The most disappointing amp you've ever played?

[cestlamort]

The late 70s (1979?) vibrolux I had was totally decent. Had a lot of overlap with my super reverb, but in a smaller package (and fewer speakers). As a late 70s one, however, it did seem to weigh more than you'd think (almost as much as my 1968 super reverb), not sure if this was due to cabinet construction or whatever. Again: a totally fine, fine amp. Sounded good (it was serviced). Maybe subjectively a little disappointing since the Vibrolux Reverb has a reputation as "the perfect amp" and it was... pretty good.

[therizzla]

A Marshall DSL 1x12 combo. I don’t recall the exact model but it just sounded dull and lifeless. I’m not a Marshall guy so perhaps I’m the wrong person to judge.

[hulakatt]

am i wrong in thinking that shoule79 did NOT like the vibrolux? that's how i read that post

And traded a Vox AC30 to acquire the disappointing Vibrolux.

My bad, I understood that backwards, like they traded their VR for the Vox

[Kinx]

Late 70s super reverb belonging to one of my friends. I had it borrowed for couple of gigs and I just couldn't make it work sound-wise, no matter what. It always sounded either harsh od muddy, with no pleasant midrange whatsoever and weird preamp compression. It was suprisingly quiet when cranked too, so I suppose there was something wrong with it.

[shoule79]

1976 Fender Vibrolux. Traded an AC30cc2 for it, and quickly wished I hadn’t.

oooof, that's a gut-wrenching mistake right there (especially considering what a Vibrolux is worth these days). I wish I hadn't sold my 66

No, traded an AC30 for the Vibrolux. I definitely traded up financially, just not tone wise.

The Vibrolux eventually became a SFPR, so things ended well I guess.

[shoule79]

am i wrong in thinking that shoule79 did NOT like the vibrolux? that's how i read that post

Did not like the Vibrolux.

Words iz hard some days.

[JSett]

1976 Fender Vibrolux. Traded an AC30cc2 for it, and quickly wished I hadn’t.

oooof, that's a gut-wrenching mistake right there (especially considering what a Vibrolux is worth these days). I wish I hadn't sold my 66

No, traded an AC30 for the Vibrolux. I definitely traded up financially, just not tone wise.

The Vibrolux eventually became a SFPR, so things ended well I guess.

Ahhh, okay. I got that wildly backwards

[bipedal2]

I was mighty disappointed when I first played my mid-'70s Fender Champ, acquired on a trade for a pedal. The amp just sounded thin, flat and dull. I didn't think much of it and just kept it stored away in a closet for several years.

(Eventually I dug it out and thought I'd see what (if any) difference it would make if I replaced the old stock speaker and the tubes. Voila - it became a totally different beast, plenty of lively oomph, starts to break up as the amp volume goes past 4-5 depending on the guitar/pickups. Loads of fun to play guitar direct into this amp. Silly me for waiting so long to do some simple upgrades.)

[hulakatt]

I was mighty disappointed when I first played my mid-'70s Fender Champ, acquired on a trade for a pedal. The amp just sounded thin, flat and dull. I didn't think much of it and just kept it stored away in a closet for several years.

(Eventually I dug it out and thought I'd see what (if any) difference it would make if I replaced the old stock speaker and the tubes. Voila - it became a totally different beast, plenty of lively oomph, starts to break up as the amp volume goes past 4-5 depending on the guitar/pickups. Loads of fun to play guitar direct into this amp. Silly me for waiting so long to do some simple upgrades.)

It's one of the best amps that shipped with one of the worst speakers.

[JSett]

I was mighty disappointed when I first played my mid-'70s Fender Champ, acquired on a trade for a pedal. The amp just sounded thin, flat and dull. I didn't think much of it and just kept it stored away in a closet for several years.

(Eventually I dug it out and thought I'd see what (if any) difference it would make if I replaced the old stock speaker and the tubes. Voila - it became a totally different beast, plenty of lively oomph, starts to break up as the amp volume goes past 4-5 depending on the guitar/pickups. Loads of fun to play guitar direct into this amp. Silly me for waiting so long to do some simple upgrades.)

It's one of the best amps that shipped with one of the worst speakers.

Facts.

[hulakatt]

Unpopular opinion: I prefer the drip edge over the tweed. Now, the tweed is a clone I built and it is a pretty fantastic amp but it is dark and it is wooly and it is a fuzz machine but both have the Jupiter 8sc so that's even at least. Between the speaker upgrade and the 3 prong power cable update, the drip edge is otherwise stock.