Silverface Vibrolux Reverb

[Cue Dog]

I am looking possibly purchasing a 1978 Vibrolux Reverb. Are there any major differences between this year and earlier Silverface years that I should be aware of? Also, is $950 a fair price for one in good condition with original speakers?

[stinkfoot]

They added a pull boost to one of the pots sometime in the mid '70s, but other than that it seems to have stayed the same. No master volume, ultra-Linear power transformers or other nasty stuff

/Andreas

[Guitar Dave T]

$950 is probably a fair price to pay, though I'd think $800 - $850 might be more fair considering the market/economy, and considering you can buy a silverface Deluxe Reverb in decent condition (a more marketable, more desirable amp, despite its lower wattage and single 12" speaker) for around $900.

The late 70's silverfaces are great amps, but not as valuable as the early 70's models, which were wired a lot neater, with less cold solder joints and less excessive wire and noise issues.

[Cue Dog]

Thanks guys, appreciate the info/opinions. I'm hoping to get to play this amp soon (waiting for a response from the seller). Anything I should look out for specifically when I get a chance to check it out?

[Cue Dog]

So I ended up buying this amp yesterday ('78 VR), and so far I'm really digging it. It came with the original Fender blue label speakers, and what look like the original power tubes (Fender Special Design 6L6 and 5U4). I haven't pulled the preamp tubes yet to see what those are. The speakers sound a bit tired when I turn the amp up, so I'm considering replacing those with an Eminence 1058/Ragin Cajun combo. Supposedly the amp was recently blackfaced by a local amp tech. As is, the amp has beautiful cleans, and really screams when you turn it up (although there is just a bit too much speaker distortion for my tastes).

I'm a little worried about the fact that it has the original power tubes - should I replace those, or is it ok to go with them for a while?

[Funky54]

Originally Posted by Cue Dog

So I ended up buying this amp yesterday ('78 VR), and so far I'm really digging it. It came with the original Fender blue label speakers, and what look like the original power tubes (Fender Special Design 6L6 and 5U4). I haven't pulled the preamp tubes yet to see what those are. The speakers sound a bit tired when I turn the amp up, so I'm considering replacing those with an Eminence 1058/Ragin Cajun combo. Supposedly the amp was recently blackfaced by a local amp tech. As is, the amp has beautiful cleans, and really screams when you turn it up (although there is just a bit too much speaker distortion for my tastes).

I'm a little worried about the fact that it has the original power tubes - should I replace those, or is it ok to go with them for a while?

Just a suggestion, but check out the mojo 10"s before you buy the eminence. Maybe have the tubes tested? If they sound good and someones been in there recent, I'd just test and make up your mind based on that. I like the Vibrolux over the deluxe myself.

[Guitar Dave T]

Originally Posted by Cue Dog

So I ended up buying this amp yesterday ('78 VR), and so far I'm really digging it. It came with the original Fender blue label speakers, and what look like the original power tubes (Fender Special Design 6L6 and 5U4). I haven't pulled the preamp tubes yet to see what those are. The speakers sound a bit tired when I turn the amp up, so I'm considering replacing those with an Eminence 1058/Ragin Cajun combo. Supposedly the amp was recently blackfaced by a local amp tech. As is, the amp has beautiful cleans, and really screams when you turn it up (although there is just a bit too much speaker distortion for my tastes).

I'm a little worried about the fact that it has the original power tubes - should I replace those, or is it ok to go with them for a while?

I would strongly recommend you ship the speakers to Freeman Tuell Speaker Repair in Dallas, a world reknown speaker reconer who's done work for Eric Johnson and Jeff Beck. They will make those speakers sound exactly like they did when they were new.

[drbob1]

Ah, I dunno, I don't think many of the late 70s Vibroluxes came with the best speakers in the world to start with. IF they're the CTS "swiss cheese" basket alnicos, yeah, definitely worth a recone. If they're Utah or Oxford, maybe just put them aside and drop in your favorite flavor of modern reissue, like the excellent Webers or even the Mojo vintage ones (pretty cheap and pretty good sounding, like a slightly fuller Jensen).

