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Post subject: 68 Custom Vibrolux Reverb Reviews
Posted: Wed Sep 17, 2014 8:27 pm
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Aspiring Musician
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Wanted to start a new thread for new 68 CVR owners to post their impressions and experiences with this amp.

Appearance/Cosmetics:

I just got mine today and got about and hour with it to check it out.
I really like the size and weight of this amp. It's very similar in size to my 68 CDR, but a bit wider to accommodate the 2x10 speakers.
The weight is pretty much identical and it's easy to pick up and move around.
Cosmetically it looks great.

One cool modern feature is that it has a detachable power cord instead of chassis wired.
The foot switch is the typical Fender 2 button. The one included with my amp is missing the bottom plastic cover, it's not in the bag. Whoever is responsible for packing the FS's must be sleeping on the job. :)
Unlike the 68 CDR and 65 DRRI the lower cab corners have chrome covers/protecters.

Function:

Fired it up!
NO hum from the reverb at 0 to 10, unlike all 3 of the 68 CDR's that I have had.
All power on, Start w/Lace Sensor plugged in, there is nearly no hissing until it's cranked above 8 and then it's still pretty quiet compared to the CDR.
Noise and hum wise the CVR is VERY quiet. GREAT job Fender!
Another great thing is that there is NO, zero, popping when the standby switch is turned on or off. The CDR's and DRRI's have this problem.

There is, however, some popping when the bright switches are engage on either channel.
It's not that bad, but it's there. It's still quieter than the loud pop when turning the standby off on my CDR.

The volume controls in this amp are great for the home player.
The HR DLX3 I had had a very touchy volume control. Even though Fender says they improved the volume control on the DLX3 it was still too touchy.
Sometimes even a small nudge would cause a big volume increase.
The CDR and DRRI volume controls are better, but still not much range on the low end.
Compared to those amps the volume controls in the CVR have a very nice and very easy to adjust level. There is a more gradual increase in volume as you turn it up.
I don't know if the pots are linear or logarithmic/taper, but they work nicely and give better control than the pots on the other Fender amps I've had/have.

Sound/Tone:

I am basing this on the very limited amount of time I have played the amp.
For now I will leave all the stock tubes in the amp to get a good reference of it's tones.
GREAT sounding amp.
What does it sound like?
To my ears if a 65 TRRI and 68 CDR has a baby, then it would sound like the 68 CVR.
The famous Fender family tone DNA is alive and well inside the CVR. Wonderful clean tones, full of rich harmonic content, very musical midrange, creamy and chimey top end, AND a very smooth and solid low end. The low end is tighter and rounder than on the CDR. Depending on the settings on the CDR the low end is looser compared to the CVR.
CVR low end leans towards the TRRI.

As with the 68 CDR the CVR has "modified" and "vintage channels. The 'modified' channel more low end, along with more pushed lower mids.
The "vintage" channel is brighter.
Both channels are sweet and offer a tonal difference, which makes the modern 68 modified silver-faces more desirable to me compared to the black-face reissues where both channels sound pretty much the same.
Plus, the 68 modified amps have reverb and vibrato on BOTH channels.
It's like getting 2 slightly different Fender amps in one. That's a bonus IMO.

The overall tone of both channels is a bit darker compared to the 68 CDR.
There are also "bright" switches on each channel as well, and I really like this addition.
Engage the bright switch and the top come really comes alive. Engaging the switch is not like turning the treble up higher. The frequencies that are engaged are different from the range that the treble control operates at. Using the bright switch and treble control allows for a nice range of eq to dial in what you like and what may sound best with different guitars.

The reverb is nice, very Fender. I like the reverb in this 68 CVR more than the verb in the
68 CDR. In the CDR the reverb is a bit low and distant in the mix. It is better in the CVR, though still not as direct and lush as the 65 TRRI.
The 68 CDR and CVR reverb sounds like the verb has more delay before the reverbed sound comes in. In the TRRI the reverb sounds "quicker" and more connected to the original dry sound.

The speakers sound nice in this amp. Visually they look dinky. The magnets are pretty small and make them look even smaller compared to the much larger magnet on the single 12 in the CDR. It looks like even if you put the 2 magnets of the 10's together it would still be smaller than the single magnet on the 12.
Granted, this amps power is rated at 35 watts into 2 speakers whereas the CDR and DRRI are running 22 watts into 1 speaker.
I'll also try my 2x12 cab with Celestion V30's just to here what they sound like in comparison.
One thought occurred to me that I think this amp would sound REALLY cool with one
15" like Fender does on the 65 TRRI with the single 15.

