I have the chance to buy this Deluxe VM used for $400 and was curious of others experiences with these amps. I usually gig with a DRRI but sometines I need a little more volume and Iv'e heard the VM is 40 watts as compared to the 22 of the DRRI. I also pratice on a Super Champ XD and thought the VM looks like the same kind of set up...and I really like the tones I can get out of the XD....does anyone on the board own both of these that can give an honest comparison/evaluation?

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Common sense and a sense of humor are the same thing, moving at different speeds. A sense of humor is just common sense, dancin'

You'll probably get a response to your questions if you post a little further down the boards.

Modern Guitar Amplifiers (1985 - Current)

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Dennis in CR
Rockin' since 1963

Well, for about two years the Deluxe VM has been my main gigging amp. And the rhythm guitar player/singer in my band has been gigging with her Deluxe RI for about as long so I'm very familiar with both amps. Haven't really played through a Super Champ XD though, so I won't be able to help much there.

First, if you're after more volume the Deluxe VM delivers. We usually had to crank the singer's Deluxe RI to get over the drums and that led to some nasty, muddy overdrive sometimes. She played a PRS (humbuckers) but was really more after a clean tone, and that probably wasn't the setup to try getting that with. I've never encountered a gig when the Deluxe VM didn't have enough juice to get over the mix loud enough for me to hear myself onstage. Of course, I'm not a guitar player who just dimes the amp all the time. I adjust for the size of the room and how loud it is onstage. I've played the Deluxe VM on everything from small coffee shop gigs with just a bass player, harmonica player and singer, up to large clubs and outdoor stages. It's not necessarily bedroom practice quiet, but it can preforms well whether it's a small band practice or a large gig.

Unlike some other entry level Fender tube amps, the distortion channel on the Deluxe VM is very good sounding and usable. I didn't even know I liked delay until I got this amp, and I honestly prefer it's delay to most pedals I've tried. Well, all except the MXR Carbon Copy, but they're actually very close. The reverb is digital as well as the delay, but it still sounds good. It's not all that springy, but it handles surf all right too. I'm not really a chorus person, but the built in chorus can get some cool rotary speaker sorts of sounds. One of my friends even got it to sound like the theremin effects in old sci-fi movies.

The only thing about it is that the construction isn't as solid as it's American, higher end counterparts. They use cheaper parts on it, which is why the price is what it is. You have to be a little careful with it. But then, that also goes for all tube amps anyway. As long as you don't dump it off the back of a moving vehicle it ought to hold up.

Bottom line is, it's a good amp for the price and a great amp for the price you mentioned. It's super versatile, great sounding, and I'd definitely recommend it after playing through it for two years. And honestly, after dealing with the issues of my singer's Deluxe RI for a year and a half (it's needed new tubes twice, mine hasn't needed any so far), coupled with the extra wattage, I'd prefer the Deluxe VM over it if I had to chose.

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