brownface vibrolux or blackface DR?

[tomfarnan]

If you had a choice of the two for the same money which would you choose?

[tomfarnan]

... or both?!!

[milocj]

For the same money I would probably take the brown Vibrolux. Partly because it's rarer, partly because I really like my brown Deluxe even though I sometimes miss the reverb, and lastly because they are supposed to have really sweet cleans.

To add disclaimers, I've never been able to play through a brown Vibrolux so I have to take some liberties in deciding how one would sound if I got to play it myself. By the same token, the voicing of the brown amps may not be quite as up your alley as the BF amps so you need to decide on that yourself.

I do believe that the Vibrolux is worth more than the BFDR in the same condition and degree of originality.

[mojoming]

The Vibrolux all the way. Worth more money down the road. About 26-30 watts from 6L6's. It's like a big sounding DR with more headroom. You don't get the reverb but the Vibrolux tremolo is way better than the DR, bias tremolo vs. opto. If you need reverb get a pedal or a matching brown Fender Reverb outboard unit.

[tomfarnan]

hmmm - I'm verging on both especially after reading some harmony central reviews. thanks for the feedback

[imsilly]

I would love a brown Vibrolux, but I would be worried about a lack of reverb so I would definately go get an outboard reverb unit. Brown amps sound much warmer then Blackface amps and not as lary as Tweeds. With a tube rectifier like in the Vibrolux I bet they sound even more smooth.

Outside the lack or reverb brown and blonde amps are very good. I have a Blonde Bandmaster head waiting to be converted into a Brown Bandmaster combo. I do often get frustrated that I don't have have reverb on it. Maybe it is just me, but a little spring reverb goes a long way on fender cleans.

As for the Deluxe Reverb, it's a no brainer get it everyone should have a Blackface Deluxe Reverb or Super Reverb as far as I'm concerned.

Also as mentioned before the Brown Deluxe is a real badass amp. I think I read some interview with Keef bangning on about how much he liked them as recording amps or something. Small brown amps break up nicely.

[DMace]

Same condition, same money? I guess the Vibrolux if you're thinking investment. But for versatility, I'd take the DR any day.

[Columbus]

One negative about the Deluxe is that its sound, while classic, has been beaten to death. I also don't particularly care for reverb, so its absence on the Vibro would not be an issue for me.
I have a brown Vibrolux on the way. It seems like there are some good deals to be had on Vibroluxes right now. I got mine for under $1500 and one recently sold on eBay for less than $1200.

[Axis29]

Having never played a Brown Vibrolux, but played a nice '69 one that I love the sound of... And currently owning a DR reissue... and played a '66. It'd be a tough battle. Would it be your only amp?

I'd probably go with the Vibro, just because it's a little more rare and a DR can be found again, but a Brown Vibrolux might be a once in a lifetime opportunity.

Don't get me wrong, I do love a good blackface, but the Browns and Blonds are calling my name all the time... oh, if only to be independently wealthy enough to pick up a few more amps...

[Bill]

Originally Posted by Columbus

One negative about the Deluxe is that its sound, while classic, has been beaten to death.

Kinda like a Stradivarius.

[tomfarnan]

Originally Posted by Bill

Kinda like a Stradivarius.

[Ricky D.]

A cranked Brown Vibrolux is a nasty beast amp. If that's what you want.

[tomfarnan]

I'd seriously consider the vibrolux if it'll fatten up the bridge pickup on the tele - a bit like a 5E3 - and provide some meaty twang - mids with a bit of hair.

[flipside]

Originally Posted by tomfarnan

hmmm - I'm verging on both especially after reading some harmony central reviews. thanks for the feedback

The last thing I'd be paying attention to is Harmony Central reviews, most of them by children pretending to be adults (I'm sure there are a number of them here as well judging by the cafe).

I'd say the Vib for a tele and the Deluxe for a LP when it comes to overdrive. Clean--I'd go with the Deluxe though even with a tele simply because the older Vib units from the 50s distort very easilly. Not much headroom in that regard.

If you just wanna play clean, a late 60s SF Bandmaster is still the best clean amp I've ever heard. It won't distort at all, but what a georgeous clean sound.

[mojoming]

Originally Posted by flipside

I'd say the Vib for a tele and the Deluxe for a LP when it comes to overdrive. Clean--I'd go with the Deluxe though even with a tele simply because the older Vib units from the 50s distort very easilly. Not much headroom in that regard.

You might have the brown Vibrolux confused with another amp. These were made in the 60's and have a little more headroom than the blackface deluxe's. The brown deluxes might be what you're thinking of. Those have less headroom.

[flipside]

Actually I just noticed he said "brown face" vibrolux. I was thinking of the older tweed.

[Natstrat79]

Oh boy I love brown Fenders! Brown Vibrolux all the way. I don't feel the need for reverb and love the thicker sound of the brown amps. Everybody and their brother plays a blackface amp. IMHO the browns are the unsung ultimate fenders. Thicker mids like a tweed with more of the punch and headroom of a blackface.

[flipside]

I'm not sure offhand, but wasn't the Vibroverb just a Vibrolux with reverb added? At any rate, I think there were some kind of brown faced Vibroverbs for people who wanted the reverb.

[telechaser]

Blackface first, then Brown Vibrolux next. Both would be sweet.

[tomfarnan]

ok - I've paid for the Blackface Deluxe Reverb - really excited about it.

Still thinking about buying the brownface vibrolux as well, might have to save longer for the tweed dreams ... or any other plans.