Blues Pearl Verbrasonic 210 Combo
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Features
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7.6 (11 responses)
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Sound Quality
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9.3 (9 responses)
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Reliability
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8.8 (9 responses)
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Customer Support
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4.9 (11 responses)
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Overall Rating
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8.5 (10 responses)
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Showing 1 -
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Product: Blues Pearl Verbrasonic 210 Combo
Price Paid: USD 890
Submitted 01/14/2009
at 11:15pm
by Jack Travis
Email: ieujyz at aol<dot>com
Features
:
10
Great Amp. Has some great tones. I bought this amp from Robert about 10 years ago. Play my Vibroverb a bit more, but still love this amp. I have been able to get most any tone out of this amp, even gospel.
Sound Quality
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8
I play with a custom axe with Burstbuckers, lower volumes. I use rack gear. Seldomly do I engauge brutal distortion. Some light slapback delays and overdrive hear and there. This amp makes the noise.
Reliability
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9
The amp got kinda messed up one time when we had a Christmas party. I got all drunk and we initiated a jam session in the living room. I was really conjuring up a sweet groove when I realized that I shouldn't have put the Blues Pearl up on the step of the fire place as it was on fire. I poured beer on it. It still works.
Customer Support
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8
Robert stole some money from me before I didn't see him again. I remember he used to laugh about it. He changed his number and stuff. I am glad he sold me this amp.
Overall Rating
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10
If you see one for sale, buy it. Just don't give Robby no money for one up front. He quit making them.
Product: Blues Pearl Verbrasonic 210 Combo
Price Paid: US $375 used
Submitted 01/20/2005
at 04:49pm
by Will Muster
Email: wmuster7 at earthlink<dot>net
Features
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8
Single channel all tube 2x10 w/ 3 knob reverb
Sound Quality
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8
sounds great w/ strat or tele. good for rock, blues, country, funk, you name it
Reliability
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9
Well, I would have given it a 10, but recently it started acting up. Probably needs new tubes.
Customer Support
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1
HAH! I worked in a music store that sold these. Bob Hutson was great at first. Three of us salesmen had one of his amps. He came and made repairs and adjustments for free! Then I cut a deal with him on a very nice Heritage 335 type guitar in exchange for a Texas Tornado and one of his tweed amps. That was the last we ever heard of him. Two certified letters later we found out he was in jail. What a shame. I am fortunate enough to own one of his Marshall type Brittone amps and one of his effects pedals. All of his products sound great, but the guy is a crook.
Overall Rating
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8
Like I said, I own three of his products, and they all sound great. I just wish he'd get straightened out. Maybe if he worked for another company that could utilize his genius as well as monitor his actions we could see more of his amps.
Product: Blues Pearl Verbrasonic 210 Combo
Price Paid: US $1299.00
Submitted 03/14/2004
at 03:22pm
by JW
Email: lordbuckley<at>webtv dot net
Features
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10
Tortured amp genius Robert Hudson created this powerful little 2-10" beauty.Modeled after the Fender 'Super Amp',the Verbrasonic is Valve Heaven.Dual 6L6's,3 knob Reverb,40 strong watts,Jensen reissue speakers,this point to point wired amp is pure,sweet Tone.Two inputs.Rear panel has Ext. speaker input/Footswitch input.Rough Blonde tolex with Oxblood Brown Grill.A RARE bird indeed!One of Mr. Hudson's favorites.If you can find one you'll know why.You've tried the rest,now try the Best.
Sound Quality
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10
The Verbrasonic can wear many hats.It's Extremely versatile.Blues,Jazz,Rock...even Acoustic all sound wonderful.It is very quiet,the 'Verb is surf-deep and she can Scream when coaxed.Brown Sound City, AZ.Once again,the Tone is pure.
Reliability
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10
The Verbrasonic doesn't break down.It tends to run hot, but that's okay.I don't need a backup amp.It's Leo's 'Super Amp' taken to the next level.Just south of Heaven.
Customer Support
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No Opinion
Maybe Karma has caught up with Mr. Hudson.He's out of business.Too bad for the art of valve amp building.Too bad indeed.
Overall Rating
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10
I've been playing since The Beatles came to town.The Verbrasonic is My amp of choice.It would not be stolen or lost because it is so well-loved and heavily protected by Enchantments.I wish I had two of them.My Ibanez PM20 and Takamine EAN40C are the best of friends with the Verbrasonic.It makes for a nice,harmonious family.
Product: Blues Pearl Verbrasonic 210 Combo
Price Paid: US $1,800
Submitted 01/27/2004
at 04:23pm
by Bill Conklin
Features
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10
Great Vibrolux Reverb type Amp. Has single channel input. Bass, Mid, Treble, and 3 knob Reverb.
Sound Quality
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10
Incredible!!!!!! This amp has T O N E ! Very Warm Bluesey Tones. 2 10" Blues Pearl (eminence) Speakers put out some great sound. Very Fender-ish but a Bit tighter and faster. GZ-34 Rectifier Tubes give it alot of Warm, dig in kind of sound.
Reliability
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10
Built Like a Tank! Better Built than any Older Fender. On Par with A Holland, or Dr Z in terms of Constuction Technic. Very Solid!!!
Any Quality Amp tech can reapair it!
Customer Support
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1
Well. Robert Hudson is gone. His Amps most likely will be Incredibly expensive. Dumble move over You may become second on the List in terms of value. Not yet, but very, very Soon.
Overall Rating
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10
If you ever find one, Buy It!!!!!!!!
Product: Blues Pearl Verbrasonic 210 Combo
Price Paid: N/A
Submitted 09/17/2003
at 07:02pm
by Anonymous
Features
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No Opinion
Sound Quality
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No Opinion
Reliability
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No Opinion
Customer Support
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No Opinion
Just to post a follow up to the "where's Bob" saga. He spent about 4 months in Flint,MI recently. Definately left a trail of upset people behind when he left suddenly. Borrowed money, bad checks, you name it. One guy took a blackface Fender that he inherited when his dad died to Bob for service, a couple weeks later......Gone without a trace. It's truly a shame. And Bob, if you're reading this. Get help. Check into rehab, turn yourself in, whatever it takes. I know of two people for sure who are actively pursuing you.
Overall Rating
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No Opinion
Product: Blues Pearl Verbrasonic 210 Combo
Price Paid: N/A
Submitted 03/14/2003
at 01:13pm
by Skye Alensen
Email: junkbox505 at yahoo<dot>com
Features
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No Opinion
Sound Quality
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No Opinion
Reliability
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No Opinion
Apparently as Mr. Hudson's drug habit grew he started neglecting care of the equipment. His work got sloppier and sloppier. This isn't an attempt to slander someone's good name. I'm just trying to inform people who were ripped off what happened.
Customer Support
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1
I live where these amps were made, apparently Mr. Hudson pawned equipment that he received to do repair work on and eventually that caught up with him. I suppose if you contacted a lawyer you could file a complaint in Tennessee for fraud and theft. Mr. Hudson is currently serving a sentence for drug possession, theft, fraud, etc.
Overall Rating
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No Opinion
These amps are very desirable, but later models often come with a few easily fixable defects---loose wiring, loose parts, etc. They're definitely worth trying, but keep in mind the company is out of business indefinitely and I have no idea what Mr. Hudson's sentence was. This is factual, this and I repeat is not character assination; I'm just trying to inform people outside our community what happened with their money and or trade goods.
Product: Blues Pearl Verbrasonic 210 Combo
Price Paid: US Trade used
Submitted 12/01/2002
at 01:02pm
by Jimmy
Email: jimmyg at sundanceblues<dot>com
Features
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5
I have no clue what year this amp was made (I got it used). Though I got it in trade, I'd have probably been able to pick it up for a grand. Controls include Volume, Treble, Mid, Bass, and controls for the three knob verb, the usual Mix, Tone, and Dwell knobs. Two inputs, 2x6L6 outputs (Svetlana) for 40 watts. That's it for features, besides the two 10" Jensens (C10Q). Pretty much does what it does, and that's it.
Sound Quality
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No Opinion
I have a few different Strats (S/S/H - Pearly Gates), a Fender Flame (pre-Robben Ford), and a Heritage H-535. Sounds really good with just about any guitar. The sound this amp makes sounds (to my ears) like a cross between a Super Reverb and a brown Deluxe. Of course, I have had the bright cap removed from the input, and had a few of the more "radio shack" parts replaced (though there weren't many) with old Fender style components. Nice combination brown and blackface sounds. This amp compares well to any original blackface Fender amp, tonally. The tone stack is definitely blackface, but a little thicker (not as "pingy" as black and silverface amps usually are), with just a little brown thrown into the mix. In fact, I have only heard one old Fender (of this style) that I thought sounded better, and that's Holland K. Smith's old Super Reverb (local D/FW blues musician). Most I hear vary in sound (some are actually unlistenable), but his just rocks. This one comes the closest I've heard any amp come to that sound (though it's still not "soupy" - then again, that may be a good thing).
It also seems to like effects run in front of it, too. With just a Strat and H&K Replex, you'll get those lush, spacey Eric Johnson style clean tones no problem, with lots of bell-like chime. As far as overdrives, I've run both a Bad Cat Two Tone pedal (dual 12AX7 preamp pedal) and my germanium transistor "bucket brigade" style Fulltone Distortion Pro into the front. I have to say, both pedals really lit up the amp in a very good way (you have to be careful with the TT though, it easily has twice the gain of either the Hot Box or Dirt Box). The D-Pro, on the right settings, really brings out that "squeezed" Robben Ford type lead sound from the amp - or a very good "almost EJ" sound. TS-808 on the middle pickup will get you screamin SRV, or neck pickup clean sounds on "Riviera Paradise" and the like. I can't wait to try more.
The sound of this amp cranked up, though, is at least as good as any sound you'll coax from an overdrive or distortion box. I got a very similar sound out of the lead channel of a Two Rock Topaz. The Verbrasonic cranked sound, though, is a slight bit thicker, with the tiniest bit more harmonic gooeyness. But it only seems to break up in the final throes of the volume control. Like, there's not a lot of activity until you get to 7, then set the gain between 8 and 9. I don't like running it too hot for too long, because there are a LOT of volts hitting the tubes anyway, and further cooking them (for a long time, with no fan) is just inviting disaster. That's why I like to run it fairly clean, with just enough volume to get ever-so-slight breakup, and hit the front end with my overdrives. It sounds just as good, really, and you're not hurting you amp nearly as bad that way.
Reliability
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7
This is where it starts to get bad. While this is far from the worst amp out there from a build quality standpoint, let's just say there are much more well put together amps on the market. Not that anything is really badly done, but it just seems that not a lot of thought was given to giving the amp longevity. I guess just so long as nothing bad happens when you just bump it. Definitely not the worst, but it's also not in the "bulletproof" category. Not really "thrown together", but there were some things that were loose, that shouldn't have been. That said, if you treat it with care, it shouldn't give you any problems. For the most part, good quality parts are used.
Customer Support
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1
This is where it gets even worse. I've had "more than 3" people give me first (or at least second) hand accounts talk about how they pre-paid Robert Hudson (Mr. Pearl) for amps, and haven't gotten an amp - and it's been years. One of these people I know VERY well. Strange, as it seems he was "Mr. public relations" when the company was new. I went to the website a few months ago and it looked like they were still in business. Now, the above link seems to be invalid. I heard a rumour that they went out of business. All things considered, I wouldn't be surprised at all to find out it was true. It's kind of hard to bilk you customers so blatantly and still stay in business, it seems. I've since removed the "Blues Pearl" logo and put a "brown-era" Fender logo in it's place, partly out of protest, but mostly because the old logo looked pretty cheesy, anyway.
Overall Rating
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No Opinion
By itself, though, with no overdrives, this is the best "Fender clean" sound I've heard in a long, long time (maybe even from original Fenders). And I've played the Top Hat Ambassador (40w 4x6V6 w/reverb design - and several of those), Many different Carr amps, including the Rambler, Imperial, and (my favorite) the Slant 6v's clean channel, Stinger amps (very affordable, but horrible sounding bf amp clones, made for a short time), many and various Mesas, Fender's own blackface Reissues (tonally, one notch above the Stingers, if you wanna know the truth), and the Two Rock Topaz (clean side) - just to give you an idea. Though the Abmassador was good (they vary, though) and the Carrs were slightly better, the Topaz is the only amp I've heard that rivals this amp as far as "clean" or "clean-ish" sounds (besides select "classics"). Actually, it surpasses this amp is some ways, because of the versatility (and I thought I was going to hate the Two Rock's clean side - it turned out to be what I liked most). Then again, the Topaz costs about three times as much as this one would. Of course, the Topaz does about three or four times what this one does, and is much more versatile. So (again), you do the math. Though I'd love to have the Two Rock, this amp perfectly fits my "clean amp" bill.
So, overall, if you're looking for something like this, keep your eyes peeled. I found this one (used) at Guitar Center, and having never played a Blues Pearl, plugged into it out of curiosity. Glad I did, and I was surprised. It was a little bright when I first got it, but having the bright cap removed was a great step. The logo change was another important step, for different reasons. I have to say, it looks a lot better now ("Is that a Custom Shop piece?"). If you know what you're doing (or know someone who does), removing the bright cap helps this amp out a lot, especially if you have a Tele. Now I've got a nice, warm, sparkly clean sound. Great amp!
Product: Blues Pearl Verbrasonic 210 Combo
Price Paid: US $1400
Submitted 06/10/2002
at 10:43pm
by TOYS4MEN
Features
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10
This as simple and as incredible sounding as they come: 2 6L6's, GZ34 rectifier, 4 12AX7's (or 12AT7's). One channel, 2 inputs, volume, treble, mid, bass, dwell, depth & tone, 2 reissue Jensen C10Q. Just like Blackface amp with white chicken head knobs. Looks great. The 3 knob reverb is very very nice.
