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Post subject: 1967 BF vibro champ
Posted: Sun May 08, 2016 5:27 pm
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April 1967 VC

I am looking at a 1966 vibro champ for $600 still has 2 prong plug, and the off on switch needs replacing, played it sounded sweet, I am going to ask for a break of maybe 75 to 50 as it needs some things, is this fair. :|
I really want a Princeton reverb, :mrgreen: I like the 10 better and of course the reverb.
Right now I use a 1969 SFSR and it is quite loud for bedroom playing, I was thinking of settling for the VC until the PR comes my way and then sell the VC when that happens, my wife says if the PR comes my way I most likely wont sell the VC away as I usually keep most things I buy.
Anyway any thoughts on this should I grab it or wait for the PR
edit it does not have the pedal for the vibrato
mud


Last edited by mud on Fri May 13, 2016 8:55 am, edited 2 times in total.

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Post subject: Re: 1966 vibro champ
Posted: Sun May 08, 2016 6:24 pm
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Grab it. And when that Princeton Reverb comes along, grab it too.

:wink:

Six bills for clean Vibro Champ is a reasonable price but if you offer $525 I'm betting the seller will accept it.

BTW, the pedal is not necessary to switch the Vibro Champ's tremolo on -- only if you want to switch it off. In any case, repro footswitches can be found virtually anywhere.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: 1966 vibro champ
Posted: Sun May 08, 2016 7:39 pm
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Yeah I am going to try to get over to his store front in the A.M. and make an offer, today when I tried it I was told I needed to speak to the boss, so that is what I will try to do when they open tomorrow
mud


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Post subject: Re: 1966 vibro champ
Posted: Sun May 08, 2016 7:57 pm
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I'll keep my fingers crossed for you, mud.

Good luck.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: 1966 vibro champ
Posted: Mon May 09, 2016 7:05 am
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Good luck! Have a photos of the VC?

IMHO, these are one of the best practice amps ever made.


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Post subject: Re: 1966 vibro champ
Posted: Mon May 09, 2016 9:53 am
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So I went into day and the store owner would not budge, did not even want to here an offer, said it's been here 2 weeks and everyone who see's it say $600!! you should be asking $800, I told him I have been watching 1966 VC from $675 ( and it's not moving) to make me laugh $1500, and they do sit, he said if it sits for a month he will consider
Now let me ask this as I am now obsessed with this VC or any VC. If I am correct a 1975 VC and a 1966 VC have the same circuit, and that would mean really no difference in the sound, yeah I guess there is a difference in the cool factor of a 50 year old compared to a 41 year old
1966 VC = $600 +tax
1975 VC = $425 + tax
So is there a big enough difference in tone, sound, volume where I should get the 66 ?
mud


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Post subject: Re: 1966 vibro champ
Posted: Mon May 09, 2016 10:42 am
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AFAIK, the blackface VC through the SF era VC and Bronco (late 1970s) had the same components and circuitry. EXCEPT for one thing. The main PSU filter cap of many SF era VC was 40/20/20. BF era being mostly 20/20/20. I say mostly because I have seen a few BF era VC with OEM 40/20/20. And many SF era VC and Broncos with OEM 20/20/20.

The tubes were also slightly different. With the SF era running 6V6GTA output tube. This tube has a lightly cleaning tone. The 12AX7A of the SF era are very similar to the famous RCA 7025. Spiral-wound heater filaments ---> to reduce noise.


BF VC (AA764):

http://ampwares.com/schematics/champ_vibro_aa764.pdf

Bronco AA764:

http://ampwares.com/schematics/bronco_ab764.pdf


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Post subject: Re: 1966 vibro champ
Posted: Mon May 09, 2016 11:18 am
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BMW2002Ti wrote:
AFAIK, the blackface VC through the SF era VC and Bronco (late 1970s) had the same components and circuitry. EXCEPT for one thing. The main PSU filter cap of many SF era VC was 40/20/20. BF era being mostly 20/20/20. I say mostly because I have seen a few BF era VC with OEM 40/20/20. And many SF era VC and Broncos with OEM 20/20/20.

The tubes were also slightly different. With the SF era running 6V6GTA output tube. This tube has a lightly cleaning tone. The 12AX7A of the SF era are very similar to the famous RCA 7025. Spiral-wound heater filaments ---> to reduce noise.


+1

The most significant difference between the two amps lies in the cabinetry. The blackface edition was built as Leo designed -- all pine construction, finger-joined corners, and removable (and hence, replaceable) baffle board. With the smaller/lighter amps such as the Vibro Champ this is not such an important issue as with the heavier models whose enclosures often suffer rough handling due to their heft. Fender discontinued finger-joined cabinets at the end of the 1970 model year so there are silverface examples extant that feature the stronger construction.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: 1966 vibro champ
Posted: Mon May 09, 2016 5:15 pm
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I have a 1973 Vibro Champ and a 1975 Princeton Reverb. Love both of them. But I would say that the VC is probably a better bedroom amp than the PR. You really can't compare the two, but if you're looking to keep Mrs. Mud happiest, the VC might be more easier on her ears. HaHa.

But get the PR if it comes around.

I use an Empress Germ Drive to get the overdriven crunch at low volumes with the amps. That makes the wife happy. I don't have the PR at 8 trying to get some crunch. I can use the Germ Drive and have the amp set at 2 and get plenty of crunch. (The pedal was recommended for my small watt vintage amps by the folks at Chicago Music Exchange and I have to say it does what I want it to do)

If you check on reverb.com, you can see recent sales histories for the amps. Actually.... $600 is a steal and you should jump on it before someone takes it home.


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Post subject: Re: 1966 vibro champ
Posted: Mon May 09, 2016 5:54 pm
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If you can afford the '66 go for it. Just my vote!

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Post subject: Re: 1966 vibro champ
Posted: Mon May 09, 2016 7:44 pm
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Any photos of either?

Thanks!


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Post subject: Re: 1966 vibro champ
Posted: Tue May 10, 2016 11:03 am
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If I can stop in after work today and if it is still there I will either take a picture or take it home and than take pictures, as the noise in my head just will not stop, my wife say just get it already and stop obsessing.
Well actually I just call them it still there and they will put it behind the counter for me to to pick up tonight so I guess unless I go though a mind change it will be mine :mrgreen:
mud


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Post subject: Re: 1966 vibro champ
Posted: Tue May 10, 2016 12:13 pm
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Photos would be cool. Thanks!


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Post subject: Re: 1966 vibro champ
Posted: Tue May 10, 2016 12:25 pm
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mud wrote:
Well actually I just call them it still there and they will put it behind the counter for me to to pick up tonight so I guess unless I go though a mind change it will be mine


Congratulations!

8)

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: 1966 vibro champ
Posted: Tue May 10, 2016 5:33 pm
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You won't regret it Mud! Enjoy that puppy!

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