twin reverb

Which Fender amp would pair with this breezy ’65 Gibson ES-125CD?

Photo by Jens Mosbergvik

With a few simple tweaks, you can get any classic Fender amp to cooperate with whatever guitar you like.

I find endless fascination in experimenting with different combinations of guitars and amps. Many of you may also have made surprising discoveries with certain amps and guitars as “killer” combinations. In this column, we’ll delve into the reasons behind these magical pairings, and discuss how you can modify your amp to achieve the elusive tone that lingers in your mind day and night. While having a variety of amps at your disposal is one solution, it’s undeniably an expensive and impractical one. Fortunately, knowledge is a more accessible asset. In my previous column, I explored speaker cabinets that can expand the versatility of your amp. I recommend giving it a read, as it closely ties into this topic.

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Rig Rundown: Christone "Kingfish" Ingram [2024]
Rig Rundown: Christone "Kingfish" Ingram [2024]

Kingfish doesn’t play a lot of gear, but with a signature Fender Tele Deluxe, a Chertoff Custom guitar, a pair of road-worthy amps, and a handful of effects, the Clarksdale, Mississippi, native is well on his way to becoming the blues’ newest 6-string ruler. He returns for his second Rundown with a Grammy under his belt, supporting his new Live in London album.

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The high-end, Dumble-style amp supplier to the stars explores and expands upon ’60s Fender tone templates.

Two-Rock’s top-tier amplifiers attract a lot of players who can afford to play through any amp they want. Generally speaking, the company is known for Dumble-style amps. But their newest release, the Vintage Deluxe, takes a different tack—drawing inspiration from the black- and brown- panel Fenders of the 1960s. Cleverly, Two-Rock’s modern design creates a sort of hybrid of old-school Fender moves and contemporary Two-Rock touches, embracing some of the best from both worlds and creating a Fender-influenced amp with a broader palette of sounds.

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