Vintage Sound Amplifiers '64 Vibroverb 1x15

Custom build in June of 2008. When I first contacted Rick the owner of Vintage Sound Amplifers, it was by email. He was VERY response and detailed, and when soon spoke. Althought he doesnt feature or list this particualr moidel (64 Vibroverb) on his site - I knew it was based on the standard Blackface circut of that era, and he could probably easily do one. He mentioned hes done a few before anyway. It was important to me to have the Cesar Diez mods, ands the dual reticifaction option (tube or ss)- again Rick said no problem.

With those 2 added features, along witht he standard Balck Face tones - and big clear 25" Weber California speaker - I dont see what features this amp could be missing. He evern installed tilt back legs - unlike the true origianl, but never the less - apprecaited and an added feature. Got to give it a 10!!

So far I have used this with Strats and Tele's - and the sound is phenomonal! Down the line Im sure humbuckers will shine as well. Where do you begin? First, and maybe foremost the materials used are top notch - best available. The wiring and soldering is amazing....I looked at pictures Rick sent of the inside of the chasis - and all the way up to the green braided wires neatly outling the circut board (just like the originals!) it was very neat, professional and authentic. The Diaz mod whih removeds the tremolo circut adds an amazing boost to the amp = yet, and mos timportnatly it remains a Fender sound!! I dont want to flip a switch on my Black Face Fender and have it becoem a Mesa! (love Mesa, no insult intented) but I want a Fender to be a Fender. Thhis mod, kind of allows it to have a more saturated fatter sound without having to push the tubes to their limits. For more thinner, blusey, biting - standard Fender like twang - keep the amp set as normal. Cant notice a real difference betweeen the SS Rectifier mode vs the Tube....so mostly keep it on tube setting - nice to have the option anyway - just like the Fender Cusotm Shop Version which cost HUNDRED and HUNDREDs and HUNDRED more!

Regarding Sound rating. I gotta say this amp is great!! Buy with full confidnece - probably any of Ricks creations....(mostly all the same circut and materials)...with that said....I have to think if I had an original 1964 Vibroverb with the JBL Alnico speakers....Just like Stevie Ray made famous! - and heres the catch....it was reliable and the speaker was alive....tubes fresh, etc etc...that would be a TEN. Proably an Elevan really. If that is the benchmark for perfection, I have to be honest - how can you compare. SO I score this amp a Nine.

But to put that rating in perepctie.....Go try and find a PERFECT no-isses, fresh speaker (no rub, etc) Full of life Tube (old RCA or GEs) if you can....then spoend MORE than double on the price....Then you have your TEn rating...for me, I will take a Nine under warranty, clean fresh and access to the builder 24/7 for less than half the price all day long!!!

Brand new -but should work forever. based on Ricks concern and ability to communicate easily, fairly and friendly......I have ZERO worries - this is a great investment, especially considering Ricks ongoing support!

This is a TEN all day long. Most "Custom / botique" amp builder will communicate....but may either have poor attitudes (translation big egos) or are just so overly technical (they cant help it) but Rick talks to me like a layman - is fair - is conistant - and does what he says. If ther was an 11 I'd rate him that.

Been playing a little over 30 years. Have quite a nice collection of a bit of everything Guitars and amps...new, custom buuilt and Vintage. To be honest there are not a lot of bad products out there. Even the Mass produced stuff by Fender, marshall and VOx are good at worst and incredible at best. But if you can get a custom built clone with better materials, more carful workmanship and the owners ear...why wouldnt you. If anything it my house was stolen, not just this amp....my dog would eat them befroe they left he house, no worries there :)