vibro champ

Hey Joe · March 21st, 2005, 04:26 PM

While at my inlaws last weekend my father inlaw digs out his old geetar and amp to see if I could use them since he never could figure out the darn thing. His words not mine. First he pulls out a beat up telestar guitar cracked neck and all, so Im not to hopefull about the amp. Then he pulls out from under a pile of junk a fender vibro champ. After some digging around online I think its a '64-'67 black face. So I get it home and plug it in and it works, not great but it works. After cleaning the tube sockets and twisting all of the knobs quite a few times and a couple hours of playing this little thing is starting to come around. It doesnt really break up much when pushed but I hear that is common with the black face ? I know I need to take it to an amp tech to get it checked out and to have a 3 prong plug put on, any other suggestions? Im thinking the original speaker isnt quite cutting it any thoughts on replacements? Im just in love with this little amp, now I see what all the hype is about with vintage gear it just oozes mojo.

blauserk · March 21st, 2005, 05:45 PM

I love my BF Vibro Champ. Mine breaks up quite a bit, so maybe it does have some issues your tech could correct.

People have recommended the Weber P8Q to me and also the Weber P8R for more grit. I haven't tried either. I've thought about replacing the baffle to squeeze a 10" speaker in there because I find 8" speakers kinda farty. I would avoid any non-reversible mods, because the market for these amps is picking up.

Hey Joe · March 21st, 2005, 05:59 PM

Yeah I definatly wont do anything unreversible. I have thought about a new baffle and a 10. Anyone know if you can or where to get grill cloth to match.

Mik · March 21st, 2005, 06:37 PM

Try an 8" Weber signature ceramic speaker, inexpensive and the smooth cone one sounds great in my VC. Much discusson of BF/SF Champ speakers here, do a search.

Mik

lenny · March 21st, 2005, 07:12 PM

a new set of tubes is what i'd try do first.

Jean-Baptiste · March 21st, 2005, 08:34 PM

with what some consider to be the 'ultimate' tremolo circuitry. The serial number on the tube chart inside indicates not only the year, but the month, of manufacture. Like the boys say - cleaning & re-tubing will probably help, but those old Fenders had real crummy speakers and yours might be blown. When I got my '65 VibroChamp, it had a replacement speaker that was rated at 8 Ohms and sounded pretty weak. I replaced the replacement with a 4 Ohm speaker, doubling the volume and returning that classic fender sparkle & chime. Don't wory about the resale value - If you get this amp running right, you'll never want to let it go.

Hey Joe · March 22nd, 2005, 10:59 AM

I'll have to try out that weber, the more I play it the more convinced I am that it needs a new speaker. I think the tubes are alright, it got new tubes in '76 and then was put away and never played until now. Im not worried about resale as I can never make myself sell anything, but I do want to keep it as close to original as possible.

March 21st, 2005, 04:26 PM	#1 (permalink)
Hey Joe Tele-Meister Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Lees Summit, MO Posts: 225 2 Photos	vibro champ While at my inlaws last weekend my father inlaw digs out his old geetar and amp to see if I could use them since he never could figure out the darn thing. His words not mine. First he pulls out a beat up telestar guitar cracked neck and all, so Im not to hopefull about the amp. Then he pulls out from under a pile of junk a fender vibro champ. After some digging around online I think its a '64-'67 black face. So I get it home and plug it in and it works, not great but it works. After cleaning the tube sockets and twisting all of the knobs quite a few times and a couple hours of playing this little thing is starting to come around. It doesnt really break up much when pushed but I hear that is common with the black face ? I know I need to take it to an amp tech to get it checked out and to have a 3 prong plug put on, any other suggestions? Im thinking the original speaker isnt quite cutting it any thoughts on replacements? Im just in love with this little amp, now I see what all the hype is about with vintage gear it just oozes mojo. __________________ " I service society by rockin'. Im out there on the front lines liberating people with my music. Rockin' aint no walk in the park lady."

March 21st, 2005, 05:59 PM	#3 (permalink)
Hey Joe Tele-Meister Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Lees Summit, MO Posts: 225 2 Photos	Yeah I definatly wont do anything unreversible. I have thought about a new baffle and a 10. Anyone know if you can or where to get grill cloth to match. __________________ " I service society by rockin'. Im out there on the front lines liberating people with my music. Rockin' aint no walk in the park lady."

March 21st, 2005, 06:37 PM	#4 (permalink)
Mik Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 1,416	Try an 8" Weber signature ceramic speaker, inexpensive and the smooth cone one sounds great in my VC. Much discusson of BF/SF Champ speakers here, do a search. Mik __________________ a "motor-bike with a touch of blood in it is better than all the riding animals on earth, because of its logical extension of our faculties, and the hint, the provocations, to excess."-T.E. Lawrence

March 21st, 2005, 08:34 PM	#6 (permalink)
Jean-Baptiste Tele-Holic Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 633	You got'cher self one heluva practice amp with what some consider to be the 'ultimate' tremolo circuitry. The serial number on the tube chart inside indicates not only the year, but the month, of manufacture. Like the boys say - cleaning & re-tubing will probably help, but those old Fenders had real crummy speakers and yours might be blown. When I got my '65 VibroChamp, it had a replacement speaker that was rated at 8 Ohms and sounded pretty weak. I replaced the replacement with a 4 Ohm speaker, doubling the volume and returning that classic fender sparkle & chime. Don't wory about the resale value - If you get this amp running right, you'll never want to let it go.

March 22nd, 2005, 10:59 AM	#7 (permalink)
Hey Joe Tele-Meister Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Lees Summit, MO Posts: 225 2 Photos	I'll have to try out that weber, the more I play it the more convinced I am that it needs a new speaker. I think the tubes are alright, it got new tubes in '76 and then was put away and never played until now. Im not worried about resale as I can never make myself sell anything, but I do want to keep it as close to original as possible. __________________ " I service society by rockin'. Im out there on the front lines liberating people with my music. Rockin' aint no walk in the park lady."

March 21st, 2005, 05:45 PM	#2 (permalink)
blauserk Tele-Meister Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 145	I love my BF Vibro Champ. Mine breaks up quite a bit, so maybe it does have some issues your tech could correct. People have recommended the Weber P8Q to me and also the Weber P8R for more grit. I haven't tried either. I've thought about replacing the baffle to squeeze a 10" speaker in there because I find 8" speakers kinda farty. I would avoid any non-reversible mods, because the market for these amps is picking up.

March 21st, 2005, 07:12 PM	#5 (permalink)
lenny Banned Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: New Haven, CT. USA Posts: 3,219	a new set of tubes is what i'd try do first.