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Post subject: 68 Custom Vibrolux Reverb schematic?
Posted: Tue Jan 26, 2016 1:47 pm
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Hello!

Does anyone have a 68 Custom Vibrolux Reverb schematic to share?

Thank you!


Last edited by Number51 on Fri Jan 29, 2016 11:55 am, edited 3 times in total.

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Post subject: Re: 68 Custom Vibrolux Reverb straight answers please
Posted: Wed Jan 27, 2016 3:12 am
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Road test a Fender Visitor Center , december 2015 . Nice tone , often loud "tac" when you switch tremolo ON if reverb is ON.
IMO, wrong desing in stereo input jack for pedal switches.

At this price, I would buy the "real" thing , a vintage Silverface.


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Post subject: Re: 68 Custom Vibrolux Reverb straight answers please
Posted: Wed Jan 27, 2016 9:02 am
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stratele52 wrote:
At this price, I would buy the "real" thing , a vintage Silverface.


The "real" thing costs a wee bit more than what a new CVR retails for. At least 50% above, even more for a tasty blackface specimen.

Arjay

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"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY


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Post subject: Re: 68 Custom Vibrolux Reverb straight answers please
Posted: Wed Jan 27, 2016 4:19 pm
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Retroverbial wrote:
stratele52 wrote:
At this price, I would buy the "real" thing , a vintage Silverface.


The "real" thing costs a wee bit more than what a new CVR retails for. At least 50% above, even more for a tasty blackface specimen.

Arjay


AhAhAh , Ok buy close to the real thing you can... :lol:

Like more in '74 than ' 68


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Post subject: Re: 68 Custom Vibrolux Reverb straight answers please
Posted: Wed Jan 27, 2016 6:03 pm
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stratele52 wrote:
Like more in '74 than ' 68


Either of those model years would be infinitely more preferable to a new one.

:mrgreen:

Arjay

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"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY


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Post subject: Re: 68 Custom Vibrolux Reverb straight answers please
Posted: Thu Jan 28, 2016 1:41 am
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Retroverbial wrote:
stratele52 wrote:
Like more in '74 than ' 68


Either of those model years would be infinitely more preferable to a new one.

:mrgreen:

Arjay


+1


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Post subject: Re: 68 Custom Vibrolux Reverb schematic?
Posted: Fri Jan 29, 2016 12:56 pm
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Yes, the originals are always preferable, but not always financially possible. I once had a 67 Vibrolux Reverb, and never felt like there was a "better" amp that I could own. Unfortunately, all of my gear was stolen a few years ago, and it has been a slow process replacing it all.

I still have not found a full schematic for the 68 Custom Vibrolux Reverb, but have seen partial schematics that show how the custom channel and negative feedback mods are done.

I never used the "Normal" channel on the old amps, but I might use the "Custom" channel on the new one.

I probably won't care for the reduced negative feedback, but it is easy enough to change.

The tremolo is supposed to be the bias vary type. I will probably like it.

I have no idea how they achieve sag without seeing a schematic or someone knowledgeable telling me. I have a feeling that it's going to be something difficult to change, and therefore a deal-breaker. My 67 had solid state rectification, which gave it less sag, and I liked how it sounded.


Last edited by Number51 on Tue Feb 02, 2016 12:41 pm, edited 2 times in total.

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Post subject: Re: 68 Custom Vibrolux Reverb schematic?
Posted: Fri Jan 29, 2016 1:34 pm
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Read here ;

http://www.mylespaul.com/forums/squawk- ... 014-a.html


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Post subject: Re: 68 Custom Vibrolux Reverb schematic?
Posted: Sat Jan 30, 2016 3:44 am
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Thank you, stratele52. That answers the tremolo question. It does have bias vary tremolo. Like the previous Custom Vibrolux Reverb, this new one is just a different critter than an original blackface or silverface Vibrolux Reverb. That just leaves the "sag" modification to decipher...


