Fender Twin Reverb or Vibrolux opinions?

[Studiobuddy]

well i started playing guitar again after a 2 year hiatus due to the fact i was focused more on physical activities such as kung fu, kickboxing, boxing, grappling, weights. so im starting to jam again and its time to get a real tube amp and i have came very close to buying one dozens of times but never seemed to commit on the purchase. now me and my dad both play guitar ( i play more jazz and contemporary , rock...while he plays country) anyways i think hes getting a new guitar like gretsch, strat or another tele..and i might get a cheaper ibanez hollowbody. we wanted to get a quality fender amp and I believe its a toss up between the fender twin reverb or vibrolux...what do yall think in terms of clean sounding between these amps? they both sound fantastic as i had the chance of playing a twin reverb the first time last saturday. i didnt play the vibrolux but ive had before and it sounded great as well...which amp would have a more glossy and creamy tone? also theres the twin reverb 65' reissue...how does that compare to the regular twin? if we could..im sure we would take a vibroverb!!!!...but there just to expensive!!!

 

[Hot _Grits]

Re: Fender Twin Reverb or Vibrolux opinions?

Well, the custom vibrolux reverb is a cool amp, but it's very different to the pro tube twin.

I'd say choose the vibrolux if you like the idea of a fatter pre-blackface clean and low-mid gain overdrive, and don't need a lot of clean headroom. A great choice for rootsier styles and blues, and incredibly portable in a watts to kilos sense.

If you need clean headroom, high volume and the ability to switch to a high gain channel, check out the pro tube twin. this is the most versatile of the amps you mentioned, but also the biggest b*tch to lug around.

If you really only want a loud, sparkly blackface clean, get the 65 ri twin.

 

[Studiobuddy]

Re: Fender Twin Reverb or Vibrolux opinions?

i was about to get a fender twin amp some years ago that was barely used for 500 dollars! at guitar center on a special sale....so we call the dude to hold it for us like cpl days before we would come to get it....though he sold it....what a dishonest liar!!!!

though were lookin more towards the fender twin or vibrolux....so whats the difference between a 65 reissue and regular twin reverb besides its a couple hundred dollars more?

also how does the vibrolux stack up against the twin reverb for jazz? how bout that classic country twang with a tele? cuz i know the twin reverb and tele are a classic combination

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Fender Twin Reverb or Vibrolux opinions?

I played a Twin Reverb for many years. They're way to loud for most playing situations.

A smaller amp like the Vibrolux can be turned up to get a little natural overdrive
whereas a Twin at the same volume would be loud and to clean for most players.

Personally, I like an amp with even less output than the Vibrolux for 90% of the gigs I do...I use my 22 watt Deluxe Reverb as my main amp.

Lew

 

[Bludave]

Re: Fender Twin Reverb or Vibrolux opinions?

Lew beat me to it, but I would also recommend looking at the Deluxe Reverb RI. The RI is not as good as the real thing, but at 22 watts you can push them into a natural overdrive without blowing the windows out of the house. Its a great amp. Trying to find an amp that can cover Country through Jazz in one box could be hard. The Vibrolux and a Telecaster is a combination that is hard to beat when it comes to Country, yet the Vibrolux can be a little to ballsy for Jazz. I guess it depends on what flavor of Jazz you play.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Fender Twin Reverb or Vibrolux opinions?

Lew beat me to it, but I would also recommend looking at the Deluxe Reverb RI. The RI is not as good as the real thing, but at 22 watts you can push them into a natural overdrive without blowing the windows out of the house. Its a great amp. Trying to find an amp that can cover Country through Jazz in one box could be hard. The Vibrolux and a Telecaster is a combination that is hard to beat when it comes to Country, yet the Vibrolux can be a little to ballsy for Jazz. I guess it depends on what flavor of Jazz you play.

Of course, Danny Gatton sounded pretty doggone jazzy when he played jazz with his '53 tele through his Vibrolux-Reverb...

Danny was one in a million though.:1:

 

[Studiobuddy]

Re: Fender Twin Reverb or Vibrolux opinions?

well the vibrolux from what i remember sounded great but the twin reverb is just a classic! im sure i could get some nice distortion with a full tone, the american woman pedal, or a big muff....but what i would like to know is whats the difference between the fender twin reverb and fender twin reverb 65' reissue? also what about the new super sonic by fender? or possibably a cyber twin?

