Vibrolux Reissue 35 Watt 2x10 or 65 Deluxe Reverb?

**Razorbackjazz** · 07-04-2018, 07:25 PM

I’m buying a 42 pound amp for my soon to be 16 year old son tonight. Already approved for 0% for 6 months and 15% off. The DR is $1099, the Vibrolux is $1199. Which would you buy for High School Jazz Band use. Please don’t say neither. I need to get this over with.

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**marcwhy** · 07-04-2018, 07:35 PM

Wow, this is a different direction from your other thread!

Based on all the other input from your original thread, I would recommend the 1x12 deluxe. [although my other recommendations still hold, so "neither" is my honest answer!]

**blille** · 07-04-2018, 07:55 PM

With no other context I would go vibrolux for the 6L6s and extra headroom. In a big mix the 2x10 might be better than 1x12 as well.

**Woody Sound** · 07-04-2018, 10:22 PM

If the weight is about the same, the Vibrolux will be cleaner @ louder. I used one briefly (ironically, in my HS big band in the 70s), and it was FABULOUS.

**citizenk74** · 07-04-2018, 10:29 PM

The aforementioned headroom afforded by the Vibrolux will be an advantage. But no matter what amp you wind up with, please get a hand truck/dolly to go with it. Young people believe themselves to be invincible and immortal. They are neither. Nor are the tubes that are the secret of the "tube tone" you are going for. A properly handled tube amp can give thousands of hours of uncomplaining service. One too many knocks, drops, or sudden jars of any type can cause expen$ive grief. Handle the amp with tender, loving care. Don't toss it in the trunk. Belt it in the back seat. Oh, and get a cover, as well. Best of luck to you and your son.

**Jabberwocky** · 07-04-2018, 10:43 PM

$1199 can get you an Henriksen 312 or Roland Blues Cube Artist and the Ultimate Blues Tone Capsule. A little less haste may reap better rewards.

The Fender is not so hardy for schlepping to high school band practice and performance. 42 lbs in one hand and a guitar in the other and it gets old real fast. Tubes are charming but time marches on. The modelling stuff is pretty impressive these days. Less heat from the amp, too. On a hot day it may be appreciated.

But, OK, Vibrolux Reverb 2x10. Budget $150 for some good tubes.

**Jabberwocky** · 07-04-2018, 10:50 PM

Get a Studio Slip clamshell amp bag. Helps with the schlepping.

**Greentone** · 07-04-2018, 11:28 PM

Vibrolux Reverb

**D.G.** · 07-05-2018, 12:56 AM

Hmm. That's a hard call, but I'd probably go with the Vibrolux...

...but regardless make sure to get a collapsible hand truck at the same time!

**Ray175** · 07-05-2018, 02:28 AM

Of the two I would go for the Vibrolux. The 2x10 will IMHO be better placed to cut through with a larger band (and particularly horns).
Neither would be my choice in this context for reasons of :

weight and practicality
fragility of tubes (plus probable need to retube from day 1 to get the sound you want - you can spend a lifetime finding the tubes that are right for you)
might not stay adequately clean when "loud" is important

Happy hunting

**jorgemg1984** · 07-05-2018, 07:25 AM

Vibrolux

Jkniff26 · 07-05-2018, 10:06 AM

Originally Posted by Jabberwocky

$1199 can get you an Henriksen 312 or Roland Blues Cube Artist and the Ultimate Blues Tone Capsule. A little less haste may reap better rewards.

The Fender is not so hardy for schlepping to high school band practice and performance. 42 lbs in one hand and a guitar in the other and it gets old real fast. Tubes are charming but time marches on. The modelling stuff is pretty impressive these days. Less heat from the amp, too. On a hot day it may be appreciated.

But, OK, Vibrolux Reverb 2x10. Budget $150 for some good tubes.

Yea the henrickson gets another vote from me. Loud as shit and clean as a whistle. Thing pumps and never breaks up. He may be conning you so he can use the deluxe for his alt-rock-punk-jazz-metal-fusion-surf and hip hop influenced anti government performance art band that he has on the side.

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**Greentone** · 07-05-2018, 10:14 AM

What's adolescence for? I never thought lugging a Fender Pro Reverb or Vibrolux Reverb was a chore. It was the Dual Showman Reverb cabinet that I balked at...not to mention the big Ampeg and Marshall cabs.

A teen won't think twice about carrying a VR.

**Razorbackjazz** · 07-05-2018, 10:41 AM

Originally Posted by Greentone

What's adolescence for? I never thought lugging a Fender Pro Reverb or Vibrolux Reverb was a chore. It was the Dual Showman Reverb cabinet that I balked at...not to mention the big Ampeg and Marshall cabs.

A teen won't think twice about carrying a VR.

Thanks for the encouraging words. I have had that comment one or two other times in the last few days. Patrick has been carrying a upright bass around since 5th grade. I think it’s because of that experience his care with gear is very good. The fact that the only ding on his upright in 5 years was caused by me, I’m confident he’ll manage well with the Vibrolux Reverb. I am now considering a road type case with integrated dolly or at the very least a Studio Slips as recommended in another comment. The amp ships today so hopefully he’ll have it Saturday. Thanks everyone for all the help.

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**Cavalier** · 07-05-2018, 11:06 AM

I'd vote for the Vibrolux but if it was me I'd be sending either a 210 or 112 Yamaha G50 series 1 or 2. Louder, cleaner, a bit lighter, way less expensive and also has cool cult appeal for jazz. A friend used one in a large rambunctious high school big band and he could always be louder, even in a gymnasium.

