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Post subject: Repairing original 1965 Vibrolux Reverb
Posted: Thu Jan 15, 2015 1:13 pm
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Hi Everyone
I'm new to the forum and I'm looking for advice on repairing my Dad's original 1965 Twin Reverb amp. It's a late 64 chassis number(A 010XX) with the original 501 dated 10L5's Oxfords. All of the board components are dated right at the end of 64. The serial number inside the case is rough but appears to be #2. So I'm guessing a very early 65 model. He's owned it since at least 1967. His health is bad and one of the things he still enjoys is occasionally playing guitar(he has an all original 67 ES-335). He uses a little junk amp right now but I'd like to get the Fender going for him.
The Fender hasn't been used in at least a decade due to a blown speaker. When I was checking the dates on the components, the transformer was loose and wiggled on the board so I haven't tried turning it on. I wanted to see what you guys thought.
I'm on a tight budget(disabled) so I'd like to try and repair it myself if possible but will rely on professionals if need be for the board repairs.
Changing the speaker isn't a big deal but what are opinions on what to do? Re-cone the factory originals(for value) or replace(for sound quality)? Should I get the originals re-coned but put in new speakers? Where is the best place to go for speakers?
The front cloth is stained with nicotine and age. Can it be removed and cleaned or do I have to use replacement material? If someone tells me how to post pics I will.
All advice and info is greatly appreciated.
Steve.


Last edited by Pheadrus on Sat Jan 17, 2015 12:19 am, edited 1 time in total.

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Post subject: Re: Repairing original 1965 Twin Reverb
Posted: Thu Jan 15, 2015 4:19 pm
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" The front cloth is stained with nicotine and age. Can it be removed and cleaned or do I have to use replacement material? If someone tells me how to post pics I will.
All advice and info is greatly appreciated."
______________________________________________

1- Never replace the original grill cloth. Nicotine ; some collector love it .

2- Never replace original part if not needed , always keep original parts you replace in safety place

3 - Don't touch to anything before you know what you do ; study how to keep vintage gear value first .

4- Tight budget ; wait until you have the money

You will loose the great value of this amp if you do not know what to do .


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Post subject: Re: Repairing original 1965 Twin Reverb
Posted: Fri Jan 16, 2015 10:40 am
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How to post pictures:

http://forums.fender.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=52777

Regards,
vinyl


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Post subject: Re: Repairing original 1965 Twin Reverb
Posted: Fri Jan 16, 2015 3:25 pm
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Thanks, Vinyl. Any recommendations on whether I should turn it on with the transformer loose?
Who would you guys recommend if I need work on the board done? I'm in a smallish city in northern Canada so I don't think I'll find someone locally. I might have to ship the board to some one.

[img]http://i398.photobucket.com/albums/pp61/Pheadrus_gs/IMG_1274.jpg
[/img]

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Post subject: Re: Repairing original 1965 Twin Reverb
Posted: Fri Jan 16, 2015 3:26 pm
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Post subject: Re: Repairing original 1965 Twin Reverb
Posted: Fri Jan 16, 2015 3:34 pm
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Normally I would agree with the wait until you can do it right philosophy but my Dad has C.O.P.D. bad and doesn't have a lot of time so I'm trying to get it going asap while still doing it right.
I understand the value of an original Twin Reverb so I'm want to fix it correctly. I just need to try and do it as fast as cash will allow. I'm trying to learn to play so it will be used after my Dad and will be waiting for my son in case he has the interest. Along with the 67 ES-355.


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Post subject: Re: Repairing original 1965 Twin Reverb
Posted: Fri Jan 16, 2015 6:07 pm
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Actually, what you have is a Vibrolux Reverb. I was thrown a little by the reference in your earlier post to 10L5 oxford speakers in a Twin reverb, which has 12 inch speakers.

Some more questions:

Do you know how to solder?
Do you have a multimeter?
Which transformer is loose? the power transformer? the reverb transformer? The output transformer?

At this point, I would say it would be a bad idea to try to power this amp up, if it has been sitting for over a decade, and has a "loose transformer".

Based on the pictures you posted, the condition of the amp is not great, but on the plus side, a 1965 Vibrolux Reverb is worth more than a 1965 Twin Reverb in the same condition.

