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Topic: Rick Johnson does it once again !!!! |
Ray DeVoe
From:
Hudson, FL
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Posted 17 May 2009 7:49 am |
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Many players have made mention of Rick Johnson's fine work. I just want to add my testimony as to his workmanship and attention to detail. For those who may not be familiar with Ricks work, he is well known for the quality speaker and amp cabinets that he produces as well as his fine restoration work.
I recently purchased a later 70's Fender Vibrosonic amp that had seen plenty of "use" or "abuse" which is one and the same in many cases. The tolex in many area's was ripped and peeling off, the grill cloth was torn and the board that it mounts to was turning to dust. I bought this amp with the thoughts of throwing the cabinet away and just having Rick build a head cabinet to place the chassis in.
I purchased this amp on Ebay from a fellow in WV and I had already made arrangements to pick it up on my way back from a VA business trip. I did the above and then went a little out of my way over to Pikeville, KY and met up with Rick Johnson for the first time. Rick took one look at the amp and said "not bad". !!! I had been ready to pull the chassis and speaker out and send the cabinet off to wherever beat up cabinets end up.
We dismantled the amp right on the spot and I just took the chassis and speaker with me. I cleaned up the chassis, installed new knobs and a few items and then had new caps and power tubes installed at a local Nashville shop.
About 3 weeks later, Rick dropped me a note stating it was shipped and on its way to TN. The quality of work is shown in the pictures I am going insert. Pictures are worth a thousand words as the old saying goes. They dont lie!!
As viewed in the pictures, Ricks seams are "flawless" on the corners and where the tolex meets up. It takes "talent" to do that kind of detail work.!
I worked this amp last night at our usual weekend gig and it's sound is terrific. It has that famous Fender Reverb that we use as a comparison standard. I eventually may have Rick build the "head cabinet" in order to "lighten the load" but for now, I am enjoying his fine work "as is".
Thanks Rick for all of your efforts.
Ray DeVoe
Spring Hill, TN
_________________
Zum SD 10 Hybrid, Zum D 10 Hybrid, Emmons SD 10 P.P.
SMS: Revelation & Classic Preamps: Furlong 12" Splits.
Webb 15" Splits: Telonics 500 C: Head and 12" cabinet: |
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James Quackenbush
From:
Pomona, New York, USA
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Posted 17 May 2009 8:35 am
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Ray,
Hope all is well with you my friend ......I have to agree with you on Rick's work ...It's 2nd to none .....I too enjoy the detail he puts into his work ....It's the finishing touches that make the difference between a guy building speaker cabs, or a true Craftsman ....Rick is very skilled and takes the time to do it right !!...Jim |
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Ray DeVoe
From:
Hudson, FL
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Posted 17 May 2009 8:45 am
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Hey Buddy.
Haven't heard from you in a while.
Are you still sitting on that top shelf collection of amps that you own? I refer to it as your "personal" music store but we all are "aholics" of some kind. 
I agree with you that Rick is a true craftsman. It must be a "second love" with him as Im sure he placed way more hours in this work than what was charged.
His work is top shelf and reasonable.
If I remember right, you were in the middle of retiring. Lucky guy. !!! Most of us are lucky just to have jobs these days. !
Keep on pickin
RD
_________________
Zum SD 10 Hybrid, Zum D 10 Hybrid, Emmons SD 10 P.P.
SMS: Revelation & Classic Preamps: Furlong 12" Splits.
Webb 15" Splits: Telonics 500 C: Head and 12" cabinet: |
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James Quackenbush
From:
Pomona, New York, USA
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Posted 17 May 2009 9:27 am
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Ray,
Semi Retired ...I still spend a lot of time caring for my son who has many special needs ....I have gone thru medical issues and I'm still alive thank God !!!.....My musical arsenal is very slowly thinning ....I'm down to only 3 pedal steels though ...I'm also down to only about 40 electric guitars and about 15 non pedal and lap steels ....I'm down to about 10 bass guitars ..... Don't ask about my keyboard gear ....It hasn't dropped much , hence my email name of "synthnut " ..... I really have to start selling again .....I need to have less things to move when I'm ready ...>Good to hear from you and good luck with your amp ...She'a beauty !!!!....Jim |
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James Morehead
From:
Prague, Oklahoma, USA - R.I.P.
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Posted 17 May 2009 1:14 pm
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Hey Ray, There is no shortage of Vibrosonics between you and I, hey pal?? You have a wonderful pair of Vibros there, my friend!!
That spare orange frame will be launched your way in a couple of days, too.  |
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Rick Johnson
From:
Wheelwright, Ky USA
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Posted 18 May 2009 4:12 am
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Ray
That is one SHARP looking amp.
