Vibrolux Reverb

[richardp69]

I've been thinking of buying a decent tube amp to mess with again over the winter. (don't ask me why, I don't know myself)

Back in the day I owned a Vibrolux Reverb which was superb. I know a few years ago they still offered a reissue Vibrolux Reverb. Checking Sweetwater and other sites I don't see one anymore. Have they been discontinued???

Anybody have any thoughts on the Blues Jr. (good or bad) and what are the major differences between the 111 and lV models??? Which is more desirable???

Any other reasonably priced makes/models ya'll recommend?/ I'd like Reverb on the amp. Unless I know the person selling I'll likely buy new.

 

[SFIV1967]

I think they are discontinued but some stores still have them.
New:

Fender '68 Custom Vibrolux Reverb-Amp 2-Channel 35-Watt 2x10" Guitar Combo | Reverb

Fender '68 Custom Vibrolux Reverb on Reverb

reverb.com

Or a few used:

Fender '68 Custom Vibrolux Reverb-Amp 2-Channel 35-Watt 2x10" Guitar Combo | Reverb

Fender '68 Custom Vibrolux Reverb on Reverb

reverb.com

Blues Jr. III Vs. IV:

Fender Blues Jr IV Vs III – 7 Differences You Need To Know – Music Gear Zone

Ralf

 

[secndshft]

It is worth mentioning that you can probably get a vintage Vibrolux Reverb for (roughly) the price listed above, which could make potential resale easier.

 

[richardp69]

I think they are discontinued but some stores still have them.
New:

Fender '68 Custom Vibrolux Reverb-Amp 2-Channel 35-Watt 2x10" Guitar Combo | Reverb

Fender '68 Custom Vibrolux Reverb on Reverb

reverb.com

Or a few used:

Fender '68 Custom Vibrolux Reverb-Amp 2-Channel 35-Watt 2x10" Guitar Combo | Reverb

Fender '68 Custom Vibrolux Reverb on Reverb

reverb.com

Blues Jr. III Vs. IV:

Fender Blues Jr IV Vs III – 7 Differences You Need To Know – Music Gear Zone

Ralf

Once again, thank you RALPH (not Frank)

 

[mavuser]

get a Blues Jr TWEED w the Jensen speaker

 

[Coop47]

FWIW, I had one of the original models and liked it as an all-purpose amp. Big enough to use with a drummer, small enough to carry around. Eventually I got into old silverface Fenders but it's a solid choice.

Edit - Talking about a Blues Jr. Thanks mavuser!

 

[mavuser]

FWIW, I had one of the original models and liked it as an all-purpose amp. Big enough to use with a drummer, small enough to carry around. Eventually I got into old silverface Fenders but it's a solid choice.

are u recommending a Blues Jr. Tweed or a Vibrolux?

funny, my amps of choice are also 70s Silverface Fenders and the Blues Jr. Tweed. i also still have my Guild Maverick, which is basically like a vintage Vibrolux Reverb (different reverb and tremelo but still similar).

not so sure about the newer silverface reissues, but the Blues Jr. Tweed w/Jensen I would buy with confidence

 

[Guildedagain]

The Deluxe Reverb is kinda the gold standard, to me, for playing around the house. 1x12 vs 2x10's, so it's got good bass, less footprint, lighter.

While Fender amps sound great and look great, there's lots of others, new and vintage.

As someone mentioned, buying vintage is a very solid investment, within a few years, it will be worth double but money will only be worth half as much, so it at least wards off inflation.

The original Fender amps were all PTP, point to point/hand soldered, and that is very very expensive nowadays, but most vintage amps have it. It can make repair much easier.

The sky's the limit when it comes to amps. You should be limited to one.

The little tiny super vintage Fender Tweed amps have some of the best tone in the world, are crazy expensive, but lots of makers making the same circuits in the same fingerjointed pine boxes that sing along with the music, Clark's, Victoria, others.

So it's about the look you want, and do you want gorgeous cleans - Vibrolux - or something that gets gritty at lower volume - small tweed amp - AC/DC tones would be more like Marshall.

As well they make modeling amps now that have gone beyond anything before - Kemper - you can have any amp you want at the touch of a fingertip, but I prefer having a real amp, warts and all.

 

[Coop47]

are u recommending a Blues Jr. Tweed or a Vibrolux?

funny, my amps of choice are also 70s Silverface Fenders and the Blues Jr. Tweed. i also still have my Guild Maverick, which is basically like a vintage Vibrolux Reverb (different reverb and tremelo but still similar).

not so sure about the newer silverface reissues, but the Blues Jr. Tweed w/Jensen I would buy with confidence

Thanks - I meant a Blues Jr.. (Edited for clarity.) I had one of the first US-made models, and was commenting more from a size and usability standpoint based on Richard's question. As far as new Fender amps, that seems to be a pretty good option.

I was lucky enough to buy a few SF Fenders before the market really went up. (Even luckier to have a friend who likes to work on them.) My main gigging amp is a '72 Deluxe Reverb with a Lil Texas speaker to shave off a few pounds, but I have a Champ and a couple of Princetons. Had a 71 or 72 Twin that I eventually traded for a Martin D17 because it was too much of a pain to move around despite sounding glorious. I also have a red 94-94 2x10 Prosonic that is a killer amp. And few other cool old amps that I don't play enough - Gibson, Ampeg, Rivera, Magnatone...

