It is currently Mon Mar 16, 2020 7:18 pm

All times are UTC - 7 hours



Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 47 posts ]  Go to page Previous  1, 2, 3, 4  Next
Go to page Previous  1, 2, 3, 4  Next
Author Message
Post subject: Re: '68 Custom Vibrolux Reverb: observations and questions
Posted: Thu Dec 18, 2014 1:42 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Mon Dec 15, 2014 5:56 pm
Posts: 56
Crisis averted. The tubes are fine. There was just a loose speaker connection. As I was swapping tubes I lost all sound, and that's when I noticed the speaker wire had become completely disconnected. I crimped it tighter and slipped it back on, fired up the amp...good to go. Problem solved.

Yay, fast, cheap fixes!

Now, back to my regularly scheduled program, "The Quest For Better Speakers."


Top
Profile
Fender Play Winter Sale 2020
Post subject: Re: '68 Custom Vibrolux Reverb: observations and questions
Posted: Thu Dec 18, 2014 10:23 pm
Offline
Amateur
Amateur

Joined: Sat Jul 07, 2012 3:21 pm
Posts: 164
stevieraygovan,
If you DO need to remove that power tube cage, it's a piece of cake. Just remove the four screws that hold that cheap strip of Tolex-covered panel off the back and gingerly remove it while observing how the cage (which is attached to the panel) follows it from around the tubes. But, it does sound like a preamp tube issue, so some judicious swapping may help. Does it happen in both the Custom AND Vintage channels? If not, that may be a clue to the culprit. Good luck, bro :D


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: '68 Custom Vibrolux Reverb: observations and questions
Posted: Thu Dec 18, 2014 10:38 pm
Offline
Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician

Joined: Fri Jun 20, 2014 2:07 pm
Posts: 303
stevieraygovan wrote:
Update...

Day Two with the new amp, and now it's giving off a static-y crackling sound when I let a note or chord ring for a few seconds. It doesn't happen immediately, it takes a second or two before this transient crackle kicks in, but it does do it every time. It seems to do it the most whenever I'm somewhere in the middle of the fretboard, and it does it regardless of which guitar I'm using.

Time to start swapping preamp tubes, searching for the likely culprit. Hopefully it's a preamp tube and not a power tube, since those power tubes can't be accessed without removing the protective cage, which is attached to the back panel.


Fixed!
Awesome. :)


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: '68 Custom Vibrolux Reverb: observations and questions
Posted: Thu Dec 18, 2014 10:43 pm
Offline
Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician

Joined: Fri Jun 20, 2014 2:07 pm
Posts: 303
Lynn Nicholson wrote:
stevieraygovan,
If you DO need to remove that power tube cage, it's a piece of cake. Just remove the four screws that hold that cheap strip of Tolex-covered panel off the back and gingerly remove it while observing how the cage (which is attached to the panel) follows it from around the tubes. But, it does sound like a preamp tube issue, so some judicious swapping may help. Does it happen in both the Custom AND Vintage channels? If not, that may be a clue to the culprit. Good luck, bro :D


Lynn, I asked this in another thread, as you've done a power tube swap and bias do you have any pictures of the location of the test points and where the bias adjust is?

I want to test the bias on both of my Fenders but I haven't found any picts showing where these things are.
On the Hot Rod dlxIII I had bias test and adjust was extremely easy and easy to access.
On my Egnater those things are external, great design.

If you can give me some info on this I'd greatly appreciate it.
I also have to find this info for the CDR, which I'm guessing is the same as the DRRI.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: '68 Custom Vibrolux Reverb: observations and questions
Posted: Tue Dec 23, 2014 1:19 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Mon Dec 15, 2014 5:56 pm
Posts: 56
I went back and forth a million times between four or five different speakers, but I finally ended up ordering a pair of Weber 50w 10A150s, light doping, (somewhat) broken-in before shipping. With this amp being a mini Super or Mini Bassman, depending on the channel, I just feel it deserves proper American-voiced alnico speakers. I'm hoping the additional compression will help round off and otherwise tame the peaky treble, and the higher output rating will raise the amp's sweet-spot volume.

Now the waiting begins.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: '68 Custom Vibrolux Reverb: observations and questions
Posted: Tue Dec 23, 2014 6:00 pm
Offline
Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician

Joined: Fri Jun 20, 2014 2:07 pm
Posts: 303
stevieraygovan wrote:
I went back and forth a million times between four or five different speakers, but I finally ended up ordering a pair of Weber 50w 10A150s, light doping, (somewhat) broken-in before shipping. With this amp being a mini Super or Mini Bassman, depending on the channel, I just feel it deserves proper American-voiced alnico speakers. I'm hoping the additional compression will help round off and otherwise tame the peaky treble, and the higher output rating will raise the amp's sweet-spot volume.