I'd carry a Twin of course.

**viccortes285** · 07-05-2018, 11:26 AM

I own 2 Fender Deluxe Reverb Amps and love them. They weigh42 lbs. And are loud enough to cut thru most mix.

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**blille** · 07-05-2018, 11:30 AM

Originally Posted by Greentone

What's adolescence for? I never thought lugging a Fender Pro Reverb or Vibrolux Reverb was a chore. It was the Dual Showman Reverb cabinet that I balked at...not to mention the big Ampeg and Marshall cabs.

A teen won't think twice about carrying a VR.

Exactly my thinking.

In my first reply I started typing a lighter more efficient recommendation, then I remember how I was at his age. I was even excited because I could play through a 4x12. Granted, it wasn’t Jazz.

Originally Posted by Cavalier

I'd vote for the Vibrolux but if it was me I'd be sending either a 210 or 112 Yamaha G50 series 1 or 2. Louder, cleaner, a bit lighter, way less expensive and also has cool cult appeal for jazz. A friend used one in a large rambunctious high school big band and he could always be louder, even in a gymnasium.

I'd carry a Twin of course.

Those Yamaha are great.

**Woody Sound** · 07-05-2018, 11:34 AM

Originally Posted by blille

Exactly my thinking.

In my first reply I started typing a lighter more efficient recommendation, then I remember how I was at his age. I was even excited because I could play through a 4x12. Granted, it wasn’t Jazz.

Yeah, I did lug around a Twin (with casters) in HS and first year of college. Then I started using progressively smaller Music Man amps.

**Jabberwocky** · 07-05-2018, 01:40 PM

Yeah, I can lug 42 pounds around in my youth...bearhugging it in two arms and carrying nothing else. So you can imagine, not the kind of guy to sweep a woman off her feet carrying her into her boudoir either.

Congrats on the Vibrolux 2x10. It will probably be biased a little cold from the factory. Give it a good bias and let it rip.

**Greentone** · 07-05-2018, 01:44 PM

Many is the time as a youth it was a Twin Reverb (or equivalent ) in one hand and a guitar in the other...assuming no stairs. Not fun, but standard fare.

Kids are knuckleheads.

**Gitfiddler** · 07-05-2018, 02:41 PM

Between the two amps mentioned, I'd also agree that a Vibrolux would work best.

This thread reminded me of my high school and college days, lugging around a Fender Pro (single 15" spkr), and later an Ampeg VT22. The latter amp caused my old Dodge Dart's rear end sag a bit.

I never had an issue carrying either of them to/from wherever. Why not? Because I was 16 to 18 years old at the time!!

Now I wouldn't dream of such self-inflicted torture, especially with so many great lightweight amp options available these days.

Anyway, let us know what you and your son ultimately decide.

**rpjazzguitar** · 07-05-2018, 02:54 PM

I used to carry an Ampeg Reverberocket more than a half mile to high school.

Apparently, that was before the invention of the wheel, or at least, before I found out there was such a thing as a hand truck -- not that I could have afforded one.

Because of the ADA, newer buildings are required to accommodate wheelchairs, meaning there are ramps or elevators. That probably means your son will be in good shape most of the time with the amp on a hand truck or other wheeled transport.

Sooner or later, though, he'll be faced with a long flight of steps. Or a rocky garden path up a hill to the site of the gig (trust me on this one).

Honestly, I would question getting a seriously heavy amp for a subtle improvement in tone.

When I went to see Strings Attached in NYC, there were four famous jazz guitarists on stage. Jack Wilkins played an AER Compact 60. Vic Juris had a somewhat bigger Fuchs, but still a relatively small amp. I don't recall the brands that Mark Whitfield and Joe Cohn used but they were both small amps.

In Rudy's Music in Soho, they were demo'ing vintage D'Angelicos, some priced over $100,000, with a Henricksen Bud.

**Razorbackjazz** · 07-05-2018, 09:18 PM

Over the last few days selecting a suitable amp has been like studying for college finals for Patrick and I both. I just walked outside and heard him in the Studio. He was playing his Telecaster through his GK mb150 which we bought to use with his upright. He was using a Carbon Copy with the Modulation on. It was quite clean and loud and sounded great. Since he will most likely be playing Upright on some of the Jazz numbers, I suspect he may decide his GK is fine for both instruments. I hope the VR has something extra and I’m sure it will. If not it may end up as a concert only amp.

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**D.G.** · 07-05-2018, 10:46 PM

One thing in certain: a Vibrolux is a legacy, lifetime amp if you take care of it!

**John A.** · 07-06-2018, 07:31 AM

Originally Posted by Razorbackjazz

Over the last few days selecting a suitable amp has been like studying for college finals for Patrick and I both. I just walked outside and heard him in the Studio. He was playing his Telecaster through his GK mb150 which we bought to use with his upright. He was using a Carbon Copy with the Modulation on. It was quite clean and loud and sounded great. Since he will most likely be playing Upright on some of the Jazz numbers, I suspect he may decide his GK is fine for both instruments. I hope the VR has something extra and I’m sure it will. If not it may end up as a concert only amp.

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Plenty of guitar players use those GK amps. They're essentially the same thing as the many amps sold as "jazz guitar" amps. I don't think you mentioned that your kid had one in your first post, but if you had a lot of us would have said don't buy another amp and just use that. Throw in something like a Fender Deluxe Reverb pedal or one of the Tech 21 pedals in front for some tube character, and you're done. Save the $1000 for later when he has some more time on guitar and his own ideas about what sounds good. IOW, "neither" .

John