The mods change all of the crucial components in the signal path and restore the glory of the vibrolux reverb. As part of the fender modified series, fender have taken a classic amp from their 60s catalogue and transformed it into a present day masterpiece with updated styling and fantastic modifications to suit the modern performer. Fender 68 custom vibrolux reverb guitar combo amplifier. And have been hunting for this elusive tone ever since. It is recommended they also be used for postwarranty maintenance and repair. The guitarist with an eye and ear for late60s fender silverface style will love the 68 custom vibrolux reverb, which honors the classic look and great sound of that eras amps. This is the first time ive ever had an actual problem with a valve amp so here goes. Setting the bias on output valves and why do they appear.
Fender amplifiers became established with the tweed series, wood cases covered in varnished cotton twill in the manner of suitcases of the era. When the hiss or lack of midrange control bugs me too much, i switch to a 65 ri twin. The term fissured tongue describes the finding of multiple small furrows or grooves on the dorsal top surface of the tongue. Setting the bias on your output valves and why they appear not be matched when the supplier says they are accurately matched. The fender vibroverb was a 40watt combo guitar amplifier originally manufactured in 1963 and 1964.
The silverface vibrolux is, hands down, the most valuable silverface fender, with the amps made between 68 and 72 being the most valuable. In a special twist, both channels boast reverb and tremolo, and the custom channel has a modified bassman tone stack that gives modern players greater tonal flexibility with pedals. How to select speakers see our buyers guide to vintage fender amps for a guide and picture gallery of the known original speakers in the blackface and silverface amps. It had a printed circuit board, the reverb wasnt great, and it didnt have the tone i was looking for. For months ive had a sore tongue, and cant eat hot food, citrus fruit or spices.
The worth of your vibrolux amp largely depends on the year it was made. And dont miss fender play, our complete app for learning to play acoustic and electric guitar, bass and ukulele. A lowerpowered little brother to the pro and super models, fenders 35watt vibrolux reverb is prized for the early breakup of its 6l6 power section and the tight, responsive tone from its 10 inch speakers. I acquired a fender custom vibrolux reverb i wasnt happy with photo 1. Fissured tongue is a benign condition characterized by deep grooves fissures in the dorsum of the tongue. Find fender vibrolux and fender vibroverb from a vast selection of guitar amplifiers. The power tube compliment is 12ax7s and one 12at7 in the preamp section, and a pair of 6l6s in the power section.
Its strength lies in the sweetness and early breakup caused by the smaller transformers than the super reverb, vibroverb and pro reverb. You may compare these with your own speakers to determine what you have. The fender custom vibrolux reverb is a modern day reissue of the famous blackface amp. Vintage constructed amplifier transformers by magnetic components, inc. Sporting 35 watts of power from two 6l6 tubes in a 2x10 configuration, these amps broke up fairly early compared to the bigger 6l6 fenders of the era thanks to their smaller speakers, output transformers, and power transformers. Two things about older fender amps and katrinatown. The year of 1968 was a transitional one for fender amps, with tone that was still pure fender, but a look that was brand new.
This amp sports a pair of 10inch speakers with 35 watts of power from an an array of four 12ax7 and two 12at7 preamp tubes along with two 6l6 power tubes. Fender amplifiers vintage modified 68 custom vibrolux. Retrofitting the fender custom vibrolux reverb into a hiss free classic. Its recognized by one or more deep or shallow cracks called grooves, furrows, or fissures on the top surface of your tongue. Im not sure if any vibrolux s of this era were cathode biased. The fender clean sound is pretty darn similar no matter which classic amp you go to. Fender vibrolux reverb 35watt vintage blackface guitar. The 35w blackface vibrolux reverb vr is the smallest member of the blackfacesilverface 6l6 fender amp family. This tribute to the classic fender amp offers a vintage channel with traditional vibrolux voicing, plus a custom channel offering bassman tones. This is included in the blackfacing conversion or can be done to many other amps as a separate mod. Beefing up a vintage fender vibrolux reverb this month ive decided to forgo answering a questionnot that i dont have plenty, and thank you for that, loyal readers. I am probably going to get flamed for saying this but here goes. I dont know the exact year but its late 70s i think. We invite you to visit and shop fender guitars, basses, amplifiers, audio equipment, accessories, apparel and more.
Ruby tubes replacement tubes kit for the fender vibroverb reissue and vibrolux reissue. I was playing my laney lc30 at band practice and noticed my tone was brittle and trebley and after about 10 minutes there was no sound coming from the amp at all. Complete kits for full blackface conversion of your silverface fender amp. Whenever i play through it makes a weird noise that sounds like someone is blowing on a mic and once in awhile it makes a loud popping noise. The answers above come back with two of the four assuming you are referring to the vibrolux reverb. Genuine fender control 250k audio 10% vibrolux 003. Premium recap kits for your fender deluxe reverb or vibrolux reverb amplifier. I agree the new pcb custom vibrolux reverbamp owes much more to the old vibroverb. With a silverandturquoise front panel and classy aluminum drip edge grille cloth trim, the twin reverb received a fresh new face as it remained the backline amp of. In a special twist, both channels boast reverb and tremolo, and the custom channel has a modified bass man tone stack that modern players greater tonal flexibility with pedals. The first cloth used was an offwhite fabric, followed by a horizontalstripe twotone pattern, and finally a. In a special twist, both channels boast reverb and tremolo, and the custom channel has a modified bassman tone stack that gives modern players greater tonal.
