I am currently researching and inquiring about the Fargen Dual Classic. It sounds like it's right up my ally tone wise as far as Blackface Fender tone is concerned, and the tweed side would kick ass.

Does anybody have any experience with this particular amp, or the blackbird for that matter?

Thanks,

Troy

I want one.

Hi Troy,

I have the first Dual Classic combo that Ben built (2001) featuring BF Super (AB763) and Tweed Bassman (5F6-A) preamp circuits with a common power section...there have been a couple of other takes on it combining different amps...but mine was the first to combine BF/tweed...

the amp can run on 6V6/6L6 power tubes and 5Y3GT/5AR4 giving me a 20 watt BF/Tweed Deluxe or 30-40 watt BF Super/Tweed Bassman tones (Bens take on those classic designs)...it has external bias adjustment and measurement points to make tube swaps easy... channel switching is done externally with a Framptone amp switcher and you can combine channels and mix BF and tweed tones...eq on the BF side is V,T,B and on the tweed side you add a middle control...simple and easy and even a non-tweaker like me can get it right there is not a bad tone to be found anywhere...

the cab. is premium grade pine and is about the size of a Super Reverb...I have no verb, no master volumn, no FX loop...I also opted for 1X10" and 1X12" speaker as originally the amp was to have 2X10"'s + 1X12" speakers but the cab. ended up being too small as I opted for a heavier duty power transformer...we then tried 3X10"'s and that didn't sound that great so then we decided on 1X10" and 1X12" speakers where is stands now... this is where I have done quite a bit of speaker experimenting as the 10" Weber Blue pup it originally came with blew and then I had to keep swapping to find a 10 and 12 that blended together...currently I am running a 12" Weber California paper dome and a Weber 10F150P which is the 10" 150 with a blue pup cone for more British flavor and chime...I'm pretty happy with this combo although the gear junky side of me says maybe there is a better speaker combo for this amp...

I sold a Matchless DC30 to get this amp and since owning it I have not lusted after another amp...or missed the DC30 a fine amp in its own right...

I play teles through it and this amp has served me well playing Blues, RnB, Rock and you name it...it covers it all...I love this amp...

If you want some more feedback on how it sounds in action you can ask our very own "Chrissy" as he heard me play through the amp live at an outdoor venue using a 52 RI Tele. with Fralin pickups...

Aside from all that...Bens customer service is the best (UPS trashed my amp on the first go around even though is was professionally packed) and this ended up being the most satisfying amp buying experience I've ever had as Ben and I worked closly together designing and developing this amp...please believe me...the amp I ended up with is not what I started out with...plus he sent me digital pics...every week over the internet...of the build process and finally said:I want this to be the best amp you've ever played through...if its not I want you to send it back...amazing...!!

If you need anymore let me know and I'll do my best to help...


Chow,
Seegs

Thanks Seegs,

I spoke to Ben and decided to just got with the Blackbird, since I'm more interested in the BF tones. The Dual Classic seemed like a great amp for me because I have BF amps up the wazoo,so a little tweed mixed in wouldn't have been a bad thing, but that also doesn't mean that I would have used the tweed side.

I am going to order a Blackbird from Fat Sound as soon as I can afford it. Thanks a lot for the reply, very informative!

TTrahan- I orderd a Blackbird myself a few weeks ago and cant wait til i get it

Troy...I use the Blackface side way more than the Tweed side but as I was going through a sound check today after getting some new Bayou cables....I realized that with this amp I can gig with an A/B pedal/Tuner/Wah...which is 6 less than I usually use...

Chow,
Seegs

Sounds like Troy is turning into an amp whore.

Someone get this boy a Marshall

That's really cool T!

Yeah I think you're turning into an amp ho!
I say forget the marshall Dos, get this man a Engl Powerball to play some metal...yyyyyeah!


I think you'll enjoy this amp. I've only heard great things about Ben Fargen.

quote:

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Originally posted by dosmun:
Sounds like Troy is turning into an amp whore.

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Not true I tell ya. LOL.

But really, the only thing stopping me from becoming an amp whore is the fact that I have zero money for amps right now That might be the case for more people than just me, hehe...

quote:

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Originally posted by Hendrix2430:

Yeah I think you're turning into an amp ho!

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Look who's talkin'

I am really contemplating the Blackbird or the Miniplex. The fact that I can play with pretty much whatever powertubes I choose in the MiniPlex makes that amp very tempting, as opposed to just the 6v6 and the 6L6 being interchangeable in the Blackbird.

The prices (on the BB and the MP) are great considering the versatility as compared to my BF amps.

The Dual Classic is considered a custom shop model, it put it out of my price range. Damn...

Decisions, Decisions...

I had the 4th DualClassic Ben ever made and I loved it! The best feature was the ability to bridge the two channels and create a totally unique Fender sound. You could also play TWO guitars through it at the same time since the tone and volume controls are seperate (seperate preamps). Best amp I ever owned bar none.

That is so true MJS...it is by far and away the best amp I have ever owned...!!

as a matter of fact my Bandleaders 67 Twin crapped out in mid-gig at an open-air-festival and I plugged his Texas Specials loaded strat straight into the Tweed side of my Dual Classic as he does most of the soloing...while I did the rhythm chores on the BF side and I was really amazed at the clarity and power that both guitars had going through the same amp...more than enough for an open-air-festival...in fact the Twin was not missed...!!

In fact with the right tube choices and an A/B/Y pedal you really don't need any pedals...as long as volumn is not a consideration...!!

Chow,
Seegs

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