Probably not the answer you want, but I would have the original speakers re-coned, and save them. Put some other speakers in it for the time being, and try to find a qualified tech for the repairs if the answer to any of the first 2 questions is "no". I can't speak for Stratele52, but he would be my choice since he is in Canada, so less hassle with customs, etc. He has proven time and again by his posts that he knows what he is doing.

I would replace all the electrolytic capacitors in this amp and make sure all transformers are tightly mounted before trying to power this amp up. Check to make sure it has the correctly rated fuse, too.

prayer for your dad going up,
vinyl


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Post subject: Re: Repairing original 1965 Twin Reverb
Posted: Fri Jan 16, 2015 8:08 pm
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The VLR is a great amp. Unique tone between a Deluxe Reverb and a Pro Reverb. A blackface model in good running condition should fetch good $$$. Or be a great player for years.

You would at least need to fix it, so it doesn't blow fuses or potentially do further damage to itself. Restoring this puppy to OEM working order would be a worthy project. I love my VLR.


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Post subject: Re: Repairing original 1965 Twin Reverb
Posted: Sat Jan 17, 2015 12:14 am
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Thanks guys. I think my Dad will be surprised. I'll have to ask him, but I thought he said it was a Twin Re-verb. I wondered about the speaker size. Was I right about the serial number being #2 judging by the label?

The amp needs to be cleaned up but it's unmolested and all original. The case is in great shape with no nicks, dings, scratches, etc. Just dust and nicotine stains. I think a mouse may have eaten the edge of the label when it was in my Dad's basement. It's only seen about 7 years worth of my brother playing it in the last 45 years since my Dad stopped gigging around 1970.

I have analog and digital multimeters, a Weller WES51 soldering tool, and I only use professional grade solder and flux. I haven't worked on circuit boards yet but from restoring classic cars for 25 years, I can solder.

I got the Weller to learn to repair the circuit boards and change capacitors before they leak in some of my car amps. I'd like to do the repairs for the gratification of fixing it myself and the bonus of saving cash. But if the repairs are beyond my skill set, I would rather farm it out if I can afford too. I'll try contacting Stratele52 to see what he recommends.

The amp worked fine with no issues the last time my brother used it 10-15+ years ago other then the one blown speaker.

Then transformer that wiggles is the gold one # 125A6A and dated 606 - 4 45 in the pics. It wiggles side to side about 1/8-1/4".

I figured the best course would be to re-cone the originals and put in a nice replacement set. Any recommendations on re-coning, new speakers and vendors?

My Dad played classic rock but mostly just fools around when he plays due to his health. I'm just starting to learn to play, but my musical tastes lean towards players like Gilmour, Paige, Buckethead, Matthew Good etc. So what speakers would best suit this style? The guitars that will be used are a 67 ES-335 and a couple of modified LP's.

Thanks once again guys for the advice and thoughts.


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Post subject: Re: Repairing original 1965 Vibrolux Reverb
Posted: Sat Jan 17, 2015 12:22 am
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It still has the original pedal too but I think my dad said it wasn't working. I'll have to ask him.


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Post subject: Re: Repairing original 1965 Vibrolux Reverb
Posted: Sat Jan 17, 2015 1:25 am
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Believe that the chassis number should be: A 00102 for the amp to be #2 of this series. Do you have photo of the stamped chassis number? Mine is a 1971 VLR. Extra rubber stamp number is due to a stuck stamp # A 23845 (seen in several 1970-71 VLR's).

You should be able to replace all the electrolytic caps in your amp fairly easily, with your background. Do all 'lytics --- main PSU, bias supply cap on separate board by lamp, and bypass caps on main board. Use as close to original mfd values as possible. You can go to higher voltage ratings, avoid using lower. Get good quality caps.


Image


Photo of the main PSU cap replacement (under doghouse), I did on my 1971 VLR. Good quality 20-22mfd/500VDC caps to replace the OEM 16mfd/450VDC ones.

Image



Bias supply caps (silver cylinders in this photo) . I believe the BF VLR has only one bias supply cap, on the smaller separate board by lamp. Replace this cap with a 100mfd/100VDC cap. Last longer with higher voltage rating. Reliable bias supply is a prerequisite for long amp life.

Image


Last edited by BMW2002Ti on Sat Jan 17, 2015 2:11 am, edited 4 times in total.

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Post subject: Re: Repairing original 1965 Vibrolux Reverb
Posted: Sat Jan 17, 2015 1:30 am
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Your bias supply layout differs from my SF VLR, in that it is a true bias pot. My VLR is a hum pot.


