Vibro King drool area

Built Jan. 1995, original EL-84 based reverb tube as well as original Eminence Blue Frame speakers.

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e51/hifivic/Guitars%20and%20Amps/IMG_1386.jpg

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e51/hifivic/Guitars%20and%20Amps/IMG_1382.jpg

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e51/hifivic/Guitars%20and%20Amps/IMG_1381.jpg

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e51/hifivic/Guitars%20and%20Amps/IMG_1380.jpg

"This amplifier is so pretty I have one in my living room next to the expensive furniture. It reminds me why I wanted to play guitar in the first place. I thought I looked prettier with a guitar. I do. But with a Fender Strat and a Vibro-King I’m as cool, as irresistible as James Dean.”

— Pete Townshend, November 2002

Best reverb I ever heard!

Best reverb I ever heard!


Agreed, just so musical and harmonically rich.

Found me a beautiful blonde with the oxblood frontage recently. She is a real beauty!

How about some VK photos from you other lucky folks?

I will try posting some soon, too.

Any VK stories out there?

We need photos to prove that these amps actually exist!!!

OK, some photos of my May 2000 Vibro-King amp. The original 3x10, 60 watt 'Vibro-King' was built by the Fender Custom shop in Flagstaff, Arizona based on a design by Bruce Zinky, from 1993 - 2002.

The newer labelled 'Vibro-King Custom', built from 2003 to the present time, is identical in size and weight. The tube and speaker compliment has remained consistent through the years with only an occasional change in tube selection having occurred since 1993. Originally finished with a blonde tolex covering and an oxblood grille with Ivory 'radio' knobs, current models are now mainly finished in black tolex.

The amp has been a fully 'handwired' product since its inception in 1993.

Now the photos:

http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l48/tonyjp/VikingB1.jpg

http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l48/tonyjp/VikingD.jpg

http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l48/tonyjp/VikingF.jpg

http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l48/tonyjp/VikingE.jpg

http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l48/tonyjp/VikingG.jpg

http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l48/tonyjp/VikingH.jpg

http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l48/tonyjp/VK5.jpg

http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l48/tonyjp/VK3.jpg

OK New Zealand, now you know they exist! :grin:

Nice blonde!
The Fender facility in Az is located in Tempe, not Flagstaff. I don't believe they do any production there either, I believe it's a R&D shop.

Such a fabulous amp all around. I have always wanted one, but it's a bit big to load in to most of the gigs I do (Boston- a lot of old hotels and historic venues with crappy load ins). I have a Zinky Blue Velvet which is very similar, but in a 1x12 combo.

Here's mine. My favorite amp ever, although lately I've been liking my DRRI too because it's lighter and easier to move, but the King is the KING. Telecasters sound great through the King.

http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj267/peterblossom/VibroKingcopy.jpg
http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj267/peterblossom/98c636ef.jpg

Nice. Very nice.....

Bit big for the gigs I do though - and it'd probably kill my back the first time I tried to lift it!!

Nice. Very nice.....
Bit big for the gigs I do though - and it'd probably kill my back the first time I tried to lift it!!

C'mon Del! All you guys are 18 stone rugby players and if you're not, there must be half a dozen close at hand, just dying to help!
........ Besides the VK is only 19 pounds heavier than that beautiful tweed twin amp you have in your photo section. Hmm, I thought it was less. 19 pounds is a lot really, especially when you already have a fantastic amp, such as your Tweed Twin.

BTW, many congrats on the All Blacks World Cup win! A great team - as always.

...... and now, one for the road ..

http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l48/tonyjp/VikingA.jpg

My old '94

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y165/Rumbletweed/Gear/Dano2-2.jpg

Gladly I'm not an 18 stone rugby player - and the only one I know isn't into being my roadie!!

The VK may only be 19lbs heavier but that 19 more than I'd want to try lifting into the back of my car. Plus the shape of the VK must make it a bit more cumbersome to lift and transport.

But I do like the look of these big beauties.

And, yes, the AB's are CHAMPIONS OF THE WORLD!!!!!

Remind me not to mention this to any Aussies on the forum!

Not sure If this counts. ;)

I have a 63 Brown Pro I got everything except the cab, all the cab hardware and a 15" 1967 Vibranto [sp?] speaker. Original cab 25 years gone. Head & Speaker Cab made poorly and went into the garbage... So I will be making a cab soon

But, [pertinent conundrum] I have a matched quad of ALnico BlueFrame early 90s RI Bassman 10s. Going to make the 310 baffle first...

So, said Cab will have a quick change baffle [2 baffles] 115 and 3 of the Blue Frames.

So count me in kinda sorta. ;)

Not sure If this counts. ;)

I have a 63 Brown Pro I got everything except the cab ........ So I will be making a cab soon.

But, [pertinent conundrum] I have a matched quad of ALnico BlueFrame early 90s RI Bassman 10s. Going to make the 310 baffle first...

So, said Cab will have a quick change baffle [2 baffles] 115 and 3 of the Blue Frames.

So count me in kinda sorta. ;)

Good Luck with your project robt57. As you are well aware, there is much more to a VK than three speakers and a cab, but no doubt you will have 'plans' to deal with that. Keep us up to date with your progress (plus a few photos to keep us happy), and as I said, Good luck!

Good Luck with your project robt57. As you are well aware, there is much more to a VK than three speakers and a cab, but no doubt you will have 'plans' to deal with that.


I am sticking with the original transformers, if you know what I mean, so i plan to not deal with that actually. ;)

I need some help. I recently got a 2000 VK and am a little confused on the function of the fat switch. When I engage the switch, the signal becomes brighter and crunchier and the volume increases dramatically.
I'm guessing I might have a shorted cap in the cathode since all the Fat switch seems to do physically is remove a resistor to ground. Can anyone explain if what I am describing is the normal function? Seems to be more of a boost than a "fat" sound.

Got this in to do repairs. Bottom Line---I'm really swept away with the tone and response of this amp. The customer wants me to correct the Loose GZ-34 rectifier tube because it is floopy in the socket. Got to doing some research on this amp and realized it's not even suppose to have a rectifier tube!!! The amp has apparently had the Torris Modification. It has the GZ-34 tube rectifier and three 10" Kendrix Black Frame Speakers. It's also got the EL84 tube driver. I tried to retention the rectifier tube but it was useless, somebody has already jacked with it and messed the grippers up. I just ordered a new socket for it.

I mentioned to the customer how much I liked the amp and said something about selling it to me!!! I've read a lot about the EL84 tube driver on this early model being problematic. So I was hoping some of you who had experiance with these early 1994 models could tell me about it. I'm thinking about working up a trade for my Mesa Boogie Rocket 440. Platefire

I have one of the original ones as well, along with the 2x12 extension speaker. Still have the tags on the speaker box.

Soooo! Guess you've been pretty happy with yours being you kept it all these years? What about the EL84 reverb driver--did you have to do a mod to cool the bias off or has yours got the 6V6 reverb driver? Platefire

I have a an eye and ear for top quality gear but sadly not the wallet - unless I don't want to eat! BUT my 'BUCKET LIST of things to do/own does include a Vibro~King and even moreso now Fender have introduced the jaw-droppingly beautiful 'Brown Face' livery anniversary model... Sadly my 65 Super Reverb, Blonde Super~Sonic 60, 57 Tweed Deluxe, Cornford and others will have to do me for now...!

http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee301/snotmale/vibro-king-brown-4_zps6d36daf3.jpg

I was considering one but the weight factor knocked it in the head. I've been downsizing in my old age and to go for a VK would be backsliding! :mrgreen: