Fender Custom Vibrolux... thoughts?

stringeddemigod · April 12th, 2008, 01:35 AM

I've had two for about three years now and I can't gig without them. I've gotten so used to every nuance and they just feel like home. I've noticed that people seem to be one extreme or the other on this amp. Love em or hate em like. Take note in discussion that I am referring to the new amp which is not a reissue but a variation on the classic Vibrolux.

All the Best.

mr_hankey · April 12th, 2008, 06:55 AM

I find the headroom is a bit lacking; but other than that, it sounds great. Much better than the DRRI, if you ask me.

Lance · April 12th, 2008, 06:58 AM

I have an original '66 Vibrolux Reverb.....and I've played the new one on a few occasions at guitar center. I actually think they're pretty good sounding amps. They seemed to be a little cold....but nothing that some decent tubes and a goose to the bias adjustment wouldn't remedy. I actually think the speakers are fine as is.

They key to using a Vibrolux is to get the volume on 5 or 6. That's when the amp comes into it own. I use a Weber Mass to get the loudness under control. Below 5/6...it's just not as sweet.

Whle my Vibrolux is very nice....it's a lot of amp. I tend to play my '65 BFDR much more.

stringeddemigod · April 12th, 2008, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lance

I have an original '66 Vibrolux Reverb.....and I've played the new one on a few occasions at guitar center. I actually think they're pretty good sounding amps. They seemed to be a little cold....but nothing that some decent tubes and a goose to the bias adjustment wouldn't remedy. I actually think the speakers are fine as is.

They key to using a Vibrolux is to get the volume on 5 or 6. That's when the amp comes into it own. I use a Weber Mass to get the loudness under control. Below 5/6...it's just not as sweet.

Whle my Vibrolux is very nice....it's a lot of amp. I tend to play my '65 BFDR much more.

I agree. I experienced the same thing when I first got my first one but once I put some JJs in it and "burned" it in a little I was in love.

boris bubbanov · April 12th, 2008, 10:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lance

I have an original '66 Vibrolux Reverb.....and I've played the new one on a few occasions at guitar center. I actually think they're pretty good sounding amps. They seemed to be a little cold....but nothing that some decent tubes and a goose to the bias adjustment wouldn't remedy. I actually think the speakers are fine as is.

I've got a current specs CVR, I think a 2005. I actually liked it a lot, except for the usual hiss and the weak reverb which is typical.

I was about to order a JJ upgrade from Eurotubes when I had an accident of sorts. That accident was a super clean current Twin for very little money.

My, what a sweetie this Twin is. I'll A/B them and tell ya what I think.

purpletele · April 13th, 2008, 02:39 PM

I have a 2006 and I like it alot. It does have the hiss, but it's not noticeable at gig volume. I really like the way the amp responds to my playing. To me, a good gigging amp is more about feel than tone. Sure tone is important, and I don't want an amp that sounds bad, but in a live setting tone is more of an approximation than a science. This amp at about five, feels like i would want an amp. That's to say, it's very responsive to picking nuances. Don't get me wrong, this amp does have a great tone, but a recording amp it ain't.

Zhurh · April 13th, 2008, 04:07 PM

I bought a TRRI cus 15 for the boy few years back; when I realized the reissues didn't sound anywhere's near what my 60's vibrolux sounded; I started looking for something better. I was at fender shop in Anch and played reissues vibroking,vibrolux, and super reverb and none sounded all that much better than my TRRI. The super sounded best though.

I ended up ordering a 35 Bruno Cowtipper. Now that amp even sounds better than my 60's vibrolux.

I now use the TRRI to run rotary speaker, motion sound. It really makes that rotary sound good, the 85 watts I think.

I'd never buy another reissue fender ever again though.

April 12th, 2008, 01:35 AM	#1 (permalink)
stringeddemigod TDPRI Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Hattiesburg, Ms Posts: 63	Fender Custom Vibrolux... thoughts? I've had two for about three years now and I can't gig without them. I've gotten so used to every nuance and they just feel like home. I've noticed that people seem to be one extreme or the other on this amp. Love em or hate em like. Take note in discussion that I am referring to the new amp which is not a reissue but a variation on the classic Vibrolux. All the Best.

April 12th, 2008, 06:58 AM	#3 (permalink)
Lance Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 2,086	I have an original '66 Vibrolux Reverb.....and I've played the new one on a few occasions at guitar center. I actually think they're pretty good sounding amps. They seemed to be a little cold....but nothing that some decent tubes and a goose to the bias adjustment wouldn't remedy. I actually think the speakers are fine as is. They key to using a Vibrolux is to get the volume on 5 or 6. That's when the amp comes into it own. I use a Weber Mass to get the loudness under control. Below 5/6...it's just not as sweet. Whle my Vibrolux is very nice....it's a lot of amp. I tend to play my '65 BFDR much more. __________________ Lance "not very good...but I make up for it by playing loud"

April 12th, 2008, 06:55 AM	#2 (permalink)
mr_hankey Tele-Meister Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Netherlands Age: 19 Posts: 236	I find the headroom is a bit lacking; but other than that, it sounds great. Much better than the DRRI, if you ask me.

April 13th, 2008, 02:39 PM	#6 (permalink)
purpletele Tele-Holic Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Morgantown,WV Posts: 638 10 Photos	I have a 2006 and I like it alot. It does have the hiss, but it's not noticeable at gig volume. I really like the way the amp responds to my playing. To me, a good gigging amp is more about feel than tone. Sure tone is important, and I don't want an amp that sounds bad, but in a live setting tone is more of an approximation than a science. This amp at about five, feels like i would want an amp. That's to say, it's very responsive to picking nuances. Don't get me wrong, this amp does have a great tone, but a recording amp it ain't.

April 13th, 2008, 04:07 PM	#7 (permalink)
Zhurh Tele-Meister Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Eagle, Alaska (along the Yukon) Age: 54 Posts: 160	I bought a TRRI cus 15 for the boy few years back; when I realized the reissues didn't sound anywhere's near what my 60's vibrolux sounded; I started looking for something better. I was at fender shop in Anch and played reissues vibroking,vibrolux, and super reverb and none sounded all that much better than my TRRI. The super sounded best though. I ended up ordering a 35 Bruno Cowtipper. Now that amp even sounds better than my 60's vibrolux. I now use the TRRI to run rotary speaker, motion sound. It really makes that rotary sound good, the 85 watts I think. I'd never buy another reissue fender ever again though.