Guest HRB853370 Posted January 28, 2013 Posted January 28, 2013 1963 Fender Vibroverb Reissue (1994) I picked this up today in Raleigh NC, a mere 270 miles one way. Fearing the wrath of UPS I did not want her shipped. The seller was more than accommodating to having me pick it up. It is every bit as nice as it was described. Grill cloth is perfect; tolex looks to be 98% perfect with no really visible flaws. It came with the Fender cover too, but not the footswitch, but I have a spare. The seller had changed out the original 6L6 power tubes with 5881's. I got her back to our hotel room in Greensboro and fired her up with my 57 Strat. OMG! Crystal clear beautiful tones. The reverb is just lush and dripping and the vibrato is typical Fender. I think this amp was made for single coils, although I may find out differently once I get her home and plug in a Heritage 150. According to Yoslate, I did real well on the price too. I think this one is a keeper but I know I can recoup my investment should I ever have to sell her.
Spectrum13 Posted January 28, 2013 Posted January 28, 2013 Wow a real 57! Will why does it have a ground switch It has a three prong cord right?
koula901 Posted January 28, 2013 Posted January 28, 2013 That thing's gotta be heavy, and LOUD but I'll bet it sounds like a million bucks. Good snag, Slammer!
Gitfiddler Posted January 28, 2013 Posted January 28, 2013 Well done, Will! What's the advantage of 5881's vs. 6L6 power tubes?
Guest HRB853370 Posted January 28, 2013 Posted January 28, 2013 That thing's gotta be heavy, and LOUD but I'll bet it sounds like a million bucks. Good snag, Slammer! 40 lbs Katy, not really bad, nowhere near the weight of my Peavey Classic 50 or a Twin Reverb. I didnt turn it past 2 in the hotel room and it was plenty loud. I heard these have quite a bit of headroom however. Well done, Will! What's the advantage of 5881's vs. 6L6 power tubes? TBD Tim!! I read on one forum that the 5881's make it sound punchier. But I dont know what to compare it with.
H Posted January 28, 2013 Posted January 28, 2013 5881 breaks up earlier - more clean headroom with 6L6 tubes. With an amp of this power, however, it's going to be pretty loud when the 5881s starting breaking up!
Gitfiddler Posted January 28, 2013 Posted January 28, 2013 5881 breaks up earlier - more clean headroom with 6L6 tubes. With an amp of this power, however, it's going to be pretty loud when the 5881s starting breaking up! Thanks, H! Couldn't one simply bias the 6L6's so that they broke up early?
Blunote Posted January 28, 2013 Posted January 28, 2013 Apart from having two speakers (2X10?) how is it different from a Reverb Deluxe? By the way, the amp should take pedals well. Or, use an attenuator with it for listenable volumes when dialed up to it's sweet spot.
H Posted January 28, 2013 Posted January 28, 2013 @Gitfiddler, you'd have to bias them so hot they wouldn't last very long. Better to put a pedal in front of the amp and go for breakup that way, in my opinion. @Blunote, the circuit is more akin to a Super Reverb than a Reverb Deluxe. The RD runs 6V6 tubes, this runs 6L6s, so 20-odd watts versus 40-odd watts.
fxdx99 Posted January 28, 2013 Posted January 28, 2013 Nice amp, Will - congrats! A friend of mine has one and it has one of the best clean tones I've heard.
Guest HRB853370 Posted January 28, 2013 Posted January 28, 2013 @Gitfiddler, you'd have to bias them so hot they wouldn't last very long. Better to put a pedal in front of the amp and go for breakup that way, in my opinion. @Blunote, the circuit is more akin to a Super Reverb than a Reverb Deluxe. The RD runs 6V6 tubes, this runs 6L6s, so 20-odd watts versus 40-odd watts. H, and the SR is a 40 watter too just like this Vibro. I read someplace that this amp is self-biasing. Is there such a thing? Is so that would be nice when changing out tubes.
H Posted January 28, 2013 Posted January 28, 2013 Yes Slammer, cathode biased (self-biasing) amps are out there - my 5E3, The Limey, is one such beast I'd be surprised if your Vibroverb is though.
Keith7940236 Posted January 29, 2013 Posted January 29, 2013 Man that really is a beauty, congratulations
Gitfiddler Posted January 29, 2013 Posted January 29, 2013 Some Boogies are self biasing also. I didn't know Fenders had that feature.
TalismanRich Posted January 29, 2013 Posted January 29, 2013 I look forward to hearing that thing, Slammer. I wonder how it compares to the Patriot, both being 6L6s and 40/45 watts. I think the Patriot is supposed to be loosely based on the Super Reverb circuit.
Guest HRB853370 Posted January 29, 2013 Posted January 29, 2013 I look forward to hearing that thing, Slammer. I wonder how it compares to the Patriot, both being 6L6s and 40/45 watts. I think the Patriot is supposed to be loosely based on the Super Reverb circuit. Your Patriot is hand wired though Rich!!
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