'64 Vibroverb Custom? Opinions?

Bruce Kiely · April 26th, 2004, 04:31 PM

Hi, all.

Just tried a Fender '64 Vibroverb Custom amp (the one with the 15" speaker), and I liked it alot! Didn't try the "Diaz Mod Mode". Just plugged a '52 RI Tele straight in, normal mode, and it really sounded good to these ears.

Also tried a couple of Les Pauls to see how it would handle humbuckers, and it sounded great.

Anyone owned or tried these?

As always, all opinions welcomed and appreciated!

Cheers,
BK

BenderR · April 26th, 2004, 04:36 PM

but a 15" speaker can be very nice sounding. I used them for a jazz sound and usually was pretty happy with the sound I got on other types of music as well. SRV seemed to like 'em.

Tremo · April 26th, 2004, 09:02 PM

Well, now you know why so many guys have built Vibroclones.

I still think you can build a Vibroclone today for less scratrch than a new Vibroverb RI.

BenderR · April 26th, 2004, 09:27 PM

unless the Diaz mods are important to you. I think I'd do the Vibroclone myself.

Bruce Kiely · April 26th, 2004, 09:44 PM

Somebody please educate me ......

What's a Vibroclone?

BK

stantheman · April 27th, 2004, 12:45 AM

Fender Bandmaster Reverb TFL5005 without Master Volume in a 1X15 Combo cabinet with a quality 15"
Speaker (my own choice would be an EV-15L...Long Live
The King!!!).
My personal choice for the Cabinet is J.D.Newell.

Silverface · April 27th, 2004, 08:54 AM

I have the '64 Vibroverb Custom, and it's an absolutely great amp. Fender did a fine job. I run mine mostly in the "stock" position, but sometimes switch to the SS rectifier. I don't often go to the Diaz-modded circuit. FWIW I had doubts about the stock Eminince speaker initially, but once it was broken-in it really blossomed.

An all-around great guitar amp.

Tremo · April 27th, 2004, 12:50 PM

Very cool that you like your amp. How much did you pay for it?

Silverface · April 27th, 2004, 01:56 PM

Tremo - I got a deal on a NAMM-display amp at below the going rate.

I also agree that a Vibroclone is a great idea for those with the tech knowhow to put one together. There are several sites that detail how to go about it. OTOH, it's not bad having a new handwired, solid-cab Fender amp with a warranty, either...

Tremo · April 27th, 2004, 03:24 PM

Excellent that you got a bro deal. Can't complain about that!!

Regardless, the point was that you could probably build a Vibroclone for half the price of a new 64 Vibroverb. Not to put down or take anything away from the Vibroverb, but it is a bit pricey. And since I'm a cheapassedbastard, I'll build!!

And after all, what's the real difference between the two? Not a helluva lot. Both have the sound and the vibe.

Silverface · April 27th, 2004, 05:27 PM

Yep - I was actually on the verge of starting a Vibroclone project and hunting down Bandmaster Reverbs and bigger iron for the OT. Was gonna get a cab from Crusty...then this thing came up and I couldn't pass it up.

FWIW I *had* an original '64 from '72 to around '78...and sold it for $200. It HAD been modded (bigger iron, KT88's and some other hacker junk) before I got it, but stilll...

I'll go try to cut my fingers off with a rusty butter knife now.

stantheman · April 27th, 2004, 06:34 PM

I passed on a Vibroverb ('64) for $175 back in the late 1980's

BTW, has anyone ever run across one with the Transformer on the speaker? I actually saw one
that had the Transformer on the speaker "ISYN"!

BenderR · April 27th, 2004, 06:40 PM

I remember they advertised a Brown Tolex reissue then but I've never actually seen one. Was that one any good?

Silverface · April 27th, 2004, 09:01 PM

The brown one is a reissue...sort of...of the '63 2x10 Vibroverb. It's a PCB amp - the new one (the '64) is hand wired.

Actually, the Brown Vibroverb RI is closer to the newer Custom Vibrolux Reverb than the old '63 Vibroverb.

BenderR · April 27th, 2004, 09:43 PM

So if a fellow put a 15" speaker in a Vibrolux it would superficially be a VibroClone but in fact the OT would be all wrong not to mention the PCB construction. Is that right? I get the impression from earlier posts that the Vibroverb uses a pretty stout OT.

