Pricing and availability
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Average Price: $1,523
High-end/Boutique
$300
$701+
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Budget
Standard
High-end
Price History
Based on price data from 6 merchants for "Fender '68 Custom Deluxe Reverb". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.
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Description
Introducing the Fender '68 Custom Deluxe Reverb Guitar Amplifier, a tribute to late-'60s Fender amps but with a modern twist. This hand-wired, all-tube amp is sure to impress with its reduced negative feedback allowing for faster overdrive and enhanced touch sensitivity.
Whether you're a fan of the full, crisp tone that has shaped countless famous recordings or you prefer more low mids and faster distortion, this amplifier has you covered with its dual channels offering distinct vintage and custom tones. The vintage channel comes fully equipped with tube-driven reverb and tremolo effects for that classic Fender sound while the custom channel hot-rods the '50s Bassman tone stack for a modern edge.
Housed in a '60s inspired cabinet with a 12" Celestion G12V-70 speaker, this amp not only looks the part but also delivers a rock-infused vibe. Paying homage to the classic silverface era, it features an aluminum trim panel and turquoise speaker grille. But don't be fooled by its vintage style, this amp is all about modern performance.
Key Features:
- Hand-wired, all-tube amplifier with reduced negative feedback for faster overdrive and increased touch sensitivity.
- Dual channels for distinct vintage and custom tones.
- 12" Celestion G12V-70 speaker for a rock-infused vibe.
- Tube-driven reverb and tremolo effects on the vintage channel.
- '50s Bassman tone stack modification on the custom channel for more low mids and faster distortion.
- Classic silverface style with an aluminum trim panel and turquoise speaker grille.
- Dual 6V6 Groove Tubes output tubes, one 5AR4 rectifier tube, and an array of preamp tubes including four 12AX7s and two 12AT7s.
- Both channels share reverb and tremolo controls for additional tonal options.
- It includes a 2-button footswitch and a fitted cover.
Product specs
| Type | Tube |
| Number of Channels | 2 |
| Total Power | 22W |
| Speaker Size | 1 x 12" |
| Preamp Tubes | 4 x 12AX7, 2 x 12AT7 |
| Power Tubes | 2 x 6V6, 1 x 5AR4 |
| Reverb | Yes |
| Effects | Vibrato |
| EQ | 2-band |
| Inputs | 2 x 1/4" (custom), 2 x 1/4" (vintage) |
| Footswitch I/O | 1 x 1/4" (reverb, vibrato) |
| Footswitch Included | Yes, 2-button footswitch |
| Bias Type | Adjustable Fixed |
| Construction Material | Birch/Pine with Black textured Vinyl |
| Power Source | Standard IEC AC cable |
| Height | 17.5" |
| Width | 24.5" |
| Depth | 9.5" |
| Weight | 42 lbs. |
FAQs
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What is the main difference between the Fender '68 Custom Deluxe Reverb and other Deluxe Reverb models?
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The '68 Custom Deluxe Reverb features a modified tone circuit and a Celestion speaker, providing a slightly different tonal character compared to the '65 model, which retains the original bright cap and Jensen speaker.
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Is the Fender '68 Custom Deluxe Reverb suitable for gigging?
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Yes, the 22-watt power output of the Fender '68 Custom Deluxe Reverb makes it suitable for small to medium-sized gigs, providing enough volume to play alongside a drummer.
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Does the Fender '68 Custom Deluxe Reverb take pedals well?
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Yes, the Fender '68 Custom Deluxe Reverb is known for handling pedals effectively, making it a versatile choice for guitarists who use effects in their setup.
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What kind of tones can I expect from the Fender '68 Custom Deluxe Reverb?
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The Fender '68 Custom Deluxe Reverb offers classic Fender clean tones with a touch of warmth and breakup as the volume increases, making it versatile for genres like rock, blues, and country.
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Does the Fender '68 Custom Deluxe Reverb come with a footswitch?
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Yes, the Fender '68 Custom Deluxe Reverb includes a 2-button footswitch to control the reverb and vibrato effects.
