Vibrolux Experts: Date this silverface for me

[machogriz]

I've found a Silverface Vibrolux Reverb that I may consider purchasing and I'm wondering if anyone can tell me what is the year model. I've only got four pictures of it, so good luck!

The guy who's selling it says its probably a mid to late 70s model. I was hoping to get maybe a late 60s or early 70s model. Is there much of a difference between the early silverfaces and the later ones?

Also, do you think $850 would be a good price for this?

Thanks!

[castpolymer]

If you can get a picture of the tube chart, the stamp on it should give the month and year code. I just learned this last week on the TDPRI!

[machogriz]

yeah, I emailed him and asked him to take a picture of the tube chart, but he hasn't gotten back to me yet.

[Groovey Records]

Hell yes 850 is a good deal

Need better pictures of the chassis and PT , OT serial numbers to date it. If it sounds good buy it and worry about the dates latter

[Groovey Records]

this is a VR from 1965 with a 64 serial#PT

[machogriz]

Thats the only issue, I'm unable to play it because he lives in a different state than I do. But, from what I've read, its hard to go wrong with a Silverface Vibrolux, right?

Originally Posted by Groovey Records

Hell yes 850 is a good deal

Need better pictures of the chassis and PT , OT serial numbers to date it. If it sounds good buy it and worry about the dates latter

[Sidney Vicious]

I don't know Vibroluxes -

but I think that is a later 70's model judging from grill cloth, logo, back upper panel - pictures of the tranny codes and/or serial number on chassis will give good info on date - I think better than the tube chart. The tube chart was only good for the very earliest models. A shot of the cab side interior will help tell if HEAVY particle board - or lighter and preferable pine.

Serial number dating info here:

http://www.ggjaguar.com/fendamp5.htm

[Groovey Records]

Shipping a big amp is always tricky. Does he have a good ebay rating Does he say its in excellent working condition will he guaruntee it won't be DOA?

[machogriz]

Originally Posted by Groovey Records

Shipping a big amp is always tricky. Does he have a good ebay rating Does he say its in excellent working condition will he guaruntee it won't be DOA?

Yeah, I talked to him on the phone yesterday and he says that it is in working condition. He told me that he's helping someone else sell it and that they replaced the speakers and I believe the caps.

He's a little hesitant on shipping it because he doesn't know alot about how to do that, but I've got some good info on it that I'll send him if I end up getting the amp.

[endzone]

I don't think the tube charts gave any dating codes on silverface models. The chassis serial # is the first way I'd try to date it.

I would guess '74 at the earliest and probably no later than '78, based on the grill cloth, and logo. I think these amps had push/pull boosts at some point in the late 70's. So check to see if this one does or not.

[machogriz]

Originally Posted by endzone

I don't think the tube charts gave any dating codes on silverface models. The chassis serial # is the first way I'd try to date it.

I would guess '74 at the earliest and probably no later than '78, based on the grill cloth, and logo. I think these amps had push/pull boosts at some point in the late 70's. So check to see if this one does or not.

Thats the tricky thing. It has a boost pedal input jack in the rear, but it doesn't say "Pull for boost" on the front. I had someone tell me that they think the faceplate isn't original.

[skeksis]

that boost pedal feature is something I've never seen (not that I pretend to have exhaustive knowledge, but I've been paying attention for awhile).

looks mid-1970's to me. from one of those pics, it looks like a pine cab (which is preferable).

that's a pretty good price... if you don't like it, you'll easily be able to sell it for that if you're patient.

[Middleman]

It has the boost pedal which could make it a late 70s possibly 1980 silverface. Ask him if the volume control pulls out for boost control to confirm however.

I have the final year which is a 1981 in which they put the blackface panel on this amp but that was just a cosmetic change. These are not the original speakers or tubes. Those appear to be Celestion speakers which are a nice upgrade, more rock sounding than classic Fender. $850 is right on the mark pricewise. These can be modified to blackface, or alternatively you can make the normal channel more marshall sounding while leaving the vibrato channel pristine. In either case I would make some immediate changes to the power tube resistors (Put it fire resistant versions - won't affect the tone). Great amp, fabulous tone with a few upgrades.

Run the volume at 6 to 7 always and your guitar at half volume. That has the best tone and touch sensitivity to playing.

[machogriz]

Ok, he just sent me pics of the tube chart, but they're blurry and I can't see anything significant on them. Can anyone else tell anything from these pics?

[Big Mike Simpson]

The tube charts can be "replaced"... The date code numbers stamped in the transformers and the chassis serial number are better indicators of the production date.

[Sidney Vicious]

What Big Mike said - but at least that tube chart picture shows that the cabinet is pine - a big plus over the MDF/particle board heavyweights IMHO

[machogriz]

cool....so, based on this stuff, do you think this is a good buy?

