Fender Custom Vibrolux Reverb

[LK155]

Will, you didn't ask for this, but Rob kinda did, so I'll tell you about the 1976 Vibrolux Reverb currently in my music room......

 

It replaced a Gibson Falcon 1x12 I had bought from Kuz. The Falcon was a nice little amp, but didn't have the Fender cleans I wanted.

Prior to getting Rob's VR, my only experience with Fender amps dates back to the mid-60's, when I had a non-reverb Princeton (1x10), and it was a blackface (well, of course it was). I bought it new for $110.

That was before getting into a rock band in high school, and the little Princeton didn't have enough grunt for anything but the smallest of rooms.

So I took a giant step into a first edition Traynor YBA1 Bassmaster with the 2x12 closed-back cabinet. Two of my bandmates (on rhythm and bass) had the identical setup, so our backline looked impressive as hell with those three Traynors stacked side by side.

 

That Traynor, in my little bedroom, was the sweetest sounding rig you could imagine, using the clean channel and the volume barely cracked. Super good low end (it was, after all, designed as a bass amp).

So that's the tone I've been chasing ever since. Yes, I wish I had kept the Princeton, and yes, I really, really wish I had kept that Traynor, but hell, they were only amps in those days and I was just a kid....who could have predicted how desireable they'd become 40+ years later?

 

Enough history....back to the VR. It was a pristine Silverface when Rob bought it. He had the blackfacing mods done to it, and replaced the silver control plate with a reproduction blackface version.

It has a wonderful Fender clean sound, likely the holy grail of wonderful Fender clean sounds. It still has the original 1976 CTS speakers, and this is about the only area I must say I'm not 100% happy about.

Remember that my Traynor memories spoiled me forever with regard to bass response, so the 2 10's in the VR, with an open-back cabinet, don't compare. Nor should they. Different beasts.

 

Being a cheapskate by nature, I built an imitation 'Sound Enhancer' stand for the VR, in the hopes of getting some more bottom end out of it. It's designed to capture the sound waves coming off the back of the speaker cones, and route them through what is essentially a large folded horn, out the front. The stand did help, although it also boosted the volume of the amp considerably, something I wasn't after at all. Lining some of the inside surfaces of the homemade stand with sound-absorbant matting tamed the volume increase and left the added bass. I have a feeling that replacing the stock speakers with something a bit more modern would do the same thing and look a lot better than my junkyard plywood contraption. The amp, however, is now just about perfect for my home recording efforts.

 

From what I've read, an original blackface VR in good condition will set you back somewhere between $2500 and $3000. An original Silverface VR in good condition would be around half of that. Add a couple of hundred for a tech to do the blackfacing mods, and you've got an excellent amp. Not too heavy to carry around, but lots of power (two 6L6GC's) if you need it.

 

I've never heard one of the recent VR's. No desire to. I have the sound I want now. I too have read that the newer ones have a hiss problem, and are not really related to the originals except in name.

But everyone's ears are different. I hope you audition one before you buy it. You can scratch this particular VR itch a couple of other ways and get much better sound.

 

And now I'll bore you even further by posting some pictures that, had you been paying attention two or three years ago, you would have seen before........

 

 

 

 

 

[SouthpawGuy]

So the amp Will is asking about is a Vibrolux Reverb by name only ?

[Guest HRB853370]

Well, since you are driving to PSP, let me just make you an offer while you are there. Better yet bring the amp. But I am sure the newer ones look and sound pretty close to the original. And don't all amps hiss?

[H]

So the amp Will is asking about is a Vibrolux Reverb by name only ?

It's called the Custom Vibrolux Reverb. It makes a VR sound all right but it has vibrato/reverb on both channels and various cosmetic differences that distinguish it from a 'proper' blackface VR, such as cream barrel knobs with the numbers printed on the control plate.

 

The circuit doesn't really resemble the blackface or silverface VR amps very closely, in particular the removal of the negative feedback loop which is a major factor in the excessive hiss this amp produces.

 

Before I built my VR repro, I played the Custom VR a bit to get a feel for the sound. There weren't any blackface/silverface originals locally I could find. Suffice to say, I wouldn't buy one at the retail price nor an unmodded used one.

 

Build your own, Will

 

[H]

... I am sure the newer ones look and sound pretty close to the original. And don't all amps hiss?

The sound is pretty close, the look less so. Tube amps hiss but this is more than usual. The mods for this amp are, to a large extent, to reduce the hiss. I'd suggest you play it before you commit.

