UAFX RUBY ’63

SEPTEMBER 2022 TOTAL GUITAR
THE TG TEST
87
F
ender once claimed that the ’65 Deluxe Reverb was the most
recorded amp of all time. It’s associated with crystal cleans,
drippy surf spring reverb and watery vibrato. That’s all here
in this little box, and it really does sound closer to the real
thing than anything we’ve tried before.
But while there’s a stock boost to add clean gain, the other two
choices are based on popular mods in Deluxe Reverb history; Lead
adds warmth in low settings but past 10 o’clock there’s a midrange
‘lead boost’ lift. The D-TEX is based on the SRV mod and adds the
most gain; yes, it’s great for Texas blues.
Like the real thing, the Dream has the cut and snap to really hold
its own in a band mix; we know because we tried it at a band
rehearsal. And like the other two pedals, it’s valve-like dynamics
really hold up to scrutiny at gig volumes. While it breaks up earlier
than you might expect, setting the footswitches up as Preset/Live
on the right (voiced as a clean/dirty combo) then with the left switch
activating boosts for both, you then have an incredibly usable range.
While we gravitated to the classic Oxford 12K5-6 12” speaker cab
model for cleaner tones that
helped the Deluxe earn its
reputation, there’s a 1966 4×10
Fender Super Reverb cab with
CTS speakers to experiment
with amongst the six choices.
Of the trio, the Dream felt
the most seamless inclusion
on the end of our ’board. But
what surprised us was its drive
capabilities thanks to the
boosts that widen the scope of
the original amp not just for
stacking with your own drive
pedals but the Dream’s tones
in isolation.
UAFX DREAM ’65
A dream pedal platform?
AT A GLANCE
CONTROLS: Volume, Reverb (spring),
Output, Bass, Treble / (tremolo) Speed,
Boost (tremolo) Intensity, 3 x mini
switches: speaker cab sim type, ALT
/ Amp / Preset store, Boost type.
FEATURES: USB-C for app control and
updates, Mono/stereo inputs and
outputs, Bluetooth for app control;
switchable true or buffered bypass
(via app)
POWER SUPPLY: 9-volt mains supply
only (minimum 400mA) (not included)
DIMENSIONS: 141 x 92 x 65mm
£139
£139
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