Even though the speakers are smaller than the single 12 in the CDR there is more bass coming from the CVR, and the bass is tighter and rounder and punchier.
Contributing to that tighter tone are dual 6L6 power tubes.
When playing there is also a tighter "feel" to the amp giving more immediate and quicker attack when playing. Contributing to that is the solid state rectifier.
However, Fender claims that there is "sag" in this amp by modifying something in the transformer to try and give more of a tube rectifier feel.
I don't know the details on how that works, but hopefully some of the forums electronics guru's can explain.
In application I can say that I like the quicker attack feel in this amp.
But it depends on what the individual player prefers.

I also tried a couple of my distortion pedals into the "modified" channel and just as with most Fender amps this one also LOVES pedals.
I would greatly prefer some modern additions to these newer Fender amps in the form of an effects loop. To my ears gain pedals sound better going into the amps front end, but effects like delay, reverb, phaser, etc... sound better in a parallel loop.

Negatives:
There a couple of little things, but I think I can solve them.
The foot switch that has a missing bottom/cover I can have GC get me a cover from Fender or from an old switch laying around.
The other minor thing is the 'pop' when the bright switch is turned on/off.
The last item is a slight concern but likely due to a pre tube.
There is a quite noticeable volume difference between the channels when set to the same position. This a common thing but the setting difference is bigger than I've seen in other amps. If I set the modified channel to 3, then I have to set the vintage channel closer to 5 to get the same volume level. At this point I'm thinking the cheapo GT pre tubes are the culprit.

I will be swapping in different pre and power tubes to hear what differences they offer and what I like best.
This 3rd 68 CDR is the darkest sounding of the 3 I had, and it that lacked the most harmonic richness and top end. But, once I put in some Tung Sol 12ax7's in V1 and V2 it became the best sounding CDR of the three even when the Tung's where in those amps.
I'm hoping the CVR responds just as nicely or better with the Tung's along with a different phase inverter. After that I will try a pair SED Winged C 6L6's in my new CVR to hear what they might do.

So far this a VERY sweet sounding and playing amp. If you like the sweet tones of the
CDR and DRRI along with it's small size and light weight, but you want a bit more clean volume and deeper and tighter bass like the TRRI, then this 68 CVR may be what you want.


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Post subject: Re: 68 Custom Vibrolux Reverb Reviews
Posted: Wed Sep 17, 2014 8:44 pm
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Aspiring Musician
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Very nice review Rverb, can't wait 'till I get mine tomorrow.

RGM


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Post subject: Re: 68 Custom Vibrolux Reverb Reviews
Posted: Thu Sep 18, 2014 12:09 am
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Nice, detailed review. Looking forward to trying one myself. Regarding the volume inbalance; isn't that normal? From what I understand, the 'custom' channel is run slightly hotter to achieve earlier break-up, that additional voltage hitting the preamp would explain a difference in volume. I suppose there could be an issue with the tubes - maybe try swapping the preamp tubes round to see if the issue follows the tube?

While you have both the 68 CDR and CVR in your possession, why don't you do a comparison video and stick it on YouTube? I for one, would be extremely grateful...


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Post subject: Re: 68 Custom Vibrolux Reverb Reviews
Posted: Thu Sep 18, 2014 4:16 am
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The reverb on the PRRI/DRRI is so lush and unmistakably vintage Fender, WTF can't they put that into the new 68 series, or for that matter, into the Super-sonics?!?!?!?


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Post subject: Re: 68 Custom Vibrolux Reverb Reviews
Posted: Thu Sep 18, 2014 6:22 am
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Roadie
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Excellent, well written and comprehensive review. Thank you so much!

The bright switch pop wouldn't bother me much because it's not something I'd be changing a lot during a gig. Also the volume difference can be compensated for with the volume controls if you're switching back and forth.

However the reverb issue is disappointing. You would think that with the word "Reverb" in it's name the reverb would be able to get up into that surfy, drippy zone that defines much of the Fender sound.


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Post subject: Re: 68 Custom Vibrolux Reverb Reviews
Posted: Thu Sep 18, 2014 6:28 am
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Roadie
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Joined: Sun Aug 02, 2009 6:55 pm
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Location: Warren Mi
reverb tanks are easy to change just 2 screws, my 68 twin reverb didnt work because the spring popped out during shipping so the store put a better one in I couldnt ask for a better sounding reverb. Cool amp you have enjoy it!


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Post subject: Re: 68 Custom Vibrolux Reverb Reviews
Posted: Thu Sep 18, 2014 11:09 am
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did the store happen to mention what brand was the replacement verb tank? im thinking to do this if I get one of these amps?


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Post subject: Re: 68 Custom Vibrolux Reverb Reviews
Posted: Thu Sep 18, 2014 12:16 pm
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Aspiring Musician
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The reverb on mine is killer, very lush and surf tones to die for.

As far as the bright switch popping, it's normal but if you don't want to hear it, just turn the volume on the amp all the way down before you switch it.

