The Magic Amps Vibro Deluxe is a highly sought-after amplifier known for its exceptional tone and versatility. It has become a staple in the guitar playing community due to its rich history and distinctive sound. The Magic Amps Vibro Deluxe is a replica of the original Fender Vibro Deluxe, which was first introduced in the late 1960s. This iconic amplifier was originally intended to be a competitor to the popular Fender Deluxe Reverb, but it quickly developed a reputation of its own. Over the years, it has been used by countless artists across various genres, including rock, blues, and country. One of the defining features of the Magic Amps Vibro Deluxe is its tremolo effect.
Amp(s) Of The Year ? Your Own Personal Faves.
I’m kind of interested in a Matchless, but haven’t played one yet. I loved my AC30s but they’re just too big and heavy to cart around. Same goes for a Twin. AC15 breaks up too early.
So my ideal package is minimum 30 watts, portable, loud and chimey. A Vibrolux fits the bill and has been my amp of the year for the past 7 or so years! To be honest a plain old Blues DeLuxe (my spare) sounds great to me too.
I would be interested in hearing some of these amps in action, preferably in a band mix. I think you play similar stuff to me - are your band on YouTube or anywhere? I had a quick search but found nowt!
My own journey (as everyone's I guess) is fuelled by need, circumstance, luck, availability etc.
I have two needs amp-wise; i.) a great 'home' amp and ii.) a great 'live/rehearsal' amp.
i.) The Band - Live & Rehearsal
The big influence has been the band. I'm the sole electric guitarist in our band, so the amp has to 'cut it'. I need edge of break up tones, controllable, reliable, constant.
I guess I'm a Fender Blackface tones man, but most of my music Ive listened to is Vox based.
I have a 'list' in my head of amps and pedals Id like to try. Generally, by now at 52 years of age, I think I have an idea of what works, whats hype, whats simply re-packaged. Im not risk averse either; generally, give or take, you will cover what you have spent by resale
The Matchless Nighthawk was on my list, having previously owned a Lightning. It came at the right time, and definitely the right price, but forced the sale of my rock solid superb Carr Mercury V.
The Lazy J20 was a 'trial'. Id owned one before but never rehearsed with it. I rehearsed with this one though, and I won't forget that sound ! Wow ! Incredible harmonics ringing out after every chord. @mgaw owns it now and it really is a beauty. Ill miss this one and it might be the regret.
I also miss my Redplates. The RP50 head @lukedlb now owns and my old CDS2s were stunning, and Ive still never heard an amp chime and 'bloom' like a Redplate does.
ii.) Home Use
So, when it comes to home use, the parameters change. I live in a small 2 bedroom semi, with lovely understanding neighbours but you cant be cranking amps imho. I like a warmer, cleaner sound at home. For many many years, my Carr Rambler has provided this - glorious amp.
But I wanted something a bit more forgiving, warmer - more Princeton like in my head.
Very fews amps work live AND home for me. And here lies the problem.
So, @rainer2859 was so kind to lend me his awesome Milkman Creamer. It remains one of the best looking, well made amps Ive played. GLORIOUS warm Mayer-eq tones. Love it.
BUT, at the same time the 3rd Power Wooly Coats MKII came up for offer. @mgaw has good ears, even better taste and knows his stuff and recommended it to me. Id sold a few pedals so I bought it. However, it arrived after the Milkman so I was in a real quandary. The Milkman sound warmer and sweeter.
The 3rd Power amps have an excellent reputation and man alive, is it special .
Without doubt, the Wooly Coats is one of the best amps Ive ever heard. Full stop. It has that Princeton vibe in spades, the chime of a Blackface, the presence of a mid knob, awesome reverb and the best Master volume/attenuator thingy I have ever known. The amp seems to keep its sound at any volume.
No live/youtube clips I'm afraid
Apologies for the long answer !
Thanks for a very interesting reply:) I guess if I had felt the same about an amp as you did about the Redplate and Lazy J I'd never have let them go! I should probably be more risk averse, but experience tells me that I really hate the hassle of change for marginal, or no gains. I'm also the only guitar player in a 4-piece (vocals, guitar, bass, drums) and I agree that it has to sound spot on and consistent. I guess that's why I tend to stick with what works. I don't have a specific home-playing requirement as I can crank it up from time to time and actually every amp I've had sounded great at low volumes too (even the AC30!) . Mine has to cover studio/rehearsal/gig. Also a big factor is pedals - do any of yours differ dramatically in the way they take pedals, or particular sorts of pedals? I should probably be more adventurous and check out a Matchless or Carr, just to see if I'm missing anything.
Deluxe Micro EF80
This version of the Deluxe Micro is completely faithful to the Fender 5E3 Deluxe. Like the 5E3 it has two channels, a cathodyne phase inverter and two EF80 small pentodes in push-pull for about 1 watt of output power. The EF80 is a small pentode that uses 6.3v heater voltage and standard 9-pin sockets so they are easy to work with. Real NOS EF80 Mullard tubes are plentiful and only cost about $6 each.
