The mid-range is warm but not overly peaky, and the bass is round and full. Lack of noise is one sure sign of a happy circuit that's going to sound good, and the Bluies Deluxe dosen't disappoint - the clean channel is pure classic Fender, with sweet highs that can cut through without sounding shrill. For several years now, all Fender valve products have been fitted with matched output valves supplied by Groove Tubes, and we're in no doubt this has been a major step forward in improving consistency and reliability, as well as tone. Switched on, one very encouraging characteristic is that the amp is virtually hum- and hiss-free.

Hear the Blues Deluxe reissue here in combination with a Gretsch Billy-Bo and old Ibanez Tube Screamer: Thankfully, the control layout is straightforward and after a few minutes most players will be able to navigate it blindfolded. It may be traditional, but it's still awkward.

Viewed from in front, the controls are the right way round, but now the writing is upside down. It has to be said that one annoying original feature is the way the layout and control labels oppose each other - standing behind the amp, the writing is the right way up but the control functions are laid out backwards to the accepted norm of input on the left, followed by gain, tone, master, mains and standby. Apart from mains and loudspeaker connections, all the controls, switches and jacks are mounted on the top surface for easy access, including a socket for the supplied two-button footswitch, although to get at the valves it's easier to remove the rear panel, which has a CE-approved steel grille protecting the 6L6s from clumsy fingers. There's also a normal/bright switch that boosts high-frequency response - a handy feature for guitars with high-output humbuckers. Both channels share a standard three-band EQ, as well as presence and level controls for the amp's built-in reverb spring, while a pair of sockets labelled preamp out/power amp in serve as a useful series effects loop. The control panel features dual high- and low- sensitivity inputs feeding either a single volume control for the normal channel, or drive and master volume controls for the overdrive channel. Inside the steel tray chassis, most of the electronics are contained on two robust circuit boards which are double-sided and through-plated the valves are chassis mounted, with long-tailed bases connecting to the PCBs, and all of the wiring is neatly bundled and tied back.

Blues deluxe reverb mods