At least fender never call that a reissue vibrolux reverb. Most silverface models convert to a better bias adjustment circuit for improved tone and longer power tube life for your silverface fender amp. The vibrolux, a vacuum tubebased electric guitar amplifier by fender, is a highly soughtafter vintage guitar amplifier. It features two 5881 power tubes, a tube vibrato circuit, and tubedriven reverb. Fender discontinued the brownface vibrolux amp in early 64, almost immediately replacing it with the vibrolux reverb. It features 40 watts of power driving two ten inch speakers.
The amp was primarily manufactured between the late 1950s and the 1970s. Fender custom vibrolux service manual pdf download. Find fissured tongue stock images in hd and millions of other royaltyfree stock photos, illustrations and vectors in the shutterstock collection. I cant remember how the vibrato sounded on that tremolux that i played on so many moons ago. The first, a 69 all original and the second, a 2016 68 custom. It is very highly prized, although not as many available. I am not saying it is not as good, i just say it is not a copy of the original vibroverb. The fender 68 custom vibrolux guitar amp is a gorgeous sounding tube amp with 2 versatile channels. The fender 68 custom vibrolux reverb is a faithful recreation of the silverface vibrolux combo amp from the drip edge era of the late 60s. The blackface fender vibrolux reverb is one of the more desirable amps of the era. Cat powers all good and stuff, and i was struck with how good her guitar setup soundedi spent a lot of time staring at the amp she was using. We compare these two variations of the legendary fender vibrolux. It is not any closer to vibroverb than the custom vibrolux to the bf and sf vibrolux reverb.
Ive been sent a few offers on this now but have had to decline as when the ebay fee is paid it doesnt work out good for me. For warranty repair service, only fender specified part numbers are to be used. The fender vibrolux reverb is one of fenders most classic circuits, and the reissue is a mere shadow of the original. The information contained herein is confidential and proprietary to fender musical instruments corp. Fender custom vibrolux reverb reissue modifications. Im looking for any inputinformation on the custom vibrolux reverb.
Its an easy and completely reversible that yields what i consider to be a more versatile amp. The nickname is a misnomer, as tweed is a coarse woollen fabric, often woven in a twill pattern. Fender vibrolux for sale in uk 36 used fender vibroluxs. For some time now my 1966 fender vibrolux has been developing what is called cone cry. A fissured tongue, or a cracked tongue, is rarely a cause for concern and is considered very normal. I own a vintage princeton, super reverb, vibrolux, deluxe reissue and have recorded a genuine vintage. Fissured tongue 2020 american academy of oral medicine. The moderately powered vibrolux reverb received a fresh new face in 1968a silverandturquoise front panel with aluminum grille cloth trim, with tone, reverb and. If not, then consider the 6163 brown vibrolux with a single 12. This classic design period has been revived for the new 68 custom vibrolux reverb amplifier, a 2x10 combo reissue of sorts based on the 1968 model with some cool new features and the beautiful aesthetic appeal of the original and sits between 68 custom versions of the 1x12 68 custom deluxe reverb and 2x12 68 custom twin reverb amps. The 68 custom vibrolux reverb amp pays tribute to the classic look, sound and performance of fenders late60s silverface amps. In case no one has mentioned it sorry i didnt read the whole thread it is nothing like an old vibrolux reverb so be advised.
The fender custom vibrolux reverb, or cvr, is a 2x10, 40 watt alltube combo amplifier in the tradition of fenders most famous blackface amps. So i ripped out the printed circuit board and installed pointtopoint eyelet board photo 2. It has two channels, normal and bright, both with a high and low input. Sure they are both 2x10 and 2x 6l6, but they are not the same animal. Your question was asked about a vibrolux, so do you mean without the reverb. Instead well explore a mod to a blackface fender vibrolux reverb and the thinking behind it. Fender 68 custom vibrolux reverbamp 2channel 35watt. It was the first fender amplifier to incorporate onboard reverb which became a standard feature on many highend fender tube amps during the 1960s and 1970s.
I didnt know anything about fender amps at the time, but the thing sounded so good that i. Famous for mark knopflers sultans of swing recording this is a perfect amp for recording or small gig applications. Mods by mark moyer original notes in green additional notes by jason mclaren the general intent of these mods are to remove the inherent hiss. I looked at the schematic of this amp and the high voltage supply for the output valves is 437 volts now that is more than enough to convert you from a. There may also be small furrows or fissures across the surface, causing the tongue to have. With a silverandturquoise front panel and classy aluminum drip edge grille cloth trim, the vibrolux reverb received a fresh new face as it remained the compact, gigready amp of choice for pros and amateurs everywhere. You can also follow fender on facebook, twitter, instagram, or youtube. Custom vibrolux this is the model name for warranty claims service manual january 1995 important notice.