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Fender Twin Reverb or Vibrolux opinions?

well the vibrolux from what i remember sounded great but the twin reverb is just a classic! im sure i could get some nice distortion with a full tone, the american woman pedal, or a big muff....but what i would like to know is whats the difference between the fender twin reverb and fender twin reverb 65' reissue? also what about the new super sonic by fender? or possibably a cyber twin?

One is REALLY, REALLY LOUD!!! and handwired and the other is REALLY, REALLY LOUD!!! and uses a printed circuit board.

If you want one, go for one made in 1974 or before.

Lew

 

[Studiobuddy]

Re: Fender Twin Reverb or Vibrolux opinions?

One is REALLY, REALLY LOUD!!! and handwired and the other is REALLY, REALLY LOUD!!! and uses a printed circuit board.

If you want one, go for one made in 1974 or before.

Lew

well my dad doesnt want to get an old one...he'd rather get a brand new one and he has owned twin reverbs back in the 60's...so basically were lookin for a new amp...so i guess the 65' reissue does not have too much difference...though what are your thoughts on the new supersonic? i never seen one until saturday? and also the cyber twin? i use to play on them years ago at the store...all i remembered is the knobs change electronically

 

[Hot _Grits]

Re: Fender Twin Reverb or Vibrolux opinions?

well the vibrolux from what i remember sounded great but the twin reverb is just a classic! im sure i could get some nice distortion with a full tone, the american woman pedal, or a big muff....but what i would like to know is whats the difference between the fender twin reverb and fender twin reverb 65' reissue? also what about the new super sonic by fender? or possibably a cyber twin?

Do what anyone else would do: go to fender.com and looking at the technical specs for each amp. Basically, the pro tube twin has a switchable overdrive channel, effects loop and other modern features. The reissue is a non-channel switcher that you have to crank to overdrive (and at that point your head will be starting to implode, unless you happen to live in a basketball arena). The clean sound of the reissue is more classic than the pro tube, to my ear, but the pro tube is no slouch either.

listen carefully: NEVER buy an amp because it's a 'classic'. Buy an amp because you like the sound(s) it produces. Usually when an amp has 'classic' status, it's because it's a great piece of gear that a lot of people find a use for, but that is no guarantee that it'll work for you.

For example, I find that the 59 bassman, in all it's reissue and boutique copy forms, just doesn't work for my tastes. it's still a classic, but I prefer tweed supers, bandmasters and deluxes. And I prefer tweed twins over black or silverface twins, unless I'm using a really thick sounding humbucker guitar.I may have initially tried the BF twin and tweed bassman based on their reputation but in the end what works for me and what doesn't is purely a function of plugging into an amp seeing if i like what I hear/feel.

If you have retailers within practical reach, get off the internet, and go try some amps. In fact, try as many amps as you can get your hands on. it'll be fun and you'll learn a lot. I have a feeling the vibrolux or deluxe reverb ri would be a more practical buy for you than either twin, but in the end your ears should be the only deciding factor. Now go forth and get some tone...

 

[Hot _Grits]

Re: Fender Twin Reverb or Vibrolux opinions?

oh, and the supersonic is a cool amp. the vibrolux setting on the clean channel is a little glassy for my tastes, but the bassman setting sounds great, and the overdrive has some awesome low-mid gain tones and is capable of a boogie-like high gain. A cool amp that covers a lot of ground.

 

[Studiobuddy]

Re: Fender Twin Reverb or Vibrolux opinions?

Do what anyone else would do: go to fender.com and looking at the technical specs for each amp. Basically, the pro tube twin has a switchable overdrive channel, effects loop and other modern features. The reissue is a non-channel switcher that you have to crank to overdrive (and at that point your head will be starting to implode, unless you happen to live in a basketball arena). The clean sound of the reissue is more classic than the pro tube, to my ear, but the pro tube is no slouch either.

listen carefully: NEVER buy an amp because it's a 'classic'. Buy an amp because you like the sound(s) it produces. Usually when an amp has 'classic' status, it's because it's a great piece of gear that a lot of people find a use for, but that is no guarantee that it'll work for you.

