IvanP
Joined: Feb 27, 2006
Posts: 10331
southern Michigan
|
Posted on Oct 24 2013 09:39 AM
The Photo of the Day thread featuring this photo:
Submitted by Ruhar on 26 September 2011: "A rare occurrence that happens with every shift in the Zodiac: three Vibroverbs at a single show. From left to right, the reissue '63 Vibroverbs of Paul Beatie (The Pyronauts), Ferenc Dobronyi (Pollo Del Mar), and Ryan Ruiz (The Secret Samurai)."
In that POTD thread, Ferenc wrote:
We should start a Vibroverb registry. Anybody with a VV, post your serial number
Since these amps seem to have only been made for a couple of years in the early '90s, and are growing in stature among many players - most importantly surf players - I thought that's a great idea! But at Jamie Galatas' suggestions, I started a stable thread for it, rather than the ephemeral POTD - so, here goes:
Ferenc: AB00246
Ivan: AB01507
Paul: AB01823
Ryan: AB02949
What speakers does everybody have in their VVs?
Ivan: EV Force 10
Ferenc: Celestion
Ryan: Eminence Ragin' Cajun
Vibroverb owners, share your pride in these cool amps! 
— Ivan
Lords of Atlantis on Facebook
The Madeira Official Website
The Madeira on Facebook
The Blair-Pongracic Band on Facebook
The Space Cossacks on Facebook
The Madeira Channel on YouTube
Last edited: Oct 24, 2013 10:36:11
|
Ruhar
Joined: Jun 21, 2007
Posts: 3909
San Diego, CA
|
Posted on Oct 24 2013 10:11 AM
That was a fun night! Pretty rare to see 3 VVs at a show indeed!
The VV was my first legit tube amp. My dad bought it for me in '93 or '94 and I used it for most of my days in the band, Surf Report (though I also later came to use a mid 60s Bandmaster and a '69 Super Reverb). I had played my VV so much and so hard that I had totally destroyed the grill cloth and ripped the tolex to shreds, in addition of having cuts in the stock speakers.
So, it lay dormant and unused in my garage for several years. It wasn't until a few years ago that I was dissatisfied with the usability of my Dual Showman at small club volumes that I decided to put some $ into the VV and give it a complete face lift. I had it re-tolexed and grilled. In addition, I had my amp tech get in there and bring it back to life as far as biasing, re-tubing, etc.
It has been a real workhorse amp for me over the years and I can never see my self getting rid of it. It fills such a great spot as an excellent all around amp. It's crazy to think that its a 20 year old amp right now. Its pretty much "vintage" at this point! 
Yep, the speakers I use are the 10" Eminence Ragin' Cajuns. Very good reliable speakers for that amp. I wouldn't mind having a cache of other speakers to play around with though... Also, I currently have TAD power tubes and JJ preamp tubes in there.
I did pull one of the preamp tubes from the Normal channel in order to get a bit more "squishiness" out of the Bright channel, but I put it back in due to having problems with the bright channel. I've been using the Normal channel for a while now. Unfortunately, my VV needs some more TLC as both channels are starting to cut out, so its off to the amp doctor soon.
Long live the '63VVRI!
— Ryan
The Secret Samurai Website
The Secret Samurai on Facebook
|
IvanP
Joined: Feb 27, 2006
Posts: 10331
southern Michigan
|
Posted on Oct 24 2013 10:32 AM
Very cool, Ryan! Thanks for sharing that story.
I bought my VV two years ago, in October '11. The OT and the reverb pan were shot, so I got a replacement OT from Mojo and a replacement pan from Danny, and they both sound great. I also put in replacement speakers. The output tubes are Winged C, while preamp tubes are a mix of things, JJ, JAN/Phillips, Tung Sol (reissue), Mesa. Really love this amp.
— Ivan
Lords of Atlantis on Facebook
The Madeira Official Website
The Madeira on Facebook
The Blair-Pongracic Band on Facebook
The Space Cossacks on Facebook
The Madeira Channel on YouTube
|
Ruhar
Joined: Jun 21, 2007
Posts: 3909
San Diego, CA
|
Posted on Oct 24 2013 10:38 AM
Your VV looks great Ivan! I've been thinking about putting Winged C's in mine when I get it worked on this time around.
