Overall User Ratings

"No question... the best new Fender amp to date."

This reviewer purchased this item from Same Day Music.

Feature:
Best reverb Fender makes... all you need is one channel... what else do you need.

Quality:
I believe you get far better quality with Custom Shop items. Every thing else is cookie cutter approach, but that is true for all manufactures.

Value:
Not bad compared with other amps. I think the music industry is making a killing on equipment. So, do I think that it cost Fender anything close to $2K to build this amp... hell no. But compared to other manufactures it is average. Pick any manufacture and price their highest price amp and see...

Desirability:
Like I said... I played at least 8 other high end Fender amps... I would buy another if this one got stolen. With out a doubt.

Sound:
I read a review from someone that basically dogged this amp. Not sure if the amp he bought had blown speakers, or the guy has cotton in his ears. This is far superior that all lower end Fender amps. I played most amps that Fender sells and when I got to the Vibro-King there were no match. This amp is absolutely all in one amp. It has the warmest clean sound and enough overdrive that I think I will sell my TS9 distortion pedal. I don't think that Fender makes too many amps that are targeted for rock and blues-rock music. This amp does it all. The 4x10" Concert Reverb would have been my second choice for that style of music. If you want the best tone, great clean and distortion sounds, the best reverb available, and practical amplifier, then get the Vibro-King. Hands down the best amp Fender makes... even better than the '64 Vibroverb custom shop in my opinion.

Support:
Don't know... I have not had to contact Fender, but I have heard horror stories... With this reputation you would think that they would be trying to improve customer support.

Overall:
I can't think of anything bad about the amp. Not just saying this because I bought one. I could have bought any other amp that I have tried.

"This amp has TONE!!!"

Feature:
I rate this low because I have some issues with the features. The reverb is suppost to be a 63 reverb tank. Well, I have used the real deal and it sounds nothing like it. Don't get me wrong... it does its job and sounds fine, but I like to tell it like it is. You want the 63 reverb sound you have to go buy one and put on top of the amp. Also, the effects look does not work well at all. The sound and tone was gone and reverb did not work when I connected a TC Electronics M1 to it. The tremolo is very sensitive to how clean your power source is. I suggest getting a power conditioner to minimize the ticking sound when it is on. Features is not this amps strong point. It's the tone and versatility in sound. If you don't use the above features you will not have any complaints about this amp.

Quality:
I rate this somewhat low because I have not own it very long and don't know how it will perform 5 year from now. Construction is great and cosmetically beautiful.

Value:
I think the amp is just a tad over priced, yet I bought one because of the TONE!!! I think a fair price would have been $1800. If the reverb was actually a 63 reverb tank, this amp would be a steal at the going price. Regardless, you will not regret spending the extra $$.

Sound:
This amp has TONE!!! It can be use from Blues/Jazz all the way up to Rock. I played just about every amp Fender makes before I decided on the VK. Keep the amp under 3 volume and get the nicest clean sound ever. Anything above 4 will begin to break up really nice. At any volume you can get clean by just picking lightly, power chord and she grows like no other amp. This amp is perfect just the way it is... no need for an over-drive channel. I have a tube screamer pedal for really dirty sound.

Support:
Again, low because I have only heard that Fender has the worst support in the planet. Try to find a phone number to call Fender... good luck. The positive side is that they have plenty of authorized dealers to work on your amp and uphold the warranty.

Overall:
Not much else to add here. It is the best sounding Fender amp of today. 64 Vibroverb sounds good, but this amp far better... I get a better Stevie sound with this amp than with the Vibroverb. Have I mentioned that this amp has TONE!!!

"Vibro King - GREAT TONE clean or dirty."

This reviewer purchased this item from Same Day Music.

Feature:
I use the amp with low mids ( 2-3 ), treble & bass on 7, dwell on 4, mix on 5 & Tone on 7. The mids tend to break up the sound at moderate volumes & you get a nice BLUESY sound. You can avoid this by using cleaner sounding tubes ( Red or Hardness 10 ). Blue or Hardness 1 will break up early & overdrive very easily ( raise the mids for more distortion ). White or Hardness 5 is about midway. See what's best for your own sound. I alwys like to start out with a CLEAN sound with lots of TONE & this is the amp for it.

Quality:
This is a great sounding amp, but like everything else, parts can fail. Always carry a spare set of tubes & fuses with you to every gig. You never know when you'll need them. The amp is on the heavy side so you might want to put casters on it or get a hand truck. Otherwise I highly recomend this amp for live or studio gigs.

Value:
It's definitely on the high end side of prices but it's worth it. I've played Boogies, Marshalls, Peaveys, Rolands, Voxs & Ampegs. None of them compare to the TONE/sound of the Vibro King.

Desirability:
If I ever lost my Vibro King or if it ever breaks down, I'd replace it with another one.

Sound:
The TONE from this amp doesn't get any better. The sound coming from the 3x10" speakers is awesome. Strats sound crisp, Les Pauls & PRS Singlecuts sound creamy & Jazz guitars sound nice & full. I use a Danelectro Daddy O for some crunch & sustain. It sounds great. I've used this amp live, in the studio & at home. The gorgeous tone is always there.

Support:
The Fender Custom Shop is not the best to deal with. I've dealt with better.

Overall:
I've been using the Vibro king exclusively for 6 years now & I don't see using any thing else in the near future. It gives me a sound I've always wanted.

"The best of the best (Vibro King)"

Feature:
Comes with a footswitch for Fat/Tremelo, but this amp was designed to not have a bunch of features. Its built like they were in the old days. An excellently crafted, tube laden, simple to use tone monster. It has everything you need and nothing you dont. It's the simplest design with the very best components.

Quality:
My Vibro King has no blemishes, very sturdy built. I dont have a 2nd one as a back up due to the cost, but I also am a hobbyist so Im not out on the road like alot of people. I truly believe this amp will last a lifetime and will likly be handed down to my son many years from now. Mine is also the brown face, blond tolex version which I think is really cool.

Value:
The normal selling price of this amp puts it out of reach for most people. I had to sell several pieces of equipment in order to get mine, and it was still a financial burden but it was worth the sacrifice.

Desirability:
Mine is a brown face, blond Tolex, oxblood grille cloth and it is too sexy for the stage.

Sound:
This amp has great warm clean tones as well as biting overdrive when cranked up. The clarity of this amp is was sets it apart from the rest. No shrill or brassy mids or highs. It sounds the way the notes are supposed to sound. If I were to change one thing about the amp I would give it just a little more bass, not that it is lacking, I just like to feel a little more vibration through the floor when I play blues. This amp is a close to perfection as any amp I've ever played. Just spend some time playing a Tele through one and then try to go back to your old amp. What a let down that will be.

Support:
I haven't had to contact Fender, but I know there is no phone # on their website. I also know that at my dealers shop I have ran into the Fender sales rep on 2 occasions, and I have confidence my dealer can handle any issues that would arise.

Overall:
I expect to keep this amp forever. This amp is the best of the best. It it were stolen I would hope my insurance would cover it so I could buy another one. My German Shepherd has the task of keeping it safe in my living room. I bought 6 amps before this one. Now my search is over.

"Tone ? Response ? You got it & some."

Feature:
Single channel. Exactly what I want.

Quality:
Does not get any better.

Sound:
Best amp I have owned. Full pure tone. Shimmers at low volume. Works very well with effects pedal.

Support:
Information received as required.

Overall:
This amp will last me my lifetime. I love the warmth of the tone as compared to other amplifiers I compared.