'75 Fender Vibrosonic

Aaron Schiff · Post by **Aaron Schiff** » 22 Jan 2001 6:30 pm

A shop near me has a '75 Fender Vibrosonic for $850. I know very little about amps, but am trying to learn. Can anybody tell me about this amp and if it is good for steel or country guitar? When I plug in a guitar, it sounds louder than without the amp and the fabric has a couple of cigarette burns. That's the extent of my knowledge.

Sage · Post by **Sage** » 22 Jan 2001 8:20 pm

I have a ~73 Vibrosonic which makes IMHO a great steel amp. Mine has a "Fender professional series (PS) 15 with an orange colored basket, It's a JBL. I haven't been in the market for a long time, but $850 sounds a bit steep to me, esp. if it is in less than great condition. I put in a matching set of "hard" (maximum clean signal before distortion) groove tubes to get mine sounding best for steel. You need to re-bias the amp when doing this, so if you don't know the condition of the tubes you might want to take into account the cost of setting it up fresh. This can set you back some $$. It would be no fun to pay high $ and them some more $ to get something worth less $. IMHO that's the downside of tube amps. The serious upside is the tone. All I can say is play thru a few and compare. Best of luck-

Bill Terry · Post by **Bill Terry** » 23 Jan 2001 7:27 am

Two went through ebay this month, one sold for 619.00, the other had a 500.00 reserve and no bids.
http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1401498140&ed=978547234
http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1402113872&ed=978733926

------------------
bterry.home.netcom.com

PLAYSTEEL9 · Post by **PLAYSTEEL9** » 23 Jan 2001 2:42 pm

I HAVE two custom shop fenders and also a 73 model and i would sell one of the new ones for 700.00 paid 900. each. don't need three of them. they all are in like new condition.
wayne
ps the steel sounds better thru the guitar side then thru the steel side of the amp.

------------------
Those that make music, pray twice.

[This message was edited by PLAYSTEEL9 on 23 January 2001 at 02:44 PM.]

Bob Metzger · Post by **Bob Metzger** » 23 Jan 2001 3:23 pm

Aaron,
This amp is essentially a Twin Reverb with a 15" speaker, instead of the Twin's 2x 12" config. Does this amp have a master volume control, on the front panel, next to the pilot light? Does this amp have a choke? (Look in back of the amp; there will be two giant metal things hanging down, these are the transformers. If it has a 3rd hanging metal thing but much smaller; that's a choke!)
Does it say 135 watts on the back panel, near the speaker output? Does it have a line out/recording jack on the back panel? Does it say 4 amp fuse on the back panel? If it has the 4 amp fuse, line out/recoding jack, 135 watts and no choke, then it's a Ultralinear model and should be even a little cheaper yet, as these are not thought of as being as desirable as earlier models by electric guitarists but should make an outstanding steel guitar amp! What make of speaker is in it?

Remember any used amp you buy should be at least looked over by a good tech, just like if you were to buy a used car.

These amps are rare but like the guys have pointed out: $850 seems a bit steep.

Bob[This message was edited by Bob Metzger on 23 January 2001 at 03:27 PM.]

Aaron Schiff · Post by **Aaron Schiff** » 24 Jan 2001 4:26 pm

Well like most things here in the sticks, you pay a lot for lack of sales volume and competition. I'll try to get to the shop this weekend and check out the items mentioned. I don't know how I would check out the tubes, etc. since I know nothing about them. I guess I can check to make sure connections are not corroded, etc. I've bought new instruments from this fellow before and he has come off the list price substantially. Perhaps he has a significant negotiating markup in his used stuff also.

Wayne Wallett · Post by **Wayne Wallett** » 24 Jan 2001 5:44 pm

Aaron....sounds too high to me. I had on a 72 and was trying to sell for $550 in mint cond and couldn't. Finally traded on Webb even up, I made out. For that kind of money around central PA you can pick up a used Webb or Evans and be bettor off.
don't get me wrong I like my Fenders too but for serious steel Webb or Evans.
wayne......

Steve Feldman · Post by **Steve Feldman** » 24 Jan 2001 6:00 pm

don't get me wrong I like my Fenders too but for serious steel Webb or Evans.

Whooo! I'll bet I'm not the only one who would take exception to that!

Ron · Post by **Ron** » 24 Jan 2001 9:27 pm

I have a vibroverb. Any one interested ? Ron Frazier