Is it any different than the previous design/model?
I'd really like a Vibro 'Showman pre-amp' King in that format w/ the '63 tank built in...
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SurfGuitar101 Forums » Gear »
Anyone played the 2008 PTP Fender Vibro King?
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Joined: Feb 26, 2008 Posts: 543 Copenhagen, Denmark 
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Posted on Jun 19 2008 12:04 PM
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Joined: Feb 26, 2006 Posts: 12159 Seattle 
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Posted on Jun 19 2008 12:23 PM
PTP = point to point. The previous vibrokings were PCB right? |
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Joined: Feb 26, 2008 Posts: 543 Copenhagen, Denmark
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Posted on Jun 19 2008 12:29 PM
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Joined: Apr 03, 2008 Posts: 477 
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Posted on Jun 19 2008 12:40 PM
I have not played the 2008 version. I owned a 2007 Vibro King (all hand-wired, 60 watts, 3 10" Jensen speakers). I ended up deciding to sell it. The built-in reverb unit was excellent. The amp had a light, pretty tone, with a lot of sparkle in it (for lack of a better description). However, there were some reliability issues that were never ironed out. When the amp was pushed with a lot of treble (think Tele bridge P/U), the speakers sounded like they just sort of caved in on themselves. The amp tech never figured out why. It might have just been an issue with this particular VK. A general observation is that the Fender Reissues appear somewhat inconsistent. Most have no problems, but every once in a while someone gets a dud that resists fixing. In addition to the particular problems with my VK, the amp was very heavy (72 lbs.) and a pill to get down the stairs (even strapped in with a dolly). Not the best exercise for the lower back, although experience may vary with age. Paul —Paul |
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Joined: Feb 26, 2008 Posts: 543 Copenhagen, Denmark
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Posted on Jun 19 2008 01:10 PM
Ok, that's a heavy piece of kit.... still it's a nice total package. Could it've been a speaker issue? I think I read somewhere that it's based on a '59 Bassman design. That doesn't fit with your describtion all too well, I think. — |
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Joined: Apr 03, 2008 Posts: 477
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Posted on Jun 19 2008 01:42 PM
We checked the speakers and that didn't seem to be it. It was really a mystery. We were not sure whether it was this particular amp or perhaps some damage from a power drop-off (like a dumb***, I played it while some serious home remodeling was going on that involved heavy duty power tools on the circuit). Anyway, we never figured it out. I believe that you are correct. My recollection is that the VK was based on the Bassman, but with 3 10" speakers instead of four. One other thing that you might want to check out - there was a notorious ticking issue tied to the Tremolo. Supposedly, it was inherent in the design and related to the neon lamp. If you do a search, there are recommended fixes. I don't know whether this was addressed in the 2008 version. Paul —Paul |
Joined: Feb 02, 2008 Posts: 4564 Not One-Sawn, but Two-Sawn . . . AZ.
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Posted on Jun 22 2008 06:49 PM
I remember reading that the VK is a close relative of the old Bandmaster. That's sure the impression I got when I played one. Loved it, but if I'm going to fight a 72 lb amp I'll just take my Twin. The artist formerly known as: Synchro When Surf Guitar is outlawed only outlaws will play Surf Guitar. |
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Joined: Feb 26, 2008 Posts: 543 Copenhagen, Denmark
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Posted on Jun 23 2008 04:54 PM
I wrote earlier that the previous VKs were PCB. Actually I'm not too sure now. Anyone? — |
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Joined: Feb 02, 2008 Posts: 4564 Not One-Sawn, but Two-Sawn . . . AZ.
