Fender Vibrolux Reverb Reissue

This amp is the 1998/9 reissue of the classic Vibrolux Reverb. True to its vintage upbringing, this 45 watt all tube amp has two channels (normal & bright) which are not switchable. Reverb and vibrato, which are active on both channels (nice), are switchable. The tone circuits, often referred to as "Baxandall Tone Stack," allow unique midrange shaping--the reason I bought this amp.
This is a limited purpose amp--best used for studio and practice. The high "8" rating is given because, while it is bereft of features common to newer amps, it has two features rarely found on new amps: 1) the cool tone controls and 2) it sounds great at low volumes. The fact that it will play quietly is a feature in itself--every other amp I have ever owned had two volume levels--off and loud.

I use this amp with several guitars: ES-335, Carvin doubleneck, fender Strat, Steinberger GM4TA and a G&L ASAT Classic 3. At stage level volumes, this amp cannot produce a clean tone with a humbucker. The G&L is the only axe that makes a clean (albeit bright) tone come out of this amp. The inherant overdrive is true blues--true classic Fender. At quiet levels, the tonal versatility is surprising.
The 2-10 speakers don't give this amp much low-end punch. A sealed 2-12 would help. Other postings have suggested replacing the blue Fender speakers with Celestions. I haven't tried this but I am inclined to agree.
The "idle" noise is the weakest point of the amp. The "vintage" 100% tube circuitry also means the heater filaments are powered by AC current which adds lots of "hiss." A modification to DC powered filaments would help this considerably. Better shielding would help too. I rehearse in a room that is close to several radio towers--and I get them all coming through my amp at all times. My Marshall Bluesbreaker, on the ohter hand, is dead silent in that respect.
So, given that you aren't trying to play ear-splitting arena rock below a radio tower its a good little (read: very portable) amp.

Zero problems so far (it is only 3 months old) with few to none expected. I have heared that Groove Tubes can be problematic but these sound and work fine. Since the amp is only delivering 45 watts from its two 6L6/5881 output tubes (as opposed to 50+ watts), I imagine they aren't running them too hard which shouldextend lifespan.

I have never had luck speaking with Fender. Too big, too corporate. Haven't needed it with this amp, though.
It is always fun to listen to 15 min. of "music on hold!"

This is a neat amp and I have enjoyed it greatly, but would replace it with an older twin or another Marshall should it go by the wayside. The $900.00 sticker is a little steep for an amp that will be used for writing/practice and occasional studio use. I wish it had more punch for its power as it is the most portable amp I have ever owned (it fits in the passenger seat without hitting the door). I also wish the power/standby switches were on the front panel.

Reissue of the blackface Vibrolux Reverb Amp: 2x10s with 40 watts of output(original had 35 watts), very basic classic Fender amp setup: two channels (bright and normal), each with volume , bass, and treble. Unlike the original, the reverb and tremolo are shared with both channels which is a practical improvement. This amp, like newer Fenders came stock with Groove Tubes. Also has a footswitch for reverb and trem and tilt-back legs (cool!). For , it has all the features I need so I give it a 10

I use two guitars for most of my work, Fender California Strat, and a Gibson Les Paul DCS(double cut studio). I will sometimes use a 335 in place of the Paul. Playing for 30 or more years all styles except true jazz.
I have done two things to this amp upon buying it new that effect the tone greatly: 1. installed Celestion Vintage 10 speakers (took out the Fenders) 2. Installed New Old Stock Sylvania 6L6 power tubes (but left the stock Fender Groove Tubes in, these are SovTeks relabeled for Groove Tubes and work fine). This amp cannot produce a bad tone, believe it. I have had it for five months and use it daily for recording, or gigging, or practicing and continue to be amazed. It WILL NOT do the Marshall thing so buy a good foot pedal...it will produce glorious overdrive when pushed but this is classic Fender Black Face tone and not JCM or plexi stuff since we're only dealing with 2 10s here anyway. I do have one question and I would ask someone who has one of these to respond. That is: at idle (ie; no playing, low volume, quiet room) the amp is noisy with some degree of hissing. I normally associate this with bad filter capacitors if it was an older amp but cannot imagine that with these. I played three others in the store and even brought this one back but they were all the same. what gives? This annoyance goes way once your actually playing but I am curious if anyone else knows the answer to this.

I have only had this one for five months and have experienced zero problems (five year warranty is comforting too). This amp is not a Fender Custom Shop product but shares some of those production features such as solid input jacks, some degree of hand wiring inside (which is cleanly done by the way, I did open it up to see), and an overall solid fit and finish. I do not anticipate any problems.

Have not needed it so I cannot comment.

For what I paid and for What I need and for what it does, this is as good as it gets. Yes it's a solid 10. Tone, tone, easy to use, not too big not too small (FYI: the vintage original Vibrolux Reverb Amp is now the most sought after vintage amp on the market), more tone, prints to tape like a dream, etc. etc. I do , however , recommend the Celestion re-speaker thing. the amp was a 9 out of the box,,the Celestions bring it into the 10 zone. Interestingly, Fender uses these speakers in the Prosonic combo but will not factory install them in any other amp. One other thing, the "tremolo" circuit in these amps is the true pitch shift stuff from the legendary '63 Vibroverb. If you like this effect, you'll find another reason to love this amp like I do.