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Post subject: Vibro Champ Blackface Dating
Posted: Mon Dec 29, 2014 3:26 pm
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Hi!

I just bought this Vibro Champ: http://www.ebay.de/itm/221632343247
I'm not sure about the correct dating method. Am i right that the letters "PE" on the sticker (picture 6) indicate that the amp is from May 1966?
Hope there's someone familiar with that. Can i gather more information from the pics? Maybe the exact production date?

Thanks in advance,

Michael


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Post subject: Re: Vibro Champ Blackface Dating
Posted: Mon Dec 29, 2014 4:51 pm
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Location: Province de Québec, Canada
PE = May 1966

First Picture of pot ; 137-6508 = 1965 , 8th week
Second picture of pots; 1965 , 3thr week , 1966, 49 the week

Can't see the sixth picture , no picture of the board to see if all are original

http://www2.fender.com/fr-FR/support/ar ... ct-dating/


Last edited by stratele52 on Mon Dec 29, 2014 4:58 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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Post subject: Re: Vibro Champ Blackface Dating
Posted: Mon Dec 29, 2014 4:54 pm
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Congrats on your "new amp." Vibro Champs are sweet sounding amps!

The tube chart appears to be from May of 1966. A better method of dating your amplifier is to use the the serial number from the transformer. Here's a link with more detail. I'm sure some of the experts will be around soon to help.

http://www2.fender.com/support/articles/amplifier-product-dating/


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Post subject: Re: Vibro Champ Blackface Dating
Posted: Mon Dec 29, 2014 8:08 pm
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Those are BC&T transformers (Better Coils and Transformers). Manufacturer # 831. I have them on my SF Bronco.

Your amp's tranny manufacturing dates are both 1966, 1st week (6601).

BC&T was part of the Triad Company. And made some very good iron. Many woodies and tweed era Fender amps used Triad parts.

Blackface era of VC's went from 1964 into 1967.

http://ampwares.com/amplifiers/fender-b ... bro-champ/


-----

Image


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Post subject: Re: Vibro Champ Blackface Dating
Posted: Mon Dec 29, 2014 8:28 pm
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Power tranny:

Image

1st week of 1966

Output tranny:
Image

1st week of 1966.

Cap Can date code and chassis date code:


Image

18th week of 1965, maybe. picture not clear enough to tell for sure, and 21st week of 1966.

Based on these 2 pics:

Image
Image

Cathode resistor appears to be fried. and date codes visible on caps:

50th and 51st week of 1965.

I'd say this amp is original, except for speaker in cabinet. Can't make heads nor tails from the numbers. Other speaker appears to be original Oxford, 13th week of 1966.

Regards,
vinyl

Oh, and welcome to the forum!


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Post subject: Re: Vibro Champ Blackface Dating
Posted: Mon Dec 29, 2014 8:29 pm
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Nice Blackface Vibro Champ! Nothing more to add to the dating as you got it right other than...Congrats on the score.

T2

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Post subject: Re: Vibro Champ Blackface Dating
Posted: Tue Dec 30, 2014 2:08 am
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Nice original amp

1- For you safety you must replace the old 2 prong AC power for a 3 prong power cord.
Your old cord is dry and insulation is broken , look picture where is bend = broken insulation.
I'm sure if you look closer in your amp you can see bare copper wire .

https://www.tubesandmore.com/products/S-W125

2- Check carefully if fuse is the right power . Often people put too powerfull fuse and amp is not protected. Power transformer may burn if ......


Image


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Post subject: Re: Vibro Champ Blackface Dating
Posted: Tue Dec 30, 2014 9:26 am
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Image


BTW... there is a really nice cap can replacement for that OEM Mallory. The CE 20/20/20 at 525VDC has better voltage rating than the OEM one. Nice option that I would recommend, esp with today's higher outlet voltages, compared to when the amp was made.

https://www.tubesandmore.com/products/C-EC20X3-525


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Post subject: Re: Vibro Champ Blackface Dating
Posted: Tue Dec 30, 2014 1:04 pm
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Thanks for all your input! I'll need a new transformer as the amp needs the European 230 V anyway.. Any hints on a good extension cabinet?

Thank you!! :-)


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Post subject: Re: Vibro Champ Blackface Dating
Posted: Tue Dec 30, 2014 1:15 pm
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A nice 1 x 12 inch would be nice. Esp if space & handling is a consideration. Tone-wise the VC can drive just about any cab setup out there. 2 x 12inch maybe nice --- if you want to project the sound more effectively.

A good thing about 12 inch speakers, there are a lot of good, efficient ones on the market. Efficiency will be a bigger consideration with the 5-watt amp. I like Weber ceramic 12F150's.

BTW... Weber makes a great little 8-inch speaker. Very efficient for its size. It'll fit the VC cab.

https://taweber.powweb.com/weber/8f150.htm

-----

My VC:

Image


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Post subject: Re: Vibro Champ Blackface Dating
Posted: Tue Dec 30, 2014 1:28 pm
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AntoineBoulangerie wrote:
Thanks for all your input! I'll need a new transformer as the amp needs the European 230 V anyway.. Any hints on a good extension cabinet?

Thank you!! :-)


A voltage converter 230 to 125 volts will do the job , but you have to carry it ....

You need 60 watts continious power. Less expensive than a new Power Transformer + labour .


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