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I'm in the middle of a GAS episode, so bear with me. It's like OCD; I can recognize it, but can't stop it (half-joking here).
Looking for some opinions on a nice early 80s Fender Twin Reverb vs a new reissue Vibrolux. What are your thoughts? What will hold its value over time? What's the better amp?
Sorry, no pics, it's just a theoretical.
thanks!
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03-29-2019 08:35 PM
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If it is a Fender Reverb II, buy it.
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Twin = big, heavy, very loud, very clean up to extremely high decibel levels.
Originally Posted by crhyner
Current Vibrolux Reverb resissue = 1 channel with the same tone stack, 1 channel of a more tweed-like tonestack, at about 40% of the power, different speakers, and a bit smaller/lighter.
Substantial tone overlap between the two, but at 4-5 on the volume knob, you'll start getting a touch of overdrive on the VR without going deaf. On the Twin, you'll get OD at about 7 on the dial and cause fissures to open in the crust of the earth and destroy all life on the planet.
I don't know about value. In some places Twins are hard to sell (e.g. NYC) because people find them impractical. But, assuming it's a silverface or one of the 80s ones with SF guts and BF cosmetics, it'll probably hold value better. Other variants, such as red knobs, evil twins, etc., probably about the same. Check ebay and reverb pricing, though.
Personally, I'd take a Deluxe Reverb over either one, or the Princeton Reverb I already have because either is bigger and louder than I can usr. But between a VR and a Twin, I'd take the VR.
John
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Since this discussion is only theoretical, you might consider tossing in an '80's Fender Concert II in your comparison. It was one of the Rivera-Jahns era Fenders, built like tanks and over-engineered. It also was made as a head; 1x12; or 2x10 combo. Originally Posted by crhyner
The combo is big n heavy, almost like a Pro or Twin, but a steal if you find a good one. And yes, perfect for loud, high energy jazz, fusion, etc.
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I'm partial to 2x10s over 2x12s - always have been. Used a '71 Super Reverb for 35 years and it's my benchmark amp. Had a BF Vibrolux back in the day - wish I still had it. Been thinking of looking at the new Vibrolux - would have already except for the weight.
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Hey Skip, the VR has to be lighter load than a SR, no? But I get it, I had Twins, now I like the PR's. Anything else, although good to own and play, is just a lot of work! Especially when stairs are involved. It used to "not matter"!
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Love it! Originally Posted by John A.
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Do you need this amp for gigs with a larger group or for rehearsals etc. only ? I'd think twice before choosing a Twin because :
- it's heavy. Very heavy, and then some....
- It produces a LOT of bass and depending on your guitar this could become a real issue re feedback. I recently played a gig where the venue provided a Twin and I had to turn down the bass to zero - it still was a hassle with my Super-400 CES since this big guitar packs such a punch....
For quiet(er) trio/4-tet gigs a smaller amp is much less problematic, especially on crowded stages/bandstands. You have more energy left over to concentrate on the music .....
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“Better” depends on your requirements. The Twin Reverb is hard to beat for clean tones. Their EQ is heavy on trebles and bass, but are easily tamed with the tone controls. You need to decide if you prefer 2x10s or 2x12s, weight limitations, power needs, etc. Originally Posted by crhyner
Seems like 80s hand-wired Twin would hold it’s value better than almost any new amp. A new amp is like a new car, depreciating the instant it leaves the dealer. If you negotiate a good price for the Twin, you might be able to resell it for at least what you paid. On the other hand, plan on spending dough for a tech to check out the Twin and update any old electrolytic caps and any drifting resistors.
I wonder what will happen to the value of tube amps a few decades from now, but I’ll bet the hand wired ones will hold value better than those with printed circuit boards.
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When did Fender switch the Vibro from 1-12 to 2-10? Or did they exist side-by-side?
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I'd go with the Twin but only if I had a Roadie or a VERY strong girlfriend...
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Nomenclature on Vibr(*) amps is really confusing. I thought I actually had these straight in my mind, but I checked the Fender Amp Field Guide, and it's even more convoluted than I remembered. Originally Posted by Woody Sound
- Vibrolux (non-reverb): tweed was 1 x 10" 2 x 6V6; brown and BF were 1x12" 2 x 6L6.
- Vibrolux Reverb: this was initially (brownface) called the Vibroverb; it was renamed Vibrolux Reverb from BF on, and all versions (original brown, BF, SF, various reissues) are 2 x 10" 2 x 6L6
- Vibroverb: Existed only in early BF and as a mid 2000s reissue as a 1 x 15" and as a mid-2000's reissue.
- Vibrasonic: Brownface was 1 x 15" 2 x 6L6; disappeared in the BF era (or morphed in to the Vibroverb, depending on how you look at it). There's a 90s amp called the Custom Vibrasonic, which is a totally different 4 x 6L6 1 x 15"
- Vibrosonic Reverb: In SF and early 80s noveau BF, this was a 1 x 15" Twin Reverb
John
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re: bass on zero...
The Twin Reverb sounds damned good with both the bass and treble set on or near zero and the middle pushed. You get a nearly flat response from this configuration. The clean, powerful TR with its two 12" speakers really sounds fine with this setup.
Still heavy, though.
I like this same tone configuration with the Super Reverb, too. BUT, you can't bore to the Moho Discontinuity with a Super Reverb--it takes a Super Reverb for that.
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