Fender VibroVerb '63

Pretty simple amps for the time. Although they were also somewhat rare in the brownface configuration. History lesson for you. The brownface was basically the successor to the tweed, with added tone controls. They lasted into the early 60's and after that, Fender messed with the filters a bit and came out with the blackface, which ultimately killed off the brownfaces.

UTILIZATION

Mine is basically an all original 1x12 combo. No mods or anything to my knowledge. Still working 100%. It's a bit noisy. Nothing I can't deal with. These are a fair bit different than the princeton brownfaces. Obviously you are dealing with a different wattage and tonestack which results in a more controllable amp when we talk about the vibroverb.

SOUNDS

Talking about the sound of these is hard. The vibroverb has a pretty high level of headroom compared to a tweed. Fender designed them like this. Mine stays clean up until just before noon. That's where the dirt gives. Voicing wise, this is totally different from a blackface. There is no mid scoop. It's a broad sound. Almost marshall jtm45 sounding. The cleans are pretty complex though. A lot of people think you are supposed to only play these cranked up and driven hard. I don't think that's true. There are some great cleans in this unit. These are in some ways more aggressive than the tweeds. Definitely closer to a tweed than a blackface though.

OVERALL OPINION

I firmly believe that this is a rock amp. Say what you will. If you want cleans, then a blackface is probably in order. But if you want cleans and a cranked sound...go for a vibroverb. Really. I don't know if Fender is making reissues of this amp. They should. I think these originals are pretty underrated. There are a few boutique makers that are still doing copies, but usually you don't see many of these, you just see lots of tweed clones. Shame really. I think this is one of the best amps Fender every made and I believe they did for only 3 years.

I really love the sound of the old Fender amplifiers because they just give off a great brilliant clean tone that is accepting of whatever guitar you use or whatever distortion or effects or modulation that you're using. These kind of amplifiers really highlight and give a comfortable sound to most guitarists using any type of overdrive or delay type effects pedal. They're very forgiving amplifiers which most vintage amplifiers have a tendency to do. What that means is they a lot of times will cover up your mistakes and really blend in some sloppiness or lack of dynamics and give the player a better experience of playing by covering up the mistakes. That's one thing that is attractive with the vintage amplifiers is their ability to really blend in and cover up sloppiness and mistakes.

UTILIZATION


These amps are pretty easy to dial in and it doesn't really take a whole lot of figuring out or the need of a user manual. All the control knobs and but are pretty self explanatory and it just takes a good ear to find that perfect blend and sweet spot within this amplifier. You should have about 5 to 10 min. and you should be up and going with the solid sound from whatever current guitar or pedal board that you're using.

SOUNDS


These amplifier sound good in pretty much any setting that you put them in. They really excel at the clean tone but not really at the high gain tone. So if you're wanting this amplifier to really give you that aggressive preamp your not to get with this amp. This amplifier has very to little no gain involved in this tone. You are only going to getting get this thing to break up is if you crank the volume to obscene volume levels and get the power tubes to distort. Which in my opinion I've never really like the Fender distortion from the power tubes. In fact I've never really liked any type Fender distortion at all. These amplifiers really need a boost pedal or some sort of distortion pedal pushing the front end of it. If you don't have that and you're probably looking into clean blues type tone without it.

OVERALL OPINION


These amplifiers are pretty heavily in circulation and can be found pretty easily and most classified sections as well as eBay and other auction sites. If you look through craigslist you're bound to come across for example amps and with the gear prices as low as they are right now this is a great buy to get a vintage tone and a fantastic sounding amplifier. I highly recommend this amplifier to anyone is looking for that classic Fender clean tone and doesn't want spend a whole lot of money to do it. These vintage amplifiers are priced right about the same as many new amplifiers. So when you get is a great tone and a vintage tone at pretty much lower prices than a new amplifier reason many fender reissue amplifiers.

The Fender VibroVerb '63 is a rare tube amplifier that has only recently been reissued as far as I know. The amp shares a similar make up to many of the other vintage Fender amplifier but there definitely aren't close to as many of them out there as the Fender Twins or Pro Reverbs. The amp has two channels, each with 1/4" connections for inputs. There are a few outputs in the back, including for sending it an external speaker.

UTILIZATION

Regardless of your level of experience, using the Fender VibroVerb '63 shouldn't present users any problems. The first channel has parameters for volume, treble, and bass, as well as a bright switch, while the second channel also has the same parameters in addition to controls for reverb and vibrato, the latter of which gives you knobs for speed and intensity. This is more or less the same make up that you'll find on a variety of different Fender amps so it's pretty standard and users shouldn't be needing a manual because of this.

SOUNDS

I'm definitely a huge fan of the sound of the Fender VibroVerb '63. It's quite similar to that of many other Fender tube amps, which in my opinion are pretty much the best amps you can get. There is a reissue of this amp I believe, but this is the original and there definitely aren't that many of them out there. Of course it's best of clean sounds, but if you crank it you can definitely get some breaking up happening. The effects are top notch as well, as you'll find with the reverb and vibrato on any Fender tube amp. It simply doesn't get better...

OVERALL OPINION

While one of the more rare versions in the line of vintage Fender tube amps, the VibroVerb '63 is as good as any of them out there. Once you get into this class of amps, they're all going to be great - it's just a matter of preference. It's seriously hard to go wrong with the VibroVerb, but since it's pretty rare it's most likely not going to be worth seeking out as it will probably cost more than other amps out there. If you're not a collector or can't find a good deal on one of these, other Fender tube amps will definitely serve as fine replacements.

1990-1995 `63 Reissue Vibroverb

- Amplification lamps: 2 6L6 GC.
- Listing 35 watts rels, but should not be relied upon: admnage!
- 2 inputs + 2 between Deutsche RELATED rverbe the plates (vintage-power) and trmolo.
- Effects: See the above
- Circuit 6G16
- Weight: 20.7 kg
- Speakers: 2 x Oxford 10K5

UTILIZATION

- Configuration: Mac as a: one branch, you turn, you play!
- For sound, we are in the pure vintage, so IDAL for rock, blues, punk, etc ... Tip: add a Tube Screamer as a prampli because there is a volume knob! This amp has something unusual in the sound, heat and espce a grain which confrent an own characters. The whole thing is that if you have a good guitar (Start or gretsch recommended), sound is a pure approach to nirvana!
- You do not have the manual: D

SOUNDS

- Ideal: blues-rock.
- I play it with a Stratocaster and a Gibson SG US. In effect: see my page ...

OVERALL OPINION

- How long have you use it? : 1992
- What is the particular feature you like best and least? : The sound! (+++++++)
- Have you tried many other models before acqurir? : No
- How do you report qualitprix? : A bit expensive but the era much less than now!
- With the exprience, you do again this choice? : No hsiter, YES!