Old BF ones are getting ungodly expensive and even SF ones are getting up there in price, especially if they've been BF'd. And you're still buying a 35-45 year old amp!! I couldn't help but think that a true P-T-P wired AA964 circuited reissue would be a money maker. I'd rather spend $2K to get the real deal Fender name and warranty behind it than go to some of the small makers around the country. Unfortunately I will probably have to do that as I'm sure this post will fall on deaf ears.

I have one of the '64 Custom Vibroverb's and it's a great sounding amp so you just know Fender can still do really solid P-T-P wiring if they choose to. Is anyone listening?? Sure hope so.

cheers -
k

I had an original but some horsehole stole it. I was really disappointed when they came out with the Custom Vibrolux. It's nothing like the real deal. Not even close.

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Life...... It's sexually transmitted and always fatal

+1
That should be re-named the "Custom Annoying Buzzing Mud-Filled Piece of Rhinocerus Dung Deluxe." Everything that can go wrong in designing a tube amp did go wrong with that abomination.

Very disappointing for an amp that has such good potential (looks-wise as well as specs--I love a mid-wattage tube amp with 2x10 speaker configuration!)

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Good Vibes To Y'all!



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

Spot on, bro. The CVR isn't in the same league as the 60s-70s versions, not even close. A really clean '65 VR just sold on ebay for $2955. Tell me there's no demand for these old guys?? Fender Marketing - please, please listen. Why ignore this market? What are you guys thinking??

How large do you think the market for a $2k, 40watt, tube amp is?

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In my opinion Leo Fender had essentially perfected the guitar amplifier by 1964.

+1

There's the rub.

I broached this very topic with FMIC executives at the Tempe Guitar Show last year. The gentlemen were condescendingly polite, listened to my case, then dismissed me with a curt "thanks". Fender's already been to this rodeo with the prohibitively-expensive '64 Vibroverb and low-power '57 Twin Amp re-issues, neither of which were hot sellers despite their legendary and historically-significant status. I suspect the new custom shop "EC Twinolux" will fare no better.



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

I spent significantly more for my Princeton Reverb from 1966 ... would have spent it for a a Fender amp built to vintage specs, no problem.

But that's just me. I see that the market is going somewhere else. Good for boutique amp builders and amp techs who are able to restore vintage amps.

Cheers

David

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"Humans think they are smarter than dolphins because we build cars and buildings and start wars etc...and all that dolphins do is swim in the water, eat fish and play around. Dolphins believe that they are smarter for exactly the same reasons."

Maybe start a Custom Shop for amps?

+1
Took the words right off my keyboard.

People pay ridiculous amounts for boutique amplifiers that have all the specifications and features as described (point to point wiring, etc.)...why not a custom shop option for the well-heeled tone chaser, and this one would say "Fender" on it instead of some other name.

The Custom Shop has modified amps for special orders/matching guitar and amp sets--although, it was cosmetic changes to an amp currently offered...why not go one step further?

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Good Vibes To Y'all!



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

I own quite a few vintage Fender Brownface and Blackface amps,the one that I didn't own until Jan. of this year was the Blackface VR,I had been looking at them for a few years trying to find one in good shape but at a decent price,I finally found an early 1967 VR in great shape without the original speakers for $1800 on eBay,I got it and changed the electrolytics and speakers and absolutely love it,it's fastly becoming my favorite,and I own some classics.
You're totally correct,the VR has become one of the most sought after vintage amps for the player who appreciates the tone and relatively light weight.
I was seriously considering getting a ptp wired boutique VR clone and looking at several makers until this one came up....they're still a great choice but they don't have the Fender name on the front...sadly,but that's not everything.

You're a lucky guy. That was a fortunate find. I probably could hold out until a relatively cheap one came on the market but then have to spend another several hundred $$'s getting it fully ready to gig. I've decided on a clone. Today I emailed and phoned Mike Marsh to start a dialogue with him on building me one of his VR reproductions. I hate to go that route but I'm one that really likes new-looking gear, not being into that road-worn, relic thing. At least Marsh is generally well-reviewed and I'll wind up with somethings that "should" be reliable and easy to work on. I talked to my local tech and he, sadly, agreed that this approach was probably the sensible way to go.

Oh well...
k

Marsh, Allen, and Victoria all build outstanding vintage clones.

You won't be disappointed.

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

+1 Victoria are outstanding and have a lifetime warranty. If I were gigging like I used to and wanted as close as possible to the "Classic Fender Tone", I'd go with a Victoria. Well worth the bucks if you gig seriously. Victoria is even closer than the Fender reissues.

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Life...... It's sexually transmitted and always fatal

Yeah,I got lucky on this one,one of my better scores.

You stop that, Reb!



Arjay (petulantly wagging "the finger"......)

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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