Videos
Guitarist
Fender '68 Custom Deluxe Reverb vs '65 Deluxe Reverb reissue (amp review demo)
Reviews
PROS
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Excellent sound quality with rich, lush reverb
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Lightweight and portable, making it good for gigging
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Customizable with easy modifications for personal tone preferences
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Two channels offer versatile sound options
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Compatible with a wide range of pedals and guitars
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Holds its value well over time
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Beautiful classic look
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Reliable performance, even under demanding conditions
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Warm, touch-sensitive response ideal for dynamic playing
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Capable of both clean and overdriven tones at reasonable volumes
CONS
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Some units may have quality control issues upon first release
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Noise issues, especially with tremolo circuit engaged
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Limited headroom for very loud settings
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No effects loop for external pedals
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Some find the reverb to have long decay, being unusable at high settings
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External speaker output can be finicky about impedance
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Certain gain pedals may sound dark or mismatched
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Fender '68 Custom Deluxe Reverb.
Setup and maintenance
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Swapping in a different 12AT7 tube may resolve ticking issues in the vibrato.
Source -
The '68 Custom Deluxe Reverb requires V1 and V2 12AX7 tube swaps to long plate American versions for noticeable headroom improvement and better sound.
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Rubber rings from Tube Depot can help mitigate rattling issues with JJ 6V6 tubes, although some users may still need to return defective sets.
Source
Mods and upgrades
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An Eminence GA-SC64 speaker is a popular replacement for the stock one to enhance sound quality.
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A small capacitor addition and wire relocation, covered in a Fender Service Bulletin, can address the tremolo tick issue.
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An attenuator is mentioned as a potential solution for managing volume, though significant attenuation may negatively impact tone quality.
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Features and functionality
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The tremolo and reverb effects may introduce noise, with many owners preferring external pedals like the Strymon Flint for these effects.
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Plugging into the #1 input of the Custom channel and keeping the opposite channel's volume at zero is crucial to reduce noise.
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The bright cap on the vibrato channel may sound thin and harsh at low volumes, making the normal channel preferable for apartment settings.
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User experience
Value and pricing
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Pricing for a new '68 Custom Deluxe Reverb can be high, with some users finding better deals on used models or through combo purchases.
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Comparisons
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The Bassman tone stack on the '68 Deluxe is noted to be a subtle variation rather than a unique second channel, with only slight tonal differences.
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The Fender Blackface-based clean channel is noted in multiple amps, with Deluxe Reverb's higher power and unique speaker as differentiating factors from models like the Blackstar St James.
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Use cases and applications
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The Deluxe Reverb is considered too loud for apartment use unless played at acoustic guitar levels, with reports of noise complaints when played above volume 2.
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The Deluxe Reverb is recommended for jamming or gigging with a drummer, but less suitable for quiet practice environments like apartments.
Source
Critic Reviews
5.0 out of 5
Based on 6 Reviews and 49 Ratings
822
You will love the Bassman tone stack
Indeed when everybody likes this amp because it is pedal friendly, saturates the tone early and has some upgrades, you will love the Bassman tone stack for sure. Probably, I'm more used to the Vox AC15C1 grit; however, the Fender Custom Deluxe Reverb '68 can bring a sound contrast to compensate the EQ.
For a full potencial, you have to turn up the volume up to 3-5, getting a clean boost. The amp begins to overdrive until 6-7, and distort on 8-10.
Update Feb 16th, 2023:
What is up with this amp after a time?
It is and splendid amp, the tone feels warm and you can play everything on it. Funny fact is that the ambience near my place is close to the sea and the amp now looks like a real '68, but also the wear affected the tone and sounds better than before.
822
After one day using this amp, I've tried with some of my pedals. My fiesta recommend is to use an EP Booster to improve the smoothness provided by the mid push of this pedal, on the custom channel it will feel like a real Deluxe Reverb '65. For overdrive, the TubeScreamer ir anything alike is a good one to test. I've been pairing the Vox AC15C1 and this amp, and sometimes I can't notice any difference in sound, but for a good thing.
41029
if you like the EP preamp sound then an xotic, or better yet a real echoplex, will always improve every amp LOL... if you don't like it (some crazy people don't) then it ruins everything. The deluxe and ac15 are a great pairing for gigs where you can get away with some volume.
822
Both amps plays really good, Jim! I have been trying to check many configurations (Vox or Fender as lead, on stereo with balanced volume and others). The Fender is not totally clean but it is compared to the Vox tone.
822
The only cons that I found is that if you want to play this setup as clean tones in a big scenario, you have to mic the amps.
822
The Vox maybe can still be clean until some point... thought.