My recommended power transformer is the $28 AnTek AS-05T200 toroidal power transformer 200v @ 130ma (50VA), 6.3v @ 4 amps used with a bridge rectifier. You can build the bridge rectifier with four 1N4007 diodes or get an inexpensive bridge rectifier like this $1 three amp 1000v 105x45mm round transformer cover, leave it exposed or mount it inside the chassis.
At 270 to 300v on the plates and a 300 ohm cathode resistor (as in the layout below) you can expect the EF80s to run at 2.45 watts, 95% plate dissipation with 8.4 milliamps of plate current per tube. Adding a 1k 1/2 watt screen resistor will add some screen sag distortion and emphasize the difference between triode and pentode overdrive.
The easy way to build this amp is to buy a 5E3 Deluxe small parts kit from Mojotone.com then order a 5E3 chassis, the transformers, extra 9-pin sockets, 8-pin to 9-pin adapter plates, EF80 power tubes, EZ81 rectifier tube (or use solid state rectifier as shown on the far left of the circuit board on the layout below), 1A slow blow fuse, 300 ohm 3 watt power tube cathode resistor and 2.2k 2 watt voltage dropping resistor.
This layout is for a full size 5E3 Deluxe Chassis. Click the image to see the high resolution layout. Download the pdf file. Download the DIYLC file. Download the Hoffman Board File.
Doug Hoffman at HoffmanAmps.com can make you a Deluxe Micro EF80 turret or eyelet board using this Hoffman Board File for about $20 + shipping. Just go to the HoffmanAmps DIYLC Analyzer page and upload the Deluxe Micro Hoffman Board File.
An optional EZ81 tube rectifier can be used with an $89 Hammond 269EX 190-0-190V power transformer rated at 75ma and 2.5 amps of 6.3v heater current. For international builders I recommend the Hammond 369EX which has 100, 110, 120, 200, 220,230, 240 VAC 50/60 Hz primaries. The 269EX/369EX is a good choice for any amp using an EF80 power amp but it does not include a 5v secondary so use an EZ81 (6.3v) tube rectifier.
One of the defining features of the Magic Amps Vibro Deluxe is its tremolo effect. This unique feature allows players to add a pulsating modulation to their sound, creating a truly mesmerizing effect. The tremolo on the Vibro Deluxe is often praised for its warmth and depth, and many guitarists consider it to be the best tremolo effect available on an amplifier.
Hammond 269EX/369EX Power Transformer
Wiring for an EZ81 tube rectifier is shown. An optional solid state full wave conventional rectifier is also shown with ghosted high voltage lines to the solid state rectifier. Choose tube or solid state rectification.
Pins 1 & 3 connect to a single cathode, pins 4 & 5 (f) are 6.3v heater filaments, pin 6 is an internal shield which is normally connected to the cathode or ground, pins 1 & 9 (cathode and suppressor grid) are normally tied together.
In addition to its tremolo effect, the Magic Amps Vibro Deluxe also offers a distinctive tone. It is known for its rich, shimmering clean tones that can be easily pushed into natural tube overdrive by simply cranking up the volume. This makes it a versatile amplifier that can handle a wide range of musical styles and playing techniques. The Magic Amps Vibro Deluxe is hand-built by skilled craftsmen, ensuring the highest level of quality. The attention to detail and commitment to craftsmanship are evident in every aspect of the amplifier, from its vintage-inspired aesthetics to its meticulously designed circuitry. This commitment to quality has made the Magic Amps Vibro Deluxe a highly sought-after amplifier among musicians and collectors alike. Overall, the Magic Amps Vibro Deluxe is a legendary amplifier that continues to captivate guitarists with its exceptional tone and versatility. Whether you're a professional musician or a dedicated enthusiast, this amplifier is sure to impress with its legendary tone and timeless design..
Reviews for "Magic Amps Vibro Deluxe: A Timeless Classic for Jazz Guitarists"
1. John - 1/5 - I was really disappointed with the Magic amps vibro deluxe. The sound quality was subpar and the built-in effects were cheap and unimpressive. The overall construction of the amp felt cheap and flimsy, and it died on me after just a few months of use. I would not recommend this amp to anyone serious about their sound.
2. Sarah - 2/5 - The Magic amps vibro deluxe didn't live up to the hype for me. The clean tones were decent, but the overdrive was lacking depth and punch. The controls were not intuitive, and it took me a while to find a tone I was satisfied with. Overall, I'd say it's an average amp at best.
3. Mike - 2/5 - I found the Magic amps vibro deluxe to be underwhelming. The sound was muddy and lacked clarity, even after tinkering with the settings. The reverb effects were mediocre and didn't add much depth to the sound. I wouldn't recommend this amp to anyone looking for a versatile and high-quality option.