[Wally]

Everything you always wanted to know about dating fEnder amps.....

http://www.superchamp.dk/papers/dati..._tube_amps.htm

That amp is from '75-'79, I would guess. Good price? That all depends on the originality of the transofrmers and the circuit and whether or not the amp works properly.
The Celstions may or may not thrill a user. Imho, they do not add value. The amp is cosmetically very clean, so original speakers would be of interest for long term value, imo; and therefore the non-original speakers to some degree detract from that aspect of the amp...collectability, that is.

[Singin' Dave]

First - 2 links that help on determining year and price:

Date by serial #: http://www.ggjaguar.com/fendamp5.htm

No idea whay I can't find CodeKinesis site right now but Ampwares has the chart I'm looking for: http://www.ampwares.com/amp.asp?id=127

So it looks as if the price is on par for completed eBay auctions in the past year + and that amp looks to be, at least cosmetically, in good shape.

The amp does have the boost jack on the back, indicating it has the push/pull boost function which was introduced around 76 or 77 I believe. Purists will devalue to the amp for this added circuitry but if you dont engage the boost, the amp will sound the same as a '75 with no boost feature.

The price is decent for a very desirable amp, but I guess I too would be a bit 50/50 on whether to buy it. Upside is these are brilliant amps - along with the 1x12 DR, the perfect size and power for just about any gig and a bit rarer than DRs. This one looks to be in good shape, has its pedals, seller seems reputable, speaker could be an upgrade to stock. Down side is average price, price and risk of shipping, not being able to try out the amp and inspect it a bit, push/pull circuitry affects resale price, and no original speakers included in favor of unkown sounding Celestions.

If the shipping gets you over $900, I'd probably pass on this one and find one from a bit earlier with original speakers included (bonus if some nice Webers or something else are in it and originals are in a box). If you can find one local, that would be much better. Just this past summer, I actually picked up my '75 VR of CList locally for $800, loaded with the lovely CTS alnicos likely taken out of a '70 Super Reverb, speakers I knew I loved. Beat up a bit and missing logo but sounds amazing and I was able to inspect and play it before I bought it.

[castpolymer]

Originally Posted by castpolymer

If you can get a picture of the tube chart, the stamp on it should give the month and year code. I just learned this last week on the TDPRI!

Sorry about the bunk info. I will now be leaving the amp I.D. stuff to the guys who have a clue ( which I am obviously not one of ).

[Jerry J]

As the owner of a '79 SFVR, I can tell you that this amp appears to be of that era. First, the Tail-less Fender Logo is a tip-off as is the Boost Jack on the rear. I also noticed that the upper guard on the back is not original - see Singin' Dave's photo of his amp for what it should look like but that's not a big deal!

As for the cabinet, I can't tell what your's is made of but mine is pine plywood with a MDF baffle, which was standard in the late '70's for bigger Fender amps. And your tube chart looks like mine and I know mine wasn't changed - typical of that era.

Back to your question, for the price make sure that the chassis S/N and trannies are close. See if you can offer a lower price for non-stock speakers too.

Good luck - I hope your amp checks out and you win it, you will enjoy it.

BTW, my '79 was really beaten up comestically and wasn't working but it didn't matter since a friend gave it to me for free. Turned out a couple of resistors and a new rectifier tube was all she needed.

[machogriz]

Thanks everybody for the info. This has been very helpful to me. Unfortunately, it turns out to be moot, because the seller just emailed me and said the amp just sold locally. Ah well, my search continues....

[Wally]

machogriz, for expediency, print out the article in the link I posted above and keep it handy for future use. Soemtimes, there isn't time to refer to someone else. Studying that article will tell you just about everything you need to understand in order to ascertain what you are looking at when you have a fEnder amp in front of you...or offered to you. Sorry you missed that one.

[Groovey Records]

Are you in troy NY?

There is a guy in Albany that specializes in BF Fenders and SF. You should try to shop local if you can.

Look for estate sales too

Also buying from someone here or TGP while not a guarantee is a strong indicator they now what there talking about and know what the market is.

[machogriz]

Thanks Wally, I'll do that.

And I'm actually in Troy, NC, so the dude in Albany is a little out of my driving range. I've been checking on TGP, but it seems prices are much higher and craigslist seems to be where you can find that "steal of a deal".

[Wally]

griz, sometimes a 'steal' can be a good deal; and sometimes it can be a money trap. That is where having advance understanding of the fine points of the amp...dating,originality, working condition....can give one the upperhand in making a good deal.
And....buying an amp for say $875 and having to put $250 into it for tubes and recapping is more costly than buying something that has been properly and well serviced and therefor is ready to go. IT might be above the average price in the market, but it could save you money in the long run.
Being informed is the best situation to be in.

[Caffeine Patrol]

For what it's worth, I've owned 3 silverface Vibrolux amps: one sounded pretty darn good, one was all right, the last was pretty so-so. Unless you have a jones for 10" speakers, I'd look for a silverface Deluxe Reverb. Every one I've played has sounded better than any Vibrolux I've had (for what I do anyway, rockabilly, C&W/western swing, surf and the like). Roy Buchanan, Clarence White and Elvin Bishop might beg to differ.