822
Finally found a way to merge the sounds of these amps but in pedals terms. Say, you can put an overdrive pedal for the Vox and it sounds incredible good for your taste but maybe doesn't goes well at all with the other amp. So, the TS Mini has a good taste for both amps, but I need something more flexible on tap like the Fulltone FullDrive 2 Mosfet. On the next step, I was trying to make a setup with two chains, but that resulted in a more complex pedalboard with dynamics losing. Then, I put the plug in the Vintage Channel and voilá! This way the overdrive pedals paired well on both amps.
822
Just some hours ago, I had another session to test the setup. I ended figuring out that I like better the Vox with a little more volume, the Fender just a bit behind so in a strong strumming, the Fender pushes its mids with a volume at the same level like Vox.
822
This night I have tried a real Wet-Dry setup, using the Comp and drives pedals through the Vox AC15C1, for a dry setup. Then, I micked the amp using the Behringer UMD404HD and I sent that processed signal via 1/4" plug through the Echosystem and Hall of Fame 2, to finally reach the Fender Custom Deluxe Reverb '68... It's awesome!!! It's a whole different experience than splitting the signal with the Echosystem, which is a good and easy setup but a real Wet-Dry setup rocks! I would like to hear this as Wet-Dry-Wet. My thoughts about using a tube amp for wet is that when the tone is saturated, the amp brings warmness to the tone, sounding attenuated rather than rigid or "cold".
822
Some minutes ago, I turned out the beast up to Vol 10... Whoa... Fantastic! The Custom channel, with Bassman tone stack, does that "Bzzz" fuzzy sound that rock players will love. Recently, I'm more into the Fender CDR '68 than the Vox AC15C1, but definitely, I love both amps.
My guitar have been customized to magnetic induce less electrical current within the coil (I put off tje poles a little), so the guitar sounds more acoustic, and this amp can do vintage and modern music. The reverb, depending your guitar can work for any style, but depends the amount used for every one.
Turn it up to 6-7 on the amp, then turn down to 1-3 in your volume guitar pot, you will notice the dynamics of the amp at a low audible volume. Or you can do it on inverse for a classic sound.
822
Common FAQs for Vox AC15C1 (AC15C1 from here) and Fender CDR '68 (CDR68 from here).
1) The CDR68 has more volumen than the AC15C1. 2) Both amp overdrives on differently flavor. The AC15C1 is more metallic (listen to Kings of Leon's Black Thumbnail song) and the CDR68 more cristalline (on youtube search this demo https://youtu.be/7HWlGsNB_p4) 3) If you will pair both amps, try to get pedals that match for both amps, or you should think on split the signal for them. 4) It is more easy to do rhythms on the AC15C1 than the CDR68 (from what I have been played). 5) If you're into classic rock like ACDC, Led Zeppelin and so, probably you will want to get the CDR68, sometimes it gets into the Vox range. 6) The CDR68's custom channel does on mid range. And the vintage channel is mid-scoped. 7) Boost pedals on CDR68 is volumen boost, but an overdrive pusher for the AC15C1 (a really good thing). 8) The AC15C1 can go clean on loud volumes if you turn up the master and you keep low the Channel Volumen (Normal or Top Boost). Probably even on higher volumen than the CDR68, but lacks on bassy tones. 9) AC15C1's clean tones are 'thin' and the CDR68's are 'bold'. 10) Both amps do a good contrast in the mix.
195
Awesome tone but a couple of issues
First of all, I just bough this amp and have only had it for a few days, but right out of the box it sounds FUCKING FANTASTIC! You can just look at it the wrong way and it breaks up. The "classic" channel is nice and has that classic blackface Deluxe tone and is a bit cleaner and "Fendery" than the "custom" channel. But to me the real treat is the "custom" channel with the Bassman tone stack. It breaks up sooner and has a darker, angrier tone than the other channel. It is thick, creamy and just beautiful. I have a ton of dirt pedals, but why mess with perfection? If you're looking for clean headroom, look elsewhere. But at 22 watts,. it's perfect for what I do and just loud enough to play in practice settings with my band. However, I haven't tried it yet., but I don't suspect that it's loud enough to play clubs with and will require mic'ing. It doesn't channel switch, but I use a Morley ABY box to switch channels and also run both together with no phasing issues whatsoever.
