Happy New (Used) Amp Day: Fender Excelsior!

[92 Fiesta Red 62]

Review/User Rating:

First impressions:

—Dang, this thing’s loud!
I mean that in a good way…
I wanted this amp for rehearsals and smaller jams, it’ll definitely work for that, but this thing is loud enough I think I will be able to gig with it in a smaller venue—or maybe even a bigger one, who knows? It’ll definitely work for my initial purpose. That 15” speaker sure moves a lot of air, even if it only has 13 watts pushing it!

—Dang, that tremolo is awesome!
Outside of overdrive, tremolo is my favorite effect…this one is a keeper. I don’t know what circuit they based this one on, but I dig it.

—Dang, this thing is a lot lighter than I thought it would be!
When I laid eyes on the amp I’d bought, I hadn’t seen one in a while. It was a tiny bit larger than I remembered being, and with that 15” speaker, I was concerned about the weight…again, my main reason for looking for another amp was to find something smaller and lighter than my regular amp (a 63-reissue Vibroverb). It is both smaller and lighter, so mission accomplished there.

—Dang, the tone stays clean well into the volume sweep!
This is the first thing I’m less happy about—not unhappy, just less happy…I was hoping for something that would break up at lower volumes, but I don’t think that’s gonna happen…that’s ok, I have plenty of overdrive pedals.

—Dang, I’m gonna have to change a preamp tube to play harp/harmonica through this one!
Even though there is an input labeled “MIC”, it is still too high-gain for a harmonica microphone—Feedback/Squeal City…I also put the harp mic through the “ACCORDIAN” input, but it still a bit too hot/high gain. That’s not a criticism, it’s just a fact, and I’m not upset about it—it’s a common problem with most tube amps, including my beloved 63-reissue Vibroverb before I swapped the preamp tube in the NORMAL channel—but I was hoping to retain the higher-gain 12AX7 preamp tube in the Excelsior for the “GTR” (guitar) input.
No problem, I have a 12AY7 sitting in the “extras” drawer at home, just waiting to be installed somewhere.

I’ll have to update this review after changing the preamp tube and playing it in a full-band rehearsal.

So, initial impressions and user rating: 7.5/10, which is a really good rating, on my highly-critical, rarely-satisfied scale.

 

[mediumjohn]

Rumor has it , they made 900 green , 900 blush and 900 blue ones . Those all have an upgraded speaker , an eminence legend . They cost a $100 more than the turd brown ones which had a , not so good speaker . The eminence legend is a very efficient speaker and makes way more sound than the average speaker . That's why it's so freak'n LOUD . I love mine ....

 

[myredstrat]

what mic do you use for harp?
if a 12ay7 is still too much gain try a 5751

 

[92 Fiesta Red 62]

what mic do you use for harp?
if a 12ay7 is still too much gain try a 5751

I use a 1940’s Astatic 200S

Perfect size to cup in my hand and hold a harp…solid but lightweight…a lot of people cut off the “tail”, but I like it pushing against my wrist for leverage and stability.

I have other mics—modern, vintage and in-between—but that one takes the cake.

 

[92 Fiesta Red 62]

if a 12ay7 is still too much gain try a 5751

If a 12AY7 doesn’t work in this amp, I’ll keep the 5751 in mind…thank you!

 

[Maranello94]

Happy New Amp Day! I love the look of those amps!

 

[Meghans Dad]

When they first came out I wondered if the shape of the cabinet's front would adversely obstruct the speaker. Based on what you say, I guess not.
HNAD!

 

[92 Fiesta Red 62]

When they first came out I wondered if the shape of the cabinet's front would adversely obstruct the speaker. Based on what you say, I guess not.
HNAD!

That was a concern I had, both then (2012) and now (when I finally got around to trying one) .

I did not notice any dead spots at all…and I also haven’t noticed any “beam-y” spots standing in front of it, where specific frequencies or volume hit you harder…so (assumably) whoever designed the amp took that into consideration.

 

[donnyrocker]

I have two brown ones, one I bought new but put it away for a few years then pulled it out as a leave-at-rehearsal amp. The rediscovery is a joy!

I have the Eminence to replace in the previously otherwise owned one, but I haven’t had enough time or courage to take the whole thing apart.

