Apologies the sound isn't up to my usual standard; I wasn't particularly planning on shooting any video but I thought some of you may be interested in the shootout! I hope you enjoy it :)

The joy in your face each time you plug your chord into that '65' amp says it all.

No one ever dared turn on reverb in that room 😂

I could make all those amps sound terrible 😜 Beautiful playing and tone as always Chris!

Is it me. Or does everyone wish they could play as completely awesome as Mr. Chris Buck.....you are inspiring at the very least..

I have been a bass player for almost 40 years but back in the 70s I started on guitar. Richie Blackmore, Rory Gallagher and Hendrix were my heroes back then. I still play the guitar and right now for my taste there is no one who I like listening to more than you, Sure the list of really great guitar players on youtube is endless. But there is something about the vibe that you create and that touches me more than any other guitar player I can think of.

The handwired was my personal fav.

The original 65 was the clear winner in my ears. Of the two reissues, the handwired sound appeals to me more.

On your way up man!! I'm here for it!!

Another wonderful video thanks Chris

Love hearing just a guitar and amp....no pedals, just pure guitar tone. Your a massive player Chris, been following you now for years. Keep it up!

@Chris Buck, your noodling is better than my playing. I enjoy watching and listening to you and your Band play. I’m going to have my Grandson follow you so he can be inspired. I had lost hope in modern music until I found your channel. GBY, your family, and your Band.

Sounds great!!! With the earbuds 🎶 .. Love the Tone's you were getting on all of them.. and after re-listening.. I agree with your decision.. great video 🙂✌️

Fender get on board and make Chris a signature artist🙏 These days were all buying multiple guitars of different brands so multi sponsorship shouldn’t be an issue. I’m a Fender fan boy but I bought a Yamaha Revstar 720B because of Chris. Come on Fender!

Excellent comparison! Cheers!

That intro Jam was already amazing. Already spent my like after that 😀

Love the Cardinal black intro, been listening and relistening to your music killer guitar man!

Nice video of the journey. I have the one you were sitting on and after listening to the three you played, I chose the one you sat on. ;) Thanks for another great vid, Chris. Much success on the new album. :)

Thanks for this, I'd agree the reissue in this instance sounded more you and thus better to our ears, and the original sounded even better, fully played in : )

Thank you for sharing.

I have a genuine 1965 Fender Deluxe Reverb and it is amazing.

I so appreciate Chris' ability to set hype and hip in it's place and concentrate on sound. Much like Shane from "In The Blues" (who dares to speak highly of the Peavey Bandit), Chris gives us a true "blind audition" assessment of the sound he's looking for rather than the look. Well done.

Everytime Chris plugs into the 65: Looks at the camera, smirks as if to say "yeah, nothing comes close". Melts faces with licks. Life is simple. Cheers!

You're such a great unique player.

Thanks Chris. Great playing as usual. Thanks for comparing these amps. I love DRs and have used them for years as well as a Little Walter 50W amp (based on a Fender Tweed 5C3) for back up and gigs that require more headroom (an amp well worth checking out). I've owned a 65 reissue in the past. Great sounding amp. However, I think it's perfect for studio/home playing, but for gigging and touring, the PCB can be unreliable at times. I had several issues with mine to the point where I wasn't trusting it for gigging. Usually PCB issues and low quality components that needed replacing. I loved the overall sound though. I now have an older 70's DR that has so far (touch wood) been reliable for a number of years and plenty of gigs. It's also easier to fix (according to my amp tech) if an issue does appear. I popped a Jensen Blackbird 100 which really sings in this amp. I agree - DRRI's have a great sound and great value - especially if you upgrade the stock speaker. Thanks again Chris.

Glad to see you moving from a considerably stated 'boutique' Amp to an old classic. I have been using a 1990 Deluxe Reverb 64' for about 3 Years now and it never let me down and I love the tones! One thing to consider is changing the stock speaker if you are not digging the mid scoopy sound. I have put a Celestion G1265 Heritage into mine and the sound is more rounded but still typical blackface.

You’re the best player of your generation. Amazing.

