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Post subject: "prototype" Blackface amps?
Posted: Sun Apr 24, 2011 1:18 pm
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I remember a Vintage Guitar Magazine article from the '90's regarding a Super Reverb that was apparently a "pre-production prototype", based on features such as stencil markings on the transformer, a two-prong grey power cord, date of manufacture and minor circuit differences. The '50's style power cord (purportedly) comes from Leo's re-cycling efforts with left-over stock that was still useful, in this case for prototyping. Has anyone heard about this practice? According to the article, a few (10?) examples of newly designed amps were sent to professional musicians for "field testing", if you will. My interest is trying to determine whether my '64 Vibrolux Reverb could be one of these. It has the grey (tweed style) power cord and all the other specs mentioned in the article. This practice makes sense, but I wondered if anyone else had heard about it. If it's true, it would certainly add to the mojo of this amp. It is in beautiful condition, and I've owned it since 1985.

SN A00388, tube chart info: AA864, Production #1, date code NJ.

I'd love to post some photos, but I can't seem to get the "Img" function to work on here. If you can give me any advice on this, it would appreciated.
Thanks!

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Last edited by ashtone on Tue Apr 26, 2011 6:00 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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Post subject: Re: "prototype" Blackface amps?
Posted: Sun Apr 24, 2011 1:29 pm
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I've seen original gray power cords on early blackfaces, specifically Showmans and Super Reverbs with the initial AA763 circuit revision and build dates correlating to late 1963.

According to the your tube chart, the amp was built in October of '64 and has a relatively low serial number. Check your tranny codes to see how those dates jive up with the data on the tube chart. If the iron is all original they will all have FEIC part numbers formatted as "125XXX".

HTH

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: "prototype" Blackface amps?
Posted: Tue Apr 26, 2011 6:07 am
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Look up Jimmy Bryant's son, John, on MySpace, FB, etc. and he'd be able (and quite willing) to tell you all about what Leo gave his Dad to try out. :wink:

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Post subject: Re: "prototype" Blackface amps?
Posted: Tue Apr 26, 2011 12:30 pm
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Thank you both; this is a much appreciated resource!

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