800-ZZOUNDS (800-996-8637)
When you call, mention priority code R97-3BP5
close [x]
  • Mon, Tue, Wed, Thur, Fri 8AM - 10PM (EST)
  • Sat 9AM - 6PM (EST)
  • Sun 1PM - 7PM (EST)

Rating And Reviews: Fender Excelsior Amp

User Ratings
Overall
Sound
Features
Ease of Use
Quality
Value
Manufacturer Support
The Wow Factor
What do you think? Rate and Review This Product
| | |

"Excelsior arrives 4/12/12." submitted April 14, 2012

By Henry F in Reston, VA
Overall
Sound
Features
Ease of Use
Quality
Value
Manufacturer Support
The Wow Factor
Musical Background: 60+ years on guitar.
Music Style: Adult music--pop-country-blues.
Back to Product Information
VERIFIED BUYER
zZounds has verified that this customer bought this product from us.
Overall: This unit is heavy, about 35 lbs. It appears to have a wood construction and a particle-board baffle on which a large cheap-looking speaker is mounted. Nowhere on this unit is the word "Fender" to be found; the speaker is branded 'Excelsior'. There is no rear enclosure screen and the unit is accessible to dust, moth larvae, and here in Virginia, stink-bugs.The mechanical layout is logical and neat although cramped. The two chasses,upper and lower, would have to be removed to change the speaker. There appears to be some consideration by the manufacturer for wire routing and noise shielding.The unit appears to be an old PA amp such as were the original guitar amps used when I was a boy and like them has a guitar input and two other inputs suitable for PA use (record player, microphone,etc.).The design didn't cost Fender any money since dual 6V6 amps were considered state-of-the-art electronics in 1953 along with the Telecaster. Incidentally, the 6V6 is the best-sounding guitar tube ever made, not as harsh as the low-power 6BQ5 (EL84) or the high-power 6L6 (EL34) and this Excelsior amplifier natively captures the sound and ambiance of the saloon, smell of beer, Hank Williams music, and the magical Telecaster. In short, this amp provides the proverbial Fender sound more than any other I've heard since I was a kid. No small part of this sound comes from a great tremolo circuit and a stiff speaker which provides a remarkably high treble response for its size. I feel no attempts should be made to modify this amp since anything at all would destroy the Fender sound. Keep the kids away.
94 of 97 people (96.91%) found this review helpful. Did you?
Thanks for your opinion!
close [x]

Thank you. Your vote has been counted. Could you briefly tell us why the review was or was not helpful?

"Excelsior will be big hit" submitted May 14, 2012

By Gator Millhollon in Fort Worth, TX
Overall
Sound
Features
Ease of Use
Quality
Value
Manufacturer Support
The Wow Factor
Musical Background: 40 years, pro
Music Style: blues and rock
Back to Product Information
SPOTLIGHT REVIEW
Overall: A very good tube amp. I have several vintage amps and this is remarkably close to my 54 5B6 Bassman which also has 15" speaker and 24 watts. While it's not a 54 Bassman, it does have very good tone and a solid, attractive cabinet. With an all-tube amp, you rarely need more than 15 watts, so this will do the job. The clean sound is classic fender and, by naturally overdriving it, you can closely re-create the great overdrive sound of the early low-wattage Fender amps. This should be a big hit and I'd predict this amp will be almost twice this price within 18 months. Of course, the challenge is that most younger guitarists don't appreciate how much more useful a lower watt tube amp can be than a higher wattage amp. They usually have to play for at least 12-15 years before they realize the simple secret that all pros understand. However, if even a reasonable percentage check out this amp, it will become a best-seller and it deserves to be one. I'd highly recommend it to anyone wanting a quality tube amp at a very cheap price.
61 of 66 people (92.42%) found this review helpful. Did you?
Thanks for your opinion!
close [x]

Thank you. Your vote has been counted. Could you briefly tell us why the review was or was not helpful?

"Awesome sound ampbox" submitted October 17, 2012

By burkhaRd n in sandy springs, GA
Overall
Sound
Features
Ease of Use
Quality
Value
Manufacturer Support
The Wow Factor
Musical Background: 25 yeard kb and synth, 2 monyhs blues harmonica
Music Style: preferred: R'n B, Jazz Rock, Mississippi Delta Blues, all kind of groovy tunes
Back to Product Information
Overall: I bought one Excelsior today for playing blues harmonica. The punch of this amp is amazing. Volume knob to 9o clock position, tremolo knob to 2o clock position, volume adjusted on my green bullet mic and off we go! Dirty Chicago blues tunes! No shrill tones at all. Don't mind about the missing eq knobs. You do not need them. The Excelsior is an amp with basic features and provides a nice tremolo. It is worth every nickel and dime. i played along with some blues and jazz tunes from a USB stick via my home recording studio and harmonica jamming with Miles Davis on "Ride Off" took my breath and made me sweat like hell. This amp rocks, folks! Before I bought it, I tried several Fender tube amps, digital amps, the Behringer acoustic stuff, Orange and Line 6 and I came back on my knees to this little giant.
7 of 9 people (77.78%) found this review helpful. Did you?
Thanks for your opinion!
close [x]

Thank you. Your vote has been counted. Could you briefly tell us why the review was or was not helpful?

