Author |
Topic: I´ve got a Vibrosonic |
Joerg Hennig
From: Bavaria, Germany
|
Posted 25 Jan 2003 8:12 am
|
|
I traded in my Fender Twin Reverb, (silverface, 135 watts, 2 12" JBL G-125) for a Vibrosonic like I wanted to do for some time. That amp looks just like a Twin, also from the ´70s/Silverface era, 100 watts and one JBL 15" (I think it´s a D-130). Only that the grille cloth is black. I took my steel to the store and tested both amps next to each other. The first thing I noticed was the Vibrosonic´s clarity. Every note stands out much more detailed. I thought maybe it would lack some highs, but they came through crystal clear. The Twin, in comparison, sounds more aggressive and rough. The real surprise was when I played the C6 neck. I didn´t know my ShoBud sounded that good. The Vibrosonic really brings out the natural tone of the guitar, and it´s got that Fender tube sound like it should. I´d even say for steel it´s one of the best amps I´ve ever heard. It´s also a good deal lighter, I mean, not really lightweight, but it definitely won´t break my back like the Twin with 2 12" JBL´s would. So, if you´re looking for a GREAT Fender tube amp for steel and find a Vibrosonic, go for it, you won´t regret it. Unfortunately, they don´t make ´em like that anymore...
Regards, Joe H.
|
|
|
|
Tyler Macy
From: San Diego, CA, USA
|
Posted 25 Jan 2003 10:43 am
|
|
Sounds like you done a good thing! I have a '69 twin with D120s, and I have a D130 on the way to put in an extension cab- how do you think it'll sound with both the 15" and the 12"s going?
Just the 12s sound pretty sweet with my Pro III. |
|
|
|
Joerg Hennig
From: Bavaria, Germany
|
Posted 25 Jan 2003 12:33 pm
|
|
I´ve never played with an extension cab, Tyler, just one thing I noticed when I played with 2 12" speakers on stage was that as soon as I got into certain low frequency ranges, the reproduction just wasn´t there, almost like a sudden "hole" in the sound. I think this won´t occur at home volumes. On the other hand, two 12" speakers have somewhat more "punch" in the midrange. So I guess the 15" extension cab will give you the best of both worlds. Good luck.
Joe H. |
|
|
|
Roger Rettig
From: Naples, FL
|
Posted 25 Jan 2003 1:37 pm
|
|
I had a Vibrosonic when I was back in the UK - I loved it, but traded it for an Evans. Both of these amps sounded great with steel AND Tele, and I still have that Evans today. The Fender gave me some minor reliability problems, but I'm sure they weren't typical.
The first amp I bought after moving to the US was a Musicman 65-115 (I got it from Redd Volkaert) - it's a little weighty, so it stays at home in the music room, but it sounds wonderful; I don't think you can beat tubes and a 15" speaker!
------------------
Roger Rettig |
|
|
|
KENNY KRUPNICK
From: Columbus, Ohio
|
Posted 25 Jan 2003 10:25 pm
|
|
Joe, I have a Vibrosonic that I bought new back in 1980,and it sounds great. It's the 135 watt model. I put a JBL E-130 in it not long after I bought it. Crystal clear,clean tone. |
|
|
|
Joe Smith
From: Charlotte, NC, USA
|
Posted 25 Jan 2003 11:54 pm
|
|
Good choice Joe. I love my Vibrosonic. I have a Peavy 112E Cabinet and I set my amp on top of it. The amp has an even fuller sound with the extension speaker. |
|
|
|
Joerg Hennig
From: Bavaria, Germany
|
Posted 26 Jan 2003 10:36 am
|
|
Just a note on history: Kenny, I guess that means when they changed the Twin´s output to 135 watts in around ´77, they did that to the Vibrosonic too? So mine was probably built before that. |
|
|
|
Ken Fox
From: Nashville GA USA
|
Posted 26 Jan 2003 3:01 pm
|
|
The Vibrosonic was also changed to 135 watts. |
|
|
|
KENNY KRUPNICK
From: Columbus, Ohio
|
Posted 26 Jan 2003 11:42 pm
|
|
Yes, the Vibrosonic was up'd to 135 watts,and they started using Electro-Voice speakers,and that's when I put in a JBL E-130 as I stated in the previous post. These amps are keepers. |
|
|
|