Just for LesStrat

[B Bent]

So all of you know that I LOVE my 75 Vibrolux Reverb. The only thing I have done to it is throw a set of Weber 10" in it and some nice Tung-Sols and TAD tubes all the way around. Other than that it is bone stock. It needs a cap job and I am going to Blackface it soon.

TGWIF keeps telling me, like a wise old man, that "you haven't really heard that amp yet until you get a cap job and BF it".

Well Mr. Christian is the reason I even have this amp.He found it at a local used music store. He saved me from going broke buying up boutique amps and turning them because they didn't do what i wanted. He usually is right, but I am curious from all of the experiences you guys have.....just how big of a difference will a cap job and BFing an already great sounding amp make?





Oh yeah I'll set it to you for $5000 if you are interested!!


Sorry Stephen nothing as exciting as selling an amp or buying an amp.

 

[Scott_F]

Re: Just for LesStrat

My advice is that if you love the tone of the amp and it's now just stock, leave it stock. Why change somethig you're in love with? Many folks feel the silver face reverb is superior in tone to the blackface reverb effect.

The ONLY caps I'd change in it would be the electrolytics (the big ones under the dog house).

Leave it alone if you love the tone. 20 years from now, it's going to have great vintage value. Blackfacing it will invariably screw up the value. If you're not worried about value and you want to try to squeeze out another 5-10 percent, then tread lightly and find someone you trust.

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: Just for LesStrat

I have to disagree...a SF Fender will NEVER be worth what a good BF will be worth. Those mid 70's SF Fender amps all need cap jopbs by now as well as fresh tubes and a bias adjustment. Also, in my experience and IMO a SF Fender, even if it sounds "good" can be made to sound "great" after being blackfaced. I'll even go another step further and say that all 70's SF Fenders need to have new cabs as well!

I am not taking a pot shot at Greg's amp but it is what it is...it's a 1975 Vibrolux Reverb...not a 65 Vibrolux Reverb, a vintage Marshall, or a Trainwreck...it's just an old Fender amp. It is a good osunding amp but with a few things (blackfacing, bias adjustment, and a new cab) it could be a great souding amp.

Greg, if you don't want to do anything else to it because you feel that it's fine as is thats cool...it's no skin off my back at all but if you really want the killer Vibrolux Reverb tone that all the guys talk about you have the core of it right there...

 

[B Bent]

Re: Just for LesStrat

^^^^ i talked to Jeff Andrews today. I am in luck. He has a 74 Lux that has all of the mods I want done to mine sitting in his shop. He said I am more than welcome to come by and a/b them.

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: Just for LesStrat

^^^^ i talked to Jeff Andrews today. I am in luck. He has a 74 Lux that has all of the mods I want done to mine sitting in his shop. He said I am more than welcome to come by and a/b them.

Then go!!!

Do I remember that his 74 also have a new cab???

I know it's a lot of cheese in the long run but that amp will sound amazing after being bl;ackfaced and getting put in a new cab.

Anywway...on to a new topic...

How the hell do you get 2 new forum gloss' in less than a month and im still stuck being the Obscureologist?!

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Just for LesStrat

Not to play the Devil's advocate, or anything. LOL

 

[PUCKBOY99]

Re: Just for LesStrat

:chairfall :laugh2: :laugh2: :laugh2:

Those Tone Kings look W O N D E R F U L Greg :32:

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: Just for LesStrat

Greg can't stand the idea of a $1300 dollar amp...a $3100+ amp will never happen!!!

 

[LesStrat]

Re: Just for LesStrat

I understand the "improved tone" suggestions, but I fail to see the argument of value. It will be worth more financially stock than modded.

I KNEW you couldn't go much longer! :chairfall

BTW, you might not want Lindsay to see that last comment in Post#1.

 

[krankguitarist]

Re: Just for LesStrat

I don't see how it could be worth any less modded. I mean, the blackfacing itself isn't a "visable" mod unless ya open up the chassis. That, and it's not exactly like people are scooping up the 75's by the truckload. Sure, its a vintage amp, but not a perticularly "sought-after" amp, at least compared to its pre-1965 counterparts.

I certainly doubt that the mods would significantly increase the resale value of the amp, but I don't see how (unless there's a resurgence of enthusiasm for CBS-era fender amps) It could possibly damage the value.

 

[firebirdV]

Re: Just for LesStrat

I don't see how it could be worth any less modded. I mean, the blackfacing itself isn't a "visable" mod unless ya open up the chassis. That, and it's not exactly like people are scooping up the 75's by the truckload. Sure, its a vintage amp, but not a perticularly "sought-after" amp, at least compared to its pre-1965 counterparts.

I certainly doubt that the mods would significantly increase the resale value of the amp, but I don't see how (unless there's a resurgence of enthusiasm for CBS-era fender amps) It could possibly damage the value.

Old caps sound different. I hope he doesn't pull out the molded tubular astrons out, but it is his amp.

 

[krankguitarist]

Re: Just for LesStrat

Old caps sound different. I hope he doesn't pull out the molded tubular astrons out, but it is his amp.

If its even got any of those, that is. AFAIK the blue molded caps started being more scarcely used in the 70's. Probably has a few of the "chocolate drop" caps in there right now. I know those aren't too well thought of for the "sonic" properties. I pulled one out of my '68 showman reverb a while back.