[Guitar Dave T]

Originally Posted by drbob1

Ah, I dunno, I don't think many of the late 70s Vibroluxes came with the best speakers in the world to start with. IF they're the CTS "swiss cheese" basket alnicos, yeah, definitely worth a recone. If they're Utah or Oxford, maybe just put them aside and drop in your favorite flavor of modern reissue, like the excellent Webers or even the Mojo vintage ones (pretty cheap and pretty good sounding, like a slightly fuller Jensen).

CTS, "swiss cheese" basket speakers were ceramics, not alnicos, and were part of some Fender amps around '63-'64. Their later alnicos were standard open basket frame design, and their later ceramics, from around '65 onward were also the same standard basket design.

IMO, the later ceramics (blue speaker label, disk shaped magnet, "137" speaker basket code) were some of the best sounding 10" speakers Fender used in Vibrolux and Super Reverbs. The early "swiss cheese" ones were harsh.

[trumpus]

Where in NC are you? I'm outside of Raleigh and also have a '78 VR. Had I seen this earlier, I would have replied to counter the notion (which you already know) that the VR had a pull-boost added to the circuit in later models. This is not true. Aside from the BF--> SF change, there were no changes to the circuit.

I love mine, but man is it loud! I've got an Emi RC/CH combo in mine, NOS Mullard 12AT7's, Tung Sol 12AX7's and Winged C 6L6's. The thing screams!!

[Cue Dog]

Guitar Dave - thanks for the recommendation on the recone. I'm hearing a bit of harshness (maybe cone cry?) when I turn it up, is the reason I was considering it. These Fender blue label speakers are definitely ceramics (at least they don't have the bell housing like alnicos), but I'll have to get the codes off of them today when I get home to see what the OEM manufacturer was. If it is the 137 speaker code I will definitely check into having them reconed. They sound beautiful at low volumes as-is, I just like to play loud!

trumpus - I'm in Morrisville. Actually, mine DOES have a pull volume boost. It gets louder when you pull it, but a lot brighter too, so I haven't messed with it too much. I like bright, but this is already a bright amp. However, I was under the impression that blackfacing these meant disabling the volume boost, so I think I am going to contact the amp tech who worked on it to see if he remembers this amp and can tell me what he knows about it. Honestly, mine is loud, but it is not as loud as I expected. Def quieter than my Palomino V32 (which I am selling to partly fund this one!) Did you replace the speakers in yours, or did it come with the RC/CH? How did you like the change? My next step after speakers is to look into some good glass for this thing...

Thanks for the suggestions guys, keep em coming!

[Cue Dog]

I checked the speaker codes - they are '137' which I guess makes them the original CTS ceramics. I just played the amp at volume, and they don't sound bad. It's just that the amp breaks up too early for my taste (about 3 on the volume with single coils). By the time I really get the amp working, the bass coming from the speakers is a bit too flabby. I don't know how these were supposed to sound new so I have no basis for comparison. I suppose that I could try lower gain preamp tubes to increase headroom. Would more efficient speakers help with the headroom issue significantly, along with tightening up the bass?

I can already tell that with a little TLC this amp is going to be a monster

[Guitar Dave T]

Originally Posted by Cue Dog

I checked the speaker codes - they are '137' which I guess makes them the original CTS ceramics. I just played the amp at volume, and they don't sound bad. It's just that the amp breaks up too early for my taste (about 3 on the volume with single coils). By the time I really get the amp working, the bass coming from the speakers is a bit too flabby. I don't know how these were supposed to sound new so I have no basis for comparison. I suppose that I could try lower gain preamp tubes to increase headroom. Would more efficient speakers help with the headroom issue significantly, along with tightening up the bass?

I can already tell that with a little TLC this amp is going to be a monster

CTS ceramic speakers from about '66 forward had a good, tight bottom end with articulate but warm highs. But no speakers sound good forever. You can either recone them or keep them original and in a box for safekeeping and your amp's future resell while you use some other speakers.

[Cue Dog]

10-4, thanks for the advice. I think I will try some new speakers, and make a decision on the recone after hearing what those do for this amp.

[Morgan24]

I have the exact same amp. Blackfaced the driver section and changed to adjustable bias. Put in Jensen P10R it sounds fantastic pure Stevie absolutely killer tone.