NAD! '63 Vibroverb Reissue.

[Bowpickins]

Hi everyone.

A few months ago, I posted a thread asking for opinions on a '64 Vibroverb-style amp. While waiting for a '64 reissue to appear on the local used market, I decided to research the '63 Vibroverb reissue (2x10), as I have heard a friend's amp before.

After hearing clips of the brownface '63 reissue, I decided to go in that direction instead. Fast-forward to this week, I found a local listing on Reverb. I went to go check it out, and was blown away by how it sounded in person. It sounds so full and balanced - even with the stock speakers.
When compared to my vintage Fenders - it sounds just as good!

This amp is basically in original condition, and had its factory foot switch, cover and speakers. It is very clean, cosmetically, and looks like it's been covered up most of its life.

Need to take it over to the tech soon, just to be safe.

And, of course, here are some pics!



I have been in a dilemma about whether to get a Deluxe Reverb Reissue again, but still have some concerns about 22-watts given my current gigs. I play fiddle, as well as guitar, and I like the headroom of the 35 - 40-watt Fender amps. I have a Silverface Fender Twin, too, but the smaller 6L6 amps also do great in the smaller clubs.

I've read about everyone swapping out the reissue Oxfords, although I like their tone in this amp. I'll probably switch them out at some point, though, just to preserve them.

One question about speakers - Has anyone tried Celestion Alnico Gold 10" speakers in these amps?

Thanks,
Joseph.

 

[scelestus]

Congrats, that's a gorgeous amp! If I found on in this condition for the right price or if Fender would re-reissue them it would probably save me the space of four other amps!

 

[gridlock]

Congratulations. What a great amp. I reluctantly sold my beloved ‘63 Vibroverb RI a few months ago to help finance buying a vintage Brown Fender amp.

I love my ‘62 Vibrolux, just nice warm tones. Very close tones similar to the Vibroverb RI. I do miss the great reverb in the Vibroverb (using a Catlinbread Topanga Reverb pedal which is still great).

I tried a bunch of speakers in my Vibroverb RI and stayed with two Alessandro GA10-SC64’s. I never tried Celestion Golds in this amp but I’ve had them in a Fender Vibroking a few years ago and that was also a great sounding amp.

Congratulations on owning a very special amp.

 

[archetype]

Hi everyone.

A few months ago, I posted a thread asking for opinions on a '64 Vibroverb-style amp. While waiting for a '64 reissue to appear on the local used market, I decided to research the '63 Vibroverb reissue (2x10), as I have heard a friend's amp before.

After hearing clips of the brownface '63 reissue, I decided to go in that direction instead. Fast-forward to this week, I found a local listing on Reverb. I went to go check it out, and was blown away by how it sounded in person. It sounds so full and balanced - even with the stock speakers.
When compared to my vintage Fenders - it sounds just as good!

This amp is basically in original condition, and had its factory foot switch, cover and speakers. It is very clean, cosmetically, and looks like it's been covered up most of its life.

Need to take it over to the tech soon, just to be safe.

And, of course, here are some pics!
View attachment 806753 View attachment 806754 View attachment 806755


I have been in a dilemma about whether to get a Deluxe Reverb Reissue again, but still have some concerns about 22-watts given my current gigs. I play fiddle, as well as guitar, and I like the headroom of the 35 - 40-watt Fender amps. I have a Silverface Fender Twin, too, but the smaller 6L6 amps also do great in the smaller clubs.

I've read about everyone swapping out the reissue Oxfords, although I like their tone in this amp. I'll probably switch them out at some point, though, just to preserve them.

One question about speakers - Has anyone tried Celestion Alnico Gold 10" speakers in these amps?

Thanks,
Joseph.

Do a search on this site and you'll come up with enough reading for an evening. Lots of discussion about this fine amp, including speaker choices.

