I have a Showman that I use for any gig I can - it is the amp of choice for me. For smaller gigs, I have a Vibrolux and although I have done everything I can to it to achieve more headroom, it breaks up too early for me. I also have a blackface BandMaster and I am thinking about making a combo out of it for small gigs. Get a Vibroclone 1 15" cab and slide the chassis of the Bandmaster in...... Has anyone done this with success? Should I go for a 15" (I love that about my Showman) or a 1 12", maybe with a tone ring? Also, should I have an open back combo or a closed back, I know I could get it either way...... I am thinking Newell amps..... any other cabinet builders anyone can suggest? Thanks in advance for the info......

Bong-O,

I have a similar setup, that started out as a '65 Bandmaster chassis in a Larry Rodgers Vibrolux clone cabinet (2-10's). I replaced the BM chassis with a '67 Dual Showman to get a little more clean headroom and swapped the tired old speakers that were in it with a pair of Weber Californias. Here's a picture:

To answer your question, yes, it should work out great. The Bandmaster will be plenty loud...actually the Showman in mine isn't all that much louder than the Bandmaster was at a given volume setting until you really crank it. Just make sure your speaker impedence is matched to the Bandmaster chassis. I think the single 15" combo cab with an open back would be a good choice for a nice, portable combo surf rig that would work fine in all but the larger venues.

A tone ring setup requires a special ported closed back cabinet with a double baffle. I guess it depends if you want a combo or a piggyback.

With all that said, maybe a simple speaker change in your Vibrolux would solve your problem. That would be way less expensive than getting a combo cabinet built! A pair of EVM's, Weber Calis, or JBL D110's should work wonders. Also a quality set of tubes will help clean things up.

Hope this helps!

Jack Booth
(aka WoodyJ)

The Mariners (1964-68, 1996-2005), 2025
The Hula Hounds (1996-2000)
The X-Rays (1997-2004)
The Surge! (2004, 2011-2012)
Various non-surf bands that actually made money (1978-1990)

Last edited: Feb 08, 2008 13:57:06

Try plugging into input #2 on your Vibrolux, it has less gain. I use input #2 with the Hallmark guitar because of its high pickup output...If you go the 1-1-15 combo route, which I think is a great idea, you might also consider a Peavy 1504 steel guitar speaker it has a 4 ohm coil and a chrome dust cover and it like all Peavy speakers is indestructible.I have one in my tone ring cabinet and it is awesome. Almost as good as the EV-15L's I love so much.......ed

Traditional........speak softly and play through a big blonde amp. Did I mention that I still like big blonde amps?

Thanks for the input, everyone.

I need a combo for gigs where space is limited and quick set up / breakdown is nessesary. I use and prefer the Showman when ever possible, but there are times when I need a smaller combo. But I want clearity and definition with the low end.... I don't want breakup!

First, about the Vibrolux: 1974, I was hoping the silverface "beefed up" transformer would be to my advantage. I've tried Weber Cali Alnico speakers, but now have 75 watt Eminance Ceramics in it to try to achieve more headroom. I put in a solid state rectifier and switched the pre amp tube from an AX7 to an AT7..... but i still get muddy low end above 5.

I have a complete 1965 Bandmaster piggyback set up, but it is as involved a set up as the Showman (as you all are aware). So I was thinking if I threw the chassis into a 1 15" combo it might work out nicely..... An amp tech told me I'd get more headroom out of the Bandmaster because of a beefier transformer and solid state rectifier, but that is what I have basiclly done to the Vibrolux..... would I really get more out of a bandmaster combo?

If you don't care that it doesn't look exactly kosher, ponder putting the Bandmaster chassis in a 2-12 vertical array cabinet with possibly one enclosed speaker and one open back speaker. Leave the top rear open and you could quickly swap the Bandmaster chassis out for the Showman chassis for even larger venues. The top speaker being open would give good stage presence and the closed back lower speaker would couple acoustically to the floor and increase the apparent bottom end. This woud also put the knobs in easy reach. Wack off the rear bottom of the cabinet at a 45 degree angle add two non-swivel casters and bingo, instant handtruck amp assembly. I've had this basic idea kicking around for some time, I just haven't gotten to the part about the sawdust.

Oh, and NO Mesa engineering did NOT think of this type of open/closed speaker first.......

ed

Traditional........speak softly and play through a big blonde amp. Did I mention that I still like big blonde amps?

Bong-o,
Have you tried the Vibrolux with a 15"? If you've got enough volume but low end clarity is the problem, the 15 might solve your problem. I found that my Twin Reverb couldn't hold the low end either, and swapping a 15 made the difference.
Also, I used to have a '74 Bandmaster Reverb in a 1x15" combo and it had plenty of low end.
Mel

One last question:

I want the most headroom I can get, but still want to retain a nice vintage Fender sound.....

Should I get a Weber Cali ceramic 15" (80 watts)
or a Weber Michigan ceramic 15" (100 watts)

?????????

Bong-O
I want the most headroom I can get, but still want to retain a nice vintage Fender sound.....

Isn't that statement mutually exclusive? I always thought a key ingredient of the 'nice vintage Fender sound' was a little bit of speaker breakup or tone coloration?

I would think that using a speaker with the most headroom possible (no distortion or tone shaping whatsoever) would make for a very clinical uninteresting tone...???

If speaker breakup is a concern I'd also think you'd definitely want a closed back cabinet for a tighter and more controlled sound with more power handling.

www.apollo4.com