Calling All Vibroverbs

Post photos of your Vibroverbs here. Even the clones! Tell us the history of your amp, list the serial numbers. Clone owners, share the build details.

no one else has a vintage Vibroverb?
I'd love to see some pictures

A place for this...

http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g41/Bluesbob/SFIIIand63VV.jpg

'63 VV RI and '65 Starfire III :wink:

I will have to post a pic of my Blackface 64, has untouched circuitry with original caps and power cord....and it still sounds killer.

'63 Vibroverb Reissue from early 90's. I've had it since '93.

I have a reissue that I love ,and a question .....The reissues that I have seen ,while not many ,all had what appeared to Me to be oxford(reissue)? Mine however has those Jensen "special design" p-10r's ,should I assume these were not original or did some come with these speakers? anybody know? Sorry no camera.

Don't know for sure but the Oxfords were what was wrong with the RI amps IMO. Be glad you got the Jensen RI. I got one when they 1st came out and hated it. Sold it pretty quick. I got one in a trade several yrs ago and remembered why I hated the 1st one I had, that damn Oxford spkr. I put a Weber P10Q equiv. in the amp and it sounded totally different, it became a great amp. Some people might like the Oxford but I bet they would like the amp better with a good spkr.

They came with the Oxford's. I took mine out and left them out for over 10 years. Put them back in and left them in and they sounded great. It just took a while for them to play in.

I have a sortaverb coming my way via ebay. Here is the description from the ebay add.
"This a Fender Vibroverb clone that started as a 1969-70 Band Master Reverb TFL5005D. I replaced all the poor quality caps with Spragues and changed the filter caps with Sprague Atoms as well.I changed the small output transformer with a Twin Reverb output transformer from an early Twin Reverb, probably 1969-72. The same mod Cesar Diaz did on SRV's amps. I'm not into that style of playing, but a good mod that makes a lot of sense and ads a lot of oomph to the amp. The circuit is AA763 backface. The cabinet is a mojo cabinet with a reproduction tube chart, tilt back legs and a nice cover.I play Jazz and similar styles and that's what enticed me to try the 15" speaker. I got to say it sounds heavenly with a jazz box! Jensen NEO are my favorite and in a 15" its just amazing. Tubes are new Tung-Sol reissues and the rectifier is a Sovetek 5AR4. The NEO speaker keeps the amp light at about 50lbs approx." More to follow next week when I get it:grin:
Rob

Reissue '63:

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_azWi5vjX7sE/TEnTJii6VYI/AAAAAAAACt8/gMedoZYMbPc/s800/_DSC2230.JPG

You guys getting tired of me yet? LOL

Yeah Axis You are getting on My nerves with that perfect combination:razz:

I have a reissue that I love ,and a question .....The reissues that I have seen ,while not many ,all had what appeared to Me to be oxford(reissue)? Mine however has those Jensen "special design" p-10r's ,should I assume these were not original or did some come with these speakers? anybody know? Sorry no camera.

In one of the Fender books I have,they said one reason they quit making the reissue was they couldnt get the Oxford speakers any more!what a hoot!they could of got dozens of them from you Vibro owners!

Yeah Axis You are getting on My nerves with that perfect combination:razz:

Sorry dude....

Well, not really! LOL


I keep thinking I should grab some pics with a couple of my other guitars... but I can't stop playing her long enough while sitting in the same room.

I was trying to record some this afternoon, but the mic I have is a piece of you know what. It just couldn't capture the lusciousness of the old VV Reissue!

In one of the Fender books I have,they said one reason they quit making the reissue was they couldnt get the Oxford speakers any more!what a hoot!they could of got dozens of them from you Vibro owners!

The big reason they quit makin' 'em was they weren't selling, and they weren't selling because of that speaker IMO. You don't stop production on an item that's selling.

I have a 63 RI that I bought new in around 92 or 93 that I love.

Do any of you folks know tube ID for the RI?

V1=
V2=
V3 = etc, etc.

Help is greatly appreciated.

What are the differences between the Vibrolux and the Vibroverb? Just out of curiosity.

Which Vibrolux?