For example, I find that the 59 bassman, in all it's reissue and boutique copy forms, just doesn't work for my tastes. it's still a classic, but I prefer tweed supers, bandmasters and deluxes. And I prefer tweed twins over black or silverface twins, unless I'm using a really thick sounding humbucker guitar.I may have initially tried the BF twin and tweed bassman based on their reputation but in the end what works for me and what doesn't is purely a function of plugging into an amp seeing if i like what I hear/feel.

If you have retailers within practical reach, get off the internet, and go try some amps. In fact, try as many amps as you can get your hands on. it'll be fun and you'll learn a lot. I have a feeling the vibrolux or deluxe reverb ri would be a more practical buy for you than either twin, but in the end your ears should be the only deciding factor. Now go forth and get some tone...

i do indeed love the sound of the twin reverb! it was everything i was hoping for when i played through it saturday...but the vibrolux even though its been 2 years had a nice tone but i think it was a little more warm and possibably muddy..so anyways anyone know bout the supersonic or cybertwin?

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Fender Twin Reverb or Vibrolux opinions?

well my dad doesnt want to get an old one...he'd rather get a brand new one and he has owned twin reverbs back in the 60's...so basically were lookin for a new amp...so i guess the 65' reissue does not have too much difference...though what are your thoughts on the new supersonic? i never seen one until saturday? and also the cyber twin? i use to play on them years ago at the store...all i remembered is the knobs change electronically

The old one will be better made and hold it's value. Look for a used silverface Twin Reverb from 1968 to 1974. Do not over pay (compare on Ebay) and when you find out its to heavy, to loud and to clean for what you need you can sell it again for what you paid for it. You'll lose money on the reissue when you sell it. But its your money...or at least your dad's.

 

[Hot _Grits]

Re: Fender Twin Reverb or Vibrolux opinions?

The old one will be better made and hold it's value. Look for a used silverface Twin Reverb from 1968 to 1974. Do not over pay (compare on Ebay) and when you find out its to heavy, to loud and to clean for what you need you can sell it again for what you paid for it. You'll lose money on the reissue when you sell it. But its your money...or at least your dad's.

Spot on.

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: Fender Twin Reverb or Vibrolux opinions?

If you want loud and clean a Twin Reverb is the way to get there however I woud not waste my money on a reissue...they use crappy parts that are on a PCB, they use marginal speakers and a junky cab...do like Lew said and search out a very late 60's or early 70's SF version and you'll be MUCH happier in the long run...

 

[greco]

Re: Fender Twin Reverb or Vibrolux opinions?

I second the Deluxe Reverb suggestion.

However, I would certainly get an old one for the reasons stated previously.

They are fantasic amps IMHO.

Dave

 

[Empty Pockets]

Re: Fender Twin Reverb or Vibrolux opinions?

I can say that the SuperSonic is exactly what I want in an amp, and suites my needs perfectly...but I play high-gain fuzzed-out stoner metal that's heavily influenced by the blues. It's REALLY versatile tho...the cleans are crystal clear and the dirt can get really gnarly.

If you get a Twin, you'll never turn it up past 1 and your tone will be flat and lifeless. That might be good for jazz, don't a lot of jazz guys use solid state amps anyway?

 

[Bludave]

Re: Fender Twin Reverb or Vibrolux opinions?

The only thing I will add to what Lew said is buy a Silverface Twin, but one with out a master volume. The MV Fenders are not as good IMHO they sound brittle and thin. The price of a used Silver is about the same as a new 65RI. IMHO the SF will sound better and will be easier to sell if you decide to get out of it.

 

[Skarekrough]

Re: Fender Twin Reverb or Vibrolux opinions?

Twins are wonderful amps.....until it's you that has to move them.

 

[louthunder]

Re: Fender Twin Reverb or Vibrolux opinions?

I can honestly say that I don't care much for the 65 RI twin reverb at all. I owned a 65RI custom 15 twin rev.. It was, the worst amp I have owned in 10 years, and I've owned a bunch. It sounded, thin and had no life whatsoever. I am a Fender guy too!. I Like the tweed tone, and the old blackface tone. The early silverface Fenders are great too(1968-1974).I think the difference is the lack of a Rectifier tube and the crappy circuit board. Fender used to make the best amps on the planet,the bean counters have destroyed the mojo!!