Boutique equivalent of Vibrolux Reverb?

[Tonekat]

I love my 1965 Vibrolux Reverb. But I fear blowing the original speakers, and am not fond of taking it to gigs. But I know I would regret getting rid of it.
What, O sages of sound, would you choose from current production amps to reproduce that crystalline sound at just the right wattage. I do have a Fender Tube Reverb unit, so I'm open to non-reverb amps (but, truth be told, one less thing to move would make something with built in reverb more desireable).

[karmadave]

David Allen (www.allenamps.com) builds several BF-style amps. The Encore is "loosely based on the Vibrolux Reverb"

http://www.allenamps.com/encore.html

Check out any of his amps. They will get you pretty close to what you are looking for...

-KD

[Brien]

Maybe a Victorilux (Victoria). I love mine.

[J Purcell]

Originally Posted by Brien

Maybe a Victorilux (Victoria). I love mine.

I didn't think my Victorilux sounded like my 68 VR. I thought it sounded better.
Those are beautiful sounding amps. :AOK

[Dana Olsen]

You could get a Tone King Meteor II to sound quite close to that too. The TK has 2x12" - Vibrolux has 2x10's, but besides that, the TK gives a similar vibe.

I love the Allen amps too.

Dana O.

[big mike]

I wish somoene did a BF Vibrolux. That's the best fender ever.

What about getting a Bandmaster head and 2x10 for backup?

Sorry...went non boutique. What was me of all people thinking!

Those Allen's are very nice, haven't played the TKs or Vics.

[Dana Olsen]

You know, Roy Blankenship makes his FatBoy Supreme w/ Sour Cream in a 2x10s version. Those amps sound like a million bucks too. It's not a Fender clone, plus it's cathode biased, but you could get real close to a BFVR tone with one - real close.

There are clips of one in the Members Clips section - gotta search back a month or two.

Dana O.

[karmadave]

The Allen Old Flame 2x10" can get you pretty close too. No tremelo, but great reverb. 5881's or, short bottle TAD 6L6's, can bring the headroom down a touch. The Raw control can dial-in a bit of grit too. A BF Vibrolux is awsome, but these are becoming extremely collectable and thus big $$$!

-KD

[fullerplast]

Originally Posted by Tonekat

I love my 1965 Vibrolux Reverb. But I fear blowing the original speakers, and am not fond of taking it to gigs.

Who/what are you saving it for?

Life is short, use the VR. Get a good cover, swap speakers if you must but if the VR is what you like, I say just use it. There's nothing like a good BFVR!:AOK

[Texsunburst59]

I've got a 69' and a 76' Vibrolux Reverb. I don't take either of them out. The 69' is really ragged out,but I don't take them out. I've thought of having my amp guy converting it to a fully blackfaced 65' blackfaced VR in and out. I also thought of having him build me a PTP 65' BFVR repro.This would set me back about at least $1100.He does awesome repro work and it would be cheaper to convert my 76'. Here's some of the pics of his repros and custom amps he's build for me.Tonekat if you're interested in a new 65' BFVR PTP repro I could see what my amps guy would charge for it. PM if you're interested. He loves working on new amp projects. He doesn't do this for a living so any new projects are always welcome.

65' BFSR PTP repro.




64' BF Vibroverb PTP repro:




72' SFDR coverted to (65' BFDR)




66' BF Allen modded Bassman with repro Bassman Cab. He modded the head and built the cab:




70' PR and 73' PR he custom modded for me:




2 67' Allen modded custom cab Bassman heads:

[slider313]

Just take the original speakers out and use something else. My '64 came with original cone oxfords and they sounded terrible. I took them out,boxed them and put in a pair of reconed Jensen EM10's(Vibranto's).I've tried a few different speaker types in this amp and these sound the best to my ear.

[bluesjuke]

Texsunburst59


Those are some nice looking repro's!

[Texsunburst59]

Originally Posted by bluesjuke

Texsunburst59 vbmenu_register("postmenu_1775779", true);


Those are some nice looking repro's!

Thanks Bluesjuke,I'm just trying to put together a good variety of Fender combos without it costing a fortune.

[bluesjuke]

Originally Posted by Texsunburst59

Thanks Bluesjuke,I'm just trying to put together a good variety of Fender combos without it costing a fortune.

Looks like your off to a good start.
Your guy must be reasonable.

[Tonekat]

Thanks everyone! You gave me some great ideas, and some options I need to mull over. I really should take those original Oxfords out of there anyway. What would you suggest to put in, from the current market that won't make me cry if they get blown - Webers? Tone Tubbys?

My concern is the ability to still get those Fender cleans, with a solid, non-flabby bottom end (why I like my VR better than my DR) and a great reverb. A Cow Tipper with 2 10's would be wonderful...I'll have to sell some of my Marshalls to get one. I've been curious about Tone King's too. I've seen some comments about Allens that kinda put me off to them. Also surprised that nobody mentioned Dr. Z, but I guess that's just a different flavor

Texassunburst59, nice stuff indeed!!

I can't disagree with fullerplast either...life is short! Thanks for the help people!