Fender Vibrolux Reverb Comparison - Blackface Vs Silverface

I'm comparing two original vintage Fender Vibrolux Reverb Combos: 1966 Blackface Vs 1973 Silverface. I'm playing them using a 1973 Gibson Les Paul Custom. I play the amps using their own cabs but I also play both amps through the same 1972 Marshall 1960B Cab with Celestion Greenbacks G12M25 75Hz Greenbacks with Pulsonic cones.

[@SCOTT-ki3ve]

Same brilliant conclusion. Its 90% about the speakers&cab. This channel has saved me thousands

[@Relayer6a]

I guess it depends on how important you feel those differences are. The additional midrange content doesn't go away when you eliminate the speaker difference. I'm a Les Paul player and that's very important to me.

[@dylanjastle]

Realizing that most of the quality of the sound comes from the speakers and cabinet has also been really helpful to me. I’d say more like 70-80% of the sound is the speaker. Just pick the genre of amp you want, get the speaker that you like the voice of (or a couple speaker options), and forget about it. I will say though, different amps feel different under the fingers. But playing them in the room is a different thing than getting a good recorded sound. I’m really happy with my suhr reactive load IR. I’ve bought a bunch of York Audio IRs and have auditioned a ton of speakers with my amps through the load box. Now I know what speaker cabinets I’m interested in pairing them with.

[@JohanSegeborn]

Thanks Scott! Glad to hear it!

[@Voodoo66Chile]

Great video as always Johan! One of the best tones and playing experience I've ever had was on a early 70s Silverface Vibrolux. Met a gentleman for a pedal trade and he brought some Strats and his Vibrolux to the meeting place which was his employment after hours, a large automotive shop. We got carried away taking turns jamming out on his cranked Vibrolux and it was just blissful playing at those volumes... A vintage Vibrolux is now one of my dream amps since that day. This was an AWESOME video and took me back to that awesome day. Thanks for the great material! Take care Johan!

[@JohanSegeborn]

Thanks, really good to hear that!

[@screamengine]

You do a PERFECT Ace Frehley. Always the best touch! :)

[@50Something]

There is no other channel out there quite like this one Johan! I'm always happy to see what you're up to!

[@JohanSegeborn]

Thanks my friend!

[@highdesertsunbeam]

Thank you brother, I learn so much from you. Love to hear you jam.

[@bluebuspilot]

Wow! The silver face! I’m a silver face deluxe reverb lover but that Vibrolux sounds amazing! And through the Marshall cab was such a cool twist. Great Video!❤

[@JohanSegeborn]

Thanks, glad to hear it!

[@buddylobos5277]

Blackface has a better MID. Both sound great but I'm a Blackface Fan. Thanks Johan

[@JohanSegeborn]

Thanks Buddy, I agree!

[@zhou_sei]

you have shown me the light on the vibrolux... 'specially the silverface. beautiful video, as always. your playing continuously makes my day. cheers!

[@JohanSegeborn]

Thanks my friend! Really good to hear that!

[@jcoulter43]

Great tones as usual Johan! God bless and rock on 👍🎸

[@JohanSegeborn]

Thanks man, rock on! 👍

[@denmar355]

love the silver face. I changed out one of the speakers to a Warehouse ET10. After about 10-15 hours of break-in I love it!

[@Relayer6a]

I just want to tell you how great your channel is. You get great tone out of everything you play. When listening to the clean tone you can hear the additional ambience and a more "bell" type tone with the '66. But I think most people feel that way about silverface vs blackface. That's with a LP which has a lot more midrange than your typical Fender. I don't know if it would carry over the same with a Fender.

[@JohanSegeborn]

Thanks, I’m really glad to hear that!

[@kevinmurtagh4996]

I actually prefer the silverface, at least for Johan’s style. It’s a brighter and more aggressive. Of course the black sounds incredible too. I’d take either one any day! Great job Johan!

[@zhou_sei]

well stated, i agree whole shartedly

[@JohanSegeborn]

Thanks Kevin!

