Hoffman Amplifiers Tube Amplifier Forum

Amp Stuff => Tube Amp Building - Tweaks - Repairs => Topic started by: Voxbox on April 23, 2014, 08:06:07 am

Title: Vibrasonic players?
Post by: Voxbox on April 23, 2014, 08:06:07 am

Hi

More 1960 Vibrasonic stuff....

Does anyone know of any "name" players that use the Fender Vibrasonic?

Its a really clean, full tone, and I understand that it was aimed at pedal steel players.

The amp is not for sale, so I'm not concerned about resale value, but I'm not aware of anyone of note that has used this amp in particular in the guitar or pedal steel worlds?

thanks

VB

Title: Re: Vibrasonic players?
Post by: HotBluePlates on April 23, 2014, 09:15:32 am

You probably don't know of anyone that used the amp because it's pretty rare. I've never seen one in person (though I briefly had a later Vibrasonic Reverb).


It is a 2x 6L6 amp with 2 channels and Tremolo. The brown Pro was also this same configuration, and aside from the upgrade speaker (JBL D-130F), buyers may not have found much distinction between the two models.


At the tail end of the white/brown period and start of the blackface amps, Fender seemed to consolidate their amp models. Except for the smallest amps, the preamps are all essentially the same, and models are distinguished by number of output tubes, number & size of speakers, and whether there are onboard effects (with the occasional inclusion, or not, of a midrange control).


The Fender 1960 catalog (1 (https://courses.physics.illinois.edu/phys406/Amps/Amp_Pix/5G8_Twin_Amp/1960_Fender_Catalog_Downbeat_Insert_page4.jpg), 2 (https://courses.physics.illinois.edu/phys406/Amps/Amp_Pix/5G8_Twin_Amp/1960_Fender_Catalog_Downbeat_Insert_page5.jpg)) does not include pricing info, but has little to separate the two amps.

Title: Re: Vibrasonic players?
Post by: Voxbox on April 23, 2014, 10:05:01 am

Thanks HBP.

One other major distinction is the massive OT from the Showman.

Cheers, VB

Title: Re: Vibrasonic players?
Post by: HotBluePlates on April 23, 2014, 10:28:55 am

Very true.


But if you're a non-technical guitar player in a store in 1960, wouldn't the two amps look the same except for the Vibrasonic's slightly bigger cabinet? I don't know what the price difference was, but if there was any, players might think they get a bargain with the Pro.

Title: Re: Vibrasonic players?
Post by: tubenit on April 23, 2014, 10:37:11 am

I think Ronnie Earl used one at one point.  I think  Jeff Golub would occasionally use one on a recording or maybe it was something he specified to be provided when he traveled playing out.

Not sure if I am remembering correctly for either of these guys? 

With respect, Tubenit