From COLLINS_JI–(at)–andem.com Thu May 11 13:34:14 CDT 1995
Article: 50883 of rec.music.makers.guitar
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From: COLLINS_JI–(at)–andem.com (Jim Collins)
Subject: Re: New Vibrolux?
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Date: Wed, 10 May 1995 18:20:51 GMT
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In article <3oq41l$ll--(at)--ewsreader.wustl.edu>, wgsack–(at)–rtsci.wustl.edu
(William G. Sacks) wrote:

>
> Has anyone had a chance to play with the new Vibrolux mentioned
> in the GP? It certainly sounds good on paper…

I just picked up a new Vibrolux Reverb. It is a terrific amp, but like
anything that is vintage-inspired, it isn’t for everyone.
First of all, the amp is not a reissue. It is inspired by vintage-style
amps, but this exact set of features was not found on any Vibrolux in the
past.
It is a 40 watt, 2×10 combo amp, all tube, although it has a solid state
rectifier. This is not replaceable by a rectifier tube, as in the Bassman,
but built-in, like the Vibroverb reissue. It has the traditional Fender
spring reverb (one control, not like the three-control Vibro King),
although this reverb is not as lush as the reverbs found on the Vibroverb,
Twin Reverb or Deluxe Reverb (all reissues). I get plenty of reverb for my
tastes, though I have to turn it up farther than on other Fender amps. I
would suspect that surf music players, fans of Dick Dale, may find that
there isn’t enough reverb, but anyone else who just likes a touch would
find it perfect.
The tremolo is excellent, if you like that sort of thing (I do). I can’t
remember what type of tremolo it is, but it is the type that has not been
used since the early ’60s. Very deep tremolo. (Oscillating something or
other.)
The amp does not have a master volume, high gain mode, channel switching,
or an effects loop. (Thus, the earlier comment about this amp not being
for everyone.) The amp does have the traditional Fender two channels, one
normal and one bright. Each channel has the tradition two inputs, with the
first input 6dB hotter than the second, for that channel. This amp differs
>from vintage Fender amps in that old Fender amps usually only provided
reverb and tremolo on one of the channels — if the amp had normal and
bright, then reverb (and usually tremolo) would only be available on the
bright channel. The new Vibrolux Reverb has reverb and tremolo on both
channels — the reverb and tremolo controls affect both channels. Each
channel has volume, treble and bass controls.
The amp is cream colored Tolex with ecru grille cloth. It has a brown
face, and white knobs. It has the same Fender logo as is on the Vibroverb.
It also has tilt-back legs.
So, how does it sound? This amp was born to play with a Telecaster.
Very strong Tele tones, very much remeniscent of early Roy Buchanan. A
Tele is a very bright guitar, and many amps just come off too shrill with a
Tele. This one is voiced beautifully for single coil pickups. A
Stratocaster also sounds terrific through this amp. I find myself using
the bridge pickup of my Strat a lot more than with other amps. (The Strats
used are wired in the traditional fashion which does not provide a tone
control for the bridge pickup.) I also find that I can get a tone I really
like without having to turn the amp up way up. This is a bonus.
Because the amp appears voiced for single coils, a humbucker-equipped
guitar has a harder time dealing with this amp. A Les Paul seems to
overpower the amp too soon. You really have to back the bass off and boost
the treble to make a Les Paul work, here, but even so, it overdrives too
easily for my tastes. It seems harder to get a nice, clean tone out of the
humbuckers. I will admit, though, that the Teles and Strats sound so good
through it that I’ve been spending most of my time playing them instead of
the Les Paul.
That’s about it.
Jimmy