Even though I like tube amps for the coolness factor, the solid state modeling options sound great IMO. They're cheaper, a lot more practical and you likely won't need any pedals. For someone just getting started, I'd recommend the Mustang line. I had a CyberDeluxe that sounded great but was a bit of a pain to set up IIRC.

 

[Walter Broes]

It is worth mentioning that you can probably get a vintage Vibrolux Reverb for (roughly) the price listed above, which could make potential resale easier.

I wish. A blackface vibrolux would be around 2.5K these days, and silverfaces are creeping up steadily.

 

[Sal]

get a Blues Jr TWEED w the Jensen speaker

Richard, if you're just looking to mess around and not play out, a lower powered amp like the Blues Junior at 15 watts is still going to be plenty loud. I would think the Vibrolux Reverb at 35 watts would be hard to enjoy at home; unless you live alone in the country!

 

[jp]

Those new Pro Reverbs seem pretty impressive, esp. at a smaller size and wattage. Check'em out, Richard.

'68 Custom Pro Reverb™ | Guitar Amplifiers

'68 Custom Pro Reverb™, 120V

www.fender.com

 

[secndshft]

I wish. A blackface vibrolux would be around 2.5K these days, and silverfaces are creeping up steadily.

Agreed, a finding a blackface for $2500 can be tough these days, but just yesterday I came across this SF one (early 70s) for the price of a reissue. My buddy and I considered buying it, but I have a 64' Pro (non reverb) and he has a 69' Pro Reverb. Neither of us need this one.

1971 Vibrolux @ Fanny's

 

[Guildedagain]

Early 70's SF was great until they added the MV, which probably works fine at high volumes, but at low volumes fizzy describes it best.

 

[Nuuska]

Those new Pro Reverbs seem pretty impressive, esp. at a smaller size and wattage. Check'em out, Richard.

'68 Custom Pro Reverb™ | Guitar Amplifiers

'68 Custom Pro Reverb™, 120V

www.fender.com

That is the one I have been thinking - I have silverface Vibro Champ - and it sounds just marvelous - although I wish it had reverb. More than plenty of volume at home - unfortunately not enough w a band wo PA. My local dealer has ordered one and I'm going to check it out. If the dealer accepts my Champ for decent amount - I just might jump in.

 

[gilded]

I think the place to start with Fender Reverb amps is to decide what size speakers your ears like:

If you like 10s, go with the single 10" Princeton Reverb or a 2x10 Vibrolux Reverb.

If you like 12s, go with a Princeton Reverb with a modified 12" speaker board , a 12" Deluxe Reverb or a a 2x12 Pro Reverb.

Examples:

I have a drip-edge '68 or so Princeton Reverb with an early '60s Jensen speaker that has been freshly re-coned. It sounds grittier than most Princeton Reverbs. With a 10" speaker in an original speaker board, it sounds exactly like a 'normal' (clean) Princeton Reverb!

All that said, I've grown accustomed to the 'grit' and have played it on my last 2 gigs.

For 12's I go with a '66-7 Pro Reverb:

My Pro Reverb amp sounded dull with the original Pyle speakers, but blossomed with a set of '60s original-cone Jensen 12" NA speakers. I play the amp around 3 and it sounds fab; the notes bubble like champagne! I'm afraid to play the original speaks louder than volume 3, so I would just mic it if I needed to get louder!

I don't have any other 12" Fenders, including a Deluxe Reverb. Why? My ears are shot and I can usually hear the 10s better.

Oh, I don't have a Vibrolux Rev either, I have a clone that a friend built. It's my fave amp, too, but it's value is made by the sound, not by the famous name that it doesn't bear on the control panel!

In conclusion, have fun!

gilded

 

[shihan]

I don’t have any experience with the new Vibrolux Reverbs, but the originals are one of Fender’s best amps; tone city.
I have an excellent BF Deluxe Reverb, really sounds good at any volume, and I have to admit, the newer ‘68 Custom DR’s come pretty close. They are geeat sounding amps.
the thing about the newer Fender re-issues is that they are difficult to repair. They are basically made to be disposable.
My tech, a very experienced and talented guy, will not work on them.
That said, my buddy has had a 68 Custom DR for years with no problems.

 

[SFIV1967]

I was thinking to get the new NAMM 2021 introduced '68 Custom Vibro Champ, which has only 5W and therefore sounds perfect for home use. It comes with a 10” Celestion Ten 30 Speaker. But the reviews were pretty mixed. The blue light is not everybodies favorite. People didn't like the digital hall reverb, some complained about very hissy/white noise issues with the digital Reverb circuit. Lots of discussion in other forums.
At the end I decided I already have enough small amps standing around and collecting dust, so not another one...
Ralf

 

[Nuuska]

Tube amps built on pcb can be very sh###y to repair because the soldering must be done from underneath the pcb - and some amps let you unscrew the pots and jacks and swivel the board - and even let you test what you just did - others are next to impossible - concidering work safety w high anode voltages.

 

[Guildedagain]

Anode that! ;]

(Prior knowledge, hillbilly talk ;-)