Now the waiting begins.


Are you looking to increase the clean headroom/volume?
Sounds like you should be able to do that with the speakers you chose.

Really looking forward to reading what you think about the sound from the new speakers.
I'm still trying to decide which way to go, way too many good choices and lots of positive reviews from the various speakers owners. :)

I'd like to read some reviews of anyone using the neodymium speakers.
Reviews of the speakers sound positive but nothing from actual Fender amp owners.
From what I've read though I wonder if the Neo speakers are too hi-fi in quality?
They are pricey.
I may use guitar centers generous return policy to try out some speakers, but I have to check if the return policy extends to speakers. If so I can try out a couple or 3 singles once I've narrowed it down.

Please post your review once you're ready to let us know how they sound.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: '68 Custom Vibrolux Reverb: observations and questions
Posted: Tue Dec 23, 2014 7:23 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Mon Dec 15, 2014 5:56 pm
Posts: 56
Rverb, yes, among other things I'm also looking to increase the clean headroom. As you have probably already discovered on your own, the sweet spot on the Custom channel with the '68 CVR is right around 5-6. That's where it starts to break up a bit, especially with humbuckers. It sounds like a nicely pushed Bassman. Bump it up to 8 and it moves into full-on Plexi territory, with way more crunch than I would have ever imagined. It's a glorious tone, but no longer remotely clean. At 5, though, it's borderline as to whether it has quite have enough oomph to keep up with a loud drummer and a second guitarist. Add a little clean headroom and it should be just right. Also, the increase in overall volume should mean that our beloved little guy will work for nearly any real-world situation.

That's the idea, anyway.

So far, I've decided that I prefer the Custom channel for my single-coils-equipped Strat, using the high-impedance input. (Treble: 4; Bass: 4; Bright switch off.) Using my Suhr humbuckers-equipped Super Strat, I think I prefer the low-impedance input. Fortunately, those same EQ settings work equally well with both guitars. I just have to turn the Volume to zero, switch the guitar cord from one input to the other, roll the Volume back up, and it's off to the races. Very nice. I haven't yet found much use for the Vintage channel with the Strat (too bright, thin and quiet), but that channel is great for ultra-clean cleans with humbuckers.

If these alnico Webers are still too bright/mid-scooped for my tastes, I'll likely go with G10 Greenbacks or the Eminence Lil' Buddy, perhaps pairing the Lil' Buddy with a Copperhead. I nearly pulled the trigger last night on a set of 10" Greenbacks, the thinking being that they would be nice and full in the mids without adding any ice-pick treble, plus they're every bit as tiny as the stock Ten 30s. Post-chemo/radiation treatments/multiple neurospinal surgeries I can't believe how much of a lame $@! I've become, in terms of lugging amps around. Even at the stock 42 lbs, this diminutive '68 CVR already feels more than heavy enough for me. From here on out, lightweight is definitely better.

I did consider the potato chip-light Jensen Tornado Neos, but couldn't shake the feeling that they simply sound too high-fi and not 'vintage' enough for this amp. Who knows? I could easily be wrong.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: '68 Custom Vibrolux Reverb: observations and questions
Posted: Thu Dec 25, 2014 12:07 am
Offline
Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician

Joined: Fri Jun 20, 2014 2:07 pm
Posts: 303
stevieraygovan wrote:
So far, I've decided that I prefer the Custom channel for my single-coils-equipped Strat, using the high-impedance input. (Treble: 4; Bass: 4; Bright switch off.) Using my Suhr humbuckers-equipped Super Strat, I think I prefer the low-impedance input. Fortunately, those same EQ settings work equally well with both guitars. I just have to turn the Volume to zero, switch the guitar cord from one input to the other, roll the Volume back up, and it's off to the races. Very nice. I haven't yet found much use for the Vintage channel with the Strat (too bright, thin and quiet), but that channel is great for ultra-clean cleans with humbuckers.

