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Post subject: Best Small Amp for SRV Tone
Posted: Tue Sep 07, 2010 10:48 am
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Does a person have to buy a Vibrolux Reverb or Super Reverb RI in order to get close to a SRV "classic" tone? I want to get as close as I can to an SRV tone, but I only play in my studio or small gigs, in which an amp like the Blues Jr, plugged into an external 4x10 bass cab is plenty. Due to the financial meltdown, I had to sell my Blues Jr two years ago, but I liked it, just not sure it would give me the SRV tone per se. Back then I wasn't doing the SRV tone thing, but now that I'm getting back on my feet and revamping my gear I'm trying to decide if I go back to the Blues Jr. or go with another option. Considering that or a VOX AC15 and I would like to avoid spending the $ on a more expensive and powerful Vibrolux or Super RI if I can avoid it. I use a Strat AV 57 RI guitar exclusively, and I've got the required reissue Tube Screamer, etc.
Any advice and opinions would be greatly appreciated! :lol:


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Posted: Tue Sep 07, 2010 11:01 am
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I don't know how much you want to spend,but a Deluxe Reverb or a reissue can give you some really cool bluesy tones,maybe not totally SRV because he really cranked those amps,but close nonetheless.


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Post subject: SRV sound
Posted: Tue Sep 07, 2010 11:15 am
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Hi Stratobadger,

You might want to try using heavy strings and tuning down a half step (E flat ?). I believe that SRV used 14s and tuned down, that was part of his sound. I have one Strat setup with 11s and tuned down, it gives me some of that SRV sound. I think that it sounds pretty good with the BJr, but maybe better on the HRDlx because it's much louder. :idea:

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Posted: Tue Sep 07, 2010 11:58 am
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Rebelsoul wrote:
I don't know how much you want to spend,but a Deluxe Reverb or a reissue can give you some really cool bluesy tones,maybe not totally SRV because he really cranked those amps,but close nonetheless.


+1

Here's the rig that gets me "close"......

Image

A skosh over a grand to put my "Spankmaster Reverb" together -- used DRRI chassis, $600; re-coned JBL D130F, $180; custom-built cab, about $260.

Arjay

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Posted: Thu Sep 09, 2010 3:48 am
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Thanks for all the comments, Retroverbial, is that a 15 in speaker in that cab? I've heard that SRV had one amp with a single 15 in his amp farm that he dragged into the studio, can't recall which one it was...
And Shimmilou, yep, I have the tuning down a half-step down, that works for more of the "feel" than the sound, but I only use elevens on my strat, I've heard SRV used a set of 13s and his tech would replace the high E with a 12. I am definitely getting used to heavier strings(I started playing with 9s) but I don't think I'm ready to go up to 13s quite yet!!!
Getting back to the amps, there are a LOT of choices out there, scanning this site I see options with Peavey, Orange, Vox, and of course, Fender. I see where Musicians Friend has a sale on blonde Blues Jrs, the one with the specially designed 12 speaker, so I may check that one out... :roll:


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Posted: Thu Sep 09, 2010 5:43 am
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I think the Vibroverb SRV used had a 15" speaker....but that was just one of many amps.But,it sent many people out in search of one just like it.
Several Fender amps in the same range of watts like the Super Reverb,Pro Reverb,and Vibrolux,get similar results with different speaker configurations....but all of them get LOUD....which is what you're not after I guess,and again SRV played LOUD......so loud a friend of mine heard him in Texas in the early days and finally had to leave to save his ears. :wink:


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Posted: Thu Sep 09, 2010 6:19 am
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from the story i read,stevie didnt use his 13's for very long before he dropped back down again. people remember the 13's because its such a
unheard of size to be using.

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Posted: Fri Sep 10, 2010 9:33 pm
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- Texas Specials (or any comparable "hot" pup)
- Blues Junior (particularly the NOS edition. Jensen upgrade blows away the Tolex IMHO)
- Eb-tuned Guitar strung with barbed wire

That should suffice.
8)


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Posted: Fri Sep 10, 2010 11:56 pm
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Location: In a house....unless I'm at work....then I'm in a shop.
Since we are on a budget, the Fender anps suggest are all fine amps, but for half the money I would suggest you look at a Peavey delta blues 115.

30 watts all tube power EL84 drive tubes two channel with a midrange boost, reverb and a built in tremolo.

Heres one with a day left for 212.00.

They are good sound amps with plenty of volume.

Link....

http://cgi.ebay.com/Peavey-Delta-Blues-USA-Tube-Guitar-Amplifier-/190440593738?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2c5724d94a

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Posted: Sat Sep 11, 2010 6:33 pm
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Like Jeffytune suggested the Peavey Delta Blues should give you a full chunky sound like SRV got for much less money.

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Posted: Sat Sep 11, 2010 6:55 pm
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sansamp is honestly the way to go.

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Posted: Sat Sep 11, 2010 8:06 pm
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The peavey's are nice for sure, but the 65 deluxe reverb well get you about as close as you can get.

I get there with mine, I use a visual sounds compressor with the gain and comp cranked as an allways on pedal, opens up the sound like nothing else.

The DRRI really is the ultimate studio tone machine

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Posted: Wed Sep 15, 2010 1:19 pm
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Check out the videos @ Stevie Snacks...he's getting a great SRV tone out of a Blues Jr.

http://www.steviesnacks.com/gear-videos/


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Posted: Wed Sep 15, 2010 6:16 pm
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Just some rambling thoughts on this topic...

The Blues Junior is nice because it gets reasonable tone at fairly low volumes. Not really as beefy or as forceful as SRV's tone, but close enough when paired with a good set of high-end pickups, for bedroom / small gig playing.

I bought one of the '64 Vibroverb Custom reissues right before they stopped making them a year or two ago, and it pretty much sounds as good as one would expect. There's no doubt that 40 or 50 Vibroverb watts pumped through a good 15" speaker, doesn't just sound 'like' SRV tone, it feels like it too.

But there's the volume issue which in my mind is a big deal. That makes the Vibroverb almost unplayable in almost every situation I find myself in.

The Samamp that I use for most of my lessons and for gigging is a good compromise between the two. Great true power scaling, and a very forgiving amp, much more than the Vibroverb at lower volumes. Could stand a bit more nasal punch in the midrange, but that could be a speaker issue.

The previous post with the pic has me looking on Ebay at JBLs :-)

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Posted: Wed Sep 15, 2010 6:40 pm
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hey anthony

thanks for stopping in on the fender forum. it was your videos that brought me to buy a BJr. (ricksconnected)

i like those amps. the tone is amazing at lower volumes like you stated. in a post above i suggested the sansamp as well, again from watching your videos and hearing the tone your getting from them.
limited cash flow, the blues jr is a good choice.
plenty of funds the sansamp is killer.

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