Vintage 1964 Fender Vibroverb Amp Phoenix Michaels Part 1

[LifeBloodMarketing]

Pure..Beauty.

[bluesbrother1966]

I just came in my pants.

[apgwheeler]

I was thinking the guy below who said he didn't like your dirty tone. I think it's because of the amp's articulation. We are all used to amps these days that drop the mids, and make a lot of mud when they distort as a "wall of sound". With a beautiful amp this articulate, that is never going to happen - you will always have beautiful note/lick articulation unless you intentionally EQ from other than the face of the amp. It's a cool distortion, just not what most folks are used to hearing.

[phoenixmichaels]

@apgwheeler Could be, sure. With hardly any lead solos in today's pop rock, that tone U refer 2 is utilized as a heavy underpinning of a song. However try using that tone 2 shred; as U describe, no articulation or separation of notes = MUD. My roots R in the distant past; Ritchie Blackmore,Trower,Hendrixi, Page, etc. My rythym tone is intended 2 mix in, not saturate. My lead tone is designed 2 articulate each note within complex structures. Just my preference, lotsa choices out there 4 evry1

[apgwheeler]

@phoenixmichaels and kudos to you for sticking to your roots. So much these days is just watered down. Try tracing roots back now listening to a lot of stuff on the radio "pop" stations, etc., good luck! I liked your overdriven tone and was sort of hoping you'd go into a bit of a 1970s Trower or 60s Hendrix thing through that amp. Maybe some other time!

[vecinto]

@apgwheeler I think the distaste for the dirty tone here is because of the super bright speaker with the aluminum dustcap. It can get fizzy sounding for some. But with a less bright speaker, note articulation is still good for every genre. It is certainly possible to get heavy sounding whilst retaining articulation/tastefulness. My roots are more into today's music than any other decade, and I don't understand the appeal of the modern hard rock "Nickelback" wall of sound tone at all.

[humanrights4all]

What a TONE!!!!!!

[StevenChandlerArtist]

the inside looks like my '64 Tremolux, minus reverb, wonder what more was different?

[RichRobinson]

Beautiful.

[Suburbianone]

Perfect Amp!

[StratTone]

Hey that was not the choke. That was the reverb tranny. Great looking amp for sure. Would love to have that one.

[phoenixmichaels]

@StratTone My girl was running the camera across the chassis as I was commenting on parts... so we got a bit out of sinc LOL. LOTS of folks pointed this out of course, hope it doesnt ruin the vid for ya. I did LOVE having this amp a few years... hope you too get the chance one day.

Thanx for stopping by!

[mrprogjazzgto]

WAHOOOOOOOOO..!

Great pickin..!

Sweeeet Fender TONE of Pleasure..!

I just built a Vibroverb clone using a modified Fender Super reverb chassis and a JBL D130F.

Cost

[dyingforastrat]

This is absolutely amazing video, you should get primetime special to do this,forget y.t. Made my day man, Fantastic upload

[BlueMoonGuitar]

Excellent review.

That is one SWEET amplifier :)

VERY Nice to see one in such pristine condition... Thanks for posting!

[paulscape72]

That's awesome...I almost bought a vibroverb clone...but I already have a dual showman reverb and don't need another big fender. Amazing condition for 64.

[32251]

I have one of those in just about the same condition. Great amps.

[Reagan3633]

Phoenix,

This demo is excellent! I love the detail description of the technical aspects of the amp. Real education for someone like me as I research these amps to be able to purchase a Vibroverb.

[RubHerSoul1]

look at that speaker cone peeking thru the grill cloth! that is just pure sex to my eyes!

[phoenixmichaels]

Well... it's dang CLOSE LOL, I'll go that far.

Phoenix

[Japocaster1]

DROOOOOOOOL !!! I too played through big watt amps in the 80's until I learned about tone. I sold my 2205 Marshall rig And my musicman HD130, and now have a slew of Champs, Bronco, VibroChamp, Princetons, and an old blackface Bandmaster (gotta have one with some juice). Still on the hunt for a nice Vibroverb like yours, and a DR. That has got to be the nicest V V I've ever seen. And your Big Star is amazing. Nice catch.