If you mean the Custom Vibrolux Reverb (the new one made from 95? to present) then there are a few differences, earlier breakup, reverb on both channels, different speakers and blackface aesthetics... might be a few other differences I haven't thought of.

If you mean the Blackface/Silverface Vibrolux Reverb, there's actually a lot. The circuit for this one starts out as ab763 and is pure blackface. It's got a more scooped mid sound, the tone controls are not center tapped and behave differently, the Tremolo is the opti-something or other type so is an on-off type not bias varying trem, it is worth more and is much more popular.

Other than that, they're all three 2x10 and 35-40 watts, with reverb and trem and weight about the same. The '63 Vibroverb and the Custom Vibrolux are similar amps with more mids a little warmer reverb and a luscious tremolo. They both sound like a Brownface amp, more than a Blackface amp. The Vibrolux Reverb is a classic Blackface amp.

I have a reissue that I love ,and a question .....The reissues that I have seen ,while not many ,all had what appeared to Me to be oxford(reissue)? Mine however has those Jensen "special design" p-10r's ,should I assume these were not original or did some come with these speakers? anybody know? Sorry no camera.

Presumably a former owner had the good sense to ditch the speakers & replace them with something that does the rest of this fine amp justice. To paraphrase most Harmony Central reviews:

"Nice amp, shame about the speakers".

I put Jensens into mine. I love this amp. :grin:

Here's my pic to complement Axis29's

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x153/stratman323/Tokai%20TE70%20Breezy%20Sound%20Sunburst%201980/IMG_0899.jpg

I have a 63 RI that I bought new in around 92 or 93 that I love.

Do any of you folks know tube ID for the RI?

V1=
V2=
V3 = etc, etc.

Help is greatly appreciated.

From Right to left if looking at the back of the amp

V1= Preamp driver for Normal channel
V2= Preamp driver for Bright channel
V3= Reverb driver
V4= Second Gain stage for Bright channel and Reverb Recovery
V5= Tremolo
*EDIT* V6= Phase inverter (duh, forgot that particular tube.... sorry)


Power Tube
Power Tube

Nice Combo Stratman323!!

I think this might just truly be a combination made in heaven... the Tele and a Vibroverb.

Nice Combo Stratman323!!


Likewise Axis29!

I'm so glad I had the chance to play a couple of gigs in a place large enough to let me turn the VV up to 10 for a while, before the band came to an ignominious end. Beautiful. :razz:

It sounds pretty damn good with a Strat too. :wink:

Likewise Axis29!

I'm so glad I had the chance to play a couple of gigs in a place large enough to let me turn the VV up to 10 for a while, before the band came to an ignominious end. Beautiful. :razz:

It sounds pretty damn good with a Strat too. :wink:

And a Gretsch! :mrgreen:

Thanks Axis for the Tube guide.

I have two 1964 Vibroverbs, one AB763 & one AA763 made in January. I am looking for a reoplacement speaker (JBLd130) made before January 1964 for the AA763.

Does anyone have one for sale?

I'm in....

Does it count if I made it myself?
And it has 12" speakers?
and a cathode bias switch?
and a modified normal channel that can be jumpered to the reverb channel?
And a Super OT? Pro PT?
And pentode/triode switch?
And tremolo that is modified to be deeper & slower?
And pseudo KT66s? (Tung-sol reissue)
And a GZ37 rectifier?
with 12AY7 input?

The reason I consider it a Vibroverb is that the tremolo operates on the power tubes. It is otherwise a misfit toy as it were. Or maybe a Pro Reverb.

Amazing amps eh?

I've probably posted some of these photos previously on other threads, but what the heck .... I didn't know we had an actual owners club ..... and ... that being the case ....I want in!

Here is my 1963 Vibroverb, Serial Number 00367 - with Jensens.

http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l48/tonyjp/Vibroverb2.jpg

http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l48/tonyjp/Vibroverb3.jpg

http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l48/tonyjp/Vibroverb6.jpg

I love mine, bought new in 1992..Dated July '92. I replaced the output transformer and choke with Mercury Magnetic, replaced the power tubes with the older branded Svetlana 6L6s, maybe a change or two in the pre-amp tubes for USA made.. ...Original speakers. I was trying to get a great sound out of this amp and never even thought to try different speakers. There wasn't the TDPRI back then.... I think the speakers are sounding okay now, but I still haven't A/B,ed them with any different ones. I really have to try that...

Original speakers. I was trying to get a great sound out of this amp and never even thought to try different speakers. There wasn't the TDPRI back then.... I think the speakers are sounding okay now, but I still haven't A/B,ed them with any different ones. I really have to try that...

My hand was forced when I blew one of the original speakers - replacing both of them with standard Jensen ceramics was one of the best things I ever did.

I have 1 Jensen C10r and 1 P10R. I like the mix of ceramic and alnico... Gives me the best of both worlds.

I have some Emi blue frame alnicos I may try... Oh, no! I'm starting to sound like Bob A. And his Vibrolux search!!!!! LOL

Sent from my iPhone using TDPRI

I have 1 Jensen C10r and 1 P10R. I like the mix of ceramic and alnico... Gives me the best of both worlds.



Are there any drawbacks to mixing speakers like that?

Are there any drawbacks to mixing speakers like that?

I haven't found one... It's actually a very strange phenomenon, everyone I talk to who has mixed speakers mentions that you seem to get the benefits without suffering the downfalls... First time in my life I ever had that happen! LOL

Seriously, I end up with the lower volume sparkle of the ceramic, but the tighter bass at higher volumes. And the great breakup of the alnico and general sweetness.

I don't get the chance to push the amp above 5 very often, so I can't really give a regular gig report on that performance. But, it sit very well in a band mic and on stage.


I've got a few other speakers now and want to do some testing to see if other ceramic/alnico combinations are similar in benefits.

Sent from my iPhone using TDPRI

http://i52.tinypic.com/2zgciet.jpg

Two VVRI's. The amp so nice I bought it twice. The bottom one is in like new condition and is totally stock. The top one I picked up from Craigslist for a great price. I have changed the speakers for a couple of Weber alnico 10" speakers, a Blue Pup and a Silver Ten. The jury is still out on these speakers. I may decide to shuffle them into some other amps and try something new in the VVRI.

Here is my VV Clone.....Pretty much straight VV except for OT which is a Bassman OT and I put a dwell on the reverb.

http://www.frontiernet.net/~stutler/vibroverb%20front%201.jpg

And Guts...

http://www.frontiernet.net/~stutler/P1011010.JPG

http://www.frontiernet.net/~stutler/P1011009.JPG

I own a '63 brown Vibroverb reissue. I have had it since it was new in 1992. I have read a lot of threads here about how bad the speakers are. I have the original speakers and obviously they have been 'broken in.' I have never had any other speakers in it. I was wondering if any owners of this amp have kept the original oxford speakers, and who like their sound now. In other words, do these speakers get a lot better after playing them for awhile.. Or should I be getting new,[better], speakers so that I will be 'amazed' at the better tone??

I own a '63 brown Vibroverb reissue. I have had it since it was new in 1992. I have read a lot of threads here about how bad the speakers are. I have the original speakers and obviously they have been 'broken in.' I have never had any other speakers in it. I was wondering if any owners of this amp have kept the original oxford speakers, and who like their sound now. In other words, do these speakers get a lot better after playing them for awhile.. Or should I be getting new,[better], speakers so that I will be 'amazed' at the better tone??

Rod, if you like it don't mess with it.

But, if you'd like to take a ride down 95 some time and compare... I also have a few spare 10" speakers you're more than welcome to give a try. I'm sure we could come up with a cabinet to try them in or something.

Now, I never heard the oxfords new. I bought my Vibroverb a few years ago. When I did, I liked it. It was nice. But, I couldn't turn it up past 6 or the speakers would start to flub out and get really rough sounding! But, it was very, very mid heavy and creamy. It was very smooth, that's for sure.

I found the pair of Jensens pretty inexpensively on the 'Bay and the second I put them in, it was like lifting a blanket, a heavy, triple layer, blanket off my amp. The highs became sparkly and clear, there was a nice crispness to notes, the lows were defined, and the whole thing just sounded more like a Fender amp and less... well, muffled. Even at lower volumes, it sounds better.

But, really, if you're happy, don't mess with it!

The speaker rabbit hole is a crazy, turning, twisting madness....

Mlst, that looks beautiful! I bet the dwell just make sit that much nicer, huh?

What kinda speakers are you running?

Thank you axis 25. I have read about all of you threads, I think, concerning the brown vibroverb and I believe you about the speakers. How far down route 95 are you? Some day I may take you up on the offer. I could bring my own empty Crate 1X10 amp cab. I have the original speaker in it now, but I could remove it for a trial. There was no amp chassis in it when I got it at a yard sale in 1992 for $5.00. I have never used it and I have a current thread on it here, and am trying to figure out just what it is. It's labeled CRATE custom designed, and according to the code numbers it's an Eminence. One series of code numbers is...........67-9928-31, and a second set of numbers, right next the the first is............. 86-543-08. I just thought that you may know what I have... maybe??? Or, if there are speakers that really make the amp shine, I could just get some of those new, or whatever,.. put them in and be amazed.. I don't want to keep going down those 'rabbit holes', ha ha! Thanks again.... Rod.

Oh, so it's Jensens that will do the trick... I just re-read your replies.

Oh, so it's Jensens that will do the trick... I just re-read your replies.

Well, Jensens did the trick for my tastes... There are a few folks around who don't care for the Jensens. Lotta folks like the Webers. Rajin Cajuns seem to be a popular choice too. There's a guy around here named Bob, who did some searching for his Vibrolux Reverb. I lost track of how many different sets of speakers he tried!

I got the Jensens mostly because of cost... But, I like 'em enough to stop looking!



Oh, and I'm just down on the North side of Fredericksburg. So, whenever you're ready, just drop me a line.

Well, Jensens did the trick for my tastes... There are a few folks around who don't care for the Jensens. Lotta folks like the Webers. Rajin Cajuns seem to be a popular choice too. There's a guy around here named Bob, who did some searching for his Vibrolux Reverb. I lost track of how many different sets of speakers he tried!

I got the Jensens mostly because of cost... But, I like 'em enough to stop looking!



Oh, and I'm just down on the North side of Fredericksburg. So, whenever you're ready, just drop me a line.
Thanks a lot axis.... I called Eminence's voice mail and gave them the codes that I found. They were nice enough to return my call within an hour.. But the codes I gave them weren't the codes they needed. The code number that they need begins with the number 10. So I will have to take the speaker out of the cabinet and start looking again.. Thanks for the offer for me to come down.. That's super of you. I will continue my code search for now. But if I get down your way, maybe I'll drop by just to say "HI". Of course I'll email you first... I will let you know what I do, etc., because I know how much you like knowing more about you Vibroverb... My gratitude.... Rod

Came across a '90's used Vibroverb and snatched it up. Replaced the grillcloth and had my guy do a new cap job and add an adjustable bias. It has two eminence copperheads in it. It's a rockin' little combo amp. Not too heavy to haul around which I like.


http://imageshack.us/a/img838/8536/010bxg.jpg
http://imageshack.us/a/img402/6160/009trq.jpg
http://imageshack.us/a/img266/7295/006igi.jpg

My pedal board grew. Great amps any more pix?
http://imageshack.us/a/img254/6869/004hgx.jpg

After owning a 1992 Vibroverb reissue since 1992, when I bought it new, I have finally put a new pair of speakers in it. I had been thinking about it for some time because of all you in this forum describing the speakers in the vibroverb as being dark an wooly. So yesterday I went and bought, [and installed], two "GREAT" new speakers. Wally, of this forum, answered my questions about the best speaker for my amp and his opinion was the Eminence alnico Legend 1028K. They are 30 watts, 8 ohm, and wow, are they great in this amp.. Sparkly, percussive, musical as bell.. It was, as I've read before, "like taking a heavy wool blanket off". There is that amazing sound that I had hoped for, when I bought this amp. I can't wait till the 9th to open this up on stage with my Tele. I highly recommend this speaker..