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I keep toying with the idea of getting a new amp but can't bring myself to part with my main amp which has been the vibroverb for sometime now. I love the brownface era amps but don't really have the cash to spread on a more dedicated tweed and brownface type amps.
So as a more economical (or not option) I was curious if anyone had some advice on how to squeeze the most tone out of these amps? It currently has a pair of RI Jensens 10" (can't remember which off the top of my head) apart from that it's stock.
I've seen people using a combination of different speakers etc. and a few other mods that can be carried out but don't want to waste time and money if they wont make a huge difference.
The main thing I want is touch sensitivity when I dig in on the strings or roll back on the volume and early ish break up,
Any words of wisdom appreciated.
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Comments
Fit one (huge job), you need a new PT or a separate 5V filament transformer, plus the valve socket.
Or:
Fit a pair of resistors in the HT lines from the existing PT to simulate one. This sounds like a 'cheap bodge' but is actually quite close soundwise for about 10% of the work.
If you want to keep all the options open you can easily fit a switch to give stock or valve/simulated rectifier.
It should also possible to convert it to run 6V6s if you've done one of those things, since the HT voltage will then be lower, but that may be too big a change.
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
I used one if these at a gig once and a mate had one, they are great sounding amps, with a lovely clean sound that is not blackface bright as I remember. But they don't have much breakup or compression. Personally I'd use a pedal to add this rather than do too much to the amp, say a Timmy or Sweet Honey, something that could be an always on pedal that is mainly clean unless you hit the strings hard, in which case you get some give. If your speakers are ceramic, alnico units could change the feel also.
Trading feedback here
I had one and stupidly sold it. But i now have a Headstrong verbrovibe which is killer.
The Headstrong and the Rift amps both really appeal to me but a distinct lack of money is holding me back somewhat.
I've seen the Weber speakers mentioned somewhere else as a recommendation and they seem well regarded so might try and give them a go.
Pedal wise the amp loves fuzz, not used much in the way of boost or overdrive so might try that.
What is the benefit of adding a bias pot and is it a big job?
The GZ34 mod isn't really worth doing on this amp simply down to the cost of it, but adding a bias pot is something I always recommend on these.
Rift Amplification
Brackley, Northamptonshire
www.riftamps.co.uk
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
I wouldn't dig into big circuit changes on this amp, I think it would be a waste of time and money, except maybe to add a simple way to bias it, has someone has RiftAmp has already pointed out. This would mostly benefict you from a serviceability standpoint.
So maybe a speaker change would be your best bet for a quick win. I'm using the Eminence Alessandro in a Magic amps vibro prince, and I cannot recommend it enough.
I would be surprised if there wasn't already a 'sag resistor' in the circuit, but in my experience it's only slightly noticeable, and even then only when the amp is running at quite high volumes. The 63 Vibroverb reissue is a lovely sounding amp stock, and agree with the others here that a speaker change will give you the most noticeable improvements.
If you're not wanting to play overly loud, it sounds to me like a tweed deluxe type of amp might be what you are looking for, they don't come much more touch sensitive than that.
It's not just the sag it introduces, it also reduces all the HT voltages throughout the amp which lowers the headroom as well. Actually, one of the advantages of doing it with resistors is that you can put in more resistance than a normal valve rectifier will give, if you want.
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
It makes a huge difference on the Mesa Rectifier amps - both the valve/solid-state switch and the 'bold/spongy' which is another voltage reduction (done by dropping the voltage at the PT).
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein