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Post subject: Opinions on the "Pro Tube Series" Vibrolux Reverb
Posted: Sat Sep 29, 2012 5:10 pm
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Location: Cow Pens Island, NJ (USA)
Been reading a lot of online customer reviews, most have been quite positive, some included a couple complaints or reservations about the amp's performance.
Some claim the reverb is every bit as lush and wet as the old Fender amps from the early 60's, and others claim the reverb leaves a lot to be desired.
A few complained about the hiss, others claim the hiss is hardly noticeable, and one guy claimed he got rid of the hiss with a tube change.
All claim they love the clean tone, how it fattens up with increased guitar volume and how it responses to pick attack. Actually not one review had a bad thing to say about the tonal qualities of the amp.

For the most part I play in my bedroom, I know 40 watts is a little more than I need here, but I do occasionally make a jam session with friends where I have to compete with 100 watt Marshall's, and Twin Reverbs, my Blues Jr. just doesn't cut it there, and I'm not all that happy with it's low volume bedroom tone anyway.

This is one of a couple Fender amps I'm considering, any honest opinions, especially from those who own and play through a Vibrolux Reverb will be greatly appreciated....

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Post subject: Re: Opinions on the "Pro Tube Series" Vibrolux Reverb
Posted: Sat Sep 29, 2012 5:42 pm
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Too noisy for studio use under any conditions and the OEM speakers could suck the chrome right off of a trailer-hitch ball. It wouldn't be my first choice even if I had money to flush (and I do).

You'd be better off finding a real Vibrolux Reverb from the silverface era IMO.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Opinions on the "Pro Tube Series" Vibrolux Reverb
Posted: Sat Sep 29, 2012 5:51 pm
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Yeah, there are good VLR out there. Gotta be patient. These old boys are tone monsters! Believe me. The old irons in these amps is where the magic lie.

Good hunting!


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Post subject: Re: Opinions on the "Pro Tube Series" Vibrolux Reverb
Posted: Sun Sep 30, 2012 4:51 am
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Retroverbial wrote:

You'd be better off finding a real Vibrolux Reverb from the silverface era IMO.

Arjay


I've been told this by others as well, however I'v only seen 2 old model silver face VR's in my life, one I pulled out of the smoldering rubble of a house fire, the other was on the stage behind a local surf music band......(one was beyond repair, the other was not for sale at any price).......

I'm looking to replace my Blues Jr. on or right after this coming Christmas, so I've got some time to ask a few questions. In reality the Vibrolux is more amp than I need or will ever use, but there was always something about them that appealed to me. The other two amps I'm looking at are the SS22, and the '65 DRRI, and I'm leaning heavily towards the '65 DRRI.....

Thanks for your replies.....

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Post subject: Re: Opinions on the "Pro Tube Series" Vibrolux Reverb
Posted: Sun Sep 30, 2012 5:00 am
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Give the DRRI a try. I like mine a LOT! :P

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Post subject: Re: Opinions on the "Pro Tube Series" Vibrolux Reverb
Posted: Sun Sep 30, 2012 10:50 am
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Hou-Tex wrote:
Give the DRRI a try. I like mine a LOT! :P


+1!

I own three of them......I don't think you'll be disappointed.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Opinions on the "Pro Tube Series" Vibrolux Reverb
Posted: Sun Sep 30, 2012 3:19 pm
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Location: Cow Pens Island, NJ (USA)
Retroverbial wrote:
Hou-Tex wrote:
Give the DRRI a try. I like mine a LOT! :P


+1!

I own three of them......I don't think you'll be disappointed.

Arjay



Yup....I'm seriously leaning that way now.....

Took a ride out to the local Guitar Center, plug & played the SS22, a '65 DRRI, and even toyed around with a little Marshall Class 5....(which is a pretty cool little amp).... all at low volumes that I would be restricted to in my bedroom....(at least when the wife is home)....
The '65 DRRI is definitely the sound I'm looking for, and when I want to dirty it up I've got my Fulltone RTO to put in front of it.....

I did ask the store manager why he didn't have any Vibrolux Reverbs on the floor, his reply was...."they don't sell, I'll order one for you, but only if you're 100% sure it's what you want cause I really don't want to get stuck with it, it took me a year and a half to sell the last one I had in here".......

Now my plan for acquiring this thing is to get the word out to all my family members that for Christmas this year, no clothes, no fishing tackle, no cologne, nothing but Guitar Center gift cards, whatever you planned to spend on me, just get me those GC gift cards...... :wink:

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Custom Vibrolux Reverb
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Post subject: Re: Opinions on the "Pro Tube Series" Vibrolux Reverb
Posted: Sun Sep 30, 2012 3:45 pm
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I saw Los Straitjackets at the Echoplex a few weeks ago - their backline is 3 vintage Vibrolux Reverbs and after hearing that show, that amp is now on my wishlist ahead of a Pro Reverb or a Tremolux. Outstanding.

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Post subject: Re: Opinions on the "Pro Tube Series" Vibrolux Reverb
Posted: Tue Oct 02, 2012 9:13 pm
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Deluxe Reverb all the way. There is always demand for them and if you want something else later it's easy to sell. I agree with the store comments on the CVR. My buddy at our local G.C. said they never stock them for the same reason. Their hard to sell.


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