[@eddieholmes3236]

Great comparison Johan! The #1 I learnt was to put them through a Marshall cab! I’ve now re-tooled with Mojotone British Vintage (thanks for the tip!) and they sound amazing.

[@JohanSegeborn]

Thanks Eddie! Yeah Mojotone is the benchmark indeed

[@victorbeebe8372]

Aloha Johan! It's always great You provide information and/or comparison. You always hear about modding Sliverface to Blackface. I guess that why I liked mixing my Marshall with my Silverface Twin.

[@JohanSegeborn]

Aloha Victor!

[@jazz_grooves]

They both sound great. I’d be happy using either of those Vibrolux’s.

[@AndrewBeveridge461]

I've owned my SF Vibrolux longer than any other amp. Went to a shop in 2003 with a handful of cash to finally buy myself a decent set of cymbals. But there was the amp.... I'm a huge Man or Astro Man? fan and I knew that was the amp Starcunch used. I tried it out and was sold. It had some mods that I had undone years back - it's now an original AB763 BF circuit on the inside. So much punch with 6L6 power tubes, Fender preamp stack, and 2x10 speakers. And good call on playing it through an external closed back cab. I used to do that with the 4ohm 8x10 Traynor cab I had and it sounded great.

[@JohanSegeborn]

Thanks Andrew

[@CamiloVelandia]

Both sound fantastic! I can't decide. Love the mids of the blackface, but the Silverface sounds like so many famous tones too!

[@JohanSegeborn]

Thanks Camilo! Glad to hear it

[@timnarva]

Thank you for comparing, Johan. I agree with your assessment. BF certainly more detailed and richer as combo. Harder to compare through Marshall cab. I've had '68 since 1980 (my first amp and still my tonal reference).

[@JohanSegeborn]

Thanks!

[@bobs1988]

The BF brings out the best in your LP to my ears. Warmer for sure. The SF doesn't sound bad though. I hear a bit of fizziness in the high end, much like the current versions of the SF line. Not that it's bad, just something you either prefer, or don't. Great comparison Johan. Thank you.

[@JohanSegeborn]

Thanks Bob, glad you like it!

[@siegfriedwashburn3484]

Hi, Johan! I was allways sure, that LP and Fender Amp are great together! See you! S.

[@JohanSegeborn]

Thanks man, glad to hear it! See you!

[@ac81017]

Very interesting demo! Just bought a 79 Vibrolux mint condition, only used 2hrs since the guy bought in 1980. Current repair shop was going to change the caps and do a black face mod, but he only changed the caps because he said it sounds absolutley amazing as it is. Let me me know if you want to check it out. 🙂👍

[@JohanSegeborn]

Thanks! And thanks for the offer. Cheers

[@goobiecaro8135]

I do believe that the speakers/cab play a larger role in the sound than just the amp. Every evident when playing thru the 412. Those Fenders sounded like low watt plexi's. Between the two combo's, I did prefer the blackface. Had a certain sound qualilty I can't quantify. As always nice job.

[@JohanSegeborn]

Thanks Goobie!

[@markn4526]

Cool video! The Vibrolux Reverb is probably my 2nd favorite Fender amp after the Super Reverb and that's because it reminds me of its little brother. Comparing a Fender Blackface and Silverface amps, the Blackface sounds juicier where the Silverface is more solid sounding if that makes any sense and was more apparent with the amps' own speakers in combo form than thru the Marshall cab. The Blackface is better for blues and the Silverface is better for rock...just my opinion...I like both though. I heard some toned-down Kiss, AC/DC and maybe some Rush licks in your samples!

[@JohanSegeborn]

Thanks! It does indeed make sense

[@albertjabberin739]

Great video, I like the blackface better but they both sound great and when blindfolded it’s hard to tell the difference

[@JohanSegeborn]

Thanks Albert!

[@GuajoloteGonzales]

When you played the Blackface and the Silverface with their own speakers, i noticed a difference that i could describe as the Blackface having a bit more muffled and less volume, while the Silverface has a clearer, more detailed tone with more volume, but when you played them into the Marshall cab, i didn't notice any difference, but nonetheless i thought that they sounded great in both ways, that's why they're my favourite eras of Fender.

