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Post subject: Re: Repairing original 1965 Vibrolux Reverb
Posted: Tue Jan 20, 2015 3:56 pm
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stratele52 wrote:
For a better tone ,like when the amp was new , you need to replace all brown caps on the board . These are useful for tone.

The brown bias filter caps , close to the pilot light needs to be replaced . Put 100 MFD , 100 volts .

Replace all the power supply filter caps inside dog house.


Will this affect the value of the amp seeing as it's all original? Or do collectors and players consider this an acceptable mod in order to enhance playability? Is a novice like myself capable of changing them or should I get them professional done?


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Post subject: Re: Repairing original 1965 Vibrolux Reverb
Posted: Tue Jan 20, 2015 3:57 pm
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Pheadrus wrote:
Hopefully that's what you want. But if not send a pic if possible to show me what to take pics of. My Dad said he had a friend at work test the tubes before he had to retire and they were all good. I can't find the Reverb unit my Dad said should have been with the amp. I also can't find pics of it online to know what I'm looking for. He said it didn't work. If I can't find it can you find them for sale?


It lives on the bottom of the Amp under the speaker.

It will be in a Black Vinyl Bag:

Image

And look like this:

Image

It will have a cord coming out of it with an RCA Plug on the end.

Easy to replace, but originals will be hard to find and spendy. But there are several good aftermarket ones out there.

cheers!

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Last edited by Lightnin MN on Tue Jan 20, 2015 3:59 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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Post subject: Re: Repairing original 1965 Vibrolux Reverb
Posted: Tue Jan 20, 2015 3:59 pm
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Thanks Lightnin for the info. I'm not far from you up in Thunder Bay, Ontario. For right now it's missing. How much for one?


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Post subject: Re: Repairing original 1965 Vibrolux Reverb
Posted: Tue Jan 20, 2015 4:07 pm
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The dark spots on the 6L6GC sides are getter blasts. This is normal. The blast helps to absorb any free oxygen left behind in the manufacturing of the tube. Blasts can be at the top, on the bottom, or sides of the tube. Older tubes often have a dark brownish hue to the blast. Not the clean silver look of today's tubes. No problem. As long as the blast isn't white. White = air leak = dead tube.

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Image

For these two-in-one 25-25mfd/25VDC electrolytic caps, I wind two Sprague 25mfd/50VDC caps negative lead tails together. Works fine. New ATOMS are so much smaller than the original paper Mallory and Astron caps --- you will have no problems fitting them onto the board. Keep the cap elevated and away from resistors, as much as possible. 'Lytic caps are heat sensitive.



Sprague ATOM 25/50's & one pair F&T 33/160 negative leads tied together.

Image


Last edited by BMW2002Ti on Tue Jan 20, 2015 4:25 pm, edited 2 times in total.

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Post subject: Re: Repairing original 1965 Vibrolux Reverb
Posted: Tue Jan 20, 2015 4:11 pm
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" Will this affect the value of the amp seeing as it's all original? Or do collectors and players consider this an acceptable mod in order to enhance playability? Is a novice like myself capable of changing them or should I get them professional done? "

Keep all the old parts in a bag. Some collectors are nuts about old dried up OEM parts. I dunno why, but this can enhance the selling price.

If you are confident of your work (have any photos of your handiwork on cars?) --- go for it. I've seen MANY so-called techs due a pretty poor job of restoration. If you know a really good tech, from word of mouth --- you may want to go his route. But, time is of the essence for you. Right? Good tech often are backed up, in work.


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Post subject: Re: Repairing original 1965 Vibrolux Reverb
Posted: Tue Jan 20, 2015 4:14 pm
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Replace this bias supply filter cap with a Sprague ATOM 100mfd/100VDC cap. NOTE: polarity! Positive side to ground in BIAS supply circuits. They produce negative voltage wrt ground.


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Post subject: Re: Repairing original 1965 Vibrolux Reverb
Posted: Tue Jan 20, 2015 4:19 pm
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This is a Holy Mullard GZ34/5AR4. DO NOT replace it, unless it is near dead. If your plate voltages are over 435VDC (prolly closer to 450-475VDC) the rectifier is prolly good-to-go. Try to remove that old masking tape from the tubes. Soak in some WD40 or CAIG contact cleaner. Soften, then try removing. Clean off all solvent before inserting tube back into sockets. Use rubbing alcohol to wipe off goop and goomba's left behind.

Treat the tubes and sockets with good contact cleaner. I like Caig (or HOSA) Deoxit GN-5.


