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Post subject: 79 Vibrosonic Reverb, worth a purchase?
Posted: Wed Oct 16, 2013 12:27 am
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Hi,

I have a chance to get hold of a 79 SF Vibrosonic Reverb, which I don't see popping up in the UK at all! Its in a bit of a state cosmetically, but still fully working. Located a bit too far away for me to try it first, so trying to get opinions from the experience on this forum.
Worth a purchase? What price should I not go over?

I play mostly blues/classic rock, at smaller venues using a Classic 70's Strat (Texas Specials) through a red knob Princeton Chorus at the moment.

----I try & get a picture up later on this afternoon, at work at the moment!!-----


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Post subject: Re: 79 Vibrosonic Reverb, worth a purchase?
Posted: Wed Oct 16, 2013 12:40 am
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Do you have need of a 135-watt, 80+ lbs behemoth such as that?

This chassis is identical to that of the Twin Reverb. The sole difference lies in the type, size, and number of speakers. You'll never hear this amp break up because, basically, they never do. You'll need pedals to develop any OD tones. That said, these amps are solidly-built, very reliable, and capable of withstanding nearly any form of physical trauma. Here in the colonies they're worth $800 to $950, contingent upon condition and which 15-inch speaker is installed. Early editions relied on the JBL D130F while the final issues came with the Cetec-Gauss PS15.

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: 79 Vibrosonic Reverb, worth a purchase?
Posted: Wed Oct 16, 2013 1:53 am
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Do I have a need for it? Nope. Ideally I'd like a Princeton, but they're even more desirable & hence even more expensive. (in the UK, everything is expensive!!)
When I do larger venues (twice a year on average), I use a Performer 1000, as the band prefer big amps to using PA. (don't ask me why, I'm merely the guitarist)
Anyhoo, the Performer 1000 is a bit, well, rubbish really compared to the Princeton Chorus I usually use & my sound is totally different to the point that its crap. And, it has started crackling LOUDLY every now & then. Cheapo PCB with lifting tracks/pads etc....
This Vibrosonic amp just jumped out at me, and being born in the 70's, I do like the SF amps.

I can always dust off the modded TS5 I have in the attic for OD, or I think I have an OD-3 somewhere


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Post subject: Re: 79 Vibrosonic Reverb, worth a purchase?
Posted: Wed Oct 16, 2013 8:27 am
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In that case, the Vibrosonic is probably an upgrade to your now-temperamental Performer 1000. And the Princeton Chorus is no longer logistically supportable so if it takes a dump on you there's a better-than-average chance that it'll be non-repairable due to lack of spares. OTOH, parts for the Vibrosonic remain plentiful and affordable. I've owned a '78 Twin Reverb since I bought it new 35 year ago. In that time it's been on the service bench exactly once -- in January of 2001, when it was re-capped and re-tubed.

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: 79 Vibrosonic Reverb, worth a purchase?
Posted: Tue Oct 22, 2013 11:29 pm
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Retroverbial wrote:
Do you have need of a 135-watt, 80+ lbs behemoth such as that?

This chassis is identical to that of the Twin Reverb. The sole difference lies in the type, size, and number of speakers. You'll never hear this amp break up because, basically, they never do. You'll need pedals to develop any OD tones. That said, these amps are solidly-built, very reliable, and capable of withstanding nearly any form of physical trauma. Here in the colonies they're worth $800 to $950, contingent upon condition and which 15-inch speaker is installed. Early editions relied on the JBL D130F while the final issues came with the Cetec-Gauss PS15.

Arjay


Doesn't it have that push/pull knob with some dirt?


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Post subject: Re: 79 Vibrosonic Reverb, worth a purchase?
Posted: Tue Oct 22, 2013 11:44 pm
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Indeed it does. But it was a futile attempt at best to force the amp into compression and give it some growl. Those OD tones are more realistically created using outboard devices.

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: 79 Vibrosonic Reverb, worth a purchase?
Posted: Wed Oct 23, 2013 12:09 am
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Retroverbial wrote:
Indeed it does. But it was a futile attempt at best to force the amp into compression and give it some growl. Those OD tones are more realistically created using outboard devices.

Arjay


So, would this be a good amp for some dirty blues and classic rock? With some pedals I'm now assuming?


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Post subject: Re: 79 Vibrosonic Reverb, worth a purchase?
Posted: Wed Oct 23, 2013 12:13 am
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I think so.

But it can get very loud. And it's not what I'd call "roadie-friendly".

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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