BizRate Customer Certified (GOLD) Site
Questions? Our gear experts can help!
800-zZounds (800-996-8637)
When you call, mention priority code R97-3BP5. Llame Gratis en Español: 800-460-7976
Lunes-Viernes de 9AM a 5PM EST
Customize Search Results for Your Location
Shop with those who respect your privacy — we do. Copyright © 1996-2013, zZounds Music, LLC. Terms of use apply.
[x] close

ALL ACCESS PASS

5 reasons YOU should sign up for the zZounds newsletter

  • 1. Weekly deals
  • 2. News about zZounds giveaways
  • 3. Interviews with cutting edge artists and producers
  • 4. Limited-time payment plan offers
  • 5. Features on your favorite gear
To get your cool stuff, we'll need your address:
close [x]What is this?
A temporary customer reference number is assigned to each customer only while they are shopping on zZounds.com. If you call our customer service department for assistance, this number makes it easier for us to answer any questions you have about products, services or purchases.
 
close [x]What is this?
A temporary customer reference number is assigned to each customer only while they are shopping on zZounds.com. If you call our customer service department for assistance, this number makes it easier for us to answer any questions you have about products, services or purchases.
close [x]

1. We offer the most flexible payment plans in the biz

zZounds offers a number of different installment payment plans that make it affordable and convenient for you to get the gear you really want today, without racking up risky credit card debt.

Other stores offer house credit cards that require you to fill out an application and pass a credit check--and, if you qualify, leave you vulnerable to exorbitant interest charges once the initial promotional period ends. zZounds payment plans are easy to get and simple to use; plus we'll never charge you interest!

zZounds payment plans details »

2. We guarantee the lowest price

If we don't already have the lowest price, just send us a link to any legitimate competitor's offer, and we'll beat their price as long as we're not losing money on the deal.

To submit a request for a lower price, click "Seen it for less?" on any product page. We answer most lowest price requests within two hours. For extra peace of mind, you also have 30 days after your purchase to find a lower price; if you do, we'll refund the difference.

zZounds.com price match details »

3. You'll get your gear fast

Because we have two well-situated warehouses--one on each coast--nearly three- quarters of the US population is located within our two-day shipping zones. Plus, we keep both warehouses well stocked with all the most popular products, so you'll usually get your gear fast without having to pay more for expedited shipping.

In fact, zZounds offers free two-day delivery on many of our best-selling products!

zZounds.com shipping details »

4. We make returns super easy

You have 30 days to try your gear at home, in your practice space or studio. If you're not absolutely in love with the sound you're getting, just let us know. We'll promptly arrange for an exchange or a refund without the hassles or hidden charges you face with some of our competitors. If there's something wrong with the gear you bought from us, we'll email you an electronic return label so you can return it easily and free of charge.

zZounds.com return details »

5. Our customer service is consistently rated the best

zZounds customer service is consistently rated at or near the top on every major comparison shopping website--probably because we only hire experienced musicians with outstanding customer service skills to work in our call center, and they don't work on commission. To us, this is our most meaningful measure of success. zZounds has served over a million customers since 1996, and they're the only critics whose reviews really matter to us.

zZounds.com customer service »
close [x]
Available on
orders $249+
learn more

Need it now but short of cash? All we need is the first payment up front and the rest in easy monthly payments!

Fast approval.
We approve everyone, with very few exceptions, as long as we can verify your identity.
No interest. Ever.
It's just as if you paid the whole amount up front!
No paperwork. Nothing to track.
No application to mail or fax, no bills to pay. We automatically charge the payments to your credit card.

We'll wait on your money so you don't have to wait for your gear!

When you checkout, just click the Play as you Pay checkbox to indicate which installment plan you wish to use.

close [x]
on most orders $49+

Just $2.99 on
smaller orders

Really heavy stuff might cost you a
little more

learn more

Why fight traffic and pushy salesmen when we'll bring your gear straight to your home, free of charge?

zZounds free shipping is really free!
No hidden charges or hassles on returns.
Fast, reliable delivery
We have warehouses on both coasts, so most shipments arrive in 3 days or less.
We don't collect sales tax. Bonus!
Only NJ residents pay tax during checkout.
close [x]

A guarantee so solid, you never have to worry about price when shopping at zZounds

We'll beat any price
Simply click the Seen it for less? link next to the gear you want or call us at 800-zZounds (800-996-8637)
Got a coupon from another site?
Use it with us - we'll beat those prices, too!
Find a better price after buying from us?
No problem. We'll refund you the difference for 30 days, so you'll never regret buying from zZounds.

You'll still get the trustworthy service you've come to expect from zZounds, without paying more for your gear!