[JDGuitaristT]

your clean tone and playing is outstanding. the distortion, however... : /

[phoenixmichaels]

Wassup JD? Isn't that the way it is LOL? 1 guy for example was voted as 1 of the worst tones EVER in GP mag...WAY 2 much gain they say... yet everyone knows who Randy Rhodes is, & he has a zillion guys trying to sound like him. I've heard similar comments,yet others email me begging 4 a schematic of my signal chain 2 achieve a similar sound. Tone is SUCH a subjective thing, & there cant be 1 "correct" sound.Good thing, or we'd all sound the same.Thanx visiting, hope we C a vid from U soon!

[pitis2flie]

Hey I'm kinda a newbie so just out of curiosity: say you plug your guitar into one of the channels, then run a short cable between the 2 channels on the amp and set the volumes at different levels, can you use one as a master volume and the other as an "overdrive" control? Any response would be greatly appreciated.

[phoenixmichaels]

@pitis2flie I believe U refer to "Jumping" two channels. This is fairly common with Marshall users, but I dont do it with my Fenders because the Normal & Vibrato channels are out of phase with each other. I am not experienced with it myself, but my understanding is it may seem to or actually add a small amount of gain. It surely does add an entire new array of tonal qualities by mixing both channels variously. I dont think it makes one volume a "master" however. Comments from others out there?

[Grandwazoo67]

Great demo Phoenix! ever try the 64 Vibroverb custom reissue with the Cesar Diaz mods? How does it compare to the original & what do you think of the mods?

[CardinalEgan]

You mention that it has a JBL D130. Is it a straight D130 or D130F?

peace

[bababanana1]

WOWOWOWOWOW!What an amp!Fender amps are amazing...and that seems like the cream of the crop.......And it's not built like a small tank...unlike my back breaking twin reverb!!!!!!I know what I'm gonna be dreaming of.....sigh.................

[phoenixmichaels]

I feel your pain LOL. I used a Twin Reverb in the 80's. It was reliable and always did the job of course... but I just came to love a 40 or 50 watt amp much better as I grew 2 learn more about tone. Much better 2 turn the amp up to 7/8 and push those tubes. The Twin I never turned up past 4, even in big clubs... 2 much headroom and power 4 me now. And then there's the issue of tube vrs. solid state rectifiers, the Twin using the SS. Anyway, not so heavey with a jensen... but with JBL yes LOL.

[akaboo69]

are you using a didstortion pedal or is that power tube saturation

[luderick62]

very tasteful playing and a great touch you have Phoenix.

[phoenixmichaels]

Hey thanks, you're very kind... and I love hearing from one of the people of the Great country of Australia, our longtime allies and friends! I'll be watching to see you posting a video (hopefully soon!) so we can all enjoy your playing! Best regards

Phoenix

[iamsillyyesiam]

Its videos like this that make me wanna take a trip to the US. We are falling over old Voxs and Marshalls, but you'll never find a decent Fender in laying around.

Took months to find a Blackface Bassman I liked and cost double what it would in the US. Nothing is like a Fender, this thing is up there on my wish list with a Tweed Twin and Prince Reverb.

ps I know its spelt chasis, but its pronounced Sha-see. Sorry its almost as irritating as people failing to say vehicle and ending up Vee-hikel

[MaxPaws]

What a classic! Wich you had really CRANKED it a bit! ;-)

Any chance you can tell me exactly what is says on the faceplate under the Jewell?

[phoenixmichaels]

Sure... Fender Elect. Inst. Co.

Basically what you see on the pre-CBS amps, after which they changed to "Fender Musical Instruments Co."

[9graff9]

crank the reverb all the way buddy!!!!!

