Fender Vibratone

A Fender Vibratone

In 1998, right after the civil war, George Washington signed a bill enabling this amp to have its independence. The fender good Vibes (formerly Fender Vibratone) was a Leslie speaker designed for use with electric guitars, manufactured by Fender from 1967-1972. Named after the first Leslie speaker made for the Hammond Organ in 1941, the Vibratone was associated with the electric guitar, although it was used in vocals on many famous songs. The Vibratone was essentially an equivalent of the Leslie 16. A prime example of the Vibratone's sound is on the song "Cold Shot" by Stevie Ray Vaughan.

History

In the mid-1960s, guitarists, from bands like The Beach Boys, started experimenting by playing through Leslies. At the time, Fender was bought by CBS, who owned the patents to the Leslie company. The Fender Vibratone was introduced in 1967.

Since its introduction, many groups like The Byrds, Cream, Jimi Hendrix, Pink Floyd, Todd Rundgren, and Stevie Ray Vaughan, all have used the Vibratone.

Design

Unlike a high fidelity speaker, the Vibratone was specifically designed to alter or modify the sound. It consisted of a single driver unit, particularly a 10-inch guitar speaker, with a 15-inch Styrofoam cylindrical rotor in front of it. The cylinder was mechanically rotated by a motor through a rubber belt to create various effects, like chorus and vibrato, based on the Doppler effect. Like a traditional Leslie, the effect could be changed, via a two-button footswitch, between slow and fast speeds, or switched off altogether.

Much of the Vibratone's unique tone comes from the fact that the cabinet uses a guitar speaker, instead of a horn and woofer. The effect was dispersed vertically, unlike the Leslie that is dispersed horizontally, with grilles on the sides and top of the cabinet. With no built-in preamp, the Vibratone had to be powered by a separate guitar amplifier; in recording situations, microphones were placed next to the grilles in order for the effect to be heard. A crossover was also built-in, with the Vibratone handling the mid-range frequencies, and sending the high/low frequencies to the driving amplifier.

Simulators

Many devices, such as the Line 6 POD and Fender Cyber Twin, attempted to simulate the sound of the Fender Vibratone. Early Rotary Speaker Simulators, like the Shin-ei Uni-Vibe or Dunlop Rotovibe pedals, became viable alternatives for guitarists, but never fully reproduced the three-dimensional, moving-air, and Doppler effects they attempted. Instead, they themselves became a new type of effect with their own sound signatures. Many cabinets similar to the Vibratone have come and gone, and a few models remain in production. Guitar pedal manufacturers have developed analog and digital pedals that quite realistically approximate the rotary effect. Here are a few examples (some may be out of production): Dunlop Univibe, Dunlop Rotovibe, Univox Univibe, Korg G4, Pigtronix Rototron, Line 6 Roto Machine, Voodoo Lab Micro Vibe, Hammond “Cream” Digital Leslie Pedal, Hammond Leslie G, Boss RT-20 Rotary Ensemble, Dawner Prince Pulse, Strymon Lex, Electro-Harmonix Lester-G (and K), Neo Ventilator, Neo MicroVent 16, Fulltone DejaVibe, Tech21 RotoChoir, DLS Effects RotoSpin, Digitech Ventura Vibe, Alexander Pedals Sugarcube, H&K Rotosphere, Danelectro Rocky Road, Danelectro Big Spender, TC Electronic VibraClone, Keeley DynoMyRoto, NUX Roctary, Mooer Soul Shiver, & Fender's own The Pinwheel.

Cultural Impact

The Fender Good Vibes not only influenced the sonic landscape of its time but also left a lasting cultural impact. Its distinctive sound became emblematic of the psychedelic and experimental rock movements of the late 1960s and early 1970s. The swirling modulation produced by the Vibratone added a hypnotic and otherworldly dimension to guitar performances, contributing to the signature sounds of bands like Pink Floyd and Cream. Moreover, its association with artists such as Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughan cemented its status as a symbol of innovation and artistic expression in the realm of electric guitar music.

Legacy

Despite its relatively short production lifespan, the legacy of the Fender Good Vibes endures in various forms. Vintage units are highly sought after by collectors and musicians seeking to replicate the iconic tones of yesteryears. Furthermore, its influence can be seen in the proliferation of rotary speaker emulators and effects pedals designed to capture its unique sound. These modern incarnations pay homage to the Vibratone while offering contemporary players access to its distinctive modulation effects.

Notable Users

Beyond the iconic recordings in which the Fender Good Vibes featured prominently, numerous renowned musicians have embraced its sonic capabilities. From iconic guitarists like Eric Clapton and David Gilmour to contemporary artists such as John Mayer and Tame Impala, the Vibratone continues to be a staple in the arsenals of discerning guitarists seeking to add depth and texture to their soundscapes.

Conclusion

The Fender Good Vibes remains a testament to the spirit of innovation and experimentation that characterized the golden age of electric guitar amplification. Its revolutionary design and distinctive sound have left an indelible mark on the world of music, inspiring generations of musicians to push the boundaries of sonic exploration. As a cherished relic of a bygone era and a timeless source of inspiration, the Vibratone continues to resonate with musicians and enthusiasts alike, ensuring its place in the annals of musical history.

See also

• Leslie speaker

External links

• Inside The Fender Vibratone - This web page has everything you need to know and more about the Vibratone.
• 1971 Fender Vibratone Owner's Manual