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Post subject: 1966 BF Vibro Champ
Posted: Sat Sep 17, 2011 12:45 pm
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Just scored this Vibro Champ off CList for $450. So here's a pic of it next to my 1976 Champ. No issues aside from the two mismatched knobs on the front, which will be replaced as soon as I get the chance.
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Post subject: Re: 1966 BF Vibro Champ
Posted: Sat Sep 17, 2011 2:00 pm
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She's a classic, in better than average condition.

Score!

Try to find the period-correct snowman knob replacements.

Rawk on!

8)

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: 1966 BF Vibro Champ
Posted: Sun Sep 18, 2011 8:55 am
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Very nice...and oh yeah....just in case you don't know what Arjay is talking about...look at the number 8 on the knobs. :wink: you will see. :D


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Post subject: Re: 1966 BF Vibro Champ
Posted: Sun Sep 18, 2011 9:11 am
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Indeed......

Image

The "3" shares a similar trait.

These are the original-design knobs as introduced with the blackface amps in the summer of 1963. They were discontinued at the close of the 1968 model year.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: 1966 BF Vibro Champ
Posted: Sun Sep 18, 2011 9:16 am
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Good info Arjay and Reb!!


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Post subject: Re: 1966 BF Vibro Champ
Posted: Sun Sep 18, 2011 10:07 am
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I guess Reb and I have "been around" a while, Hop.

8)

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: 1966 BF Vibro Champ
Posted: Sun Sep 18, 2011 10:13 am
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Retroverbial wrote:
I guess Reb and I have "been around" a while, Hop.

8)

Arjay


I hear you Arjay. I've been laying back in the bushes trying to soak up some amp knowledge from you guys. :idea: So far it's working as I've learned quite a bit!! :wink:


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Post subject: Re: 1966 BF Vibro Champ
Posted: Sun Sep 18, 2011 12:33 pm
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We're all happy to share what we know, Hop.

8)

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: 1966 BF Vibro Champ
Posted: Sun Sep 18, 2011 1:49 pm
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Cool tidbit about the knobs Arjay, I would have never noticed it until it was too late. Any chance you would know where one could purchase a couple of the original-design knobs? So far all I have come across are the normal skirted knobs which have your normal-looking 3s and 8s.

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Post subject: Re: 1966 BF Vibro Champ
Posted: Sun Sep 18, 2011 1:58 pm
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Retroverbial wrote:
Indeed......

Image

The "3" shares a similar trait.

These are the original-design knobs as introduced with the blackface amps in the summer of 1963. They were discontinued at the close of the 1968 model year.

Arjay


:shock:

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Post subject: Re: 1966 BF Vibro Champ
Posted: Sun Sep 18, 2011 3:10 pm
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Capo wrote:
Cool tidbit about the knobs Arjay, I would have never noticed it until it was too late. Any chance you would know where one could purchase a couple of the original-design knobs? So far all I have come across are the normal skirted knobs which have your normal-looking 3s and 8s.


They're tough to come by. I buy them whenever I run across any on Ebay (recently lost out on a matched set of six by underbidding by two dollars!). I have a modest supply on hand though for my various restoration projects. Keep your eyes peeled, a couple will turn undoubtedly turn up. In the interim, buy a current set of six and replace them all then hold your originals in reserve for that "if/when" moment.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: 1966 BF Vibro Champ
Posted: Sun Sep 18, 2011 6:10 pm
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Besides the snowman 3 and 8 aren't the set screw on the Blackface knobs next to the number 10 and on Silverface next to the 1 or is that an over generalization?

By the way nice Vibro Champ Capo!

T2

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Post subject: Re: 1966 BF Vibro Champ
Posted: Sun Sep 18, 2011 6:41 pm
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Actually, the location of the set screw is less of an issue than once thought.

The first pic shows an all-original '65 Princeton Reverb while below it is the front panel from a '68 Bronco (both mine, incidentally)......

Image

Image

Apparently the snowman knobs either underwent some engineering revisions or at some point in time were second-sourced from a different vendor.

Noteworthy as well are the slotted screws used on the PR while the Bronco has the traditional allen-head types.

HTH

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: 1966 BF Vibro Champ
Posted: Sun Sep 18, 2011 7:04 pm
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Retroverbial wrote:
We're all happy to share what we know, Hop.

8)

Arjay

+1 and I learn quite alot from Arjay and the rest of the regulars here...this is a great section of the forum...not B/S everywhere.


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Post subject: Re: 1966 BF Vibro Champ
Posted: Sun Sep 18, 2011 10:49 pm
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Rebelsoul wrote:
this is a great section of the forum...not B/S everywhere.


This is the "deep end of the pool". Only hardcore tone-junkies and connoisseurs of Fender history dare to tread here.

:mrgreen:

Arjay

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