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Post subject: Changes in Vibrolux amps
Posted: Wed Jun 18, 2014 4:23 pm
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Asking experts to chime on this I found on another forum regarding changes that took place with other black face amps, but this member claims Vibrolux Reverb didn't change much in the sliver face era.
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An orignal Vibrolux REverb circuit from any year is very close to the first vibrolux reverb This the only Fender 2 x 6L6 amp that did not change much during its production years.....the DR and smaller amps did not change much either....but all of the bigger amps did except for the VR.

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Vibrolux Reverb did NOT undergo the major changes that he other 6L6 amps underwent. Yes, the amp did get the bias balancing circuit in May, 1968; but the VR never got the master volume and it never went to the Ultralinear output arrangement....it was always a 40 watt amp. Like the DR, it did get the pull boost on the voume....but that is about it for changes. I like the SF VR's...bargains, imho.

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FYI, the Vibrolux Reverb is the only 6L6 FEnder amp that did not undergo mcuh change during the production of the amp. Like the Delxue REverb, there is very little "blackfacing' to do in that circuit. These two amps received the pull boost, but they never had a master volume and the Vibrolux REverb is the only Fender 6L6 amp that did not get the Ultrlinear treatment. IT was always a 40-watt amp from the beginning until the end of the production in 1982 or so.
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Post subject: Re: Changes in Vibrolux amps
Posted: Wed Jun 18, 2014 6:46 pm
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Nikola Tesla wrote:
It was always a 40-watt amp from the beginning until the end of the production in 1982 or so.


Really......?

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Post subject: Re: Changes in Vibrolux amps
Posted: Thu Jun 19, 2014 6:26 am
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Nikola,

Except for the change from bias adjustable to a balance adjustable bias power supply --- the main portion of the amp remained pretty much unchanged. The AB568 did have the cathode-to-ground resistors, on the 6L6GC's, to lift the cathode off ground (ala cathode bias). And the 2000 pico-farad bypass caps on the signal grids. The AA964, AB568, and AA270 all had the 820-ohm/100-ohm feedback resistors GNFB network.


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Post subject: Re: Changes in Vibrolux amps
Posted: Thu Jun 19, 2014 5:59 pm
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BMW2002Ti wrote:
Nikola,

Except for the change from bias adjustable to a balance adjustable bias power supply --- the main portion of the amp remained pretty much unchanged.


This is exactly what the person on the other forum stated.
The BF Vibrolux amps are very expensive. Hardly less than $3,000. :shock:
Hmm, I'm looking for one ..

Any other opinions on the subject please?

:shock:


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Post subject: Re: Changes in Vibrolux amps
Posted: Thu Jun 19, 2014 6:45 pm
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Nikola,

I really like my 1971 VLR. Sounds pretty darn good. I've never played on a BF VLR, but I'd imagine the tone is similar. SF's are cheaper than the BF's. If you can tolerate the looks. I bet the drip-edge models are pretty nice.

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Post subject: Re: Changes in Vibrolux amps
Posted: Thu Jun 19, 2014 11:23 pm
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Nice VR Beemer!

I have nothing against Silver Face amps as long as they are sonically fine.

In fact the drip edge ones are really nice. :lol: :lol:

Here is a VR from 1978. What kind of blue caps are these :?:

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Post subject: Re: Changes in Vibrolux amps
Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2014 5:50 pm
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Those are blue Paktron caps. Tone is average. Nothing outstanding.


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Post subject: Re: Changes in Vibrolux amps
Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2014 6:04 pm
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BMW2002Ti wrote:
Those are blue Paktron caps. Tone is average. Nothing outstanding.


What would you recommend as replacement caps that would take it from average to extraordinary? My BMR is loaded with these blue paktrons and I've been contemplating the replacement of said caps. Also, would you suggest replacing all paktrons or only the ones in the V1/V2 stages? The three types I'm considering are Sozo, Jupiters, or Russian pio.

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Post subject: Re: Changes in Vibrolux amps
Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2014 6:21 pm
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socal323 wrote:
What would you recommend as replacement caps that would take it from average to extraordinary? My BMR is loaded with these blue paktrons and I've been contemplating the replacement of said caps. Also, would you suggest replacing all paktrons or only the ones in the V1/V2 stages? The three types I'm considering are Sozo, Jupiters, or Russian pio.


Sozo's would be my first choice, with the Jupiter's as runner-up.

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Post subject: Re: Changes in Vibrolux amps
Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2014 6:30 pm
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Retroverbial wrote:
socal323 wrote:
What would you recommend as replacement caps that would take it from average to extraordinary? My BMR is loaded with these blue paktrons and I've been contemplating the replacement of said caps. Also, would you suggest replacing all paktrons or only the ones in the V1/V2 stages? The three types I'm considering are Sozo, Jupiters, or Russian pio.


Sozo's would be my first choice, with the Jupiter's as runner-up.

Arjay


Arjay,
Would you recommend all paktrons be replaced? I've heard of long waiting times on orders, is it common/true with Sozo to wait several weeks for an order to arrive?

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Post subject: Re: Changes in Vibrolux amps
Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2014 6:42 pm
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Unless there were a really compelling cause, I'd wait to replace those Paktron's until there were another reason to open up the chassis (like installing new filter, bias, and/or cathode-bypass caps) then install the Sozo's at the same time. I haven't heard of any delays for them.

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Post subject: Re: Changes in Vibrolux amps
Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2014 7:57 pm
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BMW2002Ti wrote:
Those are blue Paktron caps. Tone is average. Nothing outstanding.



What caps are in your VR and how important are the blue Mallory caps for the sound of a Fender amp? :?:


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Post subject: Re: Changes in Vibrolux amps
Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2014 10:18 pm
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Blue MOLDED are the best for vintage BF tone. Or Astron yellow caps. Impossible to find NOS ones. Of all the new made caps, I like the yellow Jupiter or Beeswax. The mil spec PIO metal-clad Russian K40Y-9 are very good. Polyester Dynami-caps. Really, all kinds of good caps. But, they are all system dependent. Certain sections are more sensitive to the various types.

So, experimentation is needed for the specific amp. Never believe anyone that says that one or two types of caps will solve all tonal ills for all amps.


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Post subject: Re: Changes in Vibrolux amps
Posted: Sat Jun 21, 2014 1:08 am
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I would keep the original caps , Silverface amps are a piece or Fender history like Blackface .

Il keep the amp original just wire cleaning , too long wires . After I'd remove the two 2000pf caps on 6L6 grids


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Post subject: Re: Changes in Vibrolux amps
Posted: Sat Jun 21, 2014 1:23 am
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stratele52 wrote:
Silverface amps are a piece or Fender history like Blackface.


True but with qualifications.

The silverface amps reflect an era of Fender's history that many would just as soon forget since they are hallmarks of the tampering that occurred under the tutelage of CBS. Much of this meddling manifested itself with a switch to cheaper, less sonically-pleasing components such as tone caps and speakers then finally cabinets with all the resonant properties and structural integrity of a Rice Crispies box.

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