Yes, it's a blackface vibrolux. As you say, the standard 35 watt, dual 6l6 amp, tube rectifier, with reverb and trem. Actually, I lost the footswitch for the amp, and now I do not use it.mezcalhead wrote: So what Vibrolux do you have? I have a couple of old VRs as well and love them, so I'm curious as to how the Vibroverb clone sounds different .. it's the brownface '63 Vibroverb RI, right? so on the face of it, it looks pretty similar to a Vibrolux: 2x 6L6s for 35W, 2x10" speakers, trem and reverb.
As for the Vibroverb, it is a blackface clone to be exact. The original work was done by a a guy in Washington who specializes in making vibroverb clones from old bandmaster amps. This particular fella was born from an old silverface BM. The cabinet is, actually, a JD Newell. I use a good quality Lansing 15 AlNiCo--JBL would be better, but this is the same company so I'm okay with it. The tube configuration is similar to the vibrolux reverb: dual 6l6, tube rect., and the standard two channel, blackface preamp layout. The core difference, that I've noticed thus far, is the clean tone. I love how the 15 just completely fattens up my guitar. My two preamp modes are a little fatter, too-- healthier low end. The JM, being a brighter guitar, seems so much more balanced through this amp. It still has the classic tone of a jazzmaster, but now it is fuller, or more spacious, and easier to pull into the mix. I had to completely rethink my settings from the lux. The 2x10 accentuates the upper ranges of the jazzmaster, while the vibroverb will only do that if you turn up the treble--or activate the bright switch. Which I don't.
Another thing I have noticed is that if you crank the lux to about 5 on the vibrato channel, you will will have a very similar tone to the verb. That's where it begins to fatten those two 10 inch speakers quite nicely. You'd have to kill me in order to take away the vibrolux, but for the immediate future I think it will be given a break.
(gasps heard in the audience). The eventual goal being to have a dual amp setup.The only hard part of getting this amp into the fold was learning the characteristics of the single 15. You can't have grizzly distortion/drive, as it seems to really fuzz out the basic tone--mainly on chords. With my current settings, however, the 'verb now has a clear rhythm tone as well as a lead tone. Of course, the jury is still out on this amp. It does very well in when used for practices, and even recording has gone well. The only issue is whether it will do alright in medium-sized venues. The faith in the reliability of the Vibrolux is high for me, so it will accompany ever gig or session.
I haven't heard much about the 2x10 brown vibroverb. Though I would imagine these two amps sound a bit different. That being said, I've heard some good things. I think my last amp will be a brown amp--deluxe or princeton. I loooove the brownface tone.
Sorry if you wanted a lighter comparison. I'm pretty much writing my thoughts as I go on this one. I can always do a better review when I've had some time to think about it.