[phoenixmichaels]

LOL you just cant win... lots of people saying "WAY too much reverb dude!". It again demonstrates that there is no one "correct" sound, and that there is a very wide array of sonic preferences.

Phoenix

[carpybv]

hey - awesome post - loved to hear about the history etc. wondered if you have any opinion or if you've heard the re-issue of this amp? (the one with the cesar diaz mods that was made for a few years at the start of this century). cheers!

[rixills]

oh man, 4 minutes into now, please play the amp now haha

[phoenixmichaels]

I hear ya LOL... but we do like to do the history thing, as well as a complete peek into the amp itself. Obviously more in-depth than you would have preferred, but some people do like it. Thanks for stopping by!

Phoenix

[luukdoedens]

Hey Phoenix great that Fender Vibroverb amp !! you must see my collection, you can look me up at youtube, search for misterbassman..

[phoenixmichaels]

I did take a peek... sweet! Looks a lot like the rooms here at The Altar Of Amps LOL. Vunderbar!

Phoenix

[watkinscopicat]

amazing amp!!

[phoenixmichaels]

72-82 bassman 10 4x10, 50 watts, $450

72-77 bassman50 2x12 50 watts $450

72-77 Bassman 100 4x12 100 watts $525

[augfive]

hello,, I am thinking of buying a bassman 59 reissue used.. one option has the blue alnico spoeakers ..the otehr the jensens...which do you think is better? ive heard conflicting reviews.. and you seem to know youre stuff.. thanks!

[phoenixmichaels]

Hmmm... well, I'm not a big fan of current production amps, so-called "re-issues" which are nothing like the original amps in circuitry, or the new production speakers either. For the money you might spend on a used re-issue bassman, a guy could buy any number of vintage Fender bass amps with PTP hand wiring and original old Jensens. below is a list of vintage bass amps in that price range (continued)

[darkarbiter7]

Nice!

You seem to know your amps... Internally (inside the amplifier itself, speakers aside), what is the difference between a Super Reverb and a Vibroverb?

[phoenixmichaels]

I'm certainly no "expert" on amps... just have owned so very many here at the Altar, so I guess i have that sort of experience.

You will get arguments about any comment I make about the difference between VV's and SR's. Here's what I've seen with both amps using the AB763 circuit: Some will say that the SR has a beefier output tranny, others that they use the same one... regardless it has to be to an 8 ohm load for the VV. The SR has a middle control on the Vibrato channel, (coninued)

[phoenixmichaels]

while the VV does not. The feedback loop on the VV ends with a 47 ohm resister, and with a 100 ohm on the SR... some claim this is partly responsible for the different magic in the VV. Personally, I love both amps but use the two SR's for my live rig because they spread the sound a bit more for me with the 8 speakers total. I'm sure lots of owners will post differences I missed, so stay tuned on that.

Phoenix

[sifdoggydogstein]

Question, ive watched your video and ive noticed that the light on the amp is blue. Ive recently watched a few of srv's el mocambo vids and his amp lights were red. So if your amp lights blue, what did stevie use?

[phoenixmichaels]

Lots of different colors out there, some guys just change them for fun... I have a drawer full myself LOL. Mine came with the blue, most Fenders I have had came with ruby.

[garbeaj]

I believe the amp that is visible on the El Mocambo show is a Super Reverb...Stevie favored these as well. The cabinet is a littel taller than a Vibroverb...

[Grogor1]

Hey Phoenix, mine is from Feb.64. I bought it with an alnico vibranto Jensen speaker. This amp growls,has huge bottom end. A different beast than a super, my pal has 7 of those. I would like one of each. Rock on.

[phoenixmichaels]

Yeah, I think the Jensen is the best for sure! And yes, they sound WAY different than my blackface Super Reverbs in my live rig. Sounds like your pal has my disease LOL I have a BUNCH of Super Reverbs.

Phoenix

[Grogor1]

It is a disease I think. How many vibro's have you had? I've only seen a few up here in Edmonton. Do you know how many were made? I'm thinking a few thousand. Far less of the brown ones.