 

[dannyh]

Congrats! I love mine. That’ll serve you well. The rub on the stock Oxford clones back in the day was that they sounded good at low volume, but they kinda fell apart if you pushed them. I never had the stock spkrs in my amp, so I can’t speak to that, but that’s what I always heard.

I’ve never heard Alnico golds in one, but you’ll get a hundred different suggestions before this thread dies, so I’ll throw mine in...I really like Emi 1028Ks, or the old Emi blue frames in mine (Fender should’ve put those in from the beginning imho). I’ve run both in mine and can’t decide which I like better.

I’ve also tried WGS G10C’s (liked them a lot but the amp got pretty heavy) and Celestion G10 Vintage ceramics (wasn’t as big of a fan of those). I’ve got kind of an obsession with the Emi alnicos, so that’s my choice anyway.

Look forward to hearing that amp...Congrats again!

 

[Axis29]

Welcome to the '63 VVRi club!

Back in the day, I replaced my DRRi with the VVRi and never looked back.

I liked the original Oxfords, until I replaced them and realized how dark and muffled they were. As mentioned above, not so big a deal at quiet levels, but give it some juice and they just don't hold up well. They begin to flub badly.

I ran a mixed set of Jensen P10R/C10R for ten years and liked it. Currently there's a pair of Weber P10Q's in there, but I am undecided on them. I have some funky stuff going on and need to do some tech'ing.

Always wanted to try a pair of Golds in the amp. I had a 12" Gold in a 5e3 and enjoyed it a lot at volume. Very Marshally sounding. But, at low volumes, it was a bit dark for my tastes with the 5e3.

 

[Fiesta Red]

I’ve talked at length about how great my ‘63-Reissue Vibroverb is...equally great for guitar and harp/harmonica...decent weight, works well with whatever you’re putting into it...louder than an angry sister-in-law...

EDIT:
The stock Oxfords were not horrible...they just weren’t great, especially when compared to the rest of the components and construction of the amp. I happily used/abused mine for 9 years, when they finally blew (first and only time I’ve ever blown a speaker in an amp), and I replaced them with some Plain-Jane Eminences...after break-in, those have been really great.

Congratulations and Happy New Amp Day!

 

[Cali Dude]

Congrats! Sweet amp.

 

[slider313]

Nice score! There's no reason to replace the Oxfords if they sound good. It's not a vintage amp. Play it and enjoy it.

 

[nicknklv]

Wow! Awesome amp, looks new!

I have been very curious about these ever since I saw @Intubator's build. Do upload some sound samples, would love to hear it.

Happy playing!

 

[brookdalebill]

Nice!

 

[Chiogtr4x]

A buddy of mine got one a few months ago ( he collects amps, and I play them!)

And I played the amp with him ( he plays bass) and a lefty guitar buddy, on his patio ' Fall Pizza Jam,' and it sounded great! Just so clear and detailed- wonderful Reverb and Tremolo
One of Fender's most beautiful amps too!

* note Tele was built, owned, and sold by current TDPRI member!

 

[tah1962]

Very nice! Congratulations.

 

[Mr.Ike]

Loved mine with some Webber’s.

 

[clydethecat]

I regret not snagging one of these back when they were unloved and undervalued.

 

[The Ballzz]

Heh-Heh!
I Love Amp Porn!
Gdene

 

[Bowpickins]

Congratulations. What a great amp. I reluctantly sold my beloved ‘63 Vibroverb RI a few months ago to help finance buying a vintage Brown Fender amp.

I love my ‘62 Vibrolux, just nice warm tones. Very close tones similar to the Vibroverb RI. I do miss the great reverb in the Vibroverb (using a Catlinbread Topanga Reverb pedal which is still great).

I tried a bunch of speakers in my Vibroverb RI and stayed with two Alessandro GA10-SC64’s. I never tried Celestion Golds in this amp but I’ve had them in a Fender Vibroking a few years ago and that was also a great sounding amp.

Congratulations on owning a very special amp.

