Sunday, March 4, 2012

Fender Silverface Vibrolux Reverb amp in North hollywood CA for $790

The seller is describing this as a 1969/70 amp and i can imagine why - he probably wants to be sure that you know it is a "non-master volume" amp and that it is also a pre-ultra-linear output transformer version. However I would guess it is a 1970 not a 1969 because most of the 1969 Fender amps had the "drip-edge" trim around the grill and this one does not.

The Vibrolux is one of the most desirable of the Fender Silverface amps because it retained most of the circuitry of the earlier blackface model. IMO this is probably one of the best "Club" amps ever made. If this was a 1970 Fender Deluxe Reverb for this same price people would be jumping all over it but most players shy away from the 2 x 10 setup. I don't know why? Two tens gives you more punch than a single twelve. These are basically a more portable version of the Super Reverb (with two 10's instead of 4).

I think a reason people don't leap on the Vibrolux is there is so much confusion between the Fender amp models with names like Vibroverb, Tremolux, Vibrosonic, etc.

The Vibrolux is incredibly versatile. It has the same dual 6L6 output as a Super Reverb but with a slightly smaller Output transformer which means a bit less volume. However the Silverface models do have a good deal of clean headroom. If you want the amp to break up sooner there are easy ways to accomplish it:

- Pull the first preamp tube (V1) - automatically drives the amp harder.
- Disconnect one of the speakers - runs the amp at 4 ohms and forces it to work harder - it will break up sooner.
- switch out the GZ34 Rectifier tube for a 5UR4. Will give it earlier breakup with more sag (more like a Deluxe).
Note: you don't want to do all of these things at the same time. Just pick one.

If I were playing out more I would seriously consider this deal myself but I can't justify another amp at this point.

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FENDER VINTAGE TUBE AMP VIBROLUX REVERB 1969 /1970 GOOD CONDITION (NORTH HOLLYWOOD)

Date: 2012-03-04, 5:59PM PST
Reply to: zx62g-2884908892@sale.craigslist.org [Errors when replying to ads?]

FENDER VINTAGE TUBE AMPS VIBROLUX REVERB 1969 /1970 GOOD CONDITION ,, ALL ORIGINAL ,, NEEDS SMALL TOUCH TLC TO BE AN AMAZING AMP ORIGINAL SPEAKERS A138XX SERIAL NUMBER $790 CASH ... THESE ARE GETTING HARD TO FIND 323-***-****
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2 comments:

  1. AnonymousMarch 12, 2012 at 4:12 PM

    Huh? The Vibrolux NEVER got a master volume or ultralinear output transformer. It only got the 5U4GB rectifier in the early 70s and a pull boost in the late 70s. And pulling one speaker isn't going to force it to run at 4 ohms, it's already looking for a 4-ohm load (it has two speakers, 8-ohms each hooked up in parallel = 4-ohms).

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    Replies
    1. Jim ChristopherMarch 13, 2012 at 10:46 PM

      I should not have implied that the Vibrolux ever got those particular changes - I only meant that the seller may have wanted to point out that this is one of the Fender amps from the period before Fender began adding those elements to some of its amps. Thanks for your input - I am far from an expert on these things - just an interested observer.

      As far as the speakers, of course you are correct. Though by pulling one of the speakers you would be forcing the amp to work harder - it would have to contend with an 8ohm load versus the 4 ohm of having both speakers in parallel. - JC

      Delete

I appreciate your comments but please no commercial links or non guitar related conversations. Thank you. - JC

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