If these alnico Webers are still too bright/mid-scooped for my tastes, I'll likely go with G10 Greenbacks or the Eminence Lil' Buddy, perhaps pairing the Lil' Buddy with a Copperhead. I nearly pulled the trigger last night on a set of 10" Greenbacks, the thinking being that they would be nice and full in the mids without adding any ice-pick treble, plus they're every bit as tiny as the stock Ten 30s. Post-chemo/radiation treatments/multiple neurospinal surgeries I can't believe how much of a lame $@! I've become, in terms of lugging amps around. Even at the stock 42 lbs, this diminutive '68 CVR already feels more than heavy enough for me. From here on out, lightweight is definitely better.

I did consider the potato chip-light Jensen Tornado Neos, but couldn't shake the feeling that they simply sound too high-fi and not 'vintage' enough for this amp. Who knows? I could easily be wrong.


I too prefer the custom channel on both my CDR and CVR. The vintage channel is nice too, but the custom channel sounds better with my SSS Strat and my HB guitars.
I tend to use the treble and bass settings at least 5 and above with singles or HB's and attenuating the treble on the Strat's output.

My Gibson ES335 satin is surprisingly bright for an HB, likely due to the light satin finish and maple top.
It's nearly as bright as my Strat so tone settings are very similar.
With my Schecter C1 it's more like a Les Paul, same woods and JB HB pups. That is a darker/less treblely tone.

I tend to play at lower volumes and that's why I run the eq's higher to compensate for the lower volume.
When I crank the volume on either amp, yes I need to turn the treble and bass down.

The lil buddy and copperhead is a combo I too was considering.
But now I'm intrigued with the Tone Tubby 40/40 ceramic 10".
Can get them for $143 each shipped. I've heard a few YT video's and they sound good.
But I still don't know if I can as good or better tone for nearly $290 for a pair of 10's.
The cannabis rex speakers sound good too but they don't make a 10" unfortunately.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: '68 Custom Vibrolux Reverb: observations and questions
Posted: Thu Dec 25, 2014 10:10 am
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Mon Dec 15, 2014 5:56 pm
Posts: 56
Rverb, the hemp-cone Lil' Buddy is a 10" C-Rex. That's why it's called the Lil' Buddy. It's Eminence's smaller version of the 12" C-Rex. It's darker and bassier than a C-Rex, though, which I prefer. It's their 10" speaker for jazz/blues. No thin, shrill highs means it also works great with pedals. Two of them in the wrong amp could conceivably prove too dark, however, which is why so many people recommend pairing the LB with the more open, "vintage"-sounding Copperhead. Very affordable, too: $150 for the pair, including free shipping.

I looked into the 40/40, even despite its massive weight: nearly twenty pounds, for a pair of 10"s. Unfortunately, this speaker comparo scared me off of the TT...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jWK0sa7tlfI

It also scared me off of the G10 Gold while pushing me toward the Greenback and, especially, the Jensen P12N. Since the Weber 10A150 is the closest thing to a Jensen P10N, that's what I finally chose: $346 for a pair, plus shipping. I think only the alnico offerings from Tone Tubby and Warehouse would have been more, from among the choices I was considering. The 10A150 is supposed to sound darker than either of those, though, as well as more purely American-voiced vintage Fender. Also, clips like these from Matt Schofield featuring the 10A150 swayed me to the Weber...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KWAwcJtgb44

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=okjhRaIl8oM (Robben Ford starts this one off, before Schofield comes in at the 1:53 mark.)


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: '68 Custom Vibrolux Reverb: observations and questions
Posted: Thu Dec 25, 2014 10:32 am
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Mon Dec 15, 2014 5:56 pm
Posts: 56
There was also this one, which isn't as good as Schofield's, obviously, but it does feature the 10A150 in a Super Reverb, which is relevant to our amp, particularly since he's playing SRV/Hendrix...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1IgE9xsdAZ0


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: '68 Custom Vibrolux Reverb: observations and questions
Posted: Thu Dec 25, 2014 10:04 pm
Offline
Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician

Joined: Fri Jun 20, 2014 2:07 pm
Posts: 303
stevieraygovan wrote:
Rverb, the hemp-cone Lil' Buddy is a 10" C-Rex. That's why it's called the Lil' Buddy. It's Eminence's smaller version of the 12" C-Rex. It's darker and bassier than a C-Rex, though, which I prefer. It's their 10" speaker for jazz/blues. No thin, shrill highs means it also works great with pedals. Two of them in the wrong amp could conceivably prove too dark, however, which is why so many people recommend pairing the LB with the more open, "vintage"-sounding Copperhead. Very affordable, too: $150 for the pair, including free shipping.

