[Harp-L] RE: Not just another amp question.

["Steve Power" <stevepower@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Derwood, I feel ya. I also play both harp and guitar. I use two dedicated 
amps now but for decades I used one amp for both. The first amp that I found 
actually worked was a 1965 Vibrolux-Reverb but that was back when you could 
buy one without taking a 2nd mortgage. When it was stolen in 1991, I was 
really stuck as we were days away from leaving for a tour. I was recommended 
the '63 Reissue Vibroverb, the brownface one. I lucked into a deal on a new 
one and used that amp for 10 years before I sold when I moved out of the UK 
back to the States. When I got here I immediately bought another one. Best 
reissue amp Fender ever made IMO.

Commonly known you've got to do a speaker and tube swap. I dumped the 
Oxfords for a pair of Weber 10A125-O and the Chinese tube for all NOS.  I 
play the harp through the normal channel and the guitar through the bright 
channel.  When I swapped out the tubes I put a 12at7 in the Normal channel. 
Some don't like that type of tube but I use a Telefunken and it sounds 
pretty damn good to me. The power tubes are RCA 6l6gc blackplates, every 
thing else is RCA as well.  I still have that amp.

A RI '63 Vibroverb will run between $750-$1000 depending on condition. 
Webers I think are about $75-$80 but you can find them 2nd hand sometimes. 
NOS tubes are tricky with people asking all sorts of crazy money, but if you 
do your research you can get them for a fair price. An alternative, at least 
for power tubes, are TAD, which I've used and found to be pretty good, or 
I've also heard from a vintage tube seller that the Winged C are very good 
for a contemporary tube.

The Verb, isn't real big but the 2x10 gives plenty of bottom. It's rated at 
35 watts but I've never had mine above 6 -7 on the harp and 5 on the guitar, 
and still the bass player complains I'm too loud. It is more unique looking 
than most, has tilt back legs, and the price is holding its own and even 
increasing slightly. It's a great combo for both instruments. If you contact 
me off list I can send you a couple of recordings I did with it.