Fender Custom Vibrolux Reverb

I just got a 2007 Fender Custom Vibrolux Reverb on a whim from Geetar Center! its so far the most versatile amp in my collection, which consists of 6 amps- (from smallest to largest) a 1979 Fender Champ, a 1961 Silvertone 1482, 1997 Vox AC15TBX, 2002 Fender Deluxe Reverb, (this, my Vibrolux) and a 1966 Bassman Head with a 2x12 Avatar cab loaded with a Jensen P12Q and C12Q. there are 2 channels, normal and bright, both can use the Reverb and Vibrato, which i like having use of very much, especially in this amp. no channel switching, effects loops or headphone jacks to speak of. there's no features i wish it had and theres nothing on this that i never use! i have been using this amp everywhere but the studio, since my deluxe has a bit more clean headroom to it, but i most certainly prefer having less headroom live. power to this amp is a strange issue, since compared to my deluxe reverb, its about the same volume, but overdrives WAY quicker

im playing primarily with 3 geetars now a days- a 2006 Custom Shop Les Paul Special single cut (2 P90's), a 2005 Gretsch Electromatic G5129 that i had Duncan Antiquity P90's retrofitted onto and took all the knobs out of the circuit except for the pickup switch and master volume and a parts o caster with an All Parts neck, Ash Body, Bigsby, mini humbucker in the neck and P90 housed in a telecaster pickup in the bridge, a phase switch, 4 way selector for the pickups either in series or parallel. all geetars have .13 gauge flatwounds. it should be noted that i took the original Jensen P10R's and put in 2 C10Q's in it for extra headroom as well as put in all new JJ Tesla preamp tubes (NOS power tubes coming soon). it suits all my styles to a tee! i play in the Arkhams, check us out at www.myspace.com/thearkhams and it works better than my deluxe reverb, which i always had a problem getting to overdrive, as it overdrives later than this amp, even this amp is more powerful. this amp has SOME noise to it, but nothing overbearing! so far its made 3 gigs and all 3 were successes in terms of balance and mix, so im happy! again, i have only been plugging into the normal channel with the volume on 3 (were not that loud of a band live, since our singer plays an upright), the treble 3/4 of the way up and the bass at just below 4 (higher than that, and the bass is REALLY overbearing, but that is good, since every other amp i got doesn't get nearly as much low end as this, and if i ever use anything aside from P90's, I'm going to NEED a channel as dark as this one). im probably going to experiment with a 12AY7 in the preamp for the bright channel one of these days, since that will yield lower gain and a more sparkly tone, which i haven't heard yet on this amp! in terms of the actual type of sound this amp makes, it sounds like a halfway house between a tweed deluxe and a deluxe reverb, as the tweed is much darker than this, but the deluxe reverb is more sparklier and cleaner than this and having that sound REALLY works in the Arkhams! this amp DEFINITELY gets VERY distorted at higher volumes, as even at 3 on the normal channel, it gets the distortion (with less highs) that my deluxe gets at 7, and much more than 3 and its in a different musical style sound, as it looses the old school flavor of the rockabilly/garage/r&b/merseybeat/surf/instrumental music that we play and that is why I'm interested in trying a lower gain tube in the bright channel, but at 3-even 4 (depends on the pickup) which is PLENTY loud.

i haven't had it long enough to know how the dependability factor is(i got it in October), but i always bring my deluxe reverb to shows anyway just in case anything goes wrong. so far so good. i always carry a spare set of tubes (or 2), speakers and fuses just in case something goes wrong

ive never dealt with the company, or had warranty work done, but i have MANY of Fender's products and they all seem to hold up well!

ive been playing for over 20 years and do 2-3 gigs a week (on geetar with the Arkhams and bass with various other awesome bands from the NYC area) and i mentioned the geetars and amps i have in previous sections of this review, but i own all rugged gear. if stolen or lost, i would EVENTUALLY get another one, as my budget is kind of tight these days. there's nothing i hate about it. even the new speakers went in without having to take out the chassis (a first for me) i chose this particular Vibrolux cause i played it in the store and liked it better than almost any other Vibrolux i ever played through. it warms up RIGHT AWAY in all channels and that is a definite first for me, as most other amps are cold and harsh until they hit like 4-5 and then they only marginally warm up! last things i want to share is 1) check out the Arkhams at www.myspace.com/thearkhams and 2) musicians, dont get fooled by the 'vintage' or 'handwired' or 'custom' tag some amp and geetar companies put on their product. trust your EARS and not the price tag fior quality!

Follow up to previous review directly below this one. All tube,two channel, very simple plug and play amp. Not a lot of bells and wistles. Just reverb and vibrato. Being a simple man, I find a simple rig to suite me better. I gig with 2x tubescreamers, a compressor, and a modulation effect(not named because depending on the amp I play I might use different ones)!

As I wrote below the sound quality of this amp was already very good but very noisy when I first got it. which is one reason for writing another review. I want to say that before any new owner go and try abunch of new expensive, extensive mods on the amp, first try CHANGING the tubes (stock tubes are cheap) I am currently using Tung-Sols in V1,V2. These are a bit mid-rangy, but very detailed, and yield thicker single notes. Very nice! I've also changed speakers. The P10Rs were nice understand. Nothing against them. But I read in an interview with SRV's amp tech that he changed SRV's JBLs to EVs. I just happened to have a pair in my Rivera Concert II. So I tried them. Sure enough SRV to the bone (with the speakers and Tung-Sols). As if the amp alone didn't have enough SRV vibe. So I put the P10Rs in my Fender Super w/ a pair of C10Qs(great).Had a extra pair of Eminence Copperheads I put in the Concert II replacing those EVs. Alls very well. The EVs are not as sparkly in the top as P10Rs(they tame the top end slightly) but the retain the chime (wonderfully thick) in pos.2and 4 on the guitar and gives the amp a more muscular tone.The tone would come somewhere between Copperheads and P10Rs. Copperheads are another very strong sounding and middy speaker that many put in the Custom Vibrolux (sounded a tad to dark for me). But before many expensive mods please try some of these changes. And remember no speaker or tube sounds good with every thing and there is always combinations of amp circuit-tube-speakers to consider. Thats why I never trash any speaker, tube or amp. What works in one may not work in another. Vibrolux was good out of the box, but I.m an SRV tone freak so I went for that tone.Awesome amp.

So far 5751s have gone microphonic in v2 but not 12ax7s. Currently trying a GT5751M that seems to be holding up.

Haven't talked to Fender. Prefer other owners.

I've been playin' for 15-20 yrs. and currently own Fender Super 4x10, Peavey C50 4x10, ConcertII 2x10, Roc Pro w/4x12 cab, Fender Cyber Deluxe,Roland 405, Westbury 60. But I wanted a Vibrolux since I became aware of them and it does not disappoint. If it were lost or stolen I would replace it because of size, weight, simplicity,kick back leggs, and tone to the bone makes it worth it. And it is as loud as you need.The only thing I wish it had would be channel switching. Remember cheapest and quickest mods with this amp are tubes and speaker changes. Happy tone hunting.

This is the amp everyone calls a reissue which is not, but is a modern interpretation of the "blackface vibrolux" This vibrolux was produced in the 90's after the brownface model. The amp has two channels (normal and brite) with two inputs each (normal and a padded -6 decible on each side. Reverb and vibrato works on both channels. No effects loop or headphone jack or channel switching. The amp also has the stock Jensen P10R speakers (2x10). Simplicity sometimes is best. This thing is Plug-n-Play !

I'm using this amp with strats with mainly Van Zandt blues pickups. I play blues, southern gospel, and church worship music (which sometimes include playing at biker blowouts[gospel rock]. When I recieved the amp (bought it off e-bay) this sucker was noisy It hissed and popped rediculously. The amp was publicly unusable. Great tone, but unusable. I thought" the old lady is really gonna get me now", because two weeks before that I had just bought a Concert II, Reviera Era at$650 (This SOB is fire),but I always wanted a Vibrolux. So according to other reviews written here, I retubed the amp, put an AT7 in the phase inverter and bingo. The amp runs as quiet as any other tube amp that I own and the tone, and volumn says FENDER VIBROLUX.....FENDER VIBROLUX.....FENDER VIBROLUX....

I can't really say yet. I only took position about a week ago. I would probably try gigging without a back up. I usually bring just a Behringer V-amp pod to go directly into the board. Getting old and can't carry too much more. This was another reason for buying the Vibrolux, light weight portability and tone.

Never have had to deal with Fender. Have heard some horrendous tales.

I've been playing for about 20 years. I own a Fender Super 4/10,Peavey classic 50 4/10, Reviera Era Concert II, Fender Cyber Delux, Fender hybrid Roc Pro w/4x12 cab. If this amp were lost or stolen I would definitely seek to own one again. I love this amp for it's tone and it's portability and size. The only thing I don't like is if you're going to buy an amp like this new for approx.$1200.00 you shouldn't have to change tubes at those prices,even though by some reviews, many spend that money and retube and replace speakers anyway (I didn't buy new). I think this amp ranks right behind my Concert II in tone but the Concert II is heavier. This thing does have tone. I love it. Get one used and be prepared to retube.

back to basics, fender style!no small slider switches(fender twin etc)
Normal and bright channels and 2 inputs Hi and low for both.
Also tremolo and reverb that works on both channels.
Everything works as it should and does it very well

I play blues and rockabilly with a gretsch duo jet, Fender strat and a guild starfire, The amp makes all the guitars shine, it breaks up on about 3-4 but it is so dynamic that depending on how hard your pick attack is, Small amount of noise at living room levels ,but once playing , it does'nt matter as i have old vintage amps that are far more noisy!
Reverb is not as cavernous as a twin but more usable,. tremolo is simply fantastic.
I also use a carl martin red repeat delay which nails a really authentic gritty twang and at 4 on the volume as more than loud enough with clean if you back off a bit!

As all fender amps are , i used to use a selmer zodiac twin , but always had to take my back up laney, now ,the vibrolux does it all for hours with out problem and lighter too!

bougtht second hand but mint so dealings with fender as yet

been playing for 17 years and wish i had bought a fender valve amp before, had Vox Ac30 ,selmer zodiac twin 30, laney vc30 ( kind of a pattern forming here of british 30 watt amps) all have been good but never quite there .
If it were stolen i would get another
PCB over hand wired,Depends who built it? boogie amps don't have a problem selling high end PCB amps, as long as the speakers and valves are matched well there's not a problem,
Selmer is hand wired and that can be a right pain at times.
Might have bought a fender super reverb ,but vibrolux sounded warmer and more portable! so it gets my vote

Mine Is A 2007.
This amp Is the foundation for all style's
Blue's, Rock, Hard Rock, Country, Even Metal
2 Channel's, Normal' Brite.
I use the normal. The reverb work's on both channel's unlike the 65 Twin. Tried the brite but to thin for a strat, Maybe LP.
I use this amp at home and gig's.
The most powerful 40 watt's I've heard.
Tube's Tube's and Tube's. 2-10 Jenson's Handles with Impact.

I have an american deluxe strat with SCN pickup's.
This amp with my setup,I can play all style's.
It has a little hiss, But It's a high gain amp, As soon as I start playing the hiss goes away even at the lowest volume.
Great Clean tone's. Crank it up and WOW! Handle's pedals well. I traded a 65 twin for this baby and I do not plan on going back. Best Overall tone and spank's the Twin, Belive It or not. I've had to many amp's to count In my 29 year's, And this Is one of the best I've played through, Hand's down! To get the best reverb change the reverb tube and put In a 12AX7. Now that's reverb!

It's a Fender

I have dealt with fender before, Great customer support.
5 Year warranty enough said.

Like I said I have been playing for over 29 year's, You know how us guitarist are on trading. But I tell you this amp Is Mean,Loud and hold's the tone all the way up. I've had stack's. But this amp will hold any volume you need.If It was lost or stolen I have Insurance.This amp Is only 46 Lbs. And will stay up with any volume you need. Great freaking amp By Fender.

Mine is an '07 Model purchased at my local GC for about $1100. Some of the other reviewers have already done a pretty good job of identifying the features. Basically you have two channels, normal and bright. There is also a reverb and vibrato onboard effect. The tiltback legs are a nice touch.

Before I get into sound let me explain what I was looking for when I bought this amp and why I'm so high on this amp.

I am primarily a 'clean' Telecaster player with few effects. I might use an OCD and that's about it. My playing tends towards old style blues and some country folk. I also like to break out my Rickenbacker 12 for a change of pace.

I needed an amp that could handle a medium sized club and cut through a bass, drums and unmic'd P.A. It needed loud, clean and portable.

This amp is the perfect intermediate amp between a Deluxe Reverb and a Twin.

I don't know what else to say except the sound is absolutely fabulous. The sound with a Telecaster or Strat is very big and rich. I have played everything from a Byrds type 12 string thing to chickenpicking to BB King to Jimi Hendrix and this amp handled it all.

However let me talk about the modifications that I did to make this amp better. Fender took the old Vibroverb amp and changed it to the Custom Vibrolux Reverb. Some of the changes were for the good ie 2 10's instead of a single 15 and Celestions over Oxfords. Some were not for the good ie reverb in both channels and no neg. feedback loop.

The new version is designed to breakup early. It does. But it also results in a lot of hiss at bedroom/living room levels that would be annoying. However this is no problem in a live setting because the ambient noise cancels it.

Also there is a legitimate debate as to how you might like the breakup. As stock it breaks up at about 3. If you do the mods it will break up a little later at about 5. It's a matter of personal taste.

If you go on the Fender Forum websites you will see ample dicussions about the mod which are highly recommended.

Without the mods the amp gets an 8. With the mods it is a solid 10. In this class there is not another amp I've heard in my 40 years of playing that matches it.

So far I can't tell. It is a PCB which gets a bad rep. Purists will argue PTP wiring is more reliable but I haven't had trouble with my other PCB reissues and I drive them pretty hard.

I have not had an issue that required support.

I've been playing for 40+ years. I have 15 guitars and 10 amps and 15 stompboxes. I know what is good and what is not.

The CVR, as it is known in Fender circles, is my primary bluesjam/openmic local medium sized gig amp. Other guitar players request to use my amp because they love it so much.

What I really love about this amp is the clean headroom with just a little breakup at tolerable levels. With the onboard reverb and vibrato I find I only need an OCD or TS9 for the lead parts. I play primarily on the bright channel. I also really like the fact it is relatively portable. My Fender Bassman is great but it is bulky and heavy. The CVR fits in the trunk of most cars.

This is a new (Jan 2008) CVR. I've left the Jensen speakers, and stock groove tubes in it. Despite not having 16 channels, and a gazzilion knobs, this amp is 100 time more versitile than most people give it credit for. If you ask me a great sounding simple amp is more versitile than a bad sounding modelling peice of junk.

Awesome clean sound. I like the bright channel, classic blackface fender snappy tone. The bass response is perfect. I think Hot Rod Deluxes for example, have a boomy, muddy, flappy bottom end. This amp has a tight sounding bottom, with plenty of "body" in the sound.

Im using a handmade Australian Tele (www.tomkinsguitars.com) with Duncan 5 2' (Brent Mason/Nashville Set).

The amp is a tad noisy at idle, but only if you put you ear up to the speakers.

The break up is maybe a tad early, but that is why we bought it instead of a twin.


Seriously, if you cant get a good tone out of this amp- you are a bad player.

Its new, so i cant comment. Has 5 years warranty, though.

Screw fender, get your local amp guy to work on it IF it needs it.

I love Danny Gatton, Eric Johnson, George Benson, Jerry Reed, Tommy Emmanuel, Steve Morse, Larry Carlton and other high end players. I use a Tubescremer, DynaComp and a Boss DD6 Delay in front of this amp and i get a monster tone.

I think it has just the right amount of headroom, and the reverb is great. So is the tremolo.

I want another one!!!

This is the perfect amp for me and my style of play. I use some reverb and a little vibrato to play mostly solo jazz stuff. The sound I use is similar to Ted Greene. Other than these effects, I don't use any of the other features. The amp has a lot of watts. It stays fairly clean for me. I would like to change the tubes to something of higher quality. I also hate new Jensens, so I put a Weber F150 and a A125. These amps should come with the cover. Why not?

This amp sounds very good with the stock Jensen crap and the Groove Tubes. It sounds good enough to buy. That means, with top shelf speakers in it, it is majical. I really love the sound of this amp. I feel like it would be great for any guitar. I use a G&L Bluesboy Semihollow no f-hole. It stays on the middle position (neck hb bridge sc). About 80% of my playing is fingerstyle. This Fender amp pulls the mud off of every note but doesn't rob it's body. There is some hiss on the amp. It is nothing compared to some others that I have auditioned. Mesa is rediculous! I think a tube change will be the solution. If the vibrato is up high, the hiss will go along with it... that's annoying. But, so is having the vibrato up really high... so, I don't really care. My hiss is not bad enough to mess up a recording, and I play solo clean jazz with a tele style guitar. I give this amp a 10 because it doesn't need any pedals, and I just like it. I'm sure other people do to.

This is a reliable Fender amp. It needs tubes. I bring a backup to work, but it is a piece of crap Marshall 1x8. That shows how much I trust the Vibrolux.

I have a local amp guy.

I have played since I was 4. Now I'm 26, and have a amp that I really like. I would recommend this amp to anyone who wants a great simple amp with reverb and vibrato. I chose this amp over a Victoria amp. I saw this as having more potential, and it was cheaper. I am really happy with my choice.

I don't believe this amp was built with 'does it all and then some' in mind. It's like Fender says - "not a reissue, but rather a modern interpretation of a classic Fender". That said, when you stack it up against some of the amps Mesa has to offer for instance, (for 2 - 3 times the price, I might add) you are obviously going to come up a little short with this amp. It's pretty bare bones, but the vibrato is second to none if that's your thing. I don't even personally use the vibrato yet, but I can appreciate a good thing when I hear it.
I guess if you count sound as a feature (which in my mind is the most important reason anyone should by an amp) then this amp gets a 10 for the styles I use it for. I'll give it a 7 in the event someone reads this who is looking for a more versatile amp.
Some points to consider:

- Normal and Bright channels, can't switch between the two with the footswitch.
- Footswitch enables/disables only reverb and vibrato features.
- 4 ohm external speaker jack.
- 40 Watts at 4 ohms
- 2 x 10" Jensen speakers
- Very Loud for such a little amp
- breaks up nicely at a volume of around 2.5 to 3.
- responds AMAZINGLY to pick dynamics.
- 'Cuts through' better than any amp I've ever tried of it's size.
- Might not get the crystal clears you want from a Fender amp on stage because it breaks up so early. you could mic it, but then a gain pedal might sound thin in comparison to if you use the gain with natural breakup.
- No effects loop.
- More than enough power for most small to medium clubs. In fact, the only reason you should ever need to mic it would be when playing quite a large venue where you need to fill a lot of air. It's THAT loud!

