Fender 65' Deluxe Reverb modified by Carl's Custom Amps Front

Mods for the Fender 65’ Deluxe Reverb Reissue and the 68’ Custom Deluxe Reverb (PCB versions)

Full Service and DIY Kits

 Fender’s 65” Deluxe Reverb reissue and 68’ Custom Deluxe Reverb re-issue can be modded to sound much more vintage, less muddy, and less harsh. When done it will sound as good as a vintage Fender. The mods impart better sound but also greater touch sensitivity and better reliability. The Deluxe Reverb RIs are affordable and sounds ok out of the box but pales in comparison to it’s vintage counterparts. It’s just missing that thing that makes those amps special. Many builders and techs engage in “part swapping” or total rebuilding without know exactly what is needed to make the amp sound great. I’ve seen many of these in my shop over the years that sound no better than the amp did out of the box. Over the past few years, I’ve developed a number of mods that make the amp sound like a vintage Deluxe without totally rebuilding the amp.



Here’s what we do:

  1. Replace the low-quality electrolytic caps in the amp.

  2. Upgrade the Output Transformer

  3. Modify the a few key places in the circuit for extra richness

  4. Modify the power section for greater reliability and more touch sensitivity

  5. Improve the reverb tones

  6. Replace the speaker with one of 3 speaker models depending on the player’s needs. These speaker sound much better the stock speaker.

    1. Weber 12F150 for a great all-round clean sound that takes pedals well. Great for all styles.

    2. Weber DT12 for player who want warmth and early breakup. This speaker is similar to the Oxfords found in many Deluxe Reverbs in the 60’s and 70’s. Great for Blues and Rock Players who want to overdrive the amp.

    3. Weber Alnico California for Ultra-Clean Fender Tones (Adds $130)

    4. Weber Alinco 12A150 for warm Alinco Fender Tones (Adds $120)

Pricing:

  • Mods with trade-in of your old speaker and transformer and new speaker $550 plus shipping

  • Without the speaker trade-in with a new speaker $620 plus return shipping.

  • Mods without a new speaker or speaker trade-in $440 plus shipping

  • DYI Kit with speaker $355 plus shipping

  • DYI Kit without speaker $205 plus shipping.

DYI kits are meant for only installation by qualified persons who have experience with tube amps, PCBs, and working with high voltage. No technical support is provided unless the customer wishes to send the amp in for troubleshooting at standard bench rates.



  1. Use the contact form to get started today!

Special Edition Fender 65' Deluxe Reverb modified by Carl's Custom Amps Front
Fender 65' Deluxe Reverb modified by Carl's Custom Amps Chassis

 Customer Comments:

“Well the Deluxe sounds great. It went from sounding actually annoying and raspy to sounding dynamic and smooth, even with pedals, much more like the Princeton. Very happy with it! Good job. 

Take care, sir”

-Peter H.

Note Peter has a great vintage Princeton Reverb that I’ve serviced. That is the Princeton he is comparing to.

“Hey Carl, I got back, installed new preamp tubes. I'm putting it through paces and I got say WOW...This is exactly what I was expecting. Great vintage warmth and tone. Thanks for a job well done!”

Tony B.

“Carl it was a pleasure talking to you last night. (eastern time zone lol)

I just want to say that the mod you did on my 65 Reverb Deluxe RI is exactly what I was looking for.

Most shops that preform mods are doing so just to make money and/or create a different sound all together.

Like..."Hey, I can make your Fender sound like a Marshall!" Or..."Let's add this or that....for $'s"

You however, you listened to what I was saying (even with me not having the technical knowledge that you have) and "HEARD ME!"

You heard me and even stayed in contact through out the process with emailed questions for me.

That is true customer service. 

Lots of folks in Nashville do mods and I was pushed to use a couple of them by some top session guys....

I did my research and choose you. I could not be more satisfied in my choice and I am certain my circle of playing buddy's will have questions for me lol.

The Reissue amps are a modern factory amp that lacks the clarity of the originals. 

Muddy lower end, Thin Highs, but just enough to catch some of the original vibe....

I play country 80% of the time with 80's yacht rock filling in the rest.

Now my amp sounds just as I wanted...." Full with that sparkle!" 

The mids are clean, The lows are full without the boom factor, the highs are not ear wrenching now.

I cranked it up more than I normally play and it did not (pardon the phrase) Fart out...

So happy about that!!!!!!!

This is what I was looking for. "THE TONE!" and you nailed it!!!!!!!

I plugged my Strat in "with no pedals" and played for 45 minutes not realizing I had no compression. (Which I use 100% of the time)

I have never done that...I was intoxicated on the feel and sounds I was getting.

Then the true test..... My Les Paul 59 RI.....(Lollar Imperials Regular)

I wasn't expecting the greatest results and we all know why (Hum-buckers)......BUT.......

Just wow!!! 

This amp is not very well know for being "Les Paul" Friendly but it is from now own.

I absolutely love it.

Thank you again for everything and I will be sending you more busisness in the no”t so distant future 

Thanks,

Dave B. “



“Geez, Carl. The amp sounds beyond amazing!….

Thank you again!”

-Daniel T