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Post subject: Re: Repairing original 1965 Vibrolux Reverb
Posted: Tue Jan 20, 2015 6:00 pm
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Change the power wiring to three prong. Ground the green wire right at the entrance to the amp. Shorter the better. Get rid of the "death cap."

Here's the diagram:

Image


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Post subject: Re: Repairing original 1965 Vibrolux Reverb
Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2015 12:26 am
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I can't thank you guys enough for helping so much.

I really would like the satisfaction of bringing the amp back to life myself if possible. It also saves me cash and time doing it myself. Plus time is of the essence. My Dad is near the end of his battle with COPD sadly. That's why I didn't want to wait for the speakers to be re-coned.

If it's just a matter of taking my time and being careful I feel comfortable trying. But I also don't want to destroy a classic amplifier, above and beyond the fact it's my Dad's. If theirs a small margin of error before I permanently damage the board I'll try and get a pro to handle it. Do I need a solder "sucker" or can I use braided wire to remove the solder?

What would be a far price to pay a good tech to do this job? I use to bounce for a guy who owned a bar and a music store. I can call him to see if he knows a good tech who can do the work right away.

Could someone give me a list of what I need to order and how many so I don't miss anything? What spares should I get at the same time?


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Post subject: Re: Repairing original 1965 Vibrolux Reverb
Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2015 1:54 am
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BMW2002Ti wrote:
" Will this affect the value of the amp seeing as it's all original? Or do collectors and players consider this an acceptable mod in order to enhance playability? Is a novice like myself capable of changing them or should I get them professional done? "

Keep all the old parts in a bag. Some collectors are nuts about old dried up OEM parts. I dunno why, but this can enhance the selling price.

If you are confident of your work (have any photos of your handiwork on cars?) --- go for it. I've seen MANY so-called techs due a pretty poor job of restoration. If you know a really good tech, from word of mouth --- you may want to go his route. But, time is of the essence for you. Right? Good tech often are backed up, in work.


Very good advice


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Post subject: Re: Repairing original 1965 Vibrolux Reverb
Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2015 10:19 pm
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Hi Guys
Sorry I've been busy. The heater core went in my truck so that took me away from the amp.

Thanks for the diagrams Beamer they explain the mod perfectly. That's going to be my first repair.

Is there a wax or something I can put on the wire insulation to preserve them? They seem dull and dry.

Can one of you guys help with a list of all the Caps I need to order and whatever else I need?

Once the speakers are in and I fix the power cord issue, should I try firing it up before changing anything on the board? Or should I just replace everything first?
Thanks.

Image

Image

Image


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Post subject: Re: Repairing original 1965 Vibrolux Reverb
Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2015 11:07 pm
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The cover on the right of the photo is the doghouse cover for the main PSU caps.

----


Image


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Post subject: Re: Repairing original 1965 Vibrolux Reverb
Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2015 11:19 pm
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I got the pics up now Beamer. Thanks. So far for the list I have

Power Supply Unit - 5 x 22mfd/500VDC
Bias Supply Unit - 1 x 100mfd/100VDC
Bypass Caps. - 6 or 7? x 25mfd/50VDC

Do I need anything else?

What's better, Jupiter or Sprague? Should I get all the same brand? When I get to play it, I would mostly play rock and classic rock type music. I love the work of Gilmour, Hendrix, Bachman, Buckethead, Page, SRV, Lifeson, Lightfoot, etc.
Thanks.


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Post subject: Re: Repairing original 1965 Vibrolux Reverb
Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2015 11:36 pm
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That sounds about right. Be sure to discharge any stored voltage from the main caps. Pull the power plug from wall. Power switch to OFF.

Take doghouse cover off. Clip a shorting wire lead from (+) ends of caps to the chassis. Flip both power and standby to on position. Let the caps drains a few moments.

Be sure to pull this drain wire from amp and turn both power to off and standby to standby, before plugging the amp back into the wall outlet (after you are finished with the recapping job).

Good luck! Post any questions or photos, if needed.


:P


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Post subject: Re: Repairing original 1965 Vibrolux Reverb
Posted: Fri Jan 23, 2015 2:44 am
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Pheadrus wrote:

Is there a wax or something I can put on the wire insulation to preserve them? They seem dull and dry.

This is the normal "look" of the wire . They are ok . Leave it there


Once the speakers are in and I fix the power cord issue, should I try firing it up before changing anything on the board?
Or should I just replace everything first?
I will put power ON the amp with bulb lamp current limiter first, if ok , I power it ON without bulb lamp .

Thanks.

]


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