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Post subject: Vibroverb
Posted: Tue Oct 18, 2011 7:31 pm
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I have just tried a vibroverb today. WOW! You have a clean sound and it clips around 3 or 4. It would be perfect for me.

I think they don't make it anymore. So any suggestion on a equivalent amp?

If I buy a old one, are they reliable or is there any downside in the fabrication or components to this amp?

Thanks,
Chris


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Post subject: Re: Vibroverb
Posted: Tue Oct 18, 2011 8:01 pm
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Which Vibroverb?

There are two -- the '63 (brownface, with 2 x 10 speaker array) and the '64 (blackface, with a single 15).

Arjay

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"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY


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Post subject: Re: Vibroverb
Posted: Tue Oct 18, 2011 11:05 pm
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" You have a clean sound and it clips around 3 or 4. "

Wow! I'd check the bias on those power tubes. Or the condition of the speaker(s). I've driven these older BF's to "6"+ before even hearing any crunch, let alone clipping. And at that volume, the cops are usually on their way to visit you. Even old Deluxe and Princetons stay pretty darn clean to "5."

Or are you using a guitar with active pups---fully cranked to 10? Or OD stomp boxes in front of the VV's?


Thanks!


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Post subject: Re: Vibroverb
Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2011 2:15 am
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Clip around 3/4 is very early. Like BMW2002Ti write check bias, speaker and I say check all tubes too , ( different brand of tubes or less or more used tubes ) . Phase Inverter tube and circuit , resistor drift may affect breaking earlier.

You can find other Vibroverb breaking later IMO, never know before test.

If an old one is reliable ? Like a new one and IMO , more than a knew one after tune-up by a good tech


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Post subject: Re: Vibroverb
Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2011 5:38 am
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Blackface Vibroverbs usually go for big bucks,due in a large part for the fact that SRV used them at times.....so many people think that's where all his tone came from,but I've read his were modded to increase headroom,but who knows for sure,there was an article in The Tone Quest report about one of his that was stolen and when the guys got it back some of those guys played through it and said it wouldn't be a good amp to play in a club,and none of them copped his tone...it was just a part of his overall sound.
They're out there to be had if you have the money,but a good BF Pro Reverb is similar.


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Post subject: Re: Vibroverb
Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2011 6:55 am
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Retroverbial wrote:
Which Vibroverb?

There are two -- the '63 (brownface, with 2 x 10 speaker array) and the '64 (blackface, with a single 15).

Arjay



Blackface 15


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Post subject: Re: Vibroverb
Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2011 7:04 am
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BMW2002Ti wrote:
" You have a clean sound and it clips around 3 or 4. "

Or are you using a guitar with active pups---fully cranked to 10? Or OD stomp boxes in front of the VV's?




I use a stratocaster 56, 50's pickups. I plug it directly into the amp, no boxes.

But it has option switches on the back. Rectifier or diode and modified or standard.

And yes it was pretty loud.


Chris


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Post subject: Re: Vibroverb
Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2011 7:07 am
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stratele52 wrote:
Clip around 3/4 is very early. Like BMW2002Ti write check bias, speaker and I say check all tubes too , ( different brand of tubes or less or more used tubes ) . Phase Inverter tube and circuit , resistor drift may affect breaking earlier.

You can find other Vibroverb breaking later IMO, never know before test.

If an old one is reliable ? Like a new one and IMO , more than a knew one after tune-up by a good tech



The owner of the amp always play to maximum level. So maybe the tubes are worn out.

Ton anglais est pas si pire en passant.

Chris


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Post subject: Re: Vibroverb
Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2011 7:08 am
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Rebelsoul wrote:
Blackface Vibroverbs usually go for big bucks,due in a large part for the fact that SRV used them at times.....so many people think that's where all his tone came from,but I've read his were modded to increase headroom,but who knows for sure,there was an article in The Tone Quest report about one of his that was stolen and when the guys got it back some of those guys played through it and said it wouldn't be a good amp to play in a club,and none of them copped his tone...it was just a part of his overall sound.
They're out there to be had if you have the money,but a good BF Pro Reverb is similar.



Thanks for the infos, very useful.

Chris


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Post subject: Re: Vibroverb
Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2011 9:24 am
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chrismagic wrote:
But it has option switches on the back. Rectifier or diode and modified or standard.

Sounds like the reissue 64 VV and not an original 64 VV... Fender made these between 2003 and 2008 I believe. Just like most BF amps, it should stay clean through 5-6, maybe the owner modded the amp for early breakup? Is the speaker original? That Eminence Legend in there is one of the cleanest 15" speaker you can find, very efficient (loud) and very clean, you'd have to crank that amp to 10 to get it to break up!


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Post subject: Re: Vibroverb
Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2011 9:51 am
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chrismagic wrote:
If I buy a old one, are they reliable or is there any downside in the fabrication or components to this amp?


Why do you suppose the "old" ones are still around......?

Image

Fender's re-interpretation of its own original '64 Vibroverb is a fine amp. However, they do not sound the same (or as good IMO) as a vintage specimen, whose drifted components and aging iron all collude to produce that magical mojo that many players covet. Likewise, the old amps were simply built better -- from chassis components to the cabinetry. Properly maintained blackface amps are known to provide decades of reliable service to their owners.

Arjay

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"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY


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Post subject: Re: Vibroverb
Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2011 9:59 am
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Retroverbial wrote:
Why do you suppose the "old" ones are still around......?

For you to add to your amazing collection?? :mrgreen:


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Post subject: Re: Vibroverb
Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2011 10:03 am
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Perhaps the owner replaced the tubes and didnt bias? Like if you were to put just like 12AX7 instead of the 7025.


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Post subject: Re: Vibroverb
Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2011 1:17 pm
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atolleter wrote:
Perhaps the owner replaced the tubes and didnt bias? Like if you were to put just like 12AX7 instead of the 7025.



I don't know. I will ask him.

Chris


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Post subject: Re: Vibroverb
Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2011 7:05 pm
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ChrisM, early clipping (if it is truly clipping) could be a sign of:

1.) Unmatched power tubes. That is, one tube of the push-pull pair is weak and "clips" while the other still makes the curved sine wave. Asymmetric clipping.

2.) Improper idle bias settings. Set too hot.

3.) Power supply is weak for some reason, and can't supply the power tubes enough current, on demand. Or basically "starves" the tubes.

4.) Too much gain in the pre-amp section.

Clipping sould have a distinct tone. Like you crank it up and the tone doesn't repsond with OD or headroom. But, has this crazy super compressed tone. Clipping at too early of a stage can eventually ruin your speakers. As, the amp is putting out DC during the clipping part of the curve. Anyhow, best to have that amp checked out.

Some ppl actually mistake the tone of a too cold biased amp with "clipping." As crossover distortion also has this horrible unique tone.


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