Amp for surf playing

[MWaldorf]

Thanks, guys! It is a 2006 65' reissue, not the original vintage. I can't be this lucky

Nothing wrong with the reissues - they are solid amps right out of the box.

[Chemo]

Congratulations for the Twin! They are great amps.

I play surf with a Quad Reverb Yes, it is rather heavy but that doesn't bother me that much.

[Haole Jim]

Thanks for all the thoughts and experiences.

Surprisingly okay to these ears, an old Cyber Twin's "Hang Ten" setting was definitely okay for home use.

'Transferred those settings to a custom-user one on the old Line 6 Vetta I HD / 412 Slant and e-built a virtual "Quad Reverb" which is also amusing, tho in no way "pure."

And on stuff which is definitely not manic (e.g., Theme From The Endless Summer, Bossalou, Spanish Blue) the Vetta's "Matchless Chieftain" setting is remarkably nice, even tho model-Class A.

[Chemo]

I play surf with a Quad Reverb

Update: I just fell in love with the new Fender "Custom" Vibrolux Reverb a few weeks ago.

Yes, this might be a bit uncool for some since it is not really a Vibrolux in the traditional meaning of the word. But it doesn't have to be: it is a very nice amp on its own right! Lovely warm twangy sound on a band volume with the right other equipment (like, say, a Mosrite ). The AlNiCo speakers work beautifully. Maybe not the amp to someone who is more into building a museum than making music, but for others - could be worth checking out.

[Veenture]

I just fell in love with the new Fender "Custom" Vibrolux Reverb a few weeks ago...//... - could be worth checking out.

Same happened to me this year ...and I ended up buying one

[edit] a fierce contender was the '65 DeLuxe Reverb RI (22 watts tube) which I adore

note: I'm still very happy with the CVR but knowing what I know now, a '63 Vibroverb RI or original (both discontinued ) would by far be more preferable, especially when you're playing in a Surf Band...

You can read some more amp talk here: viewtopic.php?f=19&t=1801

[64sunburst]

I bought one earlier this year too - a blonde tolex one. I've gigged with it and I love it. Have not felt the need to mod it yet.

Byron

[midwestsurfer]

I own a '63 Vibroverb RI that I bought back in '95 (the last year they were made, I believe). I've been fairly happy with it overall but I'd really like to hear how it sounds compared to the Custom Vibrolux. I've always wished I could use the reverb with the normal channel of my Vibroverb but, then again, that's what the outboard unit is for. Has anyone on the forum had a chance to play both the Vibroverb RI and the Custom Vibrolux?

[jtr654]

I think the type of speaker has a lot to do with the surf sound so any Fender Reverb amp with a JBL or Altec speaker . These speakers won't break up as soon as the stock fender ones and give you more headroom. Also changing the 1st preamp tube with a lower gain tube will give you more clean headroom.

[Veenture]

I own a '63 Vibroverb RI ...//... I'd really like to hear how it sounds compared to the Custom Vibrolux. I've always wished I could use the reverb with the normal channel of my Vibroverb...//...Has anyone on the forum had a chance to play both the Vibroverb RI and the Custom Vibrolux?

When I decided to buy a Fender tube amp last year, I managed to narrow down my choice to a Custom Vibrolux Reverb RI and a '65 DeLuxe Reverb RI. Having to choose between the two was tough enough already! They have many similarities and are yet so different.

I had the opportunity to try out both sitting next to each other so I could compare them closely since the shop happened to have them both in stock. I compared and compared and in the end I succumbed to the Vibrolux Reverb because of the tremolo and reverb features being in both channels (I had asked my drummer friend to come along too and valued his opinion also; he liked the cosmetics of the Vibrolux better and it's also a taller amp "so you don't have to bend that far down to pick it up" he said).

However it was only later that I learned that the power of the reverb and the headroom of the speakers were sacrificed in order for the two features to be in both channels...
I now realise why the 22 watt '65 DeLuxe Reverb sounds so good after all; with a full rounded strong sounding reverb!

Midwestsurfer, you’re lucky to have that ’63 Vibroverb RI...hang on to it!

[midwestsurfer]

When I decided to buy a Fender tube amp last year, I managed to narrow down my choice to a Custom Vibrolux Reverb RI and a '65 DeLuxe Reverb RI. Having to choose between the two was tough enough already! They have many similarities and are yet so different.

I had the opportunity to try out both sitting next to each other so I could compare them closely since the shop happened to have them both in stock. I compared and compared and in the end I succumbed to the Vibrolux Reverb because of the tremolo and reverb features being in both channels (I had asked my drummer friend to come along too and valued his opinion also; he liked the cosmetics of the Vibrolux better and it's also a taller amp "so you don't have to bend that far down to pick it up" he said).

However it was only later that I learned that the power of the reverb and the headroom of the speakers were sacrificed in order for the two features to be in both channels...
I now realise why the 22 watt '65 DeLuxe Reverb sounds so good after all; with a full rounded strong sounding reverb!

Midwestsurfer, you’re lucky to have that ’63 Vibroverb RI...hang on to it!

Considering all the gear I've bought and sold in the last 15 years, I'm surprised that I've managed to hang onto the '63 Vibroverb RI for so long. It's a charming amp - the tremolo is the best I've ever heard - and I'm liking it more these days since I put a pair of Jensen P10Rs in it.

I also owned a '65 Deluxe Reverb for a while and was really impressed with it. I agree with you Veenture, the reverb on that amp is very full and strong. I sold that one to a friend and I really miss it now.