Pre Loved Fender Eighty Five Combo

The Fender Eighty-Five is a solid-state guitar combo amplifier produced by Fender in the 1980s and early 1990s, known for its high headroom clean tone, loud output, and affordable price.

Fender Eighty-Five Combo Amp – Overview

Specifications

• Power Output: 85 watts RMS

• Speaker: 1x12"

• Channels: 2 (Clean and Lead)

• Construction: Solid-state circuitry (not tube)

• Controls:

  • Clean: Volume, Treble, Mid, Bass

  • Lead: Gain, Volume, Treble, Mid, Bass

  • Master: Reverb, Presence, and Lead Level

• Inputs: High and Low gain inputs

• Footswitch: Channel switching and reverb (optional, not always included)

• Effects Loop: Yes

• Reverb: Built-in spring reverb

Tone & Sound

• Clean Channel: Bright, articulate, and loud with lots of headroom. Similar in vibe to Fender tube cleans, which made it a favorite for clean-focused players and pedal platforms.

• Drive Channel: Can deliver a usable overdrive, though some players consider it harsh compared to tube amps.

• Reverb: Classic Fender spring reverb – lush and usable.

Notable Users

• Kurt Cobain (Nirvana) famously used the Fender Eighty-Five in the early '90s, particularly in studio settings. It was part of his clean tone setup.

Why It’s Loved

• Affordable, reliable, and loud.

• Clean tone holds up very well, especially with pedals.

• Surprisingly durable for a solid-state amp from that era.

Physical Design

• Classic 1980s Fender blackface-style cosmetics

• Sturdy construction with metal corners and a durable grille

• Typically weighs around 35-40 lbs