I looked into the 40/40, even despite its massive weight: nearly twenty pounds, for a pair of 10"s. Unfortunately, this speaker comparo scared me off of the TT...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jWK0sa7tlfI

It also scared me off of the G10 Gold while pushing me toward the Greenback and, especially, the Jensen P12N. Since the Weber 10A150 is the closest thing to a Jensen P10N, that's what I finally chose: $346 for a pair, plus shipping. I think only the alnico offerings from Tone Tubby and Warehouse would have been more, from among the choices I was considering. The 10A150 is supposed to sound darker than either of those, though, as well as more purely American-voiced vintage Fender. Also, clips like these from Matt Schofield featuring the 10A150 swayed me to the Weber...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KWAwcJtgb44

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=okjhRaIl8oM (Robben Ford starts this one off, before Schofield comes in at the 1:53 mark.)



Great info, thanks. :)

The CRex sounded good in the clips, but I wonder if I would like the darker tone from the lil buddy?
Need to check it out some more.
I did some recordings with my CDR tonight, which has the Celestion Vtype and the recordings sounded a bit dark. It was a rough recording though. I plugged the AT2020 USB into the laptop and recording with Audacity.
Not bad but got some clipping.
I'm thinking about posting the various clips for anyone interested in the CDR clean and with various distortion pedals.

Next up is the CVR with same mic and recorder but a bit lower gain on the mic. :)
Then I have to decide where to put them up.

Thanks again for all the speaker info, it has and will be helpful.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: '68 Custom Vibrolux Reverb: observations and questions
Posted: Fri Dec 26, 2014 8:58 am
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Mon Dec 15, 2014 5:56 pm
Posts: 56
Whenever you get your recordings dialed in, make sure to post some side-by-side A/B samples of the '68 CDR and CVR. Same channels, both amps set first to 5 then 8 on the Volume, identical EQ settings, etc. Then maybe post clips of each amp at whatever settings you prefer. I'm thinking the '68 CDR will sound like the '68 CVR with its Bright switches off.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: '68 Custom Vibrolux Reverb: observations and questions
Posted: Fri Dec 26, 2014 3:05 pm
Offline
Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician

Joined: Fri Jun 20, 2014 2:07 pm
Posts: 303
stevieraygovan wrote:
Whenever you get your recordings dialed in, make sure to post some side-by-side A/B samples of the '68 CDR and CVR. Same channels, both amps set first to 5 then 8 on the Volume, identical EQ settings, etc. Then maybe post clips of each amp at whatever settings you prefer. I'm thinking the '68 CDR will sound like the '68 CVR with its Bright switches off.


Yes, that was my plan.
First do a "side by side" comparison just to get the base tones of each amp, and then to 'dial it in' recordings suited to how I like it.

The recordings I just did last night I'm not happy with.
There are a couple of tracks that are fine but the clean tones hit some of those nasty digital peaks which are not as forgiving as analog is.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: '68 Custom Vibrolux Reverb: observations and questions
Posted: Fri Dec 26, 2014 4:30 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Mon Dec 15, 2014 5:56 pm
Posts: 56
Do you feel the two amps sound very similar, with the main differences being the CVR's greater clean headroom and the addition of the Bright switches? Or do they sound entirely different from each other?

I had them at different times, so I wasn't able to A/B them, but my impression was that the CDR broke up sooner and was, perhaps, a bit less mid-scooped, especially on the "Vintage" channel. I think I might also say that the CVR was, none too surprisingly, a bit louder.

The one definite difference is the CVR's lack of the 'pop' sound when Standby is engaged, and my CVR has significantly less white-noise hissing than my CDR had.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: '68 Custom Vibrolux Reverb: observations and questions
Posted: Sat Dec 27, 2014 7:39 am
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Wed Dec 17, 2014 7:30 am
Posts: 12
I tested them both friday with some pedals, actually like the Deluxe a little better at low volume with the pedals. The Vibro was close when the treble was down to 4. See on my 68 twin I tried it with the treble at 4 and it was really bassy! so I guess they all sound a little different. I didnt jam them at band levels though. With my new Lovepedal Hi Volt the low end was huge on my twin at low levels compared to the other 2. I really like the loud head room but the Deluxe was pretty sweet with my pedal.


Top
Profile
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 47 posts ]  Go to page Previous  1, 2, 3, 4  Next
Go to page Previous  1, 2, 3, 4  Next

All times are UTC - 7 hours

Fender Play Winter Sale 2020

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 2 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum

Search for:
Jump to: