Which Vibroverb RI 63 or 64?

[edcat]

Twin and Super RIs are the sound I'm looking for but both are too heavy for my 50 yr. old back. Need more power and headroom than the 65 Deluxe Reverb RI provides. Not crazy about the rest of the current Fender amps other than the Hot Rod Deluxe which I already have (Omega modded for my overdrive amp, would like a clean amp to run in tandem) I remember playing a 63 Vibroverb RI years ago which I liked alot although I seem to remember it breaking up rather easily. Never played the 64 Vibroverb RI but from research I think these amps might fill my needs. My question is how do the clean sounds compare on these amps, what are their differences as far as headroom, volume and tone. Naturally I'd prefer the 63 as far as cost but thinking that having the option of the dirty channel with the 64, maybe it would be worth the extra bucks if the cleans are on par with the 63. What do you think? Thanks.

[pinhooker]

Not sure what youre talking about with a "dirty channel with the 64", but thats pretty much a straight forward clone of the '64 amp, but with a switch to make it have a SS rectifier, which tightens up the bass, and disables the normal channel.

If you want the sound of a super, the '64 will come alot closer than the '63, since its nearly the same amp, excluding the speaker.

[Rumblur]

You do realize there's a HUGE price difference between the 63 and 64? I think you'd be better served with a SuperSonic 60 and a NEO speaker. It would give you the clean and if you ever wanted it, dirt on command.

Also, I'd say find a good used DRRI and have a GOOD tech put 6L6's in it - you'll get a LOT more headroom and still toting a 40lb amp.

[edcat]

Yeah don't know what I was thinking I know there's no channel switching. I know the price difference. The thing I'm asking is for those that have heard or played both, which clean sound do you prefer?

[Calloway]

from my experience the 64 had more headroom. I am a sucker for a 15in speaker and the 64 just thumps with one. Cool amp, WAY out of my price range.

[BobbyRay]

I've had all of the amps you're talking about and in some cases multiples...soooo.

To give you that big headroom blackface the '64 is waaaay closer to the Super or the Twin. As has already been stated, the '64 is pretty much a straight ahead blackface with two switches: One to go from tube to solid state rectifier, the other disables the Trem circuit to recover some gain.

With those mods switched in, at higher than most places will let you gig volumes, it does a pretty good SRV type of thing, but not much else. I greatly prefer mine with the stock positions. Many don't like the stock speaker and switch to JBL, but I like the thick character of the Eminence once broken in (which seemed to take a while). I find the '64 interacts very well with pedals (Bright switch off) and gives nice, bouncy robust, cleans at about 4 on the volume which is plenty healthy.

The '63 was a different animal. I didn't dig the stock speakers at higher volumes. They were pretty inefficient and didn't seem to like drive pedals for the tones I ad in mind. I changed those out and got an amp that was a butt kicker! I'd like to have that amp back to go with my Super, and my '64 Vibroverb! Different mids to be sure on that amp. Thicker and grindier! Not really the Blackface thing though, but waaay cool as well.

If you want something that's only slightly easier to transport than a Twin or a Super (It's lighter, but not a lot), the '64 Vibroverb may be perfect for you. Keep your eyes open for them and they can be had for reasonable prices for a handwired affair.

If you want to be even easier to carry, easier on the wallet, but not really blackface (But still really cool) the '63 Vibroverb may be the ticket!

[pfflam]

The 63 is very aggressive - good for angry punk - not a clean aggressive like metal either - splatty gnarly.
But it has the Vibrato from heaven - the best vibrato evar!

[weshunter]

how about another Omega HRD? they have great cleans, IMO

[Axis29]

I am an owner of a 69 Vibrolux and a '63 Vibroverb Reissue.... The Vibrolux (NOT the Custom Virbolux Reverb!) is true Blackface/Silverface goodness. My Vibroverb has replacement speakers and non-stock tubes and is one of the greatest sounding amps on the planet... but it's VERY different than blackface tone. It has a much more prominent mid presence, a thicker clean. And it does have the heavenly bias vary tremolo!

I have had a couple of blackface voiced amps and I have played with guys who had Twins. I will say that I love the Vibrolux overdriven, but much prefer the brownface clean! But, I also tend to play clean a lot of the time. I will say that a lot of overdrive pedals react differently with my VVRI. Because of the midrange presence, the tone controls can be a little funky. If it's a tweed voice overdrive or a mid-humped one, it can be a little odd. It can almost add too much mid to the sound. But, I have a few fuzz pedals that are downright magical and a Zvex Distortron which sounds awesome!

