Fender Error

[Gunny47]

How come Fender has "Vibrato" printed on their amps when it is really tremolo, not vibrato? And a Tweed Vibrolux, wasn't that a tremolo amp also, not vibrato? Before I started getting into gear seriously, I always thought Twin Reverbs really have the vibrato, not tremolo. The things that made vibrato were the Leslies and Vibratones. Im just wondering what posessed them to do that back in the 50s and 60s...

 

[Vasshu the humanoid typhoon]

Re: Fender Error

Vibrato is the modulated sound without any of the clean guitar signal.

 

[CapoFirstFret]

Re: Fender Error

I always thought fender had it backwards because he wasn't a guitar player...he called it vibrato on an amp that had tremolo, and he called it a tremolo system on a guitar that had a vibrato bar.. *shrug*

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Fender Error

Vibrato alters the pitch.

Tremolo alters the volume in a pulsing kind of way we're all familiar with.

You're right.

A Strat guitar has a vibrato.

A Fender Vibrolux amp has tremolo.

A Fender Tremolux amp has...tremolo too!

 

[idsnowdog]

Re: Fender Error

The only amps that had true vibrato were old magnatone's.

 

[Gunny47]

Re: Fender Error

This question has been lurking in my head for almost years now... I love tremolo and vibrato. I really want to buy a Fender Vibratone, but my dad is OCD and doesnt let me buy stuff that is "used" or "vintage." "You are better off getting a reissue because they wont have the rusty electronics and wont be dangerous." I keep telling him that the only parts that you really need to worry about are the caps, and I would bring a vintage amp to a tech and get a cap job. And I would get new tubes also if need be and the tech would test the amp out to see if it is fine. And thats for amps, a Vibratone doesnt involve that much maintence.

Anyway, just wanted to get you guys thinking about that.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Fender Error

Leo Fender. What a moron! :fingersx: :27: :smack: :chairfall

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Fender Error

Anyway, just wanted to get you guys thinking about that.

It's actually something that was pointed out to me many years ago...but you are right.

 

[Curly]

Re: Fender Error

I really want to buy a Fender Vibratone, but my dad is OCD and doesnt let me buy stuff that is "used" or "vintage." "You are better off getting a reissue because they wont have the rusty electronics and wont be dangerous."

I'd suggest finding one of the many recent articles regarding the investment value of vintage gear, although it does apply more to guitars than amps.

that said, I'm not sure I'd invest in a Vibratone.

 

[Gunny47]

Re: Fender Error

Nah, Im not going to get one anytime soon. I think it would be a cool thing to expierence. Im going to get a few modulation pedals, including the Electro Harmonix The Wiggler which has a great Leslie simulation and some other tremolo settings and rotating speaker settings.

 

[drew_half_empty]

Re: Fender Error

Leo Fender. What a moron! :fingersx: :27: :smack: :chairfall

pfft, compared to jim marshall he's albert einstein

 

[Jocelyn]

Re: Fender Error

Yes and since Leo called his Vibrato on the strat a TREMELO Most after market "vibratos" also call the TREMELOS...sighhh...... I too was very confused when I was first told this.. but once it was expalined to me just like how Lew put it "Vibrato alters the pitch.Tremolo alters the volume in a pulsing kind of way we're all familiar with." I understood what Tremlo and Vibrato means.... I love them both however.

 

[D-EJ915]

Re: Fender Error

...he was an engineer too...wasn't he?

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Fender Error

pfft, compared to jim marshall he's albert einstein

Of course, my comment was a tongue in cheek joke, even though I like British amps more than American. The one thing Marshall did wrong was not figuring out how to add a nice reverb to EL-34 amps. What an idiot! :6: :chairfall

 

[Stratman]

Re: Fender Error

The only amps that had true vibrato were old magnatone's.

Which is why Fender called their amps differently (e.g., potential lawsuit back in the late 50's)

 

[CapoFirstFret]

Re: Fender Error

idiots in this world, where would we be without them :bowdown: for idiots!

 

[Stratman]

Re: Fender Error

I'd suggest finding one of the many recent articles regarding the investment value of vintage gear, although it does apply more to guitars than amps.

that said, I'm not sure I'd invest in a Vibratone.

I have a Fender Vibratone and it's a one trick animal.

Nice effect, but can be easily overused; which ruins the effect.

Heavy and requires belt tensioning/replacement every couple years.

Decrease in volume and needs to be miked since sound comes out the sides.

Other than than and when mixed with another amp - It's a nice piece of equipment.

 

[jdm61]

Re: Fender Error

I always thought fender had it backwards because he wasn't a guitar player...he called it vibrato on an amp that had tremolo, and he called it a tremolo system on a guitar that had a vibrato bar.. *shrug*

You are correct, sir:fingersx:

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Fender Error

What idiots! :laugh2: :laugh2: :laugh2: :chairfall

 

[hareek]

Re: Fender Error

I never realized that until this thread. That is pretty backwards. I've always called it a "wammy bar", not a "tremolo" even though that was the technical term. I'm gonna call it a "vibrato" from now on though and maybe the trend will catch on.