— Ryan
The Secret Samurai Website
The Secret Samurai on Facebook
|
IvanP
Joined: Feb 27, 2006
Posts: 10331
southern Michigan
|
Posted on Oct 24 2013 10:45 AM
I can vouch for Winged Cs 110%, Ryan! Amazing power tubes! Pricey, but totally worth it. I have them in my Gomez Surfer and my '62 Bandmaster, too.
Yeah, the amp is in remarkably good shape. I aim to keep it that way, too. I recently got a heavy duty brown cover for it from Custom Amp Covers. It looks great, and seems very durable.
— Ivan
Lords of Atlantis on Facebook
The Madeira Official Website
The Madeira on Facebook
The Blair-Pongracic Band on Facebook
The Space Cossacks on Facebook
The Madeira Channel on YouTube
|
dubtrub
Joined: Sep 22, 2007
Posts: 245
Bakersfield CA.
|
Posted on Oct 24 2013 11:02 AM
I purchased my Vibroverb new in '91. A couple of years ago I replaced the speakers with a pair of Ragin Cajun's, but recently I tried something new and am very happy with the results. I built a new baffle for a 12" Emeinence Neo bass speaker that had been reconed with a Hemp Tone Tubby and revoiced for guitar. It's light weight and sounds great. I packaged the orignal Oxford clones remounted on the original baffle board/grill cloth and stored them away in case the next owner wants it all original.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v305/dubtrub/Amplifier/001_zps7f1f8b1e.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v305/dubtrub/Amplifier/002_zps32f50e6b.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v305/dubtrub/Amplifier/0022_zpsdf8574f7.jpg
— Danny Ellison aka dubtrub
Last edited: Oct 24, 2013 13:46:41
|
CrazyAces
Joined: Jul 31, 2012
Posts: 4054
Buffalo, N.Y.
|
Posted on Oct 24 2013 11:37 AM
Can I register for being a dumbass for not buying the one I tried when the RI's first came out? LOL
Guys, The Factory that made Winged C's is closed (recently) so get 'em while you can.
I agree, it's a great 6L6.
— http://www.facebook.com/CrazyAcesMusic
http://www.youtube.com/user/crazyacesrock
http://www.reverbnation.com/crazyacesmusic
|
IvanP
Joined: Feb 27, 2006
Posts: 10331
southern Michigan
|
Posted on Oct 24 2013 11:49 AM
CrazyAces wrote:
Can I register for being a dumbass for not buying the one I tried when the RI's first came out? LOL
Jeff, you can easily buy one on eBay, they're on there every few weeks. (Though it seems you're quite happy with your Deluxe Reverb...)
Guys, The Factory that made Winged C's is closed (recently) so get 'em while you can.
OH NO!!! That really SUCKS!! What a bummer..... 
— Ivan
Lords of Atlantis on Facebook
The Madeira Official Website
The Madeira on Facebook
The Blair-Pongracic Band on Facebook
The Space Cossacks on Facebook
The Madeira Channel on YouTube
|
CrazyAces
Joined: Jul 31, 2012
Posts: 4054
Buffalo, N.Y.
|
Posted on Oct 24 2013 12:06 PM
Ivan, I don't actually own a Deluxe Reverb. My '73 Princeton Reverb with a few mods has been my go to Fender Amp for years now. It sounds very similar to a Deluxe in tone and output WITH it's mods.
I've had a Vibroverb RI here in my shop to try out and buy recently but it sounded too similar to other things I have to justify the spending but NOTHING looks as cool as a brown vibroverb and that portability combined with the 6L6's....be still my greedy and spoiled (gear wise) heart.
— http://www.facebook.com/CrazyAcesMusic
http://www.youtube.com/user/crazyacesrock
http://www.reverbnation.com/crazyacesmusic
|
Donald77
Joined: Jun 23, 2012
Posts: 226
|
Posted on Oct 24 2013 02:01 PM
|
IvanP
Joined: Feb 27, 2006
Posts: 10331
southern Michigan
|
Posted on Oct 24 2013 02:53 PM
CrazyAces wrote:
Ivan, I don't actually own a Deluxe Reverb. My '73 Princeton Reverb with a few mods has been my go to Fender Amp for years now.
Oops, I actually knew that, that's what I meant to say.
I've had a Vibroverb RI here in my shop to try out and buy recently but it sounded too similar to other things
Sure, that's understandable. One thing, though: it does seem that these amps are very sensitive to the speakers and tubes in them. The stock speakers and tubes didn't seem to do this amp any favors. I think upgrading the amp with good tubes and good speakers will make a huge difference in how it sounds.
but NOTHING looks as cool as a brown vibroverb
FULLY AGREED! Love it!
dubtrub wrote:
I purchased my Vibroverb new in '91.
dubtrub, do you wish to list your amp's serial number for this thread?