Last edited by Number51 on Tue Feb 02, 2016 12:45 pm, edited 3 times in total.

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Post subject: Re: 68 Custom Vibrolux Reverb schematic?
Posted: Sat Jan 30, 2016 11:00 am
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Number, wanted to help earlier but I'm just a hobbyist and wasn't sure specifically the answers to your questions. I was pretty sure there wasn't a photo sensor. Some EPA issue most likely. It is tube driven I knew that. I own the amp and I think the tremolo is really good. It can get almost throbbing. There is a good you-tube clip of a demo at a NAMM show.

The SAG question is interesting. Wasn't sure why it was mentioned in the sales lit. when I bought it. Didn't know what it was. I read up and it's odd the SS rectification should have none and they added it in? Can't say I notice anything. Listened to a demo of a heavy metal guitar with extreme sag from the pups, and I don't notice it on this amp.

My review of the amp is a great upgrade addition to my Hot Rod. I think Fender tube amps are great. This model is very quiet, no standby pops or anything. Very versatile. Good cleans which will add hair if you crank the volume and dive in (amp really responds to your playing) and the modified custom channel is downright overdriven when pushed. Great wattage to be able to put volume past six where it comes alive. Great gradual transition of volume up the dial. Didn't realize how weird that is on a Hot Rod which is two volumes - can't hear it and full. I think you don't have to be pure - the modifications Fender made over the originals on this series are desirable IMO. I want reverb on both sides, and I want it quiet, and I don't want on-board switching if that is a failure point, and I want two channels that are just different enough that you can play classic rock and switch channels to change tone during the song (solo), and I want to jumper the two channels - another tone and slightly louder so it's a built in boost.

Okay I'll stop now. I like this amp. :lol:


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Post subject: Re: 68 Custom Vibrolux Reverb schematic?
Posted: Sat Jan 30, 2016 12:15 pm
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Tone Chaser wrote:
...and I don't want on-board switching if that is a failure point, and I want two channels that are just different enough that you can play classic rock and switch channels to change tone during the song (solo)


If you need channel switching, go with an outboard foot-switchable device. My Radial Big Shot A/B/Y has never failed and is totally noiseless.

Arjay

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"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY


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Post subject: Re: 68 Custom Vibrolux Reverb schematic?
Posted: Sat Jan 30, 2016 8:42 pm
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Tone Chaser wrote:
I think the tremolo is really good.


Bias vary tremolo usually is, and judging by the demos I've heard online, this amp is no exception.

Tone Chaser wrote:
The SAG question is interesting. Wasn't sure why it was mentioned in the sales lit. when I bought it. Didn't know what it was. I read up and it's odd the SS rectification should have none and they added it in?


I read about the sag being built in when this amp first came out, and I could swear that they said the transformer was changed to achieve it. Now Fender doesn't seem to mention that anymore, but instead lauds the Schumacher transformers "like the originals". Huh?

Tone Chaser wrote:
I like this amp.


That's all that really matters! :D


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Post subject: Re: 68 Custom Vibrolux Reverb schematic?
Posted: Tue Feb 02, 2016 1:05 pm
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Thanks for the replies. I've decided to pass on this amp. It's just too different from my 67 Vibrolux Reverb that was stolen. I'll keep looking for an early silverface, or if I'm really lucky, another original blackface. In the meantime, I just ordered a 65 Princeton Reverb Reissue to replace my Princeton Reverb that also got stolen. If anyone does find a schematic for the 68 Custom Vibrolux Reverb, I'd still like to see it just out of curiosity. Thanks again!


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Post subject: Re: 68 Custom Vibrolux Reverb schematic?
Posted: Tue Feb 02, 2016 1:32 pm
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No need to feel guilty. I love my '66 Vibrolux Reverb and there's simply no comparison between it and the contemporary 68 CVR. FMIC would've been wiser to offer a straight blackface (or drip-edge silverface) re-issue as they've done with their TR, SR, DR, and PR models.

Arjay

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