anyone know anything about Fender Vibroverb Amps?

looking for reverb replacement was wondering where i should do and about the quality i should go

For those who are unaware, there are two Fender Vibroverb amps.

The '63 edition was a brownface 2 x 10 combo with reverb and tremolo (Fender's very first combo amp with built-in reverb). The tremolo used a tube oscillator to develop the pulses and both effects operated on both channels. The original speakers were Oxford 10K8's and the output stage developed about 35 watts (similar to the 2 x 10 Super Amp of the same vintage).

The '64 model was an all-new 1 x 15 blackface platform and was designed around the then-new AA763 circuit. The effects operated on the "vibrato" channel only and the tremolo was of the more common opto-isolator type. There were several original speakers used -- Jensens (both ceramic and alnico), Oxfords, and CTS. A JBL D130F was optional. This chassis was rated for 40 watts and was identical to the later AB165 Pro Reverb.

Fender re-issued both of these amps and they generally conform to the vintage prototype configurations. However, the '64 version includes some of the Cesar Diaz mods that he installed on SRV's amps -- primarily a switchable rectifier (from tube to diodes) which yields about five more watts to the speaker, and another switch to remove the tremolo sub-circuit from the preamp.

Are they worth the money?

Only your ears can determine that.

HTH

Arjay

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"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY

well this is the 2'10 vibroverb I call it the 2nd stage (from the original frist one) and it sounds and looks brand new cept for the reverb not working,so i thought i would get it fixed listen to it then decide if i wanted to part with it.
Well i found a place and purchased a new one "Cant Wait To Hear the Bells".

Here's a pretty good history for all the different Vibroverbs (original 1963 & 1964, plus the reissues)...the guy who wrote it is a genius!

I can tell you from personal experience about the '63 Reissue (brownface 2x10 combo), it's a great amp.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vibroverb

I disagree with the earlier post about the Vibroverbs being something that is "reputation only"...although I didn't think the 64 Custom Reissue was enough bang for the buck.

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Good Vibes To Y'all!



Screamin' Armadillos
Texas Roadhouse Music
Guitar/Slide Guitar/Harp/Vocals

I share that sentiment, SA. If FMIC had designed and manufactured this amp like the regular-production blackface re-issues (instead of a Custom Shop edition with PTP wiring and the Diaz mods) its price point would've been at or near that of the Super Reverb RI and they likely would've sold them by the truckload.

Arjay

_________________
"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY

Both of the re-issue Vibroverbs were good amps, but each time Fender made a miscalculation;

The '63 Reissue Vibroverb (brownface 2x10) was released about the same time as the Vibrolux Custom (a blackface 2x10 combo); they looked similar, but had totally different sounds. The Vibroverb Reissue was cheaper (and in my opinion, better sounding) but didn't seem to catch on like they hoped.

The '64 Custom Vibroverb (blackface 1x15) was just a bit too expensive for the average working man who (truth be told) was probably their target customer, because most people who played through this incarnation of the amp loved it.

_________________
Good Vibes To Y'all!



Screamin' Armadillos
Texas Roadhouse Music
Guitar/Slide Guitar/Harp/Vocals

I sold my orginial 64 vibroverb earlier this year. I liked it but to get "that" tone you had to really crank the amp to ear bleeding volume levels. Yes, it really did sound awesome on about volume level 6 but it had the side effect of annoying all the nieghbours and their dogs too! I'm on the hunt for a smaller amp like a princeton or blues junior that I can just mike up when I am on stage. Much more friendly all round!

Arjay,
My BIL had a '64 Vibroverb and that version is so similar in sound to my '66 Pro Reverb,like you mentioned....I wouldn't be able to hear the difference,blindfolded.
All those guys looking for a Vibroverb should look for a Pro,they're easier to find and the hype and rarity of the Vibroverb has the prices skyhigh.

Indeed, RS.

And the prices for vintage Pro Reverbs (and Vibrolux Reverbs) have been steadily climbing ever since folks realized this.

Arjay

_________________
"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY

I have one of the '64 Customs and I think it's a great amp. Great tone at both high and low levels, even at bedroom level it sounds very nice. I paid $1500 for a used one and it's worth every penny.

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Tune Low, Play Hard & Floor it!

Hey Mr. Voodoo Blues--are you involved the the Fort Worth-based SRV tribute band called "Voodoo Blue"?

_________________
Good Vibes To Y'all!



Screamin' Armadillos
Texas Roadhouse Music
Guitar/Slide Guitar/Harp/Vocals

No, but I think it's pretty cool there is an SRV tribute band called Voodoo Blue. I thought up the handle after seeing a Crate add for the Blue Voodoo amp and thought it would be a cool name for a Hendrix/SRV type band. I guess someone beat me to the punch.

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Tune Low, Play Hard & Floor it!

Hey you have all been Great and thanks for the Attentention, Im like a kid in a music store for the first time here and im glad to be getin the feed bac an all.
My uncle owns this Vibroverb wich is in like new condition (xcept the reverb tank that im replacing w/new) it sounds like heaven even though im not a playr, i do have a nice 6string elec/acoustic that an old high school buddy (bless his soul) had givin me just dont have the nohow for makin the sounds that no others will CRINGE to.(wish i did but just dont)
any way i would like to learn and if i could afford it id try to keep this amp along with the Epiphone/Gibson but as fate sees it ill have to sell 'em both, so thanks again for your input all of you and
Rock On!

I've never been a big fan of tribute bands, but I was dragged along to see Voodoo Blue and I (surprisingly) enjoyed it...it might have been because I was with the wife and daughter and they really got into it.

They're not bad, as tribute bands go; I just find it maddening that so many people (in copycat bands) either don't have enough creativity or enough courage to write or play their own songs.

_________________
Good Vibes To Y'all!



Screamin' Armadillos
Texas Roadhouse Music
Guitar/Slide Guitar/Harp/Vocals