I assumed the Hw would out but absolutely I'd lean toward the 65 reissue as well. Thanks, great job entertaining us all!

Chris you are an amazing player, didn't ever think I'd hear you do a sample of 'Hammer to fall' though - lol

I put NOS preamp tubes in my 64 Custom DR and it completely upgraded the sound and reverb control. Now it’s perfect.

Fender artist place, and he is on his knees unplugging and plugging in. I think they need to watch 'that pedal show' or something. Amazing playing.

I think your ability to narrate to a camera is as good as your playing. Both are eloquent. 👍

"I'm sure they're sick to death of me." 😂 I'm willing to bet they would happily listen to Chris ALL DAY!

Wow! The reverb in that room!!

Original 65 no question, but fingers and talent are everything; sweet as a nut - thank you Chris.

Honestly, they all sound terrific, all though slightly different but equally good. With some precise tweaking they’d probably sound the same. I have a 65 drri myself which I love. Wouldn’t swap it for anything. Wonderful playing as always!

The hand wired was very clean and crisp as where the reissue was a bit more wooly. For Chris's style the wool helps to smooth out his fairly aggressive pick attack. You gotta go with what accents your playing style best.

Many months ago I bought my ticket to see Frampton at the Royal Albert Hall in November. You've just made my day by announcing that Cardinal Black will be the support. I'm sure it's no coincidence that a guitar legend like Peter Frampton has chosen the best young blues/rock guitarist out there as his support. Dare we dream that you'll play a track with the great man himself?

100% with you on that choice; the 65 reissue was defo more musical (out of those two choices) to my ears and, each time you hit the first note after plugging in, I grinned. Gotta say, it's lovely to see that a PCB aka cheaper amp can really deliver, especially for those of us without the means to cough for the real deal! Hoping life is good with you and wishing you every happiness and success too mate😎👊🎸

100% spot on.

Thanks Chris, always wanted to side by side my Original 1966 Deluxe Reverb with the reissue and non hand wired version. To my ears the original sounds noticeably better. Also enjoy your fine Guitar playing! I have the KOT as well, my nephew worked at their shop. I’m waiting for my TS9 to TS 808 Brown mod from Analog Man, saw Papa Chubby the other night here in New York. He uses a Vintage Vibrolux and TS 9 mod. Great blues player. I installed the Warehouse G 12 C/S to cut a bit of that spikiness, the ET 65 also is nice

I would go with the hand-wired version simply because a) it doesn't suffer from Fender's usual modern circuit layout failings and b) if it does breakdown it's more easily repaired. Tonally, it could be warmer, but you can always change the speaker. Win-win.

I have a ‘64 handwired DRVB and absolutely love it. Nothing brittle in it’s sound - and I tried a 65 reissue. Close, but the 64 was better. Especially with the handwired amps, it must really come down to the individual amp while the PCB ones seem more consistent.

The 22watt deluxe is, was and always will be perfect.😊

I had a vibrolux . Something about those 6L6 tubes that creates a great sound. My amp also had twin 12” speakers. Always wanted a showman or bandmaster.

I am a Fender fan....can't go wrong with a Super Sonic, or Deluxe.....I love my 65 RI Princeton Reverb....I also have a Champ and SS....don't need anything else ...Thanks Chris Wow, the amp room, my office needs to look like that :p

The 63 tele sounded great 👍

That PCB sounds outstanding

Definitely worth checking out a Dr Z Z-Lux. Everything made in house turret boards etc and the transformers are made by the same people who made them for fender back in the 60s, also 100% hand wired with no compromise on components. Best sonding fender amp I've heard although it's not a fender... 😅 I have a 65 deluxe and the Z-Lux just sounded like it but way sweet in every way. Also can do way more.

Great comparison Chris. Nothing wrong with pcb amps if done correctly.

The tonemaster hiding in the back made me chuckle.

Gr8 stuff

I can actually listen to Chris. Not your average noodler! Thanks for doing this Chris, I am at a point were I am looking for an amp upgrade. I found an old Fender Jazzmaster Ultralight amp head and now I am trying to piece together the parts for a cabinet. I've decided that I want something that suits a broad range of genres. So I figured, if it suites Jazz, it can do anything. So, I really like the JENSEN vintage speakers. Fender thought the same thing as they put a lot of these in there amps. Of what you looked at I like the Reverb deluxe '65 with the vibrato circuit built in, a very nice sounding amp!

Those are great amps. I favor the 64 reissue. I would have liked to hear the Deluxe Reverbs, especially the the Custom Shop model. Maybe you’ll come back for another go. 👍☮️🌞🎸❤️

Ah Chris is one of the better informed contributers on utube. No nonsense straight talking and sound advice. Soak it up.

THE AMPS WERE OK..THE 2 GUITARS SOUNDED FANTASTIC

Hi Chris, I owned a handwired & despite different speakers & an amp tech go over it I sold it. A modern amp that I believe sounds better than an original Deluxe Reverb is a Magnatone Twilighter or Stereo Twilighter. Neil Young's amp tech Larry Cragg had a hand in the design. I've had my Stereo Twilighter for 8 years & gig with it... it's beautiful with headroom for days. The number of great comments I get for my tone...however in your hands it would be incredible and suit your style. Billy Gibbons, Jeff Beck, Neil Finn, Ariel Posen, Luke Nelson etc...all use modern Magnatones

My 1965 Deluxe Reverb is dated in May of 1965, which puts it right after the purchase by CBS. I bought it in either 1967 or 1969. I cannot remember which exactly. Since then I have unfortunately had it modified. I had a "fat switch" installed which is several capacitors on a 5-way switch and a master volume dial. The reverb and tremolo dial were combined into one two level dial. I also installed a Jensen speaker with a bigger magnet which added about 5 pounds to the weight. I am pretty sure I have the original blue back in another cabinet somewhere. It is hard to tell with youtube coming through my Alesis monitor speakers and Hafler pre-amp, but here is my impression. The amp in the middle, I think it is the '64 handwired re-isssue sounds most like my 1965. Because of the CBS purchase, I always thought that Fender was using up parts in their inventory and may have been a little sloppy in the production. However, I always liked the sound and I usually played it between 4 1/2 and 5 1/2 with the master volume at a level compatible with the room and band, which usually meant pretty much full up. At times I really pushed the amp to its limits to try for that Grateful Dead Space feedback. IMHO you should have picked the amp in the middle. In 40 or 50 years you will know you made the right choice. Thanks for listening.

Great video. Be interested in the speaker differences and whether playing in versus new made a big difference.

Why didn't I know of you and Cardinal Black a year ago, when you played my local venue, Stoke Victoria Hall? DAMN! A MISSED OPORTUNITY IF EVER THERE WAS ONE? 😭

Thanks for this test, Chris. Just one remark: all three amps are equipped with different Speakers and - of course - add their flavor to the sound. Nevertheless, apart from your "constant smiling" once you plugged into the original 65, it is definitely "the" sound. Finally I was a bit astonished you are preferring to buy the RI one. Indeed seen from a price point, the RI is a very good alternative. I own a RI, too. After testing and swapping a lot of tubes and done a modification on the reverb/Vibrato that is now accessible on both channels, I don't feel the need to haunt for the 64 hardwired anymore. (Not being able to use the Rev/Vib on both channels always made me think to acquire the hardwired which has this feature onboard). YES, It is hard to beat the beautiful sound you have with your original one, I absolutely agree! It is not easy to find a good and consistent working old amp, whose original parts are almost 60 years old - when you know what I mean. So the two "new" ones are a very good alternative for us, nowadays. Cheers from Germany!

Going on the reaction every time you plugged it in, seems like you need to make an offer for your mate's amp...

Modest lad great player

Changing the speaker in the modern DRRI does wonders.

Have someone build you a clone Fender amp. I know you know people, Chris. That is truly the best way to get that sound and not worry about a vintage one going up in smoke. The Fender 64 DR isn't as high quality as it should be at that price. It still uses a PCB and the same iron and an inferior speaker. You will spend less money and have the highest quality parts. The 65 reissue has it's problems, mainly the push on heater connections on the PCB that can't handle the current over time. Have them hard wired to the octal sockets if you get one. Next on my list to build is a Vibroverb.