A couple of years ago I replaced the speakers with a pair of Ragin Cajun's, but recently I tried something new and am very happy with the results. I built a new baffle for a 12" Emeinence Neo bass speaker that had been reconed with a Hemp Tone Tubby and revoiced for guitar. It's light weight and sounds great.
That is indeed very cool! I actually had a 1x12" baffle made for this amp, but failed to take into account that the transformers are hanging down from the chassis right in the middle of the amp, so when I tried to install the speaker with the new baffle board, the speaker was hitting against the transformers and wouldn't clear them. Doh!! Did you offset yours - or maybe the speaker is just shallower? I ultimately decided to just stick with the 2x10s (though I still have that 1x12 baffle board), and have grown to like it quite a bit (though with TWO EVs, that amp weighs a TON!)
— Ivan
Lords of Atlantis on Facebook
The Madeira Official Website
The Madeira on Facebook
The Blair-Pongracic Band on Facebook
The Space Cossacks on Facebook
The Madeira Channel on YouTube
|
dubtrub
Joined: Sep 22, 2007
Posts: 245
Bakersfield CA.
|
Posted on Oct 24 2013 03:40 PM
IvanP wrote:
dubtrub, do you wish to list your amp's serial number for this thread?
AB02225
IvanP wrote:
That is indeed very cool! I actually had a 1x12" baffle made for this amp, but failed to take into account that the transformers are hanging down from the chassis right in the middle of the amp, so when I tried to install the speaker with the new baffle board, the speaker was hitting against the transformers and wouldn't clear them. Doh!! Did you offset yours - or maybe the speaker is just shallower? I ultimately decided to just stick with the 2x10s (though I still have that 1x12 baffle board), and have grown to like it quite a bit (though with TWO EVs, that amp weighs a TON!
I set the uncut baffle board in place held with the mounting screws, then I held the speaker as close to center as possible but lowered it 1/8" for the speaker frame to clear the transformer then drew a line around the circumference. Simplest solution would be to move it over 1" off center. Also, I see there is VVRI on eBay that has a 12" Altec.
Would you be able to re-cut the speaker opening by offsetting it and mount a 15"? I've been thinking about giving that a try and get a Weber Neo 15. Although now that I've finally got the 12" Neo broke in, I'm really happy with it. Plus the amp feels 10 lbs lighter than with the Ragin Cajun's.
— Danny Ellison aka dubtrub
Last edited: Oct 24, 2013 18:34:45
|
Las_Barracudas
Joined: Apr 24, 2011
Posts: 1087
Surf City, NC
|
Posted on Oct 24 2013 04:53 PM
I purchased my RI VV in 08. It came loaded with Webers, I forget the exact model right now but they sound great. From day one they sounded like well broken-in Jensens. It has the same Groove Tubes as when I bought it. I've not had to do anything to it (knock wood) yet.
Great amps for Surf and enough power for most of the venues / clubs we play.
— METEOR IV on reverbnation
Last edited: Dec 14, 2015 17:14:50
|
midwestsurfer
Joined: Aug 09, 2007
Posts: 308
Indianapolis
|
Posted on Oct 24 2013 08:15 PM
I have a RI Vibroverb with serial number AB05373 and an EK (November, 1994) date stamp. I'm the original owner and bought it new off the floor of Guitar Center in Chicago (back when it was on Clark St.) in early 1995. Right now the original speakers are back in it again. I've tried lots of different speakers, but can't seem to get the sound I know it's capable of without spending a lot of money. I've also considered making a 1x12" baffle as I have two extra 12" speakers right now.
— -Nick
Gypsy Moonshine on Reverbnation
Gypsy Moonshine on Facebook
|
MadScientist
Joined: Jan 17, 2008
Posts: 2188
Atlanta, GA
|
Posted on Oct 25 2013 10:58 AM
Thanks for starting this thread Ivan!
I actually inherited my Vibroverb (like a fair amount of gear I have) from my Dad. He bought it new in the mid-90's, and never really warmed to it. He was primarily a blues player, and once he discovered the Blues Junior, nothing else mattered.
