JakeDobner
Joined: Feb 26, 2006
Posts: 12159
Seattle
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Posted on Jun 24 2006 01:12 PM
So the other day I won a '63 RI Vibroverb off of ebay only to find out it sold on the floor at guitar center that same day. And later in the week I could have won another '63 RI Vibroverb but my mind was elsewhere and I forgot to bid on it and the amp, along with Jensen replacement speakers, went through ebay at a great price with no bids. So you see the trend here.
So last Wednesday I check musicgoround.com for vibroverbs and they have a black vibroverb for $800. I think to myself kind of exspensive and when did they make a '63 RI in black tolex? And then I notice the 15" speaker in it. Turns out they, probably, mistook this amp for a '63 RI but in reality it is a Fender Custom Shop '64 Vibroverb, an amp that lists for $3000 and retails for $2100 at the cheaper places.
You can read about the amp here.
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Fender-64-Vibroverb-Custom-Guitar-Combo-Amp?sku=483710
It has some pretty cool features and it should be a very well made amp. One of my favorite features is that it can take 4 or 8 ohm loads. The switchable tube and solid state rectifier should be interesting. That could really come in handy since I primarily place rhythm and it will be nice to get a little extra clean, when I need it, from a diode rectifier. Then amp also has a weird vintage/modified switch which I am curious to try out. It is meant to mimic Stevie Ray Vaughan's amp, or so I hear. But didn't he use a tubescreamer to get the breakup they are talking about in this amp?
So I will have a proper review up sometime after I get the amp. It is due to come in on the 29th, the last day we are in the studio . . .
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Anonymous
Joined: Nov 10, 2000
Posts: -180
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Posted on Jun 24 2006 02:42 PM
Is 40 watts going to be enough for mid-size gigs?
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JakeDobner
Joined: Feb 26, 2006
Posts: 12159
Seattle
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Posted on Jun 24 2006 03:51 PM
It is 50 watts as well as being 40 watts. And I have a '64 Showman.
And 40 watts is enough for any gig in most cases. I have a feeling this amp is going to be a modern 40 tube watts. Anybody played the '63 RI vibroverb or a Hot Rod? They are so incredibly loud.
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RobbieReverb
Joined: Feb 28, 2006
Posts: 2388
San Jose, Ca.
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Posted on Jun 24 2006 06:27 PM
Congrats on the nice score, Jake!!! 
I agree: 40w is plenty for most gigs.
Bob S.
— Bob
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mom_surfing
Joined: Feb 27, 2006
Posts: 5321
the outer banks of north carolina
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Posted on Jun 24 2006 06:45 PM
JakeDobner
It is 50 watts as well as being 40 watts. And I have a '64 Showman.
And 40 watts is enough for any gig in most cases. I have a feeling this amp is going to be a modern 40 tube watts. Anybody played the '63 RI vibroverb or a Hot Rod? They are so incredibly loud.
i had a hot rod for about a year and it was so loud it would make your ears bleed. and, after an encounter with lightning it was never to be the same..........
— www.surfintheeye.com
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Brian
Joined: Feb 25, 2006
Posts: 19340
Des Moines, Iowa, USA
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Posted on Jun 24 2006 09:37 PM
I just hope it's not too SRV for you. We had a little discussion about these amps back on the Yahoo Group. That Diaz guy tricked out SRV's amps, and that switch in the back supposedly kicks in his mods. Let us know how it sounds.
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Need help with the site? SG101 FAQ - Send me a private message - Email me
"It starts... when it begins" -- Ralf Kilauea
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JakeDobner
Joined: Feb 26, 2006
Posts: 12159
Seattle
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Posted on Jun 24 2006 11:04 PM
It shouldn't be too SRV for me. Probably in the "SRV" mode it will be. And if it isn't like I want it to sound I'll sell it and make profit.
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Anonymous
Joined: Nov 10, 2000
Posts: -180
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Posted on Jun 25 2006 05:41 PM
Jake when are you getting the amp? Please give us an indepth review when you get it.
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JakeDobner
Joined: Feb 26, 2006
Posts: 12159
Seattle
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Posted on Jun 25 2006 11:09 PM
It should come in the 29th. I wont get a chance to play it that day though.
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PolloGuitar
Joined: Feb 26, 2006
Posts: 5107
San Francisco
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Posted on Jun 27 2006 10:38 AM
Vibroverb is a great amp, plenty of power to to play with a combo. I bought mine new in '89, and have used it consistently with PDMover the years for live shows and recording. To get it to the SRV level, you have to crank it up to 8 or 9, I never go past 4 or 5, even at venues like the Huntington Pier. FWIW, Shigeo Naka used one for recording on the last few Surf Coaster CDs.
Enjoy Jake!
--fd
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JakeDobner
Joined: Feb 26, 2006
Posts: 12159
Seattle
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Posted on Aug 15 2006 08:15 PM
Yeah, my amp is pretty awesome. I don't feel as if I can put it into writing.
http://flickr.com/photos/51082705@N00/
There are pictures of the guts. Quite attractive.
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RobbieReverb
Joined: Feb 28, 2006
Posts: 2388
San Jose, Ca.
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Posted on Aug 14 2007 01:16 AM
I just picked up one of these handwired Custom Shop beauties,
and I'm a happy camper. I didn't get the deal that Jake did,
but I'm happy with the price I paid. This blackface tone machine
sounds like a million bucks. I bought it for the blackface tone more
than the Cesar Diaz SRV Texas blues mod, but the mod could
come in handy for some blues and rock excursions. When switched
on, the mod shuts down the normal channel and the vibrato, and
increases the gain. I like having the choice of a tube (40w) or solid-
state silicon diode (50w) rectifier. The 15" Emminence speaker
sounds great on first impression. The reverb is absolutely the most
lush sounding, best reverb I've ever heard coming from a source
other than a reverb tank. The cabinet is solid finger-jointed pine.
It's pretty dang loud, and will accept 8 or 4 ohm loads. It weighs-in
at 52 lbs. so it's not a nut-buster like a Twin. I haven't really put
it through the paces yet, but it's very warm sounding, and touch
sensitive. These handwired custom shop babies now go for over
$2400.00 new (street price) That price would be out of my league,
but at a little over half that, I think it is a great value. It's not
your traditional surf amp, but it is a great all around Rock , blues
or country amp. Now it's woodshedding time....
 
Bob
— Bob
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Ruhar
Joined: Jun 21, 2007
Posts: 3909
San Diego, CA
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Posted on Aug 19 2007 11:21 AM
Yeah, the '63 RI vibroverb is a great amp. I've played/recorded with mine since '93. I'm using it more as a back up amp now (using primarily a '69 Super Reverb) The grill cloth and tolex are in complete disarray, just shredded to bits. I'm planning a re-tolex/re-grill on it soon. I've heard a lot of people say that they switch out the stock speakers, but I haven't found a pressing need to do any mods to mine (besides tubes & standard maintenance, of course).
— Ryan
The Secret Samurai Website
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