By Full Compass LiveIn 1940s southern California, Leo Fender created a simple solid-body electric guitar design that would eventually become the famous Telecaster® guitar. He went on to invent the Precision Bass guitar, the first non-acoustic bass guitar. Together, these two instruments helped to create the modern rock and roll band, and changed music forever. However, Leo Fender was building amplifiers long before he made his first guitar. Amplifiers made by Fender have been used by musicians ranging from Kurt Cobain to Eddie Van Halen, and continue to be both collectibles and workhorse tools for musicians at all levels, all over the world.
Here are our top product picks for the Fender fans in your life.
Fender Limited Edition Combo Tube Amps
Just in time for the holidays, Fender introduced a handful of incredibly cool Limited Edition guitar amps. These new takes on classic tubeDefinition:
(slang) A vacuum tube or (valve), an electronic amplifying or rectifying element with a heating filament, in a glass or metal envelope. combo amps have striking looks thanks to the unique gun metal and knotty pine boxes. These are both functional and a beautiful, collectible conversation piece. Get the guitarist on your list a truly special gift, but don’t wait: only 100 of each of these models were made.
Used by stars like Stevie Ray Vaughan, Fender Vibrolux amps are known for producing a tone that is the perfect balance of clean and crunchy. The '68 Custom Vibrolux Reverb honors the look and sound of the classic while adding additional modifications such as a gunmetal gray covering, two 10" 8-ohmDefinition:
A unit of measurement for resistance to the flow of electrical current. Celestion® Greenback G10 speakers and a "Limited Edition" badgeDefinition:
A logo placed on or in front of a microphone..
Fender Deluxe amps deliver a clean, yet overdriven tone that is synonymous with rock and roll and blues. The '68 Custom Deluxe Reverb amp adds modifications like a gunmetal gray covering, one 12" 8-ohm Celestion® Greenback speaker and a "Limited Edition" badge.
The Limited Edition '65 Deluxe Reverb amp is inspired by the original and includes a crafted knotty pine cabinet with 12" Celestion® Cream AlnicoDefinition:
Alinco (Aluminum Nickel and Cobalt): A ferromagnetic alloy used to make permanent magnets, as deployed in most dynamic microphones and loudspeakers, as well as many guitar pickups. speaker for an amp that excels in both sound and style. The all-tube tone machine features 22 watts of power and can handle almost any style of music with its tube overdriveDefinition:
A musical effect caused by overloading an amplifier or speaker, which creates intentional distortion., tremoloDefinition:
A periodic change in volume. and reverbDefinition:
Short for Reverberation. The myriad echoes of decaying amplitude created in an acoustic environment. Reverberation may be simulated electronically, mechanically using springs or a metal plate, or in a specially built physical chamber with reflective surfaces where a speaker sends audio into the chamber, and a microphone picks up the reflections..
The Limited Edition '65 Princeton Reverb amp is a reissue of the studio classic in a fine knotty pine cabinet with 12" Celestion® Cream Alnico speaker and 12 watts of power to match the vintage vibe of the original. This amp is ideal for players in need of real tube overdrive and tremolo, pristine clean tones, dynamic overdrive and foot switchable long-spring reverbDefinition:
A reverb simulator that vibrates a metal coil (spring). See Reverb Tank..
In-Ear Monitors
There is a robust audio side to Fender that often takes a back seat to the classic guitars and amps, but also provides a high quality and necessary part of every musician’s toolbox. The brand’s in-ear monitors use innovative technology and custom drivers to create powerful sound—all designed and assembled in the USA.
The DXA1 features 14 HzDefinition:
Abbreviation for Hertz. Unit of measurement for frequency, formerly called CPS (Cycles Per Second), that measures periodic waves, audio and radio frequencies, and mechanical repetitive motion. Example: 1000 Hz means a periodic waveform has 1000 cycles/vibrations per second. – 22 kHzDefinition:
Abbreviation for Kilohertz: 1,000 Hertz, or one thousand cycles per second. frequency responseDefinition:
The range of frequencies that an audio, video or data device can pass. for life-like sound reproduction. This is our most affordable option, which also comes with a deluxe carrying case, cleaning tool and cable.
The FXA5 offers a dual balanced ArmatureDefinition:
An earphone, hearing aid, or speaker motor that uses a balanced arm (armature) that rocks between two stationary magnets to drive a diaphragm. Array and groove-tuned bass port. Featuring 19 Hz – 21 kHz frequency response, these monitors offer the perfect balance of transparency, ambience reduction and clear head room for pure, natural sound.
At the upper end of the spectrum is the FXA7. The HDBA Array with zero crossoverDefinition:
A filter or set of filters that divide audio signals by frequency. Crossovers, whether active or passive, are common in speaker designs to direct high and low frequencies to their respective drivers. Crossovers are also used in multiband signal processors, like multiband dynamics or multiband distortion. design is mechanically tuned and ported to function as a speaker array, balancing natural warmth and broad staging with detail and clarity. It features 6 Hz – 24 kHz frequency response, and comes with a 1/8” to 1/4” adapter, acoustic filterDefinition:
1. (audio) A circuit that reduces certain frequencies, e.g., a low-pass or high-pass filter for audio. See also: Equalizer. 2. (optics) reduces certain color wavelengths or polarizations. earplugs, tips, cleaning tool and cable.
Two Special Offers for Fender Fanatics
A Piece Of Music History: Looking for a truly one of a kind gift for a Fender fan or music memorabilia collector? The Vintage Reissue of the ’65 Twin Reverb offers a clean, classic electric guitar sound, and this amp was used by musicians on the stages of Summerfest 2016. Here's a rare chance to own a unique piece of history. But hurry, there is only one available!
Vintage Vibes: Popular Fender tube combos like the Deluxe Reverb and Hot Rod Deluxe are easily as desirable now as when they were first introduced, due to their combo portability, ease of use and great tone. The Deluxe VM amplifierDefinition:
1. A device that increases the voltage or power of a signal. 2. In music performance, a device such as a guitar amplifier that includes speakers and controls to increase the sound level of acoustic or electric instruments. takes the sought-after Deluxe formula into a new era of "Vintage Modified" performance by combining a real tube amp with a complement of essential effects. This Vintage Modified Fender Deluxe is a specially priced showroom model that also comes with a cash back instant rebate.
These special Fender combo amp choices make great gifts due to their combination of exclusivity and usability. Give the guitar player in your life (or yourself) the chance to own a piece of history, with the added ability to make innovative new music.
