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Post subject: A Fender Vibrolux
Posted: Wed Feb 01, 2012 6:28 am
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I've desired a classic Vibrolux amp for some time now. Thanks to a few sources, I may have a lead on one. What I'm unsure of however, are the responsibilities of buying a vintage amplifier.

Must I have any kind of service done after I purchase it, or can I just flip it on and play? This is in reference to a late '70s/early '80s issue amp. I've purchased vintage instruments before and haven't had many problems, but I don't have experience with amps, especially valve-based ones.

Guidance would be appreciated.


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Post subject: Re: A Fender Vibrolux
Posted: Wed Feb 01, 2012 6:49 am
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If the amp is in good.mostly original shape you can turn it on and play,but some things do need checking and replaced,first is having a three prong power cord installed if it doesn't already have one,next is the filter capacitors and other electrolytic caps inside the chassis....having a good tech go over it and replace only what needs to be and saving the old parts will make your amp reliable and safe for many years...that's not to say something else won't ever break down,but that's the way anything goes.


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Post subject: Re: A Fender Vibrolux
Posted: Wed Feb 01, 2012 10:25 am
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Yes, I was concerned most about safety to be honest. I can only imagine what kinds of voltages are running through 30-year-old valve equipment.

Just so I understand, are these recommendations or necessities? For example, if I put off the restoration for 5 or so years, would that be foolish?


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Post subject: Re: A Fender Vibrolux
Posted: Wed Feb 01, 2012 7:03 pm
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Installing a three prong power cord if it doesn't have one is a "have to" for safety,it's the first thing I do...and the filter caps will eventually need changing if they haven't been,they will cause some problems,but after the cord,just play it and see how well it performs.


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Post subject: Re: A Fender Vibrolux
Posted: Thu Feb 02, 2012 1:14 am
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I understand. I believe it has a three-prong cable installed already. Don't know about caps though, so I'll have to find that out.

Thank you, your advice was very helpful.


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Post subject: Re: A Fender Vibrolux
Posted: Thu Feb 02, 2012 6:18 am
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Outland wrote:
I understand. I believe it has a three-prong cable installed already. Don't know about caps though, so I'll have to find that out.

Thank you, your advice was very helpful.

You're welcome,there's some very knowledgable guys here...we love to help people who are really into the vintage amps....or just wanting to learn,I learn something here everyday.


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Post subject: Re: A Fender Vibrolux
Posted: Thu Feb 02, 2012 3:28 pm
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The temptation is to turn it on and play it as soon as you get home -- I'd advise against that.

If you can play it at a shop or the seller's place before you play then you at least know what you're getting yourself into.

If not, take it to a qualified Fender amp tech in your area - there are several here on the board who can recommend good techs in our areas -- to have him do a checkup. Any tube amp from the 70's will need to have the filter caps replaced; it's also an easy thing to have them inspect to see if any of the filter caps are bulging or even leaking.

They can also check to make sure everything else is up to spec; over time, some resistors and caps will become out of spec. Have the tech bias it to specs, and you should be good to go.

I've got a guy who's worked on all my Fenders in the South Bay CA - I'm sure others can recommend for their areas.

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Post subject: Re: A Fender Vibrolux
Posted: Thu Feb 02, 2012 4:39 pm
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Finding a qualified amp tech in Maryland can be problematic. Do you know of any in my area?


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Post subject: Re: A Fender Vibrolux
Posted: Thu Feb 02, 2012 9:07 pm
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I'm sure between this page and some other Fender-oriented pages someone will know a good tech in Maryland.

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Post subject: Fender Amp Techs Maryland
Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2012 12:45 pm
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I'm in Baltimore and I use these guys:
Invisible Sound Studios, Inc.
4401 Eastern Avenue Ste. 7
Baltimore, Maryland 21224
410.327.2122
www.InvisibleSoundStudios.com
Home of The North American Guitar Amplifier Museum, ask for Joe.
HTH, O.


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Post subject: Re: A Fender Vibrolux
Posted: Tue Feb 14, 2012 5:48 pm
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I'm curious why one would be more concerned with changing the power cord than inspecting the E-caps which could be a much more serious problem when they fail.


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Post subject: Re: A Fender Vibrolux
Posted: Tue Feb 14, 2012 6:38 pm
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You have a valid point, Bill. The power cable is just an insurance, should something short to the chassis or dealing with other equipment(PA). But Yeah, an exploding power cap can be more than just a mess. I think those two items are always at the top of the agenda for rehabs and basic maintenance. Art

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Post subject: Re: A Fender Vibrolux
Posted: Fri Feb 17, 2012 5:15 am
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Because if the polarity doesn't match another piece of gear, and the conditions are right, you could be electrocuted. I've been bitten many times years ago from my 65 Vibrolux Reverb. Worst one is 110volts on the lip from a mic. The caps will usually give some warning. Noise, distortion, etc. The caps would probably take out the amp and blow the fuse before they take you out. Damage to the amp is no fun either.

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Post subject: Re: A Fender Vibrolux
Posted: Fri Feb 17, 2012 9:57 am
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+1 Supro!
Back in the days of two prong plugs and polarity switches I got into a habit of touching other equipment,guitars,mics,etc. with the back of my hand before getting closer,although I still got the dreaded mic bite at times.I saw a blue spark arc at least a 1/4 inch to a friend's lip once....whenever it happens,it's usually followed by cussing through the mic. :x and a momentary inspection of hookups before the next song.


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Post subject: Re: A Fender Vibrolux
Posted: Fri Feb 17, 2012 3:13 pm
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I've not heard of someone being killed because the amp chassis is not grounded to the now common 3 prong recepticle. All of us who were using this equipment before there were grounded chassis have got shocked, but we can all tell about it. It's much more common in my area for old venues to have incorrectly wired outlets, and get shocked from that, if we don't check before plugging in.
My favorite old SE amp, a mid 60's Valco design still has a 2 prong cord, and I see no need to change it. Neither side of the line in to the PT is grounded to the chassis, so whichever side is "hot" is irelevant. The output voltage of the PT basically floats in relation to where ever it is measured, so even the few hundred volts to the output tube, would have to be rewired in such a way as to cross your body, and send enough current through your heart to stop it.


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