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Post subject: Re: Custom Vibrolux Reverb
Posted: Thu Dec 01, 2011 4:56 pm
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I recently found an amazing deal on a NOS CVR still in the box, but it's an earlier 2002 model. As far as I can tell, it's the same amp as the current version other than having chicken head knobs instead of the the blonde knobs. Anyone know if I'm unaware of anything else?

Also- I've been trying to find out if I can run another 4 ohm extension cab (most likely a Tremolux 2x10 to make it SR-esque) through the output and run it as well as the internal speakers for a 2ohm load on the amp. I know it'll work the tubes harder, but I just want to make sure it's safe for the amp. I can't find a definitive answer online, so I called Fender Tech Support. After listening to the same guy shuffle through research for 20 minutes, he told me "No", then looked further and said "Oh here it is...Yes, you can!", and then ended the conversation rather quizzically. Since there are avid users of the amp on here, I'd love some feedback to see if any of you guys know anything I don't, or have had some good experience with this. Thanks ahead of time for all your help! This is my first post on the Fender forums, though I've acquired half a Fender store over the past decade and a half!

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Post subject: Re: Custom Vibrolux Reverb
Posted: Thu Dec 01, 2011 5:52 pm
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The CVR's output tranny is wound with a single four-ohm tap only.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Custom Vibrolux Reverb
Posted: Fri Dec 02, 2011 1:03 am
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Retroverbial wrote:
The CVR's output tranny is wound with a single four-ohm tap only.

Arjay


So are you saying that the internal speakers are bypassed when an extension cabinet is plugged in? Because that's not what the Fender Tech said at all.

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Post subject: Re: Custom Vibrolux Reverb
Posted: Fri Dec 02, 2011 1:10 am
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No. I am relating what Fender's actual schematic for this amp is indicating......

http://web.archive.org/web/200709071126 ... manual.pdf

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Custom Vibrolux Reverb
Posted: Fri Dec 02, 2011 10:55 am
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Arjay- I see what you're referring to on the schematic, but the back of the amplifier says "40 watt Min. 2 ohm Load" right under the output jacks. Then the manual says the output of the amp is only 4 ohm (as suggested by the single tap). So, what I'm wondering is if the load- while not preferred by the amp- would still be able to run safely without blowing up my transformer. Would it cause much distortion? Obviously Fender thought about this if they put "Min 2 ohm" on the amplifier, right? Thanks.

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Post subject: Re: Custom Vibrolux Reverb
Posted: Fri Dec 02, 2011 11:48 am
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Apparently FMIC feels that the 2-ohm load is in fact safe to run. Back in the "old days", the output trannies used in the blackface and silverface amps could generally be relied upon to drive a mismatched load up to 100% (ie: a 4-ohm amp would be comfortable with a 2-ohm or 8-ohm load). What I do not know is how "over-built" the trannies used in today's Fender amps actually are. I can report that I often wire my TRRI (4-ohm specified load) together with an 8-ohm Dual Showman cab and have experienced no problems whatsoever. In this case, the effective total impedance of all four speakers is roughly 2.66 ohms.

I hate to say "let your conscience be your guide" but really that's about all I can offer. Give the extension speaker(s) a try and if the configuration passes the "smoke test" you should be alright.

HTH

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Custom Vibrolux Reverb
Posted: Fri Dec 02, 2011 1:22 pm
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Retroverbial wrote:
I hate to say "let your conscience be your guide" but really that's about all I can offer. Give the extension speaker(s) a try and if the configuration passes the "smoke test" you should be alright.


Thanks again Arjay. I guess I'm just going to go for it, and see how it works. I'll report back to let everyone know how it works.

On a Second note, the schematics you linked were dated 2000. Do you know of any differences between those amps (like mine, with the chicken head knobs) and the newer ones currently in stores with the blonde knobs?

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Post subject: Re: Custom Vibrolux Reverb
Posted: Fri Dec 02, 2011 1:59 pm
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I have very little data for the CVR models -- if there were revisions, I'm not aware of them.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Custom Vibrolux Reverb
Posted: Fri Dec 02, 2011 3:08 pm
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Hello all,

My CVR has (2) Jensen P10R, which I believe are the standard--and as mentioned, clearly says 2-ohm minimum impedance by the auxiliary speaker jack.

I believe the P10R speakers are 8ohm each and wired in parallel for 4ohm total. Also, they definitely function *in addition to* an extension cabinet, when connected. The broken-in, stock 10" already sound great in my configuration, so adding additional speakers (particularly 12") only brings even more punch, richness, and tonal balance out of it...

Accordingly, I often run a 16ohm 1x12 Valve Jr or an 8ohm 2x12 Avatar (V30's) cabinet with it--both of which keep it well above the 2ohm minimum. (8ohm cab + 4ohm P10Rs=2.67 ohm total, so a 4ohm cab + 4ohm P10Rs would be exactly the 2ohm minimum spec.)