[@csumme7]

The Blackface just sounds deeper, like more colour to the sound. I had a Princeton Reverb 2 (82) and loved it for its sound. It was a kick in rump and grab you by your hoohoo kind of amp. Both sounded awesome through the Marshall cabinet though.

[@JohanSegeborn]

Thanks!

[@bb_lz9790]

Both sound great, thanks or sharing! I wonder what would happen if you swapped the tubes between the two amps to see if that makes a difference?

[@JohanSegeborn]

Thanks! I think they both have JJ power tubes

[@matthewf1979]

There’s less gain in the phase inverter of the SF Vibrolux. A few coupling cap values are different here and there that allow more bass through also. They typically sound more scooped because they’re cleaner overall and produce lower frequencies. Worn speakers also reproduce less bass and high frequencies.

[@JohanSegeborn]

Thanks! Great feedback

[@bottomkitchen250]

Both sound so good. I tend to prefer the black face Fenders but don't normally get to hear vibrolux amps.

[@JohanSegeborn]

Thanks! Glad to hear it

[@valendis]

Hey Johan, I searched your page for a comparison video about caster equipped vs no caster equipped marshall cabs, could be a great comparison video? 😁

[@JohanSegeborn]

Hahaha! That’s a good idea indeed. I actually did a video on 4x12 standing vs 4x12 lying on it’s back 😂 but not casters vs no casters

[@DogAfraidOfUmbrellas]

I'm convinced that 90% of the reason new Fender style amps like Tone Kings don't sound quite as good as old Fenders is because of the cab. Where they used to use pine and size was less an issue (like the old oversized 2x12 bassman cabs which sound great), now amps are designed to be compact and all made with birch and MDF. There are some great Jensen-like speakers made today, like the Eminence Alessandro, so I don't think that is the issue. Incidentally the Suhr Hombre combo and 2x12 cabinet are both pine and the proper dimensions and the amp really does sound like an old Fender.

[@leiferickson3183]

Please measure the B+ (High tension) in both amps at the first point off the rectifiers. I think the older ones are lower B+ and at some point they raised the voltage which can make some big differences.

[@JohanSegeborn]

Good idea, would explain the stiffness difference

[@loubydal7812]

I rather go with the blackface, sounds to me fuller, I think it emphasizes the mids better. The silverface is also good, but yeah sounds a bit different somewhat brighter. Thanks!

[@JohanSegeborn]

Thanks!

[@GiantPinhead]

Really neat. I would have liked to have heard them both CLEAN through the external speakers. Broadly speaking, I preferred the BF. Just a lot more complex sounding and musically pleasing.

[@JohanSegeborn]

There was actually a very short sample of cleans through the Marshall cab at the end

[@MichaelSmith-rn1qw]

In the late 1970's, the Vibrolux Reverb got a pull-boost on the vibrato channel, and then later a footswitchable pull-boost. My 1980 has the footswitchable pull-boost, and also a blackface control panel. To my knowledge this amp never got a master volume like some other Fender amps of this era did. The pull-boost does not sound very good, and one disadvantage is the volume pot they used with the pull-boost doesn't have the correct taper, and it goes from quiet to very loud in a very small range.

[@JohanSegeborn]

Interesting info!

[@what1864]

i liked you describing the differences you herd while making video because a lot of nuances are lost in recording ...

[@JohanSegeborn]

Thanks!

[@schmolly75]

A "big" difference is on the blue molded caps in the BF vs the blue drop in the SF ! These "blue molded" are the golden tone of the Blackfaces ! I see a GZ34 on the BF but what is on the Silver ? Schematic calls for a 5U4GB which means a lower B+ and more sag. But no problem, if I found an old VR no matter the color I will buy it !

[@JohanSegeborn]

Thanks, interesting!

