What is the blackface sound?

Out of Blackface, the classic “glassy” Fender sound was born, and Blackface amplifiers quickly became famous for their clean detailed sound a low volumes, increased headroom, and smooth overdrive when cranked to higher levels. As many know, the Silverface series of amplifiers followed along in 1968.

What is Fender Tweed sound?

For many, the Deluxe amp defines the Fender tweed sound. Its rock ‘n’ roll growl and sweet singing saturation has long been associated with countless guitar luminaries over the years including Larry Carlton, Mike Campbell, Neil Young, Scotty Moore and Don Felder.

What does tweed amp mean?

Fender tweed is a generic name used for the guitar amplifiers made by the American company Fender between 1948 and 1960. The amplifiers are named for the cloth covering, which consists of varnished cotton twill, incorrectly called tweed because of its feel and appearance. Later amplifiers used tolex for the covering.

What makes the Tweed sound?

‘Tweed sound’ has become a bit of a byword for a particular type of tone. For most of us, it means old-school overdrive with fat mids, slightly loose lows and clear treble that falls somewhat shy of the shrill glassiness you can sometimes get with later Fender designs.

Who uses Fender Bassman?

Hendrix was rumoured to have used a Bassman in the studio, while Kurt Cobain definitely ran his Mustangs and Jags through one during the recording of Nirvana´s Nevermind in 1991. Josh Homme even had one in his Them Crooked Vultures backline.

What’s the difference between Tweed and blackface amplifiers?

In general tweed amps are most raw sounding. They go into distortion relatively easily. Blond/brown amps have more headroom than tweeds (when comparing amps with similar power ratings of course) and blackface and silverface amps have even more clean headroom than blond/brown amps.

Which is better tweed or blacface overdrive?

Fender tweed is much better overdrive tone IMO. It has much more of an organic sound, very rich and full even when clean. BF is tighter with scooped mids and the OD is more harsh. Think ZZ Top’s La Grange for tweed tone at it’s finest, as well as most of Clapton’s tone for the past 15yrs, or Keith Richards.

What’s the difference between tweeds and Bassmans?

Once the respsective amps start breaking up (BF vs later tweeds) they sound very different. tweeds have that crunchy edge to them in the BALLPARK of Marshalls. Bassmans being closer to marshalls, while supers, bandmasters, pros and deluxes being more ratty.

How can I get a simulcra of Tweed?

You can get a simulcra of Tweed by switching the tone stack out of a BF. Best, Pete. The BF period represents the next step in Fenders amp evolution when the design goal was to provide as much clean volume as possible – they weren’t interested in creating overdrive or distortion of any kind – those were just side effects.