Help Me Chose: Amp or Pedals

[Lowspeid]

I have an opportunity to buy a Fender ‘68 Custom Vibrolux in Mint condition for $900. I’ve wanted one ever since I played on a couple at a local music store a few years back. I love the Custom side (Bassman circuit), and the normal side sounds 100% pure Fender goodness. I currently own a ‘75 SFPR, ‘74 MMBA, Victoria 20112, and Marshall SV20h w/ 2061cx cab, so I feel it wouldn’t really overlap any of my other amps.

The only issue is I would have to sell off several pedals in my collection in order to raise the funds for the amp. The pedals I would sell are all pedals that mostly sit on the self, come down from time to time for a spin, than back they go. I do enjoy them when I play them, and I know if I sell them there won’t be much opportunity to re-acquire them down the road. I mostly play at home, with the occasional church service and garage jam with friends.

I’ll have to drive 5 hours to get it, and 5 hours back home, but driving doesn’t bother me. I kinda like it.

Amp or Pedals?

 

[D_Malone]

I suppose the big question is, can you turn the amp up enough to get it into the “sweet spot” at home?

If not, what’s the point?

I love my tube amps, but I don’t even bother playing them at home. I get better sounds at low volume out of my Quilters with pedals, or my CAB M+ through pedals and monitor speakers.

But, do what makes you happiest. That’s all that really matters, right?

 

[Lowspeid]

I suppose the big question is, can you turn the amp up enough to get it into the “sweet spot” at home?

If not, what’s the point?

I love my tube amps, but I don’t even bother playing them at home. I get better sounds at low volume out of my Quilters, or my CAB M+ through pedals and monitor speakers.

But, do what makes you happiest. That’s all that really matters, right?

I have a UA Ox Box that I use to attenuate, so cranking it up isn’t a problem.

 

[D_Malone]

I have a UA Ox Box that I use to attenuate, so cranking it up isn’t a problem.

Ah, well if that works for you it sounds like the amp would bring you a lot of joy.

 

[Cosmic Cowboy]

The answer usually seems to me, the more I can get out of amp, the less pedals I need.

How many threads are here looking for the best spring reverb pedal, or tremolo pedal to provide the best mockup of the real thing? If these things are already on the amp, thats $400+ in pedal savings right there.

Same goes for boost and overdrive.

Find the right amp and pedals become much less important.

 

[JohnnyThul]

Amp. Good pedals are easy to come by and always available in one form or the other. Good amp is harder to get.

 

[archetype]

I'd get the amp. An amp is the final transducer of what I play. I've never regretted putting my money toward an amp instead of a guitar or pedal.

 

[CCK1]

Lose the pedals. They’re replaceable, and in my estimation, generally unnecessary.

 

[Edgar Allan Presley]

Pedals are great; pedals are fun; but I'd go with the amp. I'd change my vote if space were an issue for you because you already have some great amps and pedals are easier to store than amps.

 

[Lowspeid]

The answer usually seems to me, the more I can get out of amp, the less pedals I need.

How many threads are here looking for the best spring reverb pedal, or tremolo pedal to provide the best mockup of the real thing? If these things are already on the amp, thats $400+ in pedal savings right there.

Same goes for boost and overdrive.

Find the right amp and pedals become much less important.

That’s exactly what I’m finding. Since getting my Tweed and Marshall I use almost no pedals for dirt, just a little reverb and delay. Since getting my PR I pretty much use an OD to add a little “extra” and a delay.

 

[Wildeman]

If the new reissue Vibrolux is anything like an original one, it will be in it's "sweet spot" at any volume. I had a real '65 years ago and it was incredible. I say do it.

 

[archetype]

If the new reissue Vibrolux is anything like an original one, it will be in it's "sweet spot" at any volume. I had a real '65 years ago and it was incredible. I say do it.

It sounds good in its own right, but, other than the cosmetics, it doesn't replicate a silver panel Vibrolux and isn't a Vibrolux at all. It's descended from the '63 Vibroverb with that basic topology that morphed a bit through each of a few models:

'63 Vibroverb --> '63 Vibroverb RI --> Custom Vibrolux Reverb --> '68 Vibrolux Reverb.

I still miss my mid-60s VR.

 

[Dan German]

I feel weird being part of an overwhelming majority…

There are more pedals than amps out there, and if they’re sitting on a shelf…

 

[bgmacaw]

Amp, assuming the pedals aren't made from vintage unobtainum.

 

[Killing Floor]

Cool amp.

But what are the pedals? It's 2023 now so the bloated demand for used "average" pedals is gone. I don't think I'll be able to buy any more Browne Protein pedals and sell them immediately for $100 more than I paid the same week, for example.

So it depends on the pedals whether I'd worry for a second before letting them go.

 

[bottlenecker]

I'd normally vote amp over pedals any day, especially a vibrolux. But since I'm not sure about the 68 custom series in general, and you have good amps already, I can't choose without knowing what pedals.

 

[Cosmic Cowboy]

That’s exactly what I’m finding. Since getting my Tweed and Marshall I use almost no pedals for dirt, just a little reverb and delay. Since getting my PR I pretty much use an OD to add a little “extra” and a delay.

I love tweed amps. Early Marshalls are 'tweeds' for argument sake. So yeah a Vibrolux really would round things out.

I am a single channel amp guy. My pedal board has 4 pedals. Tele(Squier, Fender, Nash...Doesnt really matter)>TC tuner w/buffer>Klone (Tumnus)>Nobels>Delay (usually aqua-puss set to slap-back) into '65 SRRI.

Everything comes from the amp. And its glorious, particarly at stage levels.

That seems to do it for me. Maybe a wah for club gigs where I have to take some extended solos for some extra panache.

Until I can land my Two Rock (my white whale)...Im good.

 

[bluesholyman]

I will typically sell off less used pedals, etc., for a one time big ticket item at a great price. Pedals are easier to replace, especially at the lower price point, than finding another good deal on an amp that you like/love.

 

[ReverendRevolver]

The answer is always amp.

 

[GGardner]

From my quick google perusal--which was far from comprehensive--it looks like $900 for a Fender ‘68 Custom Vibrolux in mint condition is a great price. I'd go for the amp. Pedals are meant to be sold/traded/lent out (knowing they may never return).