software

well, my new guitar teacher has an early 60's one, and i love the tone amp; vibrato, but i can't quite afford an original, and fender is saying the new ones are a 'modern interpretation of a classic'

so, how do they differ tonally?

Can't tell you anything about the older vibrolux reverbs, but I own the current Custom Vibrolux reverb model.

It's basically a modded brownface vibroverb ri. The brown VV ri was one of fender's original series of reissues, and was discontinued after a fairly short time. Bruce Zinky, then head of Fender's Custom Amp shop and responsible for the Vibro King and tonemaster amps, took the VVri circuit and made a few mods. Firstly he made reverb and tremolo shared across both channels, and changed the trem circuit. Zinky also removed the negative feeback loop to give the amp a rawer feel and reduce clean headroom, and also replaced the speakers with eminence blue alnico copies (now replaced by jensen 910rs). It was then renamed the 'custon' vibrolux reverb (CVR).

I seem to remember that you're interested in a decent amount of clean headroom. The CVR was designed to be an ideal small club blues amp, that overdrives fairly early. I've had a negative feedback loop added to mine and made switchable, which smooths the tone out and increases headroom. With the mod switched in, I'd say clean headroom is slightly more than a Hot Rod Deluxe. The difference is the intrinsic tone of the CVR sits more prominently in the mix than an HRD.

It won't be loud enough.

not anymore, once i cranked my first vintage amp, well, i was hooked

I got a bassman 100 on the way amp; that'll do clean headroom amp; then some. My setup now is OKAY for rockabilly, but its not quite what I'm looking for

I played one at GC on Friday, I loved it, just wish i had some money.

also, can i get some compare/contrast between it amp; the bassman ri?

Well, the bassman ri has a tiny bit more headroom, and a bit more presence to the tone. It also has more spread, due to the extra two 10s. I'd say the vibrolux is a little warmer and more dimensional, and of course it also has reverb and trem.


Originally Posted by TheJangusIt won't be loud enough.

At 40 watts with 2x10s it's going to be fairly loud.

My 18 watter with 2x10's will wake up the dead it's so stinking loud!!!

Luke

It's loud, but not tooth-rattling loud. It also helps that the overdrive is very balanced and warm. I really notice it when I run my Blue Angel in stereo with it. When you crank either set of the BA's tubes, it can become a bit ragged or bloated, depending on whether you choose 6l6s or el84s. But if you crank the vibrolux, a nice, fat, warm tone just cuts right through the middle.

The highest praise I can give the vibrolux is that it sits perfectly in a mix, regardless of how busy it is. I can always hear my guitar, and the tone is never fatiguing. I guess that's because Zinky modded it to be more of a blondeface-era tone, as opposed to the less midrangey blackface tone.

By the way, if you wanna get Setzer about it, try and find an original issue model in blonde. Here's mine:
very slick!

Hey Drew,
You might want to consider a Deluxe Reverb. The Cleans are heavenly and when you get the vloume to about 5 it has beautiful bluesy overdrive. You can control a lot of the clean/overdrive by the volume knob on your guitar! 22 watts 1 12quot; speaker.


Originally Posted by Luke DukeAt 40 watts with 2x10s it's going to be fairly loud.

My 18 watter with 2x10's will wake up the dead it's so stinking loud!!!

Luke

Yes, but his Bassman 100 through *I believe* two 12s isn't loud enough...