[phoenixmichaels]

From the books I have here, they say like only 500 of the blackface vibroverbs. NOT a lot!

[MAJIK76]

This is the third time I've seen this video. The Vibroverb sounds awesome, and the reverb is so lush. You rock, dude. I have a little Vibro Champ; it sounds good but I wish it had reverb.

[phoenixmichaels]

Hey Majik!

Vibro-Champs are great dimed, I've had a few blackface models which I loved. Yeah, reverb can be useful... I don't usually turn mine past 2, and just use it a bit to open the sound without diluting it. You might consider stepping up to a Princeton Reverb, maybe the best little amp ever made... there's also the Super-Champ, the circuit's not to my taste (A little brittle sounding) but lots of guys like 'em.

[blitzR348]

Wonderful reverb, and this beautiful glassy clean.

[leftystrat62]

I'm one of the lucky 500. Sweet amp.

[phoenixmichaels]

Lucky indeed lefty! They are sure hard to beat.

[GowanBray]

Mine has the Jensen speaker, sounds quite different to this, maybe I should try and find a K130 ? What do you think ?

[phoenixmichaels]

Gowan;

Well, I'm the wrong person to ask maybe, as I feel the vintage Jensen speaker is the very best choice already! Bet yours sounds awesome turned up. If considering a JBL, I would go ahead with a D130 and not a K130... the K's and E series are good speakers for sure, but not comparable to a D.If you need speaker headroom at higher volumes, the JBL will do it. But if you like the very best in speaker breakup, you are already set with the best in my opinion.

Nice to meet you!

Phoenix

[GowanBray]

Hey thanks so much for that, maybe I'll persevere with the Jensen. Ciao G

[alltweed]

Uhm

Great overview, but EQ and PU choice made the amp sound thin and harsh. Can you add bass, lower treble, lower reverb and use neck PU.

Should be more crunch this way. Riff on some blues chords, SRv stuff to get to the crunch tone attribiutes of amp.

[phoenixmichaels]

Wassup allt?The sound of this video is a direct result of a camera mic and played back on a TV.I dont agree the amp sounds thin or harsh,its the sound of single coils through a vintage fender,and I dial my amp just this exact way to get the sound I like.Much of what is played IS the neck PU.You of course might prefer to add bass,lower the treble,etc... but that would be your own subjective preference.There is no one tone which is "correct",but an entire palette for individuals to choose from.

[Khaled1Rules]

This is one of my favorites, I played it in the store, and loved it.

[darkarbiter7]

UG FTW!

Man, I have been searching vibroverbs all day, and it seems like I see a comment from you on each of them.

[YouKnowWhoIAmSteten]

Lovely amp - mine is almost as nice. My grill cloth has a couple of snags otherwise in perfect cosmetic condition inside and out. No rust or pitting and all original components.

[phoenixmichaels]

Cool, hope you do a video demo of it soon so we can se it... and hear you play too!

Nice to meet you...

Phoenix

[TheBeeste]

Sorry Phoenix - my son had left his youtube account logged on when I posted. Please check out my channel for the vibroverb.

[dpartn]

Something I didn't realize at first myself was that these blackfaces were also made in 63, though most you find have the 64 date stamp. All of course are pretty insanely rare. I prefer the tone from my 2-10 63s but my 15 inch 64 is about as good of a blackface amp as you can get, though Pro and Deluxe Reverb are pretty hot too in blackface.

[phoenixmichaels]

Well, I am a BIG fan of the 10" speaker myself, so I see your point. Individual amps vary too as per tone and mojo of course. The blackface '64 I have is easily the best sounding amp I have ever owned... but i had another which wasnt as good.

I still use the two Super reverbs (modded a bit) for my live rig... as i said, I'm a big fan of the 10" Jensens and JBL's.

[felixrockss]

Nice video mann thankss for the info !!! awesomee ampp !!