SN: AB01259
I've been pretty vocal about my love for this amp. It is my #1 club amp by far. It's a great size and can really get cooking and sound wonderful without deafening people. The only mod I have done is a speaker replacement. I went with Warehouse Guitar Speakers model G10C. My amp tech suggested them as a great, more affordable version of the Swamp Thang, and I've been really pleased with them as just that. They did make the amp REALLY heavy, though! I think I was just spoiled to the original weight, to be honest. Still, the difference is considerable.
That said, I'm not a giant fan of 10" speakers. I think they lack a bit of "hueovos" that I am used to. The amp I use the most (read: I use weekly at practice) is a Bandmaster through 2x15 cabinet. I love the boominess, punch and great low end response of the 15s. I originally wanted to try to put a 15 in the Vibroverb, but after doing some research, a 15 will not fit in the '63 cabinet (unlike the '64 which comes with a 15). Add to this, Mystery Man Chad (Chadillac) plays through a SF Deluxe Reverb with a Warehouse 12 with a smooth cone, and that amp sounds absolutely AMAZING. It easily keeps up with 2 Bandmasters on either side of it. That really made me think that a 12 might be the way to go here. IN FACT, I'm planning to go get some wood and start cutting TOMORROW. I just need to find a good 4 ohm 12, so any suggestions would be great.
So glad to expand the discussion on these great amps!
—
|
dubtrub
Joined: Sep 22, 2007
Posts: 245
Bakersfield CA.
|
Posted on Oct 25 2013 11:55 AM
Jamie, I too always played through my 65 Bandmaster and loved the sound of the enclosed 2X12. I couldn't bond with the 2X10s on the VV and that is why I decided to try the single 12. I searched for a 4 ohm 12" Neodymium guitar speaker and the only thing I came up with was the modified Eminence with the Tone Tubby hemp cone listed on eBay. It's not a Bandmaster but it's the best sound I could ever want out of my VV combo amp. I don't see anything listed right now by that seller on eBay but I can message you his eBay contact link if you are interested. He does the modification himself and apparently sold several with positive feedback. The price ran about eighty bucks. I decided to roll the dice and gave it a try and hit pay dirt for my sonic liking.
— Danny Ellison aka dubtrub
Last edited: Oct 25, 2013 11:58:33
|
MadScientist
Joined: Jan 17, 2008
Posts: 2188
Atlanta, GA
|
Posted on Oct 25 2013 12:03 PM
dubtrub wrote:
Jamie, I too always played through my 65 Bandmaster and loved the sound of the enclosed 2X12. I couldn't bond with the 2X10s on the VV and that is why I decided to try the single 12. I searched for a 4 ohm 12" Neodymium guitar speaker and the only thing I came up with was the modified Eminence with the Tone Tubby hemp cone listed on eBay. It's not a Bandmaster but it's the best sound I could ever want out of my VV combo amp. I don't see anything listed right now by that seller on eBay but I can message you his eBay contact link if you are interested. He does the modification himself and apparently sold several with positive feedback. The price ran about eighty bucks. I decided to roll the dice and gave it a try and hit pay dirt for my sonic liking.
Right now I'm actually thinking about getting a Weber California 12. I have a pair in one of my cabinets, and they are fine speakers. I'm also going to look around locally and see who's got what and where. You never know what you might run into. I never realized how tricky finding a 4ohm 12" speaker of note could be!
—
|
Pyronauts
Joined: Feb 27, 2006
Posts: 1170
Northern CA
|
Posted on Oct 25 2013 12:07 PM
Mine has Webers in it... they were put there by the previous owner: Paul Johnson.
|
PolloGuitar
Joined: Feb 26, 2006
Posts: 5124
San Francisco
|
Posted on Oct 29 2013 01:52 PM
For The Win!
Pyronauts wrote:
...the previous owner: Paul Johnson.
— Buy Endless Drummer @ Bandcamp
Frankie and the Pool Boys website
Buy Speed of Dark @ Bandcamp
Pollo Del Mar website
My Blog- Euro Tour Blog
Pool Boys on Spotify
INSTAGRAM
Frankie & The Pool Boys on Facebook
Pollo Del Mar on Facebook
DJ Frankie Pool Boy on North Sea Surf Radio
|
fenderfan
Joined: Jul 13, 2008
Posts: 783
|
Posted on Oct 29 2013 02:57 PM
Whenever I took business trips to Atlanta, I would always make multiple visits to the fabulous Fat Matt's Rib Shack, and for a long time the house amp for the bands that would play there was a VVRI - so beaten, torn, and stained that it looked like an original from the 60s.
|
May Birthdays 
