?
The '68 Custom has reduced negative feedback, giving it a more "open" sound and earlier saturation. Additionally, its reverb and tremolo work on both channels, unlike the '65.
Is the "Custom" channel really different from the "Vintage" channel?
Yes. The Custom channel uses a tone circuit based on the 1950s Bassman®. It offers richer low-mids, making it a surgical platform for your effects pedals at Garage à Musique.
Is 22 watts enough to play in a group?
Absolutely. The Deluxe Reverb is the ultimate club amp. It's powerful enough to be heard next to a drummer while still allowing the tubes to work to achieve that famous "sweet spot".
Why did Fender choose a Celestion speaker?
The Celestion® G12V-70 allows you to obtain a more robust and less "shrill" sound in the high frequencies when using overdrive pedals, while still retaining the necessary punch.
Is the amp noisy (hissing)?
Due to the reduction of negative feedback to gain dynamics, the '68 Custom models may exhibit a slight residual hiss greater than the '65 models. This is normal behavior for this high-performance circuit.
Can I bridge the two canals?
Yes! Since they are wired in phase, you can use a "Y" cable to go into both channels simultaneously, allowing you to blend the clarity of the Vintage channel with the body of the Custom channel.
Does the tremolo make a "click" sound when activated?
Fender has integrated a noise reduction circuit for the tremolo, but as it is a vintage tube optical effect, a slight pulse can be perceived depending on the gain settings.
Should I warm up the amp before playing?
Yes, it is recommended to leave the amp in "Standby" mode for about 60 seconds to allow the tubes to warm up, thus extending their lifespan.
Is the reverberation long?
It's a "Long Spring" unit (Accutronics style). It offers immense depth, ranging from a light ambiance to a totally immersive "surf" sound.
Is this a good choice for the Blues?
This is undoubtedly one of the best choices in the world. The natural compression of the 6V6 tubes and the 5AR4 rectifier provides a perfect "sag" (dynamic sag) for expressing the blues.