Feature:
This amp actually has a lot of features for a purely analog, all tube amp. Two inputs, Bright switch, Spring reverb, Clean channnel, Drive Channel, More drive channel, two button footswtich (it switches nicely between all three channels), it also has a serial effects loop. There are a few issues that pull it down from a 10. While the Deville actually has more features than the Twin here are the shortcomings: There is only one tone bank (treb, Mid, Bass) for all three channels...so you won't be able to dial in a different tone with the dirty channels just drive or more drive. Next issue is the effects loop. While it is a serial loop (Which I like better than parallel-when done right) this one isn't perfect.1-the input loop seems noisy no matter what pedals I run into it. Actually, I tried running a cable from the output straight into the input and it was still noisy. Also, It is not true serial. I get bleed through when I mute my tuner (in the loop) and play. BTW, Laird Williams-GSystem guru-suggests that using a line-level shifter will remedy the noisy input (or perhaps a hum eliminator).I just bought one but the amp is in for repairs at the moment...another story, coming up. Features gets an 8 because of loopp noise, bleed through, and lack of seperate tone banks.

Quality:
As I mentioned. After 7 months of ownership (with probably 30 gigs plus 30 practices, roughly) I had to put it in the shop. The clean headroom (the amount of volume I could push out of it before natural tube distortion begins to appear) diminished in the last three weeks or so. Initially I could play this amp at about 4-5 before I even got a hint of break-up. Now it is breaking up at 2 on the volume dial. Two days ago (at a gig no less) I started into the Sublime-What I got solo-first one, a relatively easy-clean solo- and notice the tubes distorting. I also definitely heard the muddiness in the More Drive channel on Walk this Way. A quick look at the tubes shows #1 6L6 tube glowing blue. Not sure yet if that is the problem but we will see. 7 months is REALLY early for tubes to wear out. But..the jury is still out on this one. There is definitely something out of sorts though. Other than that. Fit and finish is fantastic, classic Fender black and silver grill, chrome control panel (although it is on top and people won't really see it on stage). Knobs are tight and rotate evenly. Heavy and solid casing. Came with a Fender Cover...so that is nice. Every working musician should have a back-up amp (although I am currently in between) or at least a back-up set of "matched" tubes (just in case). I would have no problem-0and likely will-buying another of these for my back-up...or maybe I will get a Twin and use this for a back-up:)I am giving it an eight because of the outstanding issue.

Value:
Okay going back to other comparable amps: The twin is roughly $400 more, Alchemist $300 more, AC 30 $500 more...the Marshall was about the same but I couldn't get the clean tone. The Princeton is also about the same but only has 20 watts (25?) and breaks up way too early for my preference, HR deluxe also breaks up early (has 20 fewer watts than the deville, and the Line 6 Spider valve (even with Bogner tubes) doesn't belong in the same grouping. As I said from the beginning. For ultimate Fender clean tone I truly believe this is the best value.

Desirability:
Honestly, The fender Black and Silver grille look has been around sooo long people won't jump and notice. It is not considered boutique and won't get the attention that the Bogner nameplate does. It isn't bright Orange like the Orange amps and Fender is seen everywhere. Soooo many of there amps have the same general look that it doesn't immediately scream "Sexy". Hell...even the Marshall nameplate will get more stares than this but, I absolutely don't care. Tone is what matters most. If I had $3000.00 laying around I would probably buy a Bogner Shiva because it has tone, but for this price...I really don't think it can be beat. For Sex appeal go with the AC 30 (especially with all the Beatles hype as of late) or maybe the Bogner Alchemist just be prepared to pay $500.00 more and spend twice as long getting your tone.

Sound:
This is all about pure, clean tube tone. I am a vocalist primarily and play rythym guitar in a working cover band (4-6 shows per month) which makes me more of a performer than an artist, I guess :( but the wide variety of musical types I need to produce nightly allows for a lot of tonal experimentation. I will say this: Clean tone, Clean tone, Clean tone. I play an American Deluxe Tele and a Les Paul w/ Seymour Duncans (JB-bridge, Jazz-neck). I bought this amp because of its amazing clean tone. It is a not too distant second to the Twin-Reverb (the holy grail of tone IMHO). I played them side-by-side at local music store for about two weeks using my Tele Deluxe and decided that what the Deville lacked in tone (only compared to the Twin) it made up for in price...about $400.00 less. It gets a 9 in sound because the Twin is a 10. The Deville beat out all the amps I compared it with for tone (AC30, Bogner Alchemist, Marshall Combo, Fender Princeton, Fender HR Deluxe, Line 6 Spider valve) except the twin. The Twin is still better but there are other pluses to the Deville as I will outline in other categories. As for the dirty and more dirty channels...ehhh so/so, depends on what you want. I can get a decent Joe Perry tone using the more drive channel with drive on 3 (bright switch on)and using my Les Paul...Honestly though, That is the only song (Walk this way) that I use the Amps dirty channels for. I have several Keeley mod pedals (TS-9, BD-2) that I use for gains running straight into the input. This amp does respond well to overdriving pedals. The Ts-9 is pure SRV, and for me, I pretty much nail The Yellow Ledbetter solo tone with the BD-2 and a little Univibe (nad the Ledbetter intro with the clean channel and tele. So, the amp takes pedals well.

Ease of Use:
Okay...here is one reason why this amp beat out the Bogner Alchemist. It took me about 15 minutes of dialing around on the Alchemist to get the smooth clean tone I was looking for. WHile the Deville still had a bettter tone (IMHO) it took me 1 minute to get there. I sat down, plugged in, dialed Bass, Mid and treb to 12 o'clock and bam! done. Just easy, sweet tone. Everything else is pretty easy too. Just simple chicken head dials turn clockwise or counter-clockwise..then play! The loop issue makes it a little difficult to match with some pedals (post-gain effects) but the pre-gain effects just plug straight in line and work well. The only thing I don't like about this amps ability to integrate with other gear is the fact that the controls are on top of the amp and not on the face. I bought a G-system effects unit and wanted to put the amp in an ATA case with rack units on top, but the controls being on top makes it impossible to do so (that is if you ever want to use the controls again)...okay, maybe not impossible but highly cumbersome and difficult. That is a very specific problem though and will not apply to many users. Just be aware that permanent install within a road case may be problematic. I'mm still giving it a ten because, as I said. Plug and play pure sweet syrupy tone right out of the box! this is a ten.

Support:
Can't comment yet because I haven't gotten the diagnosis. But I will say this. I took it to an authorized repair center and they assurred me that Fender warranty work is a no-brainer. If it is covered under warranty Fender will cover it. Just be sure to have your receipt. 90 days on tubes and 5 years on everything else (Speakers might be two years..don't recall exactly).

Overall:
This very likely will not be replaced until I get a Twin or a Shiva...although honestly I would have to do a shoot out between the Shiva and the Twin cause I am still not sure the Shiva can beat the Twin...I am very satisfied with this amp. Again (beating a dead horse) beautiful clean tone. Second only to the Twin and maybe the Shiva. Even if I replace this as my main amp It will sttay along as my back-up / practice amp. I couldn't imagine a better combination than a Twin for primary and a Deville as back-up :)