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Post subject: 63 Vibroverb Reissue ??????
Posted: Thu Oct 13, 2011 8:38 am
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Who has one of these and how does the sound
compare to a super reverb? For instance does it
come close on say 7 to a SRRI ON 4 ? Does the
bright channel have that metallic clank like
on the Super? any thoughts are greatly appreciated

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Post subject: Re: 63 Vibroverb Reissue ??????
Posted: Thu Oct 13, 2011 9:12 am
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Chet Feathers and Cedarblues both have these amps -- I expect they'll be along presently to weigh in.

In my experience, the brown Vibroverb sounds nothing like a Super Reverb or any other blackface for that matter. This amp's tone stack is completely different compared to Leo's later AB763 circuits. It's darker sounding through all regimes, whether played clean, dimed, or driven into OD via pedals. Likewise, the tremolo is the bias-wiggle type (same as in the Champ, Vibro Champ, and Princeton Reverb), which sounds more "throbby" and lush than the ubiquitous opto-isolator device used in most blackfaces. I was never very impressed with the amp's repro Oxford speakers -- a pair of Weber 10A125S's or even a vintage set of Jensen P10Q's sounds much more appropriate to the amp's tone.

HTH

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: 63 Vibroverb Reissue ??????
Posted: Thu Oct 13, 2011 12:37 pm
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There is some conflicting information
on this amp. some say it is very dark
sounding and yet others say because of the
active treble it is overly bright especially
at 4 or 5 on the dial. Can someone reconcile
these 2 evaluations If it is anywhere close
to the CVR (VIBROLUX) I would think it
bright and very wide open freq response
as I have gigged that amp and liked it.

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1961 Gibson SG Wildwood Pelham blue
1966 Fender CS Firemist Metallic Silver Strat


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Post subject: Re: 63 Vibroverb Reissue ??????
Posted: Thu Oct 13, 2011 7:36 pm
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Retroverbial wrote:
a pair of Weber 10A125S's or even a vintage set of Jensen P10Q's sounds much more appropriate to the amp's tone.

Or a pair of C10Q :wink:

I wouldn't put alnicos in this amp... as Arjay mentioned, it is a warmer sounding amp when compared to a BF amp, you'd have to turn up the treb to 9 or 10. This whole treble boost thing is kinda weird, took a while for me to find the right settings. It's like there's nothing 'til you hit 8. At 4 or 5 the amp is way too dark IMO, at 5 it's basically flat, then it's a boost to 10.

It is a very sweet sounding amp! Extremely quiet and not too loud, turn it up to 8 or even 10 and it will sing! Tone for days and it sustains like crazy, full of harmonics. I'm extremely happy with mine, and I'm sure those vintage Jensens helped shaped the tone I was looking for.

Is it a SR? No, only a SR is a SR, period. I have a 73 SR and I was hoping the 63 VVRI would be a SR in a smaller package.... with the ceramic Jensen in there it comes close, very close actually, and the highs sound warm and rich and the low end stays tight, which is what I love in the SR the most.

That being said, the minute I plug in to the SR I realize how sweet this amp is, how HUGE it sounds, how the low end hits you hard and stays tight. So to answer your question:

"does it come close on say 7 to a SRRI ON 4 ? Does the bright channel have that metallic clank like on the Super?"

I don't know about the SRRI, but with the right speakers in the VVRI it can come close to my SR, at lower volumes, but when you crank it up you'll be rewarded with some very sweet overdriven tones that will make you grin for days :D

Like I said, it's a very sweet sounding amp, it just needs a couple of things, a bias pot and the right speakers, that's all I've done to mine and I'm very happy with it. Oh, don't forget some good tubes too, makes a huge difference too. If you can get one for a good price I say go for it, you won't be disappointed. $800-1000 is what they're going for on ebay, maybe even $700.


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Post subject: Re: 63 Vibroverb Reissue ?????? UPDATE !
Posted: Sat Oct 15, 2011 10:36 am
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Ok so I bought it I like how it sounds. but
I 'm looking for optimal preformance. setting
he amp on the ground makes it bassy and sound
more overdriven tilt back legs brighten things up
but what i think the best is sitting on a chair
with back against the chairs back . Explanations
anyone ? Do I need to get an amp stand
Does getting off the floor change the tone that
much?

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1961 Gibson SG Wildwood Pelham blue
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Post subject: Re: 63 Vibroverb Reissue ??????
Posted: Sat Oct 15, 2011 10:49 am
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Acoustic coupling is a well-documented and well-known phenomenon -- setting an amp directly on a floor or a band riser will always enhance the bass frequencies. Setting an open-back combo on a chair with the chair's back at the rear will also provide some additional bass response, albeit "tighter" as the chair's back is furnishing some added damping to the loudspeakers without the floor-coupling effect. Room acoustics will also play a role in any scenario so you may have to experiment with amp placement to find the sound that best suits you and your playing style.