Plenty of volume for bar gigs and takes pedals well!

 

[FunkyWilly]

I love mine!

 

[bmikultyak]

I can appreciate you enjoying a new amp. For the price, you could get a full tube amp without paying the Fender "CEO tax". Sorry but I really hate to see people spend excess bucks just because it's a Fender or some other name brand. The new Marshalle are just as bad.
I grew up with real tube amps both home built and factory amps from the era. Very few of the so called tube amps of today can compare. The mid 90s showed a change from good amps to cheaply made and few actually sounded like the vintage years
If you're going to spend big bucks on a tube amp, buy a working used one and pay a tech to set it up. You all seem to spend big money setting up your guitars . . .
Check out Monoprice, cheap Chinese clones but change out the junk tubes and they aren't that bad.
I really like the retro look of the Fender Excelsior but for the cost it could have had a tube output as well.

 

[92 Fiesta Red 62]

I can appreciate you enjoying a new amp. For the price, you could get a full tube amp without paying the Fender "CEO tax". Sorry but I really hate to see people spend excess bucks just because it's a Fender or some other name brand. The new Marshalle are just as bad.
I grew up with real tube amps both home built and factory amps from the era. Very few of the so called tube amps of today can compare. The mid 90s showed a change from good amps to cheaply made and few actually sounded like the vintage years
If you're going to spend big bucks on a tube amp, buy a working used one and pay a tech to set it up. You all seem to spend big money setting up your guitars . . .
Check out Monoprice, cheap Chinese clones but change out the junk tubes and they aren't that bad.
I really like the retro look of the Fender Excelsior but for the cost it could have had a tube output as well.

Interesting
How much did I pay for it?
Did I say?

The “CEO Tax” was paid by the original purchaser.
I’m buying a ten-year old(?) amp from an individual…Fender doesn’t get a penny out of this transaction.

I’d be willing to check out a Monoprice (I’m not a brand snob) but to assume I am not (or anyone here is not) capable of choosing a good amp or that I’m a sheep running to the slaughter (fiscally) is kinda weird.

I’ve been playing through tube amps since 1989. I’ve owned a pretty big handful—new, old, big, small, original, reissue, cheap, expensive, vintage, used, and in-between…and I’ve played through more amps than I’ve owned, so I know amps.

…and this is a “full tube amp”…tube preamp section, tube power amp section (2x6V6, iirc)…

I don’t think you know what this amp is.

On a related note…I’m not a tube snob…there are good—even great—solid state and digital amps out there…some of which I’ve owned or played through.

I don’t buy based on brand, I buy based on whether something sounds good and if it “fits” me and my musical taste and I like the features of it and if it’s a good deal.

For example: I like Fender tube amps, but I don’t bond well with Twin Reverbs—they don’t work for me…so I wouldn’t choose one, in spite of my affinity for Fender tube amps.

I think I’m capable of deciphering of a piece of gear is good, and I know I’m capable of getting a good deal.

My brother says I’m cheap.
I prefer the term “discerning frugal consumer”.

Thank you for your input.

 

[stormsedge]

turd brown ones

NOW I remember where I've seen that before.

I put a 1518 in mine...sounds great.

 

[Bakelite1]

I've got a blue one I got after I heard a brown one. It turns out the guy had put a a Cannibus Rex in his with a custom baffle.
Tom Petty's guitarist played one live for "Running Down a Dream". I don't know if they recorded the track with one or not.

 

[92 Fiesta Red 62]

I've got a blue one I got after I heard a brown one. It turns out the guy had put a a Cannibus Rex in his with a custom baffle.
Tom Petty's guitarist played one live for "Running Down a Dream". I don't know if they recorded the track with one or not.

The amp didn’t exist when “Running Down A Dream” was originally recorded…that album was in 89 or 90, the amp didn’t come out until 2012…so he could have used it live, but not on the original studio album.

What’s funny is that this amp would be perfect for that type of tone/sound…I might have to add that song to our repertoire!

Do you have a picture of your blue Excelsior?

 

[dirocyn]

I really like the retro look of the Fender Excelsior but for the cost it could have had a tube output as well.

The Excelsior is a tube amp. Every bit as much as Monoprice.

