Fender '68 Custom Pro ReverbFrom real comments

Verdict distilled from 67 mentions across 13 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment65%
PROS 65%
CONS 35%

Rank based on 67 mentions across 13 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You want a lightweight, gig-worthy single-channel Fender with plenty of clean headroom
  • You want classic Fender reverb/tremolo tone with an added Middle EQ knob for flexibility
  • You like pushing power tubes into breakup with an attenuator rather than using a master volume

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You're not willing to risk tube/chassis rattle issues or pay for tech fixes on a new unit
  • You need an effects loop or built-in power attenuation for home use
  • You expect handwired boutique-amp build quality and repairability at this price point

What users complain about

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Based on user comments

Best choice
1Mid
Roland Blues Cube Artist
Lightweight and gig-friendlyTube-like tone and feelExcellent clean channelExpensive, hard-to-find Tone CapsulesInconsistent or harsh crunch channelNo included footswitch
Roland Blues Cube Artist
Lightweight and gig-friendly
Tube-like tone and feel
Excellent clean channel
Expensive, hard-to-find Tone Capsules
Inconsistent or harsh crunch channel
No included footswitch
2Premium
Friedman Little Sister
Exceptional tonal versatilityGreat cleanup via guitar volumeBig, huge-sounding tone for its size/wattageDark, bass-heavy voicing for somePrice relative to alternativesRequires volume-knob technique, not true multi-channel
Friedman Little Sister
Exceptional tonal versatility
Great cleanup via guitar volume
Big, huge-sounding tone for its size/wattage
Dark, bass-heavy voicing for some
Price relative to alternatives
Requires volume-knob technique, not true multi-channel
Best value
3Mid
Orange OR15
Exceptional versatilityGreat with pedals / clean platformLong-term keeper ampCleans not its strongest suitFizzy or excessive gain out of the boxStock preamp tubes considered weak
Orange OR15
Exceptional versatility
Great with pedals / clean platform
Long-term keeper amp
Cleans not its strongest suit
Fizzy or excessive gain out of the box
Stock preamp tubes considered weak
4Mid
Marantz PM7000N
Detailed, warm sound qualityGood speaker pairing versatilityHEOS streaming and internet radio convenienceAirPlay over Ethernet reliability issueDAC only active via optical/coaxial inputsLacks classic gold Marantz aesthetic
Marantz PM7000N
Detailed, warm sound quality
Good speaker pairing versatility
HEOS streaming and internet radio convenience
AirPlay over Ethernet reliability issue
DAC only active via optical/coaxial inputs
Lacks classic gold Marantz aesthetic
5Budget
TC Electronic BH250
Powerful for its sizeTonePrint effects built inClean, full, realistic toneAlways-lit tuner displayInsufficient power for loud full bandsSingle effect slot limitation
TC Electronic BH250
Powerful for its size
TonePrint effects built in
Clean, full, realistic tone
Always-lit tuner display
Insufficient power for loud full bands
Single effect slot limitation
6Premium
Mesa Boogie Badlander
Tight, modern high-gain toneBuilt-in CabClone IR / direct outBuild quality and versatility praised by ownersHigh priceMissing third channel and solo boostNo EL34 as originally expected / power tube gripes
Mesa Boogie Badlander
Tight, modern high-gain tone
Built-in CabClone IR / direct out
Build quality and versatility praised by owners
High price
Missing third channel and solo boost
No EL34 as originally expected / power tube gripes
7Mid
iFi xCAN
Strong power for demanding headphonesCompact, high-quality buildEnjoyable Bluetooth sound qualityEarly sound-mode switching bugLimited single-ended power for some planarsNot fully wireless
iFi xCAN
Strong power for demanding headphones
Compact, high-quality build
Enjoyable Bluetooth sound quality
Early sound-mode switching bug
Limited single-ended power for some planars
Not fully wireless
8Premium
Friedman BE-100 Deluxe
Exceptional tonal versatilityOwner satisfaction and 'best amp ever' sentimentSmooth, musical high-gain distortionHigh priceOverwhelming number of optionsSome find it too polished or lacking rawness
Friedman BE-100 Deluxe
Exceptional tonal versatility
Owner satisfaction and 'best amp ever' sentiment
Smooth, musical high-gain distortion
High price
Overwhelming number of options
Some find it too polished or lacking rawness
9Mid
Vox AC15CH
Built-in reactive attenuator
Vox AC15CH
Built-in reactive attenuator
10Mid
Roland JC-22
Great pedal platformLush onboard chorusExceptional clean toneBackground hiss/humWeak onboard distortionSome pedals don't pair well
Roland JC-22
Great pedal platform
Lush onboard chorus
Exceptional clean tone
Background hiss/hum
Weak onboard distortion
Some pedals don't pair well
You are here
31Mid
Fender '68 Custom Pro Reverb
Great tone and Fender cleansLightweight and portableStrong headroom at 40 wattsTube and chassis rattleQC and build quality inconsistencyHigh price relative to alternatives
Fender '68 Custom Pro Reverb
Great tone and Fender cleans
Lightweight and portable
Strong headroom at 40 watts
Tube and chassis rattle
QC and build quality inconsistency
High price relative to alternatives

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

Many owners consider this the best Fender amp in years for its tone and portability. Commenters repeatedly call it a 'holy grail' or 'sleeper' amp, praising its light weight (around 35lbs), 40 watts of clean headroom, added Middle EQ control versus the Deluxe Reverb, and musical breakup when power tubes are pushed. Several say it replaced heavier vintage amps or Mesa Boogies as their main gigging rig, citing great cleans, pedal-friendliness, and a well-regarded bias tremolo and spring reverb circuit.

Tube and chassis rattle is the most common complaint among owners. Multiple users report loud metallic or glass rattle from power tubes, traced by techs to cheap sockets and thin chassis construction; some went through several units or replacement tubes without resolving it. Fixes mentioned include tube dampers, socket rewiring, or the 'r53 mod.' A few owners had no rattle at all, suggesting inconsistent factory QC rather than a universal defect.

Value and build quality split opinion between price-conscious critics and satisfied gigging players. Some argue the $1,400 price is hard to justify given printed-circuit-board construction, cheap cabinet materials, and components that techs are reluctant to service, suggesting used handwired boutique amps or vintage originals as better value. Others counter that thousands of these amps get gigged weekly without issue, and that the sound and feel justify the cost despite imperfect repairability.

Outdated / Not-accurate data?