Silverface · April 27th, 2004, 11:30 PM

Quote:

So if a fellow put a 15" speaker in a Vibrolux

No...wait a sec. You have the wrong amp.

The brown Vibroverb has NOTHING in common with the BF Vibroverb except the name. The brownie is a lower-wattage amp with significant circuit differences, especially in the trem circuit. the Vibrolux-Vibroverb comparisons I made only involve the brown V.V. reissue and Custom Vibrolux Reverb (which is NOT a reissue).

If you want to make a BF Vibroverb (a Vibroclone) the usual platform is a Bandmaster Reverb Head, a custom 1x15 cabinet and different iron. A Vibrolux would be the wrong platform - it's a lower-wattage amp, wrong voltages, etc. I guess you could use one...but why, when a Bandmaster head and the other parts would probably be cheaper than a good Vibrolux Reverb??

BenderR · April 28th, 2004, 12:18 AM

I had been misinformed about the relationship between the amps. I know that the current V-VRI has a bit of a following but where I live there is little chance of playing one in person.

burner · March 25th, 2008, 04:59 AM

What exactly is the vibroclone ?

tazzboy · March 25th, 2008, 04:10 PM

Vibroclone mean it's an exact copy of like the Vibroverb or Vibro Champ get my drift

April 26th, 2004, 04:31 PM	#1 (permalink)
Bruce Kiely Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Calgary, Canada Posts: 292	'64 Vibroverb Custom? Opinions? Hi, all. Just tried a Fender '64 Vibroverb Custom amp (the one with the 15" speaker), and I liked it alot! Didn't try the "Diaz Mod Mode". Just plugged a '52 RI Tele straight in, normal mode, and it really sounded good to these ears. Also tried a couple of Les Pauls to see how it would handle humbuckers, and it sounded great. Anyone owned or tried these? As always, all opinions welcomed and appreciated! Cheers, BK

April 26th, 2004, 04:36 PM	#2 (permalink)
BenderR Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Tucson, AZ. Age: 53 Posts: 293	I'm not sure what kind of sound you are after; but a 15" speaker can be very nice sounding. I used them for a jazz sound and usually was pretty happy with the sound I got on other types of music as well. SRV seemed to like 'em. __________________ Bender R. "The secret of life is honesty and fair dealing; if you can fake that, you've got it made" -- Groucho Marx

April 26th, 2004, 09:27 PM	#4 (permalink)
BenderR Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Tucson, AZ. Age: 53 Posts: 293	Probably so unless the Diaz mods are important to you. I think I'd do the Vibroclone myself. __________________ Bender R. "The secret of life is honesty and fair dealing; if you can fake that, you've got it made" -- Groucho Marx

April 26th, 2004, 09:44 PM	#5 (permalink)
Bruce Kiely Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Calgary, Canada Posts: 292	OK, I'll bite ...... Somebody please educate me ...... What's a Vibroclone? BK

April 27th, 2004, 12:45 AM	#6 (permalink)
stantheman Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: White Mountains Posts: 4,829	Vibraclone...my way Fender Bandmaster Reverb TFL5005 without Master Volume in a 1X15 Combo cabinet with a quality 15" Speaker (my own choice would be an EV-15L...Long Live The King!!!). My personal choice for the Cabinet is J.D.Newell. __________________ Somebody Loan Me A Dime

April 26th, 2004, 09:02 PM	#3 (permalink)
Tremo Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Silicon Valley, CA, USA Posts: 3,643	Well, now you know why so many guys have built Vibroclones. I still think you can build a Vibroclone today for less scratrch than a new Vibroverb RI.

April 27th, 2004, 08:54 AM	#7 (permalink)
Silverface Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Hermosa Beach CA Age: 56 Posts: 1,865	I have the '64 Vibroverb Custom, and it's an absolutely great amp. Fender did a fine job. I run mine mostly in the "stock" position, but sometimes switch to the SS rectifier. I don't often go to the Diaz-modded circuit. FWIW I had doubts about the stock Eminince speaker initially, but once it was broken-in it really blossomed. An all-around great guitar amp. __________________ “No Chops – Great Tone” ©

April 27th, 2004, 12:50 PM	#8 (permalink)
Tremo Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Silicon Valley, CA, USA Posts: 3,643	Very cool that you like your amp. How much did you pay for it?