The new faceplate/knobs really set it off.
You came out of your way to drop
the amp off to me, it was great meeting
with you that day.
I'm gald you let me restore it
for you.
Rick
www.rickjohnsoncabs.com |
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Ray DeVoe
From:
Hudson, FL
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Posted 18 May 2009 5:37 am
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Hey Rick
Thanks for such a great job.
That is still the original faceplate. Its the same one that was on it that day we took it apart.
I just straightened and cleaned it up a bit.
I still have the brand new Silver face - faceplate sitting on the shelf.
My forum brother and buddy James is trying to "arm wrestle me out of it" but Im winning.
I want to keep it around as I now have two of these amps.
Thanks again
Ray
_________________
Zum SD 10 Hybrid, Zum D 10 Hybrid, Emmons SD 10 P.P.
SMS: Revelation & Classic Preamps: Furlong 12" Splits.
Webb 15" Splits: Telonics 500 C: Head and 12" cabinet:
Last edited by Ray DeVoe on 19 May 2009 6:15 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Drew Howard
From:
48854
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Posted 18 May 2009 6:51 am
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| WOW - Nice work Rick and Ray!!!! |
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Ray DeVoe
From:
Hudson, FL
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Posted 18 May 2009 3:37 pm
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James Q.
You could fully retire if you sold 1/2 of that collection.
Some people invest in stocks, some in land and homes and I guess some in music equipment.
At least the music equipment didn't head for the bottom like the stocks did. !!!
Good choice James.
I wish you well buddy.
RD
_________________
Zum SD 10 Hybrid, Zum D 10 Hybrid, Emmons SD 10 P.P.
SMS: Revelation & Classic Preamps: Furlong 12" Splits.
Webb 15" Splits: Telonics 500 C: Head and 12" cabinet: |
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James Morehead
From:
Prague, Oklahoma, USA - R.I.P.
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Posted 18 May 2009 4:03 pm
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| Ray DeVoe wrote: |
I still have the brand Silver face - faceplate sitting on the shelf.
My forum brother and buddy James is trying to "arm wrestle me out of it" but Im winning. |
Please, brother Ray, with whipped cream and a cherry on top?? Paaleazzzze??   |
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Lefty
From:
Grayson, Ga.
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Posted 18 May 2009 4:10 pm
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Ray,
I thought you had sworn off these back disc dis-locators when I bought your last Vibrosonic reverb from you. I still have it, but don't move it around much.
regards,
Lefty |
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Ray DeVoe
From:
Hudson, FL
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Posted 18 May 2009 6:26 pm
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Hey Lefty
Good to hear from you.
The one I sold you looked just as good as the two of these. I will never understand what went wrong with it after all of the work that we both put into it.
I would guess that you finally got to the root of the problem. That experience kept me from buying any tube amps for quite awhile.
But when you get down to it, there is nothing that sounds any better than one of these old Fenders when they are set up right. I went full circle like many players do. Own something, sell it and then years down the road, buy the same thing back. Kind of makes one question their sanity !!! WE players will never be happy.
I wont be using either one of these out too much. Just for a few certain places. ( without stairs for sure ) I have the Sarno / Furlong light weight equipment for the normal weekend gigs. The Sarno / Furlong setups are "top shelf" but there still is something to be said for these old classics. Kind of like owning an old car or something.
My one Vibrosonic borders on being a collectors item. The one pictured here is my 2nd one and even though its been costly, its been a lot of fun to restore. If I were to use it out much, I would have a head cabinet made for it but for now, Im still healthy enough to keep it as is. That light weight JBL speaker helps some. If I remember right, yours has the EV with ceramic magnet ?? That adds a good 8 or 10 pounds to it.
Anyway, good hearing from you
Hope all is well
Ray
_________________
Zum SD 10 Hybrid, Zum D 10 Hybrid, Emmons SD 10 P.P.
SMS: Revelation & Classic Preamps: Furlong 12" Splits.
Webb 15" Splits: Telonics 500 C: Head and 12" cabinet: |
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Lefty
From:
Grayson, Ga.
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Posted 19 May 2009 8:33 am
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Nice looking Vibrosonic. I sold the first one I had, and regretted it. That is why I bought yours.
Some of us are just into perserving those old Fenders, can't beat them. Attached is my latest project, a 1966 Bandmaster. A great six string amp. Some on here will not like that it is not period color, but I did it to match it's big brother a 1963 double Showman.
take care,
Lefty
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Ray DeVoe
From:
Hudson, FL
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Posted 19 May 2009 3:23 pm
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Hey Lefty
Looks Great
Are those some of Ricks cabinets ??
As far as preserving the old Fenders, we all have hobbies of some type.
I dont drink, smoke or do drugs and Im getting old enough that the girls I like to look at , dont look back, so I guess music equipment is my "bad habit".
Ray D
_________________
Zum SD 10 Hybrid, Zum D 10 Hybrid, Emmons SD 10 P.P.
SMS: Revelation & Classic Preamps: Furlong 12" Splits.
Webb 15" Splits: Telonics 500 C: Head and 12" cabinet: |
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Gary Preston
From:
Columbus, Ohio, USA
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Posted 19 May 2009 4:50 pm
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| My buddie R.J. is da man when it comes to cabinets ! He split up one of my Nashville 400's and the unit now has a fuller sound ! Superb quality to say the least . Everyone that sees my split cabinet thinks it's a Fender unit . Then when they see the Peavey name they are shocked . Great job R.J. as always . G.P. P.S. I also have a Fender Vibrosonic that i bought new in 1976 . Mine is the 100 wt. w/ 15'' Factory J.B.L. Signature speaker like yours . One of the best sounding amps that i have . Maybe one of these days i may split up the cabinet . |
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Hook Moore
From:
South Charleston,West Virginia
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Lefty
From:
Grayson, Ga.
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Posted 20 May 2009 2:34 pm
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Ray,
My bandmaster cabinets are original that I recovered. The original tolex was hanging on; but barely. I build a new speaker baffle board, head grill, and cabinet rear board from baltic birch plywood. They actually enhance the sound.
Rick's work is the best, though.
regards,
Lefty |
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Ray DeVoe
From:
Hudson, FL
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Posted 21 May 2009 3:45 am
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Hi Lefty
It looks like you did a real nice job on the Bandmaster. Its an amp to be "proud" of.
You are getting quite a collection of tube amps built up.
I no longer have a "music room" full of amps like I once had, but what I do have covers everything I need. I also keep an Evans Fet 500 head and 2 of Ricks cabinets with D 130 F'S around so that I have something that I can fire up from time to time without using up tube life. These are the same cabinets that Rick builds as the bottom half for the Steel King split up. I wanted non tapered cabinets that could be stacked on top of each other for "tight" places. I originally ran these cabinets in stereo with a Revelation and Mosvalve 500 but I sold off all of my power amps as they were no longer needed once I purchased the Furlong splits.
If I ever put the chassis from this Vibrosonic into a head cabinet and use it out more with the above speakers, this Evans head makes a great backup to take along.
Good hearing from you and enjoy those Fender's
Ray
_________________
Zum SD 10 Hybrid, Zum D 10 Hybrid, Emmons SD 10 P.P.
SMS: Revelation & Classic Preamps: Furlong 12" Splits.
Webb 15" Splits: Telonics 500 C: Head and 12" cabinet: |
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Ray DeVoe
From:
Hudson, FL
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Posted 24 May 2009 8:46 am Thanks to Rick Johnson and all.
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Thanks to all for the great compliments. This amp has turned out extremely well.
It's tone and reverb are terrific and its hard to beat, looks wise. I have been fortunate enough to own some really nice equipment and this amp rates right up there with the best of it.
I would like to say "thanks" to Rick Johnson one more time for a really nice job.
We players of all levels have a terrific "support staff" out here on the Forum. I would like to end this thread by simply saying thanks to all who share their knowledge, experience and services.
Ray D.
_________________
Zum SD 10 Hybrid, Zum D 10 Hybrid, Emmons SD 10 P.P.
SMS: Revelation & Classic Preamps: Furlong 12" Splits.
Webb 15" Splits: Telonics 500 C: Head and 12" cabinet: |
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Tom Wolverton
From:
Carpinteria, CA
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Posted 6 Jul 2009 7:00 pm
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I just got a small single 15 cab from Rick and it is fantastic. I put a JBL D130F into in (thanks, Ray) and it sings nicely. Rick is top drawer, that's for sure.
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To write with a broken pencil is pointless. |
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Ray DeVoe
From:
Hudson, FL
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Posted 7 Jul 2009 11:32 am
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Hey Tom
You are set up to play now.
Enjoy the new equipment
Ray
_________________
Zum SD 10 Hybrid, Zum D 10 Hybrid, Emmons SD 10 P.P.
SMS: Revelation & Classic Preamps: Furlong 12" Splits.
Webb 15" Splits: Telonics 500 C: Head and 12" cabinet: |
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Tom Wolverton
From:
Carpinteria, CA
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Posted 7 Jul 2009 7:09 pm
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Who sells the talent around here?
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To write with a broken pencil is pointless. |
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Rick Johnson
From:
Wheelwright, Ky USA
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