I really like my 65ri deluxe reverb- it has a g12 65 - sounds great

Hopefully Ed doesn’t meet with any foul play in the near future as this video could be entered into evidence. Thanks to Chris and Ed for sharing this interesting comparison.

The amps are cool, but do we wanna talk about the fact that they're touring with frampton already?? Freaking deserved, ya'll are awesome

I think the biggest difference between the actual 65 and the PCB 65 is in the speaker. The speaker of the actual 65 sounded well worn in. I wonder if you’d like an eminence Eric Johnson signature (alnico) speaker in your deluxe reverb.

That jam was great!!! Where can I see you live? edit: Oh thats where I can see you live!!!

Handwired sounds best through your phone. Clear and harmonic

Vintage wins again !! Just wanted to add……. The 64 HW Deluxe I owned lived in the Normal channel, and it positively had better edge of breakup sound than the 65 RI I had as well. The other channel never did it for me .

Funny, sometimes you can tell if it’s a great amp only by plugging the cord into the input jack..;) Great playing as always 👌🏻

The Vibroverb is my all time favourite amp from Fender. They should bring it back!

FRAMPO! Nice! \m/

The ‘65’ Amp has the full scope of sound that I would want.

Nice

The 65 is the one my guy 🤘❤😉👏

Natural reverb hits different

After much consideration, its a tough decision, but I preferred the Fender.

Nothing they have is as good as the Victory V140 ❤

My dream Fender amp would be a Tone Master (yes, I've gone digital) with ALL the different TM models/amps available in one amp. With a footswitch and presets to make it flexible for live use.

Would have loved to hear the fender 68 custom deluxe

The footage with a strat is so reminiscent of Eric's video with les paul

I'm surprised your dream amp is a Fender. I find it very interesting. I have '67 Bassman and '68 Princeton and neither is my dream amp. Hey, to each. You are a fantastic musician! Love your vids.

I think the main difference in sound here is the speaker. You could have plugged the reissues into the original speaker 65 for a better comparison. But cool episode

As an owner/player of a ‘65 Deluxe Reverb for nearly 40 years,I applaud your choice. But……next time try a Vibroluxe.Two tens & a few more watts make it perfect for your upcoming venues. Both Roy and Danny played through Vibroluxes,and they were the best.

I feel like I’d run the 64 for my cleans, it’s just a little creamier, and the vintage 65 for the overdriven stuff as it thickens up more.

Whaaat!!? Are you still going to be using the 68' Pro Reverb?

I am a student majoring in guitar. My dream is to play like you. Could you give me some advice on how to be a great performer like you?

The best sounding amp is always the one he is hooked up into.

I would have liked to have heard you play through a Custom Vibrolux Reverb; granted, it doesn’t have a tube rectifier, but it does kick out twice the power of the Deluxe through 2 10” Jensens.

To be honest I couldn't hear the differences on that recording, but I could see it on your face every time you plugged into the '65. I think you need one.

+++ hello Chris, congrats for your new Amp, but you should watch some repairvideos for that amp and after warrantytime you should mod the Heaterwiring (by tech) for more relaibility. There ist to much current for the PCB and should not run on the PCB. Better with direkt wires+++ greetings from Germany, sry about my english...

Thanks for this video. Next time please consider playing the amps into the same speaker. Thanks again 👊

The 64 to my ears.

Tone king imperial MKll , have you tried one Chris ?

Its surprisingly close. Stock the PCB felt closer as the hand wired was a bit too bright. The OG of course benefits from better quality components and certain aspects of the lead dress and transformers that 100% of their time. The biggest single issue was probably the speaker. There is n substitute for a speaker with 100s of hours on it. FWIW I have found that most quality modern speakers get there eventually. Just takes a few years.

That original 65 is something else! How much do you think is down to the components, wiring etc. on the one side and the nicely worn in speakers on the other side?

No game there! The true 65 kills those others... flat out!