All in all, I simply love this amp, no problems at all, just great Fender tone.

Image

RGM


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Post subject: Re: 68 Custom Vibrolux Reverb Reviews
Posted: Thu Sep 18, 2014 12:29 pm
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Roadie
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Joined: Sat Jun 18, 2011 4:31 am
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Relic G Man wrote:
The reverb on mine is killer, very lush and surf tones to die for.

Very encouraging. Thanks!


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Post subject: Re: 68 Custom Vibrolux Reverb Reviews
Posted: Thu Sep 18, 2014 12:34 pm
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You're welcome.


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Post subject: Re: 68 Custom Vibrolux Reverb Reviews
Posted: Thu Sep 18, 2014 2:05 pm
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Thanks for the reviews fellas, very nicely reviewed too! 8)
We need more pics though, round the back, a gut shot would be great if you can. :wink:
Anyway, again thanks for taking the time to write your reviews.


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Post subject: Re: 68 Custom Vibrolux Reverb Reviews
Posted: Thu Sep 18, 2014 9:39 pm
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Aspiring Musician
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Regarding the reverb, don't get me wrong, it's a very nice reverb.
It's just not at the same level as a Twin's verb.
It's better than the 68 CDR's.
I don't use a lot of verb, and given the short time I've played it I didn't try any big verb settings.
Relic seems to have tried it and says it's great.
It's a very nice reverb just compared to a Twin it's not at that level.

Maybe changing the tank would make it better, but from what I'm hearing in the CDR and CVR maybe it's also the circuit and not just the tank, or not the tank at all.
To my ears it's just a bit delayed so it gives it a different quality.
I can achieve this same thing with my TC Electronic HOF verb pedal.
It has a verb delay setting where you can make it come in sooner or later.
Some players may like the verb with a slight delay as it gives a different quality.
I just prefer it quicker I guess.

As for the volume difference, I'm comparing it to the CDR.
The CDR also has an earlier break up compared to the black face DRRI.
But the volume difference between the 2 channels is much closer.
It's not a big deal just an observation. Easily handled with the volume control.
Yet I still think there is a weak pre tube. I'll know more once I start swapping pre's.

The popping of the bright switch is not a big deal either as most will likely not be switching it back and forth often. But, it is there, and frankly it shouldn't be there.
Overall though this is a nicely quiet amp.
I really like the extra clean headroom cause I use my distortion/gain pedals often as it takes a good amount of volume to get into power tube breakup/distortion.
Yes it sounds great, but it has to be loud to get it there.
For recording or stage it will be great. For the home player like me I need more sane volume levels. :)

I will try and make a demo/comparo between the 2 amps.
I've never done one for youtube. I have posted video's to YT just not equipment vids.
Seen plenty of vids on YT of gear demo's so I'll try to avoid the obvious mistakes, like not knowing which amp is the on being heard at the moment. :)
And I'll do chord strumming along with lead samples and not just shredding.
I also want to plus in my Strat and my Schecter C1 to give a single coil and HB sample.
I'm ordering a new Gibson ES-335 in stain cherry in the next couple of days, so maybe I'll wait until that guitar comes in to do the vids.
That guitar should sound really sweet in this amp. :)
I have to borrow one of our good HD video cameras from work to make it look better.
And I've got a sweet CAD Equitek mic that should sound really nice.
Don't want to make promises I won't keep, so I'll just say I will do my best to get some vids up.


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Post subject: Re: 68 Custom Vibrolux Reverb Reviews
Posted: Thu Sep 18, 2014 9:40 pm
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Aspiring Musician
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Joined: Fri Jun 20, 2014 2:07 pm
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Relic G Man wrote:
The reverb on mine is killer, very lush and surf tones to die for.

As far as the bright switch popping, it's normal but if you don't want to hear it, just turn the volume on the amp all the way down before you switch it.

All in all, I simply love this amp, no problems at all, just great Fender tone.

Image

RGM


Congrats on your new amp.
Do you have other Fender amps by which to compare it?
If so, please let us know what you think about the CVR.


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Post subject: Re: 68 Custom Vibrolux Reverb Reviews
Posted: Fri Sep 19, 2014 3:54 am
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Thanks for more detailed info on the reverb. Indeed it is no doubt the circuit and not the pan. Same deal on the Super-sonics. (and improving the reverb, or getting it more splashy like on the PRRI/DRRI is not "simply a matter of two screws"... input and output impedances must be matched, and a pan may or may not be available in the impedances and configuration you want.)


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Post subject: Re: 68 Custom Vibrolux Reverb Reviews
Posted: Fri Sep 19, 2014 6:17 am
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Roadie
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caspersvapors wrote:
did the store happen to mention what brand was the replacement verb tank? im thinking to do this if I get one of these amps?

No sorry


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