April 27th, 2004, 01:56 PM	#9 (permalink)
Silverface Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Hermosa Beach CA Age: 56 Posts: 1,865	Tremo - I got a deal on a NAMM-display amp at below the going rate. I also agree that a Vibroclone is a great idea for those with the tech knowhow to put one together. There are several sites that detail how to go about it. OTOH, it's not bad having a new handwired, solid-cab Fender amp with a warranty, either... __________________ “No Chops – Great Tone” ©

April 27th, 2004, 03:24 PM	#10 (permalink)
Tremo Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Silicon Valley, CA, USA Posts: 3,643	Excellent that you got a bro deal. Can't complain about that!! Regardless, the point was that you could probably build a Vibroclone for half the price of a new 64 Vibroverb. Not to put down or take anything away from the Vibroverb, but it is a bit pricey. And since I'm a cheapassedbastard, I'll build!! And after all, what's the real difference between the two? Not a helluva lot. Both have the sound and the vibe.

April 27th, 2004, 05:27 PM	#11 (permalink)
Silverface Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Hermosa Beach CA Age: 56 Posts: 1,865	Yep - I was actually on the verge of starting a Vibroclone project and hunting down Bandmaster Reverbs and bigger iron for the OT. Was gonna get a cab from Crusty...then this thing came up and I couldn't pass it up. FWIW I had an original '64 from '72 to around '78...and sold it for $200. It HAD been modded (bigger iron, KT88's and some other hacker junk) before I got it, but stilll... I'll go try to cut my fingers off with a rusty butter knife now. __________________ “No Chops – Great Tone” ©

April 27th, 2004, 06:34 PM	#12 (permalink)
stantheman Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: White Mountains Posts: 4,829	Silverface I feel your pain... I passed on a Vibroverb ('64) for $175 back in the late 1980's BTW, has anyone ever run across one with the Transformer on the speaker? I actually saw one that had the Transformer on the speaker "ISYN"! __________________ Somebody Loan Me A Dime

April 27th, 2004, 06:40 PM	#13 (permalink)
BenderR Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Tucson, AZ. Age: 53 Posts: 293	How about the Vibroverb they were doing in the early '90s? I remember they advertised a Brown Tolex reissue then but I've never actually seen one. Was that one any good? __________________ Bender R. "The secret of life is honesty and fair dealing; if you can fake that, you've got it made" -- Groucho Marx

April 27th, 2004, 09:01 PM	#14 (permalink)
Silverface Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Hermosa Beach CA Age: 56 Posts: 1,865	The brown one is a reissue...sort of...of the '63 2x10 Vibroverb. It's a PCB amp - the new one (the '64) is hand wired. Actually, the Brown Vibroverb RI is closer to the newer Custom Vibrolux Reverb than the old '63 Vibroverb. __________________ “No Chops – Great Tone” ©

April 27th, 2004, 09:43 PM	#15 (permalink)
BenderR Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Tucson, AZ. Age: 53 Posts: 293	So if a fellow put a 15" speaker in a Vibrolux it would superficially be a VibroClone but in fact the OT would be all wrong not to mention the PCB construction. Is that right? I get the impression from earlier posts that the Vibroverb uses a pretty stout OT. __________________ Bender R. "The secret of life is honesty and fair dealing; if you can fake that, you've got it made" -- Groucho Marx

March 25th, 2008, 04:59 AM	#18 (permalink)
burner NEW MEMBER! Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 5	What exactly is the vibroclone ?

March 25th, 2008, 04:10 PM	#19 (permalink)
tazzboy Friend of Leo's Join Date: May 2005 Location: Eugene, Oregon Age: 31 Posts: 2,763	Vibroclone mean it's an exact copy of like the Vibroverb or Vibro Champ get my drift __________________ tazzboy Guitar: 1982 Gibson Les Paul Standard AMP: 59 Bassman Reissue. EFFECTS: 2 Boss TR-2 Tremolo, Boss CE-2 Chorus, and Boss DM-3 Echo Delay.

April 28th, 2004, 12:18 AM	#17 (permalink)
BenderR Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Tucson, AZ. Age: 53 Posts: 293	OK, I'm fiollowing you now. I had been misinformed about the relationship between the amps. I know that the current V-VRI has a bit of a following but where I live there is little chance of playing one in person. __________________ Bender R. "The secret of life is honesty and fair dealing; if you can fake that, you've got it made" -- Groucho Marx