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Posted on Jun 23 2008 04:58 PM
To the best of my knowledge they are pt-2-pt, lovingly hand-wired by happy workers, not all that far from Disneyland. The artist formerly known as: Synchro When Surf Guitar is outlawed only outlaws will play Surf Guitar. |
Joined: Feb 27, 2006 Posts: 2065 Virginia, USA
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Posted on Jun 23 2008 05:06 PM
I'm not certain, but I'm pretty sure VKs have always been PTP, they've always been custom shop amps. They sound great, but be advised that they're not really traditional surf sounding. They sound a little more like a Tweed RI Bassman but with more headroom and a built-in tank. (The best description I can come up with). —Paul |
Joined: Sep 24, 2007 Posts: 2728 
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Posted on Jun 23 2008 05:27 PM
This post has been removed by the author. Last edited: Sep 23, 2009 18:05:12 |
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Joined: Apr 03, 2008 Posts: 477
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Posted on Jun 23 2008 08:15 PM
I would highly recommend that you read the reviews for the VK on Harmony Central (I should have done that before purchase). You will see comments like those of Zak and Skeeter. Generally, people either love the amp or they hate it. There are also more reliability issues than you'd like to see. For a really good perspective, you might want to read the oldest reviews first and work backwards. The web page address is: http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar+Amp/product/Fender/Vibro-King/10/1 Hope this helps. Paul —Paul |
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Joined: Sep 24, 2007 Posts: 2728
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Posted on Jun 23 2008 08:22 PM
This post has been removed by the author. Last edited: Sep 23, 2009 18:05:19 |
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Joined: Feb 02, 2008 Posts: 4564 Not One-Sawn, but Two-Sawn . . . AZ.
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Posted on Jun 23 2008 08:28 PM
I have to agree, a lot of what you read on HC is questionable at best although I've read some useful reviews. Frankly, I don't consider that I know much of anything about a piece of gear until I've gigged with it. Gear that sounds great at home can show some real deficiencies when it's in the heat of battle. As an amazing side note, a very old review I did on HC yielded an email inquiry just last week. I was quite surprised but apparently I had left an email address and someone wrote asking for more info. —The artist formerly known as: Synchro When Surf Guitar is outlawed only outlaws will play Surf Guitar. |
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Joined: Apr 03, 2008 Posts: 477
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Posted on Jun 23 2008 08:40 PM
Zak and Synchro, the points that you make are certainly valid. However, I sort of use HC as a mass statistical sample and in reverse. In my career, I was a PM and research analyst (stocks). I never cared about the good things that people would say about a company. Everyone gives you the "story pitch" which emphasizes the good and omits the bad. But I would definitely pay attention if someone said something bad about a company. These leads were useful to follow up on. The same thing with HC. I ignore anything said that is good. But the bad stuff is interesting. Sometimes it is just sour grapes or something else. But if there are real issues, people will usually talk about them. As you say, you do have to sort through them and see if there is an overall pattern. Paul —Paul |
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Joined: Feb 26, 2008 Posts: 543 Copenhagen, Denmark
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Posted on Jun 24 2008 02:07 AM
I agree with the whole HC thing. Although it can be helpful to give one some pointers on an actual product. Bad and good. Regarding the VK. I have my eye on a 2nd hand one from 1996. Of course the reverb and tremolo must work as 100% intended. Do you think changing the speakers could make wonders regarding headroom and 'punch'? — |
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Joined: Feb 02, 2008 Posts: 4564 Not One-Sawn, but Two-Sawn . . . AZ.
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Posted on Jun 24 2008 10:38 AM
More efficient speakers might help but my impression of the VK is that it's not designed for the bright, clean Surf sound. It's a great amp and I'd love to have one but if I wanted a Surf sound I'd use my Twin. —The artist formerly known as: Synchro When Surf Guitar is outlawed only outlaws will play Surf Guitar. |
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Joined: Feb 26, 2006 Posts: 12159 Seattle
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Posted on Jun 24 2008 10:57 AM
Here is the Harmony Central problem. Review for Epiphone '56 Les Paul Review for Gibson '56 Les Paul Do you really think the Epiphone can hold a candle to the Gibson? |
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Joined: Feb 27, 2006 Posts: 2065 Virginia, USA
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Posted on Jun 24 2008 11:11 AM
If you're looking for a used custom shop amp with built-in reverb, I'd recommend looking for a Dual Professional over the VK. It's much more surf oriented 2-12, 100 watts. The stock (Celeston) speakers aren't great, but with new webers or something like that it really smokes! Paul |
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Joined: Feb 02, 2008 Posts: 4564 Not One-Sawn, but Two-Sawn . . . AZ.
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Posted on Jun 24 2008 11:19 AM
. . . what Skeeter said! —The artist formerly known as: Synchro When Surf Guitar is outlawed only outlaws will play Surf Guitar. |
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