[@andrus108]

I didn't hear any significant difference between amps when played through the same cab, and I'm listening through studio monitors. So I guess find your favourite speakers for >90% of the tone, then the right amp to shape the other

[@JohanSegeborn]

Yeah speakers are insanely influential

[@dylanjastle]

Close to 100k. Get subbed ladies and gents

[@JohanSegeborn]

Thanks Dylan! 😃

[@rique_.leal.]

if im gonna say my opinion, the sliverface feels more rounded and the blackface feels more fizzy

[@alexanders562]

It is consistent with the times. The brighter sound of the 60's compared to the more dense and think sound of the 70's. You can compare it to cars, ties, collars, hair styles. Google a 1966 Impala and then a 1973 Impala.

[@brianwarner308]

Get the Firehouse!!!

[@Schlumbucketreturns]

Blackface is a little warmer and darker, but they both sound great.

[@JohanSegeborn]

Thanks!

[@NigelXW]

Well, the obvious choice is to have them both on together, right? c: Edit: having listened, I like the bite of the silverface more

[@JohanSegeborn]

Yeah more is more! 😀

[@the_nondrive_side]

T&S parameters.. QTS the Q value. when you are trying to make a good PA or HI FI yo want low values. when your into guitars you might want the HIgher value or a mixture of both. one will be boom and swell the other should impart less character but having a Good fast one mixed might be the deal.. like parallel compression

[@adams4244]

I couldn't hear one thing the '73 did that the '66 didn't do better. I've always remember it being this way though, so no real surprised.

[@JohanSegeborn]

Yeah it’s superior indeed

[@scotthutchens1556]

I thought the BF had a prettier tone on the cleans. I like the BF better all around because of its warmth and naturally compressed sound.

[@JohanSegeborn]

Thanks Scott

[@kadeemward]

In the Marshall the silverface sounds brighter!

[@JohanSegeborn]

They have different top ends and depending on listening device one or the other comes out brighter.

[@HarkoBarf]

Well, they both sound better through a Marshall cab and almost identical as well. I tend to believe that a lot of silverfaces just have not so good speakers in them. I got an Oxford from a sf Twin Reverb and almost any Celestion I own blows it out of the water.

[@JohanSegeborn]

Yeah hard to beat Pulsonic coned Greenbacks!

[@terryshrk]

The 66 black face sounds so much like "Keef" from the Rolling Stones its scary. But as much as i like that classic rock tone i think i actually prefer the silver face.

[@JohanSegeborn]

Thanks! I love Keef!

[@DMSProduktions]

Noice 1 Coily! AWK! \m/

[@JohanSegeborn]

Cheers DMS!

[@nachom1971]

Silverface sounded better

[@jenshilberts6914]

I agree

[@congoblast]

It's funny... The silverface sounds better on its own, but im pretty sure the blackface would mix better.

[@adamwatson6916]

Black Face fender and its not even close

[@JohanSegeborn]

It’s significantly better indeed, but both are good enough

[@dr_paf6442]

BF more "3D" sound

[@JohanSegeborn]

Indeed

[@Gma7788]

Im sick and tired of comparisons. One is a voltage amplifier and the other is a current amplifier. They're opposite types of amplifiers. You can't compare unique products. They're unique. Stop beginning all the time. We're buying COLLECTIONS not beginning 1 and only. Stop dismissals! What's complimentary amplifiers??? What's going to compliment? What does the 5 amp set look like? What does the 10 amp set look like?? Get out of beginning over and over and get on with life.

[@kevinmurtagh4996]

Wow, you’re a fun person. 😆 That fact that they’re different, isn’t that why you compare them? These amps sound amazing, why not have fun with them? Not sure what your issue is.

[@JohanSegeborn]

It’s a great idea to do a video on what 5 amps that would complement each other.

[@loubydal7812]

Come on man don't take so seriously! If in these 2 amps were compared all componentes 1 to 1 they could be like night and day, too different. Fender went through quite some changes in the 70s so anyways there's going to be differences. Johan is a very cool man and I see he's very passionate and knowledgeable with what he does, I'd say we all are very thankful he's sharing great content and being original too. So I don't understand why your rant.

[@Fuzzheimer]

The voltage amp vs current amp debate rages on

[@zhou_sei]

guys, this is clearly a bot

[@aidenbarrett]

Hi Johan, is there somewhere i can contact you? I'd like to send you an email/message if you dont mind. Thanks, Aiden