Sound Quality
:
10
This is the most incredible sounding amp you can go from SRV to Ronnie earl Blues and it will make you cry.....The most incredible Clean tone and overdrive: I would the clean is like a cross of a SUPER
/ DELUXE and the overdrive is just the type of tone every Vintage Blackface should sounded like. No farting bass great with pedals in front like a TS9 or other...But the best is you will not need any pedal to overdrive this great amp....Imagine CHRIS ISAAC clean and Robben Ford magic overdive....This amp is a bargain all point to point hand wired NO PROBLEMS MAN.......
Reliability
:
10
This amp is very well built just like Fender was in the 60's...Noiseless and feels like a ROCK to me.......
Customer Support
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10
NO NEED BUT I WHICH THIS GENIOUS THE BEST BECAUSE HE IS UP THERE WITH THE BEST: I mean CARR, BRUNO, DRZ, MATCHLESS, KENDRICK and TWO ROCK...
Overall Rating
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10
DEFENTLY A 10 in my book I just hope I wasn't such amp Junkie....Allways looking for the new and diferente out There.....
This amp is up there with: SC30, FENDER SUPER, CARR RAMBLER, AMETHYST SPECIAL, KENDRICK 2410 and DRZ MAZ........
Product: Blues Pearl Verbrasonic 210 Combo
Price Paid:
Submitted 02/19/2002
at 12:41am
by Ian Storrar
Email: istorrar<at>tokaiguitars dot com dot au
Features
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1
I sent Blues Pearl,Mr Robert Hudson 2x guitars in exchange for these amps the amps never arrived here but he took delivery of guitars.
Id love to be able to comment but thanks to the fact he is a thief I cant
Sound Quality
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No Opinion
As above
Reliability
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No Opinion
I hope they are more reliable than Mr Hudson
Customer Support
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1
If any one requires customer support I suggest you get it soon because after I fly to Tennessee to visit Mr Thief Hudson there will be none available for some time
Overall Rating
:
1
It was stolen before I even got it
Do not send this scum any money
Product: Blues Pearl Verbrasonic 210 Combo
Price Paid: trade used
Submitted 02/12/2002
at 02:50pm
by Anonymous
Features
:
4
2 6L6's, GZ34 rectifier, 4 12AX7's (or 12AT7's). One channel, 2 inputs, volume, treble, mid, bass, dwell, depth & tone, 2 reissue Jensen C10Q. Blond tolex & oxblood grill. Looks great. Made 2 years ago. The 3 knob reverb is nice. I replaced the tank with a longer decay, 3-spring tank. Big improvement.
Sound Quality
:
10
When I first got this amp, it suffered from that hi-end "fizzle" that blackface Fenders have with fuzz pedals...very bright. I removed the bright cap on the volume control...another big improvement. Warmed up a lot. Then I plugged my guitar ( strat w/3 Duncan Lil' 59's...great pickups) straight in and played it almost all the way up for about 2 1/2 hours. This did something magical to the amp. Not only did it smooth out the Jensens, the amp also smoothed out. Now it sounds beautiful with pedals or straight in...more like a Marshall or tweed amp with reverb than blackface. No "fizzle" at all!! I have many amps, mostly vintage, some boutique. This hangs right with them now.
Reliability
:
No Opinion
Well...what to say here?? When I got this amp, (I've had it a little over 2 months now) the output transformer & choke were very loose...I'm surprised they didn't fall out during shipping. They & the power transformer were just screwed into the flimsy aluminum chassis with no nuts to hold them securely. I put nuts on...they won't become loose again!! As I mentioned, the chassis is pretty flimsy & light weight. This amp weighs the same as a BFDR. That's a good thing, and when the chassis is mounted in the cab it stiffens up, so I suppose it will be OK. The wiring & soldering look wonderful. This is a really simple circuit... not much in there. Over the last few weeks I noticed a subtle deterioration in tone...reverb not as strong, noisy, lackluster performance. After replacing the tone circuit/reverb recovery tube, it's back in shape. I replaced all the preamp tubes with new ones, so I'm wondering why this tube went south so fast...not sure if the amp is at fault or it was a bad tube. Also, this amp runs EXTREMELY hot. Hotter than any amp I have. I stick a fan in the back, that keeps it under control. Rating for this category?? Hope for the best, expect the worst...
Customer Support
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1
Robert Hudson is nonexistent. I've emailed him several times over the last couple of years and have NEVER heard back. Is he taking money for amp orders and not delivering? I don't know, but I sure am glad he doesn't have any of my money.
Overall Rating
:
9
I've been playing close to 30 years. I support my five member family with six strings. For the last few years I've been looking for a combo amp with reverb that doesn't have that Fender "fizzle". I traded an Allen Old Flame (hated that one) for this with not a lot of hope. I was and remain stunned. This is exactly what I wanted in a combo amp. If it were stolen, I'd try to find another used one (don't want to give R. H. a chance to screw me) but wouldn't expect it to sound like this one. All in all, a great amp, especially if you know a little about tube amps and can do a few things for yourself.
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