Your Schemo & layout:

http://bmamps.com/Schematics/fender/vib ... _schem.pdf




The white plastic cylinders on the main circuit board are the bypass caps in my SF VLR. Your amp prolly has paper Mallory or Astron caps. But, they should be in similar positions. Note: check for that cap hanging off V5 and going to the back to the chassis. Some amps have this, some don't --- even within the same model/year. Amps that don't have this arrangement, will have this cap on the main board.

I like Sprague Atom 25mfd/50VDC caps.


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Post subject: Re: Repairing original 1965 Vibrolux Reverb
Posted: Sat Jan 17, 2015 2:39 am
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The chassis number is A 01094. If you look at the label it clearly shows the 2 and what appears to be the bottom of a # sign in front of it. What else could those two marks be? The font used for the numbers makes them too small to be part of a number. So to me it reads #2. But I don't know squat about these amps so I'll leave it to the more well informed to decide.

Image

Image

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Post subject: Re: Repairing original 1965 Twin Reverb
Posted: Sat Jan 17, 2015 2:47 am
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vinyl wrote:
Actually, what you have is a Vibrolux Reverb. This start vey bad :lol: I was thrown a little by the reference in your earlier post to 10L5 oxford speakers in a Twin reverb, which has 12 inch speakers.

Some more questions:

Do you know how to solder?
Do you have a multimeter?
Which transformer is loose? the power transformer? the reverb transformer? The output transformer?

At this point, I would say it would be a bad idea to try to power this amp up, if it has been sitting for over a decade, and has a "loose transformer".

Based on the pictures you posted, the condition of the amp is not great, but on the plus side, a 1965 Vibrolux Reverb is worth more than a 1965 Twin Reverb in the same condition.

Probably not the answer you want, but I would have the original speakers re-coned, and save them. Put some other speakers in it for the time being, and try to find a qualified tech for the repairs if the answer to any of the first 2 questions is "no". I can't speak for Stratele52, but he would be my choice since he is in Canada, so less hassle with customs, etc. He has proven time and again by his posts that he knows what he is doing.

I would replace all the electrolytic capacitors in this amp and make sure all transformers are tightly mounted before trying to power this amp up. Check to make sure it has the correctly rated fuse, too.

prayer for your dad going up,
vinyl



+1


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Post subject: Re: Repairing original 1965 Twin Reverb
Posted: Sat Jan 17, 2015 2:53 am
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Pheadrus wrote:
Thanks guys. I think my Dad will be surprised. I'll have to ask him, but I thought he said it was a Twin Re-verb. I wondered about the speaker size. Was I right about the serial number being #2 judging by the label?

The amp needs to be cleaned up but it's unmolested and all original. The case is in great shape with no nicks, dings, scratches, etc. Just dust and nicotine stains. I think a mouse may have eaten the edge of the label when it was in my Dad's basement. It's only seen about 7 years worth of my brother playing it in the last 45 years since my Dad stopped gigging around 1970.

I have analog and digital multimeters, a Weller WES51 soldering tool,Very good tools and I only use professional grade solder and flux. I haven't worked on circuit boards yet but from restoring classic cars for 25 years, I can solder.

I got the Weller to learn to repair the circuit boards and change capacitors before they leak in some of my car amps. I'd like to do the repairs for the gratification of fixing it myself and the bonus of saving cash. But if the repairs are beyond my skill set, I would rather farm it out if I can afford too. I'll try contacting Stratele52 to see what he recommends.

The amp worked fine with no issues the last time my brother used it 10-15+ years ago other then the one blown speaker.

Then transformer that wiggles is the gold one # 125A6A and dated 606 - 4 45 in the pics. It wiggles side to side about 1/8-1/4".

I figured the best course would be to re-cone the originals and put in a nice replacement set. Any recommendations on re-coning, new speakers and vendors?

Be careful , not anybody put the most original cone and do a good job same for a qualified tech , You can do a good job yourself with the help of this forum if you take your time ,

My Dad played classic rock but mostly just fools around when he plays due to his health. I'm just starting to learn to play, but my musical tastes lean towards players like Gilmour, Paige, Buckethead, Matthew Good etc. So what speakers would best suit this style? The guitars that will be used are a 67 ES-335 and a couple of modified LP's.

Thanks once again guys for the advice and thoughts.


First , check if the right fuse is in the amp . A too powerful fuse may burn power transformer


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