A lot of people have complained that this amp is noisy and hissy, but mine is dead quiet. It was manufactured in August 2015, so maybe Fender has fixed this problem I do have a noise that is either tube or cabinet rattle that I haven't located yet, but it's probably not going to be an issue when playing with the band. Also, the reverb to me just isn't that classic Fender sound. It has a very long decay time and is basically unusable past a very minimal level. I'm just turning mine off and going with either the spring or plate verb from my Hall of Fame.
I still highly recommend this amp because the tone is so good that it outweighs the minor issue. If you are purchasing one I would make sure you try it first and make sure it doesn't have the noise issues others have had.
41029
it should be plenty loud for club use, then again, a real deluxe reverb has a lot of headroom for its conservative 22 watt rating.... good review
41029
and what you're describing is exactly what a vintage fender reverb does.... long pan with a long decay, sounds best low unless you are in a surf band.... only the outboard reverb from the 50s and 60s sounds different and that's because it has more controls and a different driver tube... I never understood why guys go nuts for the fender reverb amps, I've owned a few from the 60s, the reverb is overbearing compared to ampeg's reverb.... on the other hand the fender reverb seems to record really well, sounds completely different on tape... cheers!
195
Great observation about the reverb. Maybe a reverb tube change would improve the sound, but it's just not THAT spring sound. Sort of so-so
Just this morning I played it in a small room with a loud drummer friend, and it was plenty loud. Definitely loud enough to sit nicely over the drummer, but I worry about how well it would project in a decent-sized club with people in it.
1264
Drippy twangy dipping sauce
When I plug my Jazzmaster into this, I weep at the beauty. My wife weeps at the beauty. My neighbors weep at the beauty. It is too beautiful.
Gretsch into this is pretty nice too.
323
Pure Fender tone with custom improvements
Lots of tone, manageable wattage, 2 tone stacks and reverb and vibro on both channels with separate volume. Ideal for jumped connections with differential equing on both channels.
123
Perfect and Portable
This was a HUGE step up from my Line 6 Spider IV . My good friend Mo hooked me up with a great deal on this amp. The clean tones alone on this amp are unbeatable, and really improved my sound as a whole.
47
My go to live and recording amp
Can't replace the wonderful tones form this amp, hits all of the right notes for my taste!
Artist usage
Add artist
I noticed Albert first changing from his trademark to the 68 custom deluxe reverb at a spring 2019 show in Toronto but could not find good footage to back up. In this video it is clear at 8:51.
in the "Don't Fear The Reaper" section of the interview, the Fender Deluxe Reverb Amp can be seen in the image
In the second photo in this post on James Bay's Instagran, he is seen with a Fender '68 Custom Deluxe Reverb Guitar Amplifier.
- Let’s go. photos by @jpboardman2018.
In a photo shared by Phoebe Bridgers on Instagram, a Fender '68 Custom Deluxe Reverb amplifier is visible in the background.
(Correction: He used a Custom Deluxe; Blue LED) Seen during haze shows and the title fight "Hyperview" record release show at Gallery of Sound in Wilkes-Barre: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C5Sk6naCjYc at 3:46.
Mark Speer-"This is the one I use on the road" Q-"Did you change speaker or do anything to it ?" Mark Speer-"Nah. It's stock.Stock amp."
According to 2021 Premier Guitar interview, Fender uses Fender '68 Custom Deluxe Reverb.
"O’Connell’s core tone comes through the Fender ’68 Custom Twin Reverb. It’s always on, and he’s always plugged into the vintage channel with the bright switch engaged for primo piercing. He kicks on the ’68 Custom Deluxe Reverb for added oomph during louder bits."
In the Premier Guitar's "Baroness Rig Rundown" video by Chris Kies, at the 24:00 mark, John Dyer Baizley discusses his use of the Fender '68 Custom Deluxe Reverb Vintage Reissue amplifier, confirming its role in his setup.
Rick Nielsen can be seen using the 1978 Fender '68 Custom Deluxe Reverb amplifier. Originally, he played it as a whole unit, but in the early 2000s, he had the amp separated from the cabinet to integrate it into his amp rig. This amplifier was modded by Paul Rivera, featuring a fat and thin switch to achieve Nielsen's signature tone.
Album Usage
The Fender '68 Custom Deluxe Reverb has been featured on the following albums:
Genre Usage
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Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Fender '68 Custom Deluxe Reverb, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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