As I've mentioned previously my CVR now has all NOS tubes, in particular the 6072/12AY7 in V1 + V2 and 12AT7 in V6 (PI) so mine has a really "rich, full, & huge" sounding lower-gain vibe.

It sounds amazingly good by itself--but with an extension cabinet, it's extraordinary... :)


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Post subject: Re: Custom Vibrolux Reverb
Posted: Fri Dec 02, 2011 6:46 pm
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I still have the original P10R's for now. I know that there are some great alternates out there. I'd like to get some ideas from you on what would be a speaker upgrade. Eminence is making nice speakers. With the advent of super expensive {and great sounding} amps: I still believe that Fender is the best amp and a super value. Country pickers go crazy over Fender combos. Albert Lee, James Burton, Vince Gill to name 3. EC settled on Fender.


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Post subject: Re: Custom Vibrolux Reverb
Posted: Thu Jan 05, 2012 10:39 am
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rockboxer wrote:
Accordingly, I often run a 16ohm 1x12 Valve Jr or an 8ohm 2x12 Avatar (V30's) cabinet with it--both of which keep it well above the 2ohm minimum. (8ohm cab + 4ohm P10Rs=2.67 ohm total, so a 4ohm cab + 4ohm P10Rs would be exactly the 2ohm minimum spec.)


So Obviously it'd be less strain on the transformer to run an 8 ohm cab with the internal 4 ohm speakers, but are you not noticing a difference in volume or power going to the higher impedance cabinets? Does the sound going to the extension cab sound weaker than what's coming out of the internal speakers?

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Post subject: Re: Custom Vibrolux Reverb
Posted: Thu Jan 05, 2012 12:56 pm
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Retroverbial wrote:
Apparently FMIC feels that the 2-ohm load is in fact safe to run...(ie: a 4-ohm amp would be comfortable with a 2-ohm or 8-ohm load). ... Give the extension speaker(s) a try and if the configuration passes the "smoke test" you should be alright.

OK, I'm really bad at speaker ohm ratings and amps. Simple question... can I run a 1x12 cabinet under my CVR and plug it into the extension jack without any damage to the amp? thx Arjay.


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Post subject: Re: Custom Vibrolux Reverb
Posted: Thu Jan 05, 2012 1:00 pm
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rockboxer wrote:
...been completely re-tubed, as follows:

(2) NOS RCA 6L6GC black plate power tubes
(2) NOS GE 5-star 6072A (low-noise 12AY7 equivalent) black plate in V1 + V2
(1) NOS RCA 12AT7 black plate in V3 (Reverb)
(2) Reissue Tung-Sol 12AX7 in V4 + V5
(1) NOS Mullard 12AT7/CV4024 in V6 (Phase Inverter)

The results: Absolutely unbelievable. No kidding. Dead silent

So just by the re-tube (and rebias obviously)... you're saying your CVR doesn't hiss any more? I am one week into owning a CVR and love the tone/sound of the amp. I can't hear the hiss when I'm playing in the band setting, but I can hear it on recordings. I want to minimalize this hiss so I can make this my #1 amp, but I don't want to "mod" the amp and lose any of it's vibe/mojo. thx


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Post subject: Re: Custom Vibrolux Reverb
Posted: Fri Jan 06, 2012 11:41 am
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Congrats on the new amp Fenderbigot.

A power conditioner may help? I've been thinking about getting one myself. My CVR doesn't hiss all that much, and the hiss is no problem at all for live gigs. I have noticed that the hiss is more noticeable when we play one particular venue where the building and wiring is old. There are also quite a few neon signs hanging behind and around the stage. Even some of my amps that are dead quiet anywhere else hiss at that venue.

There is one power outlet at our bass players house that has some unique traits. Every so often what sounds like Morse Code will come out of any amp plugged into that outlet.

I did recently record several tracks using the CVR with stock tubes. The hiss was not a problem. However, the quality of the recordings overall is not going to win us any awards. Also, I don't know how much filtering the engineer applied to my tracks.


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Post subject: Re: Custom Vibrolux Reverb
Posted: Sat Jan 28, 2012 9:03 am
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beckologist wrote:
...the hiss is no problem at all for live gigs.

I am happy to report after several practices/rehearsals and a live gig, nobody in the band or the sound guy heard any hiss at all. My CVR is completely stock except for a 5751 Jan Phillips NOS tube in V1. The hiss is becoming less of an issue for me, the amp just sounds amazing. I sold my Vox since it was just sitting around. The $550 I spent on this amp is just an amazing value to tone in my opinion. It's a keeper and I will now search out a few more tubes to lower the hiss for recording purposes only. I am a huge fan of the CVR!


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