[SouthpawGuy]

It's called the Custom Vibrolux Reverb. It makes a VR sound all right but it has vibrato/reverb on both channels and various cosmetic differences that distinguish it from a 'proper' blackface VR, such as cream barrel knobs with the numbers printed on the control plate.

 

The circuit doesn't really resemble the blackface or silverface VR amps very closely, in particular the removal of the negative feedback loop which is a major factor in the excessive hiss this amp produces.

 

Before I built my VR repro, I played the Custom VR a bit to get a feel for the sound. There weren't any blackface/silverface originals locally I could find. Suffice to say, I wouldn't buy one at the retail price nor an unmodded used one.

 

Build your own, Will

 

 

So it's really just marketing, using the Vibrolux name to increase sales ?

 

The prices of new Fender valve amps over here are hysterical, put "Custom" in the name and they enter the realm of the ridiculous.

 

// mini rant

[H]

 

So it's really just marketing, using the Vibrolux name to increase sales ?

 

The prices of new Fender valve amps over here are hysterical, put "Custom" in the name and they enter the realm of the ridiculous.

 

// mini rant

Yep!

 

Put 'EC' in the name and you'll be needing a lottery win to take one home.

[SouthpawGuy]

Yep!

 

Put 'EC' in the name and you'll be needing a lottery win to take one home.

 

I forgot about those !

[LK155]

My VR doesn't hiss.

It hums a bit with the volume at zero, but I put that down to a tired tube somewhere. If I had some time I'd track that down and resolve it.

For recording, I move the mic a couple of feet away from the amp and add a bit more volume (rather than position the mic right on top of one of the speakers). This effectively increases to signal-to-noise ratio and has the added benefit of allowing the mic to pick up some of the added bass the stand provides.

 

Here's a sample of how nice this thing sounds....all the guitar parts were recorded with the VR. Rhythm with an H137, soloing with an H535, vibrato dives with a Suhr. Only used a CC delay pedal.

 

http://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=11186492

 

 

 

[Kuz]

My '67 VR is the quietest amp I own. Quieter than the '67 DR but I suspect that is a slightly micro phonic preamp tube.

Then again, the amp whisper Mike Ricca worked on the '67 VR so his perfection is also in the amp.

[smurph1]

Still waiting for an honest review here.

You could be waiting a long time Grasshopper!!

[212Mavguy]

$.02...

 

Coupla things...

 

For those non amp builders contemplating a Reissue or in this case recircuited but not renamed Chinese Fender, check out the far more authentic building and sounding work from Mike Marsh ar Marsh Amplification or Steve Sligo at Sligo Amplification before you visit GC and end up sending our hard earned American money outside our country... These guys build the old Fender circuits the right way, and when you compare the price to Cninese, then look at the quality of build and future repairability, it's not even close. There are AMERICAN amp builders, and their product is far superior. I can't believe how inexpensive their amps are for what is in them parts, labor, and especially tone. They are the REAL DEAL. The line of amps and kits from David Allen at Allen Amplification are VERY well known for their value as well.

 

For those wanting to save money, buy quality once, not crap several times over.

 

Boutique amps for boutique guitars,

Boutique guitars for boutique amps!

[slider313]

Still waiting for an honest review here.

Not even close to an original blackface or a silverface. As a matter of fact it doesn't sound anything like the Super Reverb "reissue".

Go to your local GC and plug the SR and CVR side by side. I believe the CVR has a no negative feedback circuit which gives it a more distorted signal, earlier breakup and yes....more hiss. It could be just what you're looking for. Use your ears as they will be the judge.

[SouthpawGuy]

Not even close to an original blackface or a silverface. As a matter of fact it doesn't sound anything like the Super Reverb "reissue".

Go to your local GC and plug the SR and CVR side by side. I believe the CVR has a no negative feedback circuit which gives it a more distorted signal, earlier breakup and yes....more hiss. It could be just what you're looking for. Use your ears as they will be the judge.

 

 

Great to see you posting again !

[Kuz]

Not even close to an original blackface or a silverface. As a matter of fact it doesn't sound anything like the Super Reverb "reissue".

Go to your local GC and plug the SR and CVR side by side. I believe the CVR has a no negative feedback circuit which gives it a more distorted signal, earlier breakup and yes....more hiss. It could be just what you're looking for. Use your ears as they will be the judge.

Trust Mike, he knows more about vintage amps than anyone I know and has offered me hundreds of dollars worth of free advice. He is a very good friend and a trusted resource. Glad to see he's back and posting here!!!

[yoslate]

 

 

Great to see you posting again !

+10