Blackfacing a Silverface...thoughts and ramblings

ColForbin · April 25, 2013, 07:11:17 AM

You guys are players, as am I. What I care about is tone, tone for days. I recently had a conversation with a friend of mine where I made the point that I wasn't planning on "blackfacing" my silverface amps. He thought I was insane and that I was missing out huge, I'm not so sure. I have a '72 twin and a '73 Deluxe Reverb, and I think they sound amazing. I think they sound great, but admittedly, I've never blackfaced an amp. Although I've always followed the logic, of regardless of what I read online, if it sounds great to my ears, why mess with it? What are your guys thoughts on this matter? I'd love to hear your input.

sour d · April 25, 2013, 09:31:16 AM

I agree with you 100%.

Walker done done · April 25, 2013, 01:48:50 PM

I agree with his ^ agreement of your agreement.

Deadicated Phan · April 25, 2013, 03:34:55 PM

Whatever sounds good to your ears, but my 72 Blackfaced Twin sounds pretty fantastic

fulltone1989 · April 25, 2013, 04:03:07 PM

Quote from: ColForbin on April 25, 2013, 07:11:17 AM
You guys are players, as am I. What I care about is tone, tone for days. I recently had a conversation with a friend of mine where I made the point that I wasn't planning on "blackfacing" my silverface amps. He thought I was insane and that I was missing out huge, I'm not so sure. I have a '72 twin and a '73 Deluxe Reverb, and I think they sound amazing. I think they sound great, but admittedly, I've never blackfaced an amp. Although I've always followed the logic, of regardless of what I read online, if it sounds great to my ears, why mess with it? What are your guys thoughts on this matter? I'd love to hear your input.

I think the transitional years were 67-69 so with the 72 and 73 circuits you won't be too far off from a blackface. I don't think they changed drastically until 75 or so. I could be entirely wrong though. These amps sure sound like keepers but the blackface mod may be a good selling point to a potential buyer; it could also be the opposite for the collector.

Happyorange27 · April 25, 2013, 05:44:59 PM

I think no one could tell the difference in a double blind test. Not even Poster!

ColForbin · April 25, 2013, 06:24:19 PM

Quote from: Deadicated Phan on April 25, 2013, 03:34:55 PM
Whatever sounds good to your ears, but my 72 Blackfaced Twin sounds pretty fantastic

There we go. Sure it sounds amazing, did you have it blackfaced? i.e. was it a silverface that you played for a while and then had it blackfaced? Did you notice a big difference in tone? I'm not overly on the fence, as I love the tone of both of my amps, but I am curious.

Heady Jam Fan · April 25, 2013, 07:28:47 PM

Quote from: Happyorange27 on April 25, 2013, 05:44:59 PM
I think no one could tell the difference in a double blind test. Not even Poster!

Lolled, *pours out a gulp of beer for an MIA phsoldier*

I agree with all that was posted above:
- Whatever sounds good works
- Early Silverfaces will be more similar to BF, especially in lower wattage amps
- It would be tough to hear the difference - amps of that age will differ greatly from each other anyway, let alone other variables

The Deluxe Reverb I had was a Blackfaced Silverface and it sounded incredible, but I'm not sure I would have paid to have it done. Especially considering its still different from a blackface amp that has ((A)N)OS capacitors - using new stock ones (according to the people who say "blacface or die") would notably different anyway.

I left my Ross in Black specs even though AM offered to mod it to Grey - I would rather have the "OS" parts and not change a vintage piece of equipment with a mod that is more about my ego than tone

Deadicated Phan · April 25, 2013, 10:07:25 PM

Quote from: ColForbin on April 25, 2013, 06:24:19 PM
Quote from: Deadicated Phan on April 25, 2013, 03:34:55 PM
Whatever sounds good to your ears, but my 72 Blackfaced Twin sounds pretty fantastic

There we go. Sure it sounds amazing, did you have it blackfaced? i.e. was it a silverface that you played for a while and then had it blackfaced? Did you notice a big difference in tone? I'm not overly on the fence, as I love the tone of both of my amps, but I am curious.

I bought mine Blackfaced (actually PARTIALLY blackfaced, previous owner must have had his head up his ass), but I have played a 73 Twin, and it sounded a bit harsher, not that noticeable, but if you want to be nit picky... I would say, if you have the cash, do it, since you have a silverface Deluxe, so you will still have that early 70s silver amp. But its all up to you dude!