Before I get into "sound", let me just say that I am a VERY bare bones player. I like 6 tones - Strat clean, strat clean with some natural tube breakup, overdriven strat. Now, replace the strat with a Les Paul standard, and you complete the 6 tones I typically use. I don't currently use any 'effects', but that may change down the road.
For what tones I personally like, and considering I usually play small, medium or large bars or clubs only, this amp does it all.
Right now I use a Boss Blues Driver in front of the normal channel right into either the strat or Les Paul, and that's ALL I need.
I had said earlier that the amp breaks up at 2.5 to 3 which also happens to be the volume level I use for most clubs I play in. Because the amp is so responsive to pick dynamics, you want clean, play lightly. You want a little grit? Dig in and you got it at that volume level. Tap the blues driver and you've got INCREDIBLE drive and sustain that cuts through any band in those surroundings. Strat OR L.P....
Now, my musical styles fall into the aggressive blues/funk/jam band/rock categories, so ambience, effects and drop D chunk metal are not priorities on my list. I just needed a simple amp at an affordable price that would cut through a LOUD trio, sing with a drive pedal, and provide some natural grit when needed.
For my needs, this amp provides!
That said, as my musical styles change down the road and I find myself needing more, then maybe this amp won't be getting a 10 from me.

So far I've been fine, and I bought it second hand....Gig once a week with it.
I did upgrade the tubes, but to be honest, the difference would only be detected by the snobbiest of tone snobs, but I'm metioning this because maybe putting the new tubes in it are giving it a longer life?
I have the original tubes handy, but stupidly never take them with me to gigs as backup. I guess that means I consider the amp very reliable.
I'm sure just writing this will come back to haunt me, so I'm going to start packing those backups in my gigbag!

Have never had to contact Fender about anything, and I've owned 3 strats and two Fender amps, but that does not necessarily mean their customer support is worth anything. No warrantly - second hand.
I don't really have a foot to stand on here, and until I get any customer support, bad or otherwise, I have to give them top marks.

I've been playing for 20 years, I'm a semi-professional musician. Now own a jumbo Takamine acoustic, Gibson Les Paul Standard, Fender American Deluxe Strat, this amp, other gear not worth mentioning.
Have owned MANY other electric and acoustic guitars and amps over the years, so I have a pretty good idea of what is decent especially for a barebones approach - I prefer to not hide behind a lot of smoke and mirrors.
Despite my glowing review of this amp, if it was stolen, I would go higher end simply because music is treating me better and better as time goes on, so I could afford something that does what this amp does plus more. But, for the $850 Canadian I shelled out this amp has been incredible. I get comments on it's cutting sound from seasoned veteran players all the time, so it's gotta be doing something right.
What do I love about it? The tone and ability to cut through the mix. Will never get lost...What do I hate? Nothing. For my needs it does the trick.
Compared it to Fender Hot Rod Deville and Traynor YCV40WR(?) Deville was WAY too loud and would only break up at RIDICULOUS volumes, sounded like crap with any pedal I tried it with. Traynor could not cut through like the vibrolux. I would get lost in most band situations. An effects loop would be nice (but not necessary for my needs now), a GOOD gain channel would be nice (no pedal), but this is just nitpicking....You asked!

Two Channel - you all know the details by now. This is a VERY versatile amp if you know how to use it. Everyone adds pedals and such. The Vibe is just the perfect place to start. Read on for how to make it super versatile...

I use this amp in large halls and small clubs. I use the external jack and run another 4 ohm cabinet with two Celestion Vintage 30s so I'm running at 2ohm.
Here's the secret to making this amp SING!!!! - get a THD Hotplate and crank the amp! Whoa. That makes this amp come alive. With this set up you can control your volume and get beautiful power tube distortion and harmonics. Get a 4 ohm hotplate. You can run 2 ohms into the 4 ohm hotplate you just can go over 4 ohms
I have no noise problem either. The hotplate has a built in noise reduction system

Excellent - Fender got this thing figured out a long time ago. It's a tube amp so you got to go prepared - a couple extra power tubes and rectifier tube and you have nothing to worry about.

Just go to the dealer or any local dealer if it needs fixed.

Been playing a long time, 40 years. I have a lot of other amps. A mode four, a TSL, a Twin, and a pig nose. I could give up any of the others, they can;t do what this amp does.