I love my VVRI and can see it as the last amp I ever really need to buy. Any time I get a little gas, I just go plug into it and I'm good to go 'till the next best thing comes along! LOL

I have never played through a 64 Vibroverb. But I would wager that the it is closer to a blackface twin than the '63 VVRI.

[gillman royce]

Twin and Super RIs are the sound I'm looking for but both are too heavy for my 50 yr. old back. Need more power and headroom than the 65 Deluxe Reverb RI provides. Not crazy about the rest of the current Fender amps other than the Hot Rod Deluxe which I already have (Omega modded for my overdrive amp, would like a clean amp to run in tandem) I remember playing a 63 Vibroverb RI years ago which I liked alot although I seem to remember it breaking up rather easily. Never played the 64 Vibroverb RI but from research I think these amps might fill my needs. My question is how do the clean sounds compare on these amps, what are their differences as far as headroom, volume and tone. Naturally I'd prefer the 63 as far as cost but thinking that having the option of the dirty channel with the 64, maybe it would be worth the extra bucks if the cleans are on par with the 63. What do you think? Thanks.

If you like the twin then I'd suggest looking at a Dual/Showman top. There are many speaker options that work well with that head. The sleeper amp would be the Sunn 100s from the '60's

[Figaro]

Definitely the brown 63 Vibroverb Reissue! I just happen to have very nice one for sale here in the Amp Emporium. ;o)

[stevel]

Twin and Super RIs are the sound I'm looking for but both are too heavy for my 50 yr. old back.

1. Hand Truck/Cart
2. Casters

Twin can be lightened with other speaks. So could the Super but it's also taller.

Twin never breaks up, super does - so if you want cleans to the sky, Twin. But if you like the break up, then the other amps being discussed.

What's a super with the bottom half of the cab cut off?

Steve

[edcat]

Definitely the brown 63 Vibroverb Reissue! I just happen to have very nice one for sale here in the Amp Emporium. ;o) Figaro, I sent PM

[ToneKing]

The 64 vvri I played at a store had some gorgeous bf cleans.

[Peppy]

The '64 (I have had both of the amps listed in the thread title) is not a reissue. Just to make sure for those looking for that very specific sound. Decent amp, just not designed to be a close copy.

[Dumb Bell]

The '64 (I have had both of the amps listed in the thread title) is not a reissue. Just to make sure for those looking for that very specific sound. Decent amp, just not designed to be a close copy.
I have a real 64 and have played the custom shop model. The new one does capture some of the vibe, but if i had a choice to take to a gig? You know the answer. The brown 63 is a cool amp, my friend has a modified one, nice little amp, not nearly as loud for some reason. Mine is ungodly loud.

[EBW]

The 63 VVRI is a great amp, but the stock Oxford clone 10" speakers must go. Besides using 2x10 ceramic MojoTones in mine, I had Larry Rodgers make a 1x15" baffle board for the VVRI. WOW, what a difference in tone. I tried several 15s including D130, P15N and Eminence Legend 15, but liked an old 70s EV15L the best. Very clean and tight at higher volume with tone to die for, not to mention the swampy tremolo! Cool thing is I have the option to swap out the baffle boards for a variety of tones, like two amps in one! I prefer the 15 in the 63 VVRI.

I also have a 64 VV clone or 'VibroClone', which is a 68 Bandmaster Reverb head chassis in a Newell 1x15 combo cab. I like a D130 with this setup for nice cleans and tone. It's a great way to get the desired BF tone at a more modest price than a 64 VV RI. You can find one or build one for less than a grand.

Another option could be the late '70s Music Man 115-65 combos with the 12AX7 phase inverter. Great, dependable amps that be found for around 5 bills or so. Like a Fender BF, they have two channels, reverb and tremolo. Unlike Fender, the MM amps have a half power switch that cuts the plate voltage to the tubes which produces output around 25-30 watts. I have several Music Man amps and they are loud, clean and dependable!!

YMMV

[Rumblur]

If I might offer you some further advice...

Forget the 63, considering you want loud cleans. The 64 is just a Vibrolux with a single 15 instead of 2x10's (like the 63, go figure).

If you insist on it being a Fender product, go with the 64 and have a good tech rewire it so you'll have reverb on both channels. Then run a A/B switch in front of it, that's what I do to all my blackfaces... and that gives you channel switching. (you dont need a rewire if you dont need or use reverb, I just cant imagine using a blackface without reverb).

But... if you can live with a working amp that doesnt come from Fender, check out Vintage Sound. Call Rick and tell him what you want... I'd bet you'd be a lot happier with a Super Reverb in a 2x10 neo speakered cab.... with all his tricks installed. That would give you the ultimate amp for all your needs. Rick is the man, and a super nice guy that will tell you real world stuff, not marketing fluff.