HTH

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: 63 Vibroverb Reissue ??????
Posted: Sat Oct 15, 2011 10:59 am
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Congrats on your new amp! What speakers are in it? If it's the stock ones you should consider replacing them ASAP. Mine sounds perfect flat or tilted... I keep the bass kinda low, 4-5 with Strats, lower with my 335, something to consider.

We need pics! :)


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Post subject: Re: 63 Vibroverb Reissue ??????
Posted: Sat Oct 15, 2011 11:57 am
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They stock and do have early break up.
I am thinking of Kendrick Blackframes
or weber 10a150t 50 watts
whatdoya think?

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1956 Gibson CS Lemon Les Paul
1957 Fender CS Aged Cherry Strat
1958 Gibson CS Pg 85 Les Paul
1960 Fender CS 3tsb Strat
1961 Gibson SG Wildwood Pelham blue
1966 Fender CS Firemist Metallic Silver Strat


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Post subject: Re: 63 Vibroverb Reissue ??????
Posted: Sat Oct 15, 2011 1:01 pm
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Either speaker would be an excellent replacement. You might also consider a pair of vintage Jensen C10Q's (re-cone if necessary).

Rawk on!

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: 63 Vibroverb Reissue ??????
Posted: Tue Oct 18, 2011 1:29 pm
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Great amp choice!
I have had one over 10 years. I like the amp because it is so different than any of my others. I haven't used it as much in the last 2-3 years, seeming to be more seeking Blackface tones in my work. But I have been thinking about it lately. Gotta re-tube and do some general maintenance.
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Post subject: Re: 63 Vibroverb Reissue ??????
Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2011 9:32 am
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clem160 wrote:
They stock and do have early break up.
I am thinking of Kendrick Blackframes
or weber 10a150t 50 watts
whatdoya think?

Don't have experience with either, but hear great things about Webers... I'd consider a 10F125 or 10F150, alnicos might be too warm for this amp. The ceramic speakers will help keep the low tight and not sound too bassy or flabby.

The vintage Jensen C10Q that Arjay recommended are an excellent choice for this amp, they sound very sweet in mine!


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Post subject: Re: 63 Vibroverb Reissue ??????
Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2013 10:07 pm
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This is an old thread, but I would like to say something about my Vibroverb reissue. I bought it new in Sept. 1992. I have always thought that it was too dark sounding.. I have used it anyway, because it has been 'good enough'. But on the good advise of a very experienced technician, I just bought and installed a new pair of Eminence Alnicos..... they are the Legend 1028K models and I am very impressed with them so far. Compared to the old original speakers, these 1028s made the amp sound as if I had just taken a heavy wool blanket off the front. I would definitely suggest these speakers.... They are rated at 35 watts, and are guaranteed 7 years, Made in USA. Cost is very good at $79.00-$89.00 each.. These speakers sound great out of the box and just get better. The other company's speakers need breaking in a lot, from all that I have read. I have also read about great results using this alnico paired with any of the Eminence ceramic models at the approximately the same sensitivity rating in db... :)


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Post subject: Re: 63 Vibroverb Reissue ??????
Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2013 10:34 pm
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The Eminence Legend is certainly a superior speaker compared to the ersatz "Oxfords" that were OEM in the re-issue 6G16. Some say they sound similar to vintage Jensens once fully broken-in. I think you made a worthy upgrade.

Rawk on!

8)

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: 63 Vibroverb Reissue ??????
Posted: Thu Oct 10, 2019 2:08 pm
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Hey guys I know this is an old thread but I acquired a brown vibroverb reissue this past year and at a gig it got totally distorted. I changed the tubes and it’s better but seems very bassie and dark. I’ve re read the thread and may have to try to adjust tone controls off of the mid mark but it was great before! A little background; speakers were upgraded to Jensen tens before I got her and new tubes are Russian I believe, i didn’t go for top of the line too expensive. So I don’t know...my fender guitars sound alright but when I plug in my Eastman 335 with treble on guitar all the way up its unusable! I’m at a loss...


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Post subject: Re: 63 Vibroverb Reissue ??????
Posted: Sun Oct 27, 2019 10:03 pm
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Here's to zombie threads! I have an opportunity to buy one of these amps, so I read the thread with keen interest. I had a Custom Vibrolux Reverb which I quite liked, but I didn't want to carry around that much weight. Now I'm considering this one, which is pretty much the same weight. I have too many amps, but nothing else that I've come across sounds like a 2X10 Fender amp.

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