View attachment 806781
View attachment 806780
View attachment 806782

Thanks! That vibrolux looks great as well. I'm really excited to have a brownface circuit amp. This vibroverb reissue is the first brownface amp I've owned and I really like it - the smoother highs and slightly thicker mids are a wonderful compliment to my blackface pro reverb and reissue super reverb.

Did you have any headroom issues with the Eminence GA10-SC64 speakers in your vibroverb? Normally, I try to get speakers that have a higher wattage rating compared to the amp, as I use overdrive pedals.

Ex: amp - 40-watts; speakers: 80 - 100-watts

Thanks,
Joseph.

 

[Bowpickins]

Congrats! I love mine. That’ll serve you well. The rub on the stock Oxford clones back in the day was that they sounded good at low volume, but they kinda fell apart if you pushed them. I never had the stock spkrs in my amp, so I can’t speak to that, but that’s what I always heard.

I’ve never heard Alnico golds in one, but you’ll get a hundred different suggestions before this thread dies, so I’ll throw mine in...I really like Emi 1028Ks, or the old Emi blue frames in mine (Fender should’ve put those in from the beginning imho). I’ve run both in mine and can’t decide which I like better.

I’ve also tried WGS G10C’s (liked them a lot but the amp got pretty heavy) and Celestion G10 Vintage ceramics (wasn’t as big of a fan of those). I’ve got kind of an obsession with the Emi alnicos, so that’s my choice anyway.

Look forward to hearing that amp...Congrats again!

Hi, Danny!

That description of the stock speakers is what I'm seeing, too. I haven't noticed any issues between the speakers and pedals either, but then again, this amp doesn't appear to have been played much.

I love those WGS G10C's, too. Had them in a Music Man amp, and those speakers became my first choice for 2x10 amps, but their weight (7lbs each) remind me of why I eventually traded that amp off - the music man was about the size of a DR, but weighed almost as much as my super reverb.

I might just give the eminence speakers a try, as I'm actually expecting a shipment of them for my super reverb.

Hope you're doing well, Danny. Hopefully, we'll play again soon.

 

[gridlock]

Thanks! That vibrolux looks great as well. I'm really excited to have a brownface circuit amp. This vibroverb reissue is the first brownface amp I've owned and I really like it - the smoother highs and slightly thicker mids are a wonderful compliment to my blackface pro reverb and reissue super reverb.

Did you have any headroom issues with the Eminence GA10-SC64 speakers in your vibroverb? Normally, I try to get speakers that have a higher wattage rating compared to the amp, as I use overdrive pedals.

Ex: amp - 40-watts; speakers: 80 - 100-watts

Thanks,
Joseph.

Never noticed a headroom issue with the Alessandro’s.

 

[Bowpickins]

Welcome to the '63 VVRi club!

Back in the day, I replaced my DRRi with the VVRi and never looked back.

I liked the original Oxfords, until I replaced them and realized how dark and muffled they were. As mentioned above, not so big a deal at quiet levels, but give it some juice and they just don't hold up well. They begin to flub badly.

I ran a mixed set of Jensen P10R/C10R for ten years and liked it. Currently there's a pair of Weber P10Q's in there, but I am undecided on them. I have some funky stuff going on and need to do some tech'ing.

Always wanted to try a pair of Golds in the amp. I had a 12" Gold in a 5e3 and enjoyed it a lot at volume. Very Marshally sounding. But, at low volumes, it was a bit dark for my tastes with the 5e3.

What differences do you hear between the Jensen and Webers? I just tried a some well broken-in P10R speakers that I pulled from my Super Reverb. They weren't bad, but they made the amp brighter/more midscooped than I wanted.

I'd like something that could enhance the brownface tone. I'm thinking about a pair of Gold 10s based on a recent experience I had playing an amp loaded with a 12" Gold - I was very impressed with the clarity/dynamics of that speaker!