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Post subject: 1961 Tremolux
Posted: Tue Nov 08, 2011 12:59 pm
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Hey guys. I haven't been on the forum in a while, but I wanted to get your opinion of my "new" amp. It looks like the trannies are original. The original cord, foot switch and speaker cable came with it. The tubes look to be original too. There are 2 Amperex 7025's and 2 Tung-Sol 12ax7's, an Amperex GZ34 and GE 6L6's. It sounds good, but the trem is real weak. Anybody know what sort of trem this guy has? I couldn't look around inside since I had trouble getting the chassis off the cabinet and didn't want to force it so I'll let my tech do that. Thoughts?
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Post subject: Re: 1961 Tremolux - More photos
Posted: Tue Nov 08, 2011 1:02 pm
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Post subject: Re: 1961 Tremolux
Posted: Tue Nov 08, 2011 1:05 pm
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Also, any guesses on impedance? The field guide says "Impedance: 8 ohms ; 4 ohms"


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Post subject: Re: 1961 Tremolux
Posted: Tue Nov 08, 2011 1:54 pm
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Nice head unit! My guess is the 12AX7 in the tremolo/vibrato section (third 12AX7/7025 from the right as you look at the back of your unit) maybe weak. If you have a known, good 12AX7 try subbing it into this position.

Edit: One other thing, may want to spray a little contact cleaner on the tube sockets (tubes removed), onto the plugs and jacks. They look a tad oxidized from photos



http://www.webphix.com/schematic%20heav ... a_h-fa.pdf


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Post subject: Re: 1961 Tremolux
Posted: Tue Nov 08, 2011 2:28 pm
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The 125A7A part number on that output tranny correlates to a 1 x 12 Vibrolux Amp, made in the 45th week of 1961. It's likely not original to your chassis and requires an 8-ohm load. The amp itself seems to date to November of '61. The trem circuit is the bias-modulated type, the first of Leo's three designs and similar to that used in the Vibro Champ and Princeton amps.

HTH

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: 1961 Tremolux
Posted: Tue Nov 08, 2011 2:43 pm
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Beautiful amp....the Tremolux and Brown Vibrolux 1x12 are very similar in circuitry....even sharing the same chassis in one of those years,I've read...maybe '62?...I'm away from my books at work and can't reference it.
Great amp,I would love to own one. :D ...the Brown '62 Vibrolux I own is just about my favorite amp nowadays.


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Post subject: Re: 1961 Tremolux
Posted: Tue Nov 08, 2011 2:58 pm
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Thanks for the info guys.

BMW, thanks, I'll try another tube in that socket and see if it helps. I'll ask my tech to put some cleaner on the sockets when I drop it off.

Arjay, about the transformer you mentioned, I'm curious if it affects the value of the amp. I mean its a vintage transformer from a similar year, but from a different model amp. Is this something a collector would care about?

Rebel, what's the difference between the Vibrolux and Tremolux of this era? I looked up the brown Vibrolux and it uses 6L6's and has tremolo - seems like the same specs generally. Is it just that one is a head/cab and the other a combo?


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Post subject: Re: 1961 Tremolux
Posted: Tue Nov 08, 2011 3:25 pm
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s3mamill wrote:
Arjay, about the transformer you mentioned, I'm curious if it affects the value of the amp. I mean its a vintage transformer from a similar year, but from a different model amp. Is this something a collector would care about?


Possibly, and possibly. The amp's in otherwise relatively pristine condition so if the value does take a "hit", it shouldn't be a big one. To a purist who collects *only*, they prefer every detail to be absolutely authentic and unmolested. To someone like myself who collects amps AND plays them out professionally, a tranny replacement such as what's seemingly occurred here would be of no real import.

JMOOC

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: 1961 Tremolux
Posted: Tue Nov 08, 2011 7:47 pm
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One thing to remember about the amps of this era is that they are considered transitional...meaning that things were changing frequently,the Tremolux 6-G9 used 6BQ5 power tubes and had a 1x10 cabinet,that didn't last very long and it went to 6L6 tubes and a 2x12 cabinet I believe that was the 6-G9A,which is what yours is marked as,but another thing is that tube charts are also iffy when it comes to model numbers,often listing a previous model instead of what the amp is circuit wise.
I've heard and read several remarks by very well known amp techs who have said each one could be different in some ways,and when you open a vintage amp that's in original shape you could be in for some interesting things that might not match schematics.
As for myself,I'm not very familiar with the piggyback amps,all that I own are combos,and looking at one of my books it leads me to believe that the chassis was indentical for the Tremolux and Vibrolux in the very early '60s....the Vibro having an 8 ohm OT.
As for the OT in that amp,I agree with Arjay,it wouldn't bother me at all either,I would match it to a compatable cab and enjoy it....like Bro. Arjay,I use mine and there are not a one of mine that is exactly original shape,as there have been some component changes like a few caps and resistors....just like replacing tires and changing oil in a car.


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Post subject: Re: 1961 Tremolux
Posted: Tue Nov 08, 2011 7:56 pm
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Here's a pic of my '62 Vibrolux for comparison.
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Post subject: Re: 1961 Tremolux
Posted: Tue Nov 08, 2011 8:39 pm
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Rebelsoul wrote:
....just like replacing tires and changing oil in a car.


That's how we keep these amps "road-worthy".

8)

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: 1961 Tremolux
Posted: Wed Nov 09, 2011 5:54 am
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Nice looking amp. Thanks for posting the photos.

Retroverbial wrote:
The 125A7A part number on that output tranny correlates to a 1 x 12 Vibrolux Amp, made in the 45th week of 1961. It's likely not original to your chassis and requires an 8-ohm load. The amp itself seems to date to November of '61. The trem circuit is the bias-modulated type, the first of Leo's three designs and similar to that used in the Vibro Champ and Princeton amps.

HTH

Arjay


Interesting........

Knowing that Fender would use items laying around the shop to get the amps out the door, what's the possibility of this tranny being original to this particular specimen and it being shipped with a 8 ohm cab? (I think we call that being "green" today - :lol: )


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Post subject: Re: 1961 Tremolux
Posted: Wed Nov 09, 2011 6:26 am
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It is possible,the 6G9 and 6G9-A Tremos used an 8 ohm OT,and then went to a 4 ohm OT with the 6G9-B,I believe...this one is marked 6G9-A,but like I mentioned,you can't always go with that.
It would take a close inspection of the chassis to determine if it could be original,by someone who is familiar with these amps,like Arjay...the amps in this time period are very interesting and have been largely overlooked.


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Post subject: Re: 1961 Tremolux
Posted: Wed Nov 09, 2011 6:55 am
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Rebel, you have a real nice one there!

Yeah, I also wonder if the transformer is original to the amp, and they threw it in for use with an 8ohm cab. Seems like a rare vintage transformer that would have been difficult to come by even a few years later, if someone had in fact modified it at a later date.


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Post subject: Re: 1961 Tremolux
Posted: Wed Nov 09, 2011 7:55 am
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s3mamill wrote:
Yeah, I also wonder if the transformer is original to the amp, and they threw it in for use with an 8ohm cab.


This is a possibility but it would require a very diligent inspection of the soldering job to ascertain whether the welds on all of the leads matched the joints on the rest of the chassis. While an obvious-and-curious anomaly, I wouldn't lose a moment of sleep over the how's and why's of this iron ending up in your Tremolux. It's otherwise period-correct and if the amp plays and the sound pleases, that's really all that matters.

JMOOC

Arjay

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