If you are comparing directly, the nearest equivalent is the Monoprice Stage Right, which is a 15w tube combo with spring reverb and a 12" Celestion, currently us$259.99. Honestly that's really different from the Excelsior, which is a 13w tube combo with no master volume, a tremolo effect and a 15" speaker, an "accordion" input and very different styling.

A used Excelsior can be had for very reasonable money. The guitar I traded for mine cost less than the Monoprice.

 

[stormsedge]

I can appreciate you enjoying a new amp. For the price, you could get a full tube amp without paying the Fender "CEO tax". Sorry but I really hate to see people spend excess bucks just because it's a Fender or some other name brand. The new Marshalle are just as bad.
I grew up with real tube amps both home built and factory amps from the era. Very few of the so called tube amps of today can compare. The mid 90s showed a change from good amps to cheaply made and few actually sounded like the vintage years
If you're going to spend big bucks on a tube amp, buy a working used one and pay a tech to set it up. You all seem to spend big money setting up your guitars . . .
Check out Monoprice, cheap Chinese clones but change out the junk tubes and they aren't that bad.
I really like the retro look of the Fender Excelsior but for the cost it could have had a tube output as well.

It has already been pointed out that the Excelsior is a tube amp. I'll add, however, after owning a 5w, two 15/1w, and a 50w tube amp from Monoprice...the Excelsior blows them all out of the water sound-wise , imo. But I like big speakers...I'm not gonna lie .

My experience is the Excelsior also easily cut through the mix (especially with the 1518 speaker), where my Monoprice 15/1w tuber (with a tube and speaker change) couldn't...same day, same guitar, same room, same 7 guitarists, 1 bass, 1 drummer, and a PA for vocals. I'll be quick to write that others have had good luck with the 15/1w in a group/gig setting...but I didn't. That said, I have purchased the 15/1w tuber as gifts for family to get them started...I really like it as a home amp (although I am currently without a MP bc I've given them all away).

In any event, if you have the opportunity to demo an Excelsior (or even buy one with no demo on the cheap), I think you'd be really pleased with it. And they do look cool.

 

[92 Fiesta Red 62]

Happy NAD day! I have one of these, it's a pretty cool little amp. Mine had the same tone pot mod done to it. Seems useful.

If you replace the 12ax7 with a 12ay7, you will get less breakup. I don't suppose that matters if you're going to use pedals anyway.

The mod I did to mine was to replace C1 and C3 (they're the 0.01uF coupling caps that follow V2B--and clearly labeled on the circuit board) with 0.1uF caps that allow a lot more bass through. This fattens up the sound immensely, and makes it suitable for use as a bass practice amp--which is the way I'm using it (mostly). It's a 50w speaker and obviously designed for bass frequencies--in an amp that only pushes 13w. I haven't had any trouble with it and don't expect any.

I hadn’t thought about it as a bass amp…that would be good for my daughter’s band, where I might end up playing a baritone or a Bass VI for part of the set…she’s playing Mexican Garage Rock, mixed with classic country and a heavy ladle of cowpunk attitude poured over the top.

I’m blaming you if my wife gets mad when the 6-string bass arrives.

 

[92 Fiesta Red 62]

You became honorary Surfrajette!

After much deliberation, I think I’ll have to decline the honor of being a Surfrajette, even in a ceremonial position.

The wig was ok, but my legs are just too ugly for the mini-dresses.

I’ll leave the other problem with a short skirt to your imagination…I discovered I could not go commando.

 

[dirocyn]

I hadn’t thought about it as a bass amp…that would be good for my daughter’s band, where I might end up playing a baritone or a Bass VI for part of the set…she’s playing Mexican Garage Rock, mixed with classic country and a heavy ladle of cowpunk attitude poured over the top.

I’m blaming you if my wife gets mad when the 6-string bass arrives.

I'll take the credit, you can keep the blame.

This amp is not voiced for bass in stock form. Try it, but you will see it doesn't have a deep voice. Those two capacitors really restrict the low end, they even cut out some of the lower guitar frequencies. Two pcb mounted capacitors need to be replaced to make this work as a bass amp. This is a tube amp, take all appropriate electrical precautions and don't hurt yourself.

It's also only 13w, it will not make a bass loud enough to play with a drummer.