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Post subject: How do I tell what year my amp is
Posted: Tue Mar 10, 2015 9:06 am
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I have a Fender Vibrolux Reverb Amp AA864 blackface. How do i tell what year it is?


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Post subject: Re: How do I tell what year my amp is
Posted: Tue Mar 10, 2015 9:36 am
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Have photos of the transformers and the serial number on the chassis? Like these?

[photos of a SF Deluxe reverb and blonde Tremolux]


Image


Image


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Post subject: Re: How do I tell what year my amp is
Posted: Tue Mar 10, 2015 9:39 am
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I think this is the serial number A 07319


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Post subject: Re: How do I tell what year my amp is
Posted: Tue Mar 10, 2015 9:45 am
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1966 according to data here......

http://www.superiormusic.com/page195.htm

As an aside, my '66 Vibrolux Reverb is serialed "A04413".

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: How do I tell what year my amp is
Posted: Tue Mar 10, 2015 9:51 am
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Thanks

This is the only way I know how to show you pictures of it. I am not trying to sell this on your forums. But I cant figure how to unload the dang pictures. Its not very simple.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Fender-Vibrolux ... 1533481282?


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Post subject: Re: How do I tell what year my amp is
Posted: Tue Mar 10, 2015 10:46 am
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I'll tell you one thing -- that amp is not "original".

The speakers pre-date the chassis by nearly a year.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: How do I tell what year my amp is
Posted: Tue Mar 10, 2015 11:05 am
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Really? Ill have to fix my auction. It says on this site " The blackface and silverface Vibrolux came with several different production speakers; Blackface amps had Jensen C10q (1,25″), C10ns (1,5″) or Oxford 10L5 while the silverfaces could have Oxford 10L5 or CTS ceramic. "

http://fenderguru.com/amps/vibrolux


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Post subject: Re: How do I tell what year my amp is
Posted: Tue Mar 10, 2015 12:08 pm
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The date marked on your speakers do not match up with the age of the amp.

And beginning in 1966 Jensen speakers earmarked for use by Fender featured a specific sticker proclaiming as much......

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Arjay

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Post subject: Re: How do I tell what year my amp is
Posted: Tue Mar 10, 2015 1:05 pm
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http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTIwMFgxNjAw/ ... c/$_57.JPG


Looks like the power tranny has been changed, too. Date of manufacture = 51st week 1968.
It does seem to be the correct model number = 022723.


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Post subject: Re: How do I tell what year my amp is
Posted: Tue Mar 10, 2015 9:32 pm
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BMW2002Ti wrote:
http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTIwMFgxNjAw/z/ArEAAOSwZjJU~xuc/$_57.JPG


Looks like the power tranny has been changed, too. Date of manufacture = 51st week 1968.
It does seem to be the correct model number = 022723.


While definitely not original (date coding), I would think it wouldn't hurt the value as it is so close to the year of manufacture.

Mass-produced goods tend to fail in one of two stages; either in their infancy due to a design/manufacturing defect, or in their old age by approaching/reaching their designed Service Life. Failures in-between almost always are due to abuse by the user.

Depending on how many hours this was played, it wouldn't be unusual to see a bad tranny pop-up 12-24 mos. after manufacture. And you would expect a warranty repair part to be date-coded somewhat near the manufacture date.

cheers!

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Post subject: Re: How do I tell what year my amp is
Posted: Tue Mar 10, 2015 10:37 pm
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Makes one wonder why the PT was changed. But, you are correct --- it shouldn't effect the performance or prices, too much. But, can't be sold as completely original at premium prices.


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Post subject: Re: How do I tell what year my amp is
Posted: Tue Mar 10, 2015 11:25 pm
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BMW2002Ti wrote:
But, can't be sold as completely original at premium prices.


+1

I have no issue whatsoever with the amp in its extant condition. But it's disingenuous to describe it as "original".

Arjay

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