1967 Fender Vibrolux Reverb with a Lazy Tremolo and too much Background Noise
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- Опубликовано: 2 окт 2024
- In this video we will reduce the unacceptably high background noise and pep up the lazy tremolo in a really nice BF 1967 Fender Vibrolux Reverb. Both of these complaints seem rather common, so hopefully this video will provide some solutions for viewers. In addition there is a discussion on output tube mismatch.
If you enjoy videos such as this one, please SUBSCRIBE to our channel and consider becoming a Patreon patron at / uncledougsvintageamps or making a PayPal contribution to dldcam@aol.com. The kitties and I would really appreciate it :) In addition, Patrons get early access to all our videos and sole access to the original audio demo music files.
NOTE: During the entire audio demo, the NFB was switched "off", providing some early breakup at the rather modest volume setting of 3 in the final three tunes. I felt that the slightly mismatched output tubes sounded great and left them in the amp.
Sir, I appreciate all of your content and subtle humor. You bring a lot of positivity to a very negative world. Been a big fan for years, and I just wanted to say thank you.
Yeah, I don't have time to watch Dough all the time but every now and then I sit down and just enjoy it for the ride. Would love to be able to work with audio in my job as well, but alas, maybe another year.
Thanks, A16. We're really glad to hear it :)
In total agreement with you.
Woooo! Uncle Doug! Hope you're doing well, sir! 🙏
Never better, JC. Thanks :)
One day later: Now you did it. I will have "Tangerine" as an earworm for days. Not the worst thing to happen though...
Ollie and Jack have been practicing, it shows.
Thanks, Steve. I'll tell them :)
I had a Bandmaster come to my shop that "didn't sound right"....... and I sort of didn't want to play that game. Turns out the power transformer was replaced (years ago) with something that didn't really match up well with the amp. I swapped that out with a Weber transformer used in their clone kit, and restored any mods to stock. That did the trick.
Old repairs can be a huge source of misery for a tech, DK, especially if they are aged and inconspicuous.
@@UncleDoug This repair was OBVIOUS (to me) as they had deleted the rectifier tube and popped in diodes. There was no 5v winding.
Yep.....That would definitely be a clue ;)
Hi Uncle Doug....love your vids..please keep them coming. FYI that resistor you tested at 18:45 the color band is GREEN not BLACK. I think that one was testing properly and found its way into your 100K resistor pile.
Thanks for your input, I.
@@UncleDoug I saw that too. Please double check if you haven't already emptied the trash can. The one on the right was obviously black, not so much the other one.
Will do, T :)
I gotta tell you, UD... I've ben trying to watch to other amps' repair channels, but can't stand them. One is self-centered, other is too shallow, other is too "look at my lab's gear", etc. Could not find anyone on "RUclipsland" that could pair with you. Your knowledge, including in History, Geography, Philosophy and (of course) your delicate humorous comments are unbeatable. Your Euphemisms for rats' urine/droppings are to die for. You, Sir, are irreplaceable. I wish I were one of your students back then when you were a teacher. Thank you for this new video and all lessons taught. My sincere thanks.
Wow....Thanks for all the very nice comments, PK.
Thanks so much for the work on my amp Uncle Jack! It sounds fantastic. A little more history on the amp - I'm the second owner. The original owner put the amp in a closet in 1974, where it stayed until I bought the amp. I suspect the power transformer was blown at that time. I do have the original transformer, but it likely needs to be rewound. I'm not sure if it's worth the time and effort to do that, but welcome feedback.
I wish I had received the old PT with the amp, Matt, to confirm whether or not it was at fault. If you intend to keep and use the amp, I would say that remaining as-is would be fine. If you ever wished to sell it for maximum price, then rewinding would probably be financially advisable.
@@UncleDoug Is it just me or the collectable market is a bit absurd? I mean, that's a perfectily good PT replacement as far as I know. I understand that original components in vintage amps are desirable for collectors, but that amp is going to have plenty other non original components anyway. What's so special about vintage transformers?
Obsession with originality is common to collectors of all sorts of items, D. I recall, as a youthful stamp collector, being astounded that the nearly invisible trace of a stamp hinge on the rear of a collectible stamp reduced its value significantly. I suggest taking advantage of this nonsense by buying up every classic vintage guitar and amp you can find that is highly discounted over some minor discrepancy that does not actually affect their function. @@-dazz-
As other stated i'm happy to view another vid that soon.. This amp had been packaged so good into this bespoke wood frame. People learn things, watching to your vids..
I remember you talked about output tubes mismatch. I tend to believe this theory, altough i didn't have enough experience for a sound opinion..
A bientôt.
Thanks :) When ordering new tubes, I get matched pairs, Ant, but when assessing used tubes, around 10% mismatch is acceptable.
Wow. Another Uncle Doug video in less than two weeks. Thanks so much.
You're welcome, Kim. With another one in the oven. It's feast or famine around here :)
Another great job! Kudos! From my time, back in the day,At tech school...old timer repairmen would never throw out a functionng tube, even if weak, as long as it worked because, just as you demonstrated, a tube not working optimally in one circuit might serve just fine in another. Tubes 'wear-in', sort-of self-adjust to the circuit they live in. Old time TV repair men would always have a stash of 'take-out' tubes for that reason. .might solve a problem without needing a new tube..maybe save the customer some $$ and get a set back in service without having to go back to the shop or order something....ahhhh those were the days.. wink.. wink!!!
Thanks, FH, for both the nice comments and the interesting story.
My hunch, the unidentified tube was a 12AU7 and not an AX7, they often look the same. Fenders need the gain to get the oscillation going. I’ve experimented with this before and your issue agrees with my finding.
You may be right, Jon.
Hi Doug! You're the reason I started back to Modding my amps. I'm wondering if there is a way to contact you privately? I have some older components you may, or may not be interested in. Like to send you pics of them. "they're yours for free, I will even pay for shipping. It would be my way of saying thanks for all you do. Look forward to hearing from you. Walt. P.S. I have signed on to your WebSite.
Great to hear, Walt. Please message me on my FB page: Uncle Doug's Vintage Amps.
Hi Uncle Doug. Just a bit of info about "Resistor Noise" it's quite a technical subject however I found this which might be of interest - All resistors emit some amount of noise when there is a current across them. This is known as Johnson or thermal noise.
Audio noise generated by resistors results from the motion of electrons within the resistor, which creates an unwanted AC signal which gets superimposed over the primary signal.
The motion of the electrons generates the resistor noise within the resistors.
In general, there are 2 types of resistor noise, namely thermal noise and current noise. Thermal noise is usually the main contributor to resistor noise. The movement of electrons causes thermal noises. As the temperature increases, the motion of electrons increases, hence increasing the thermal noise produced. However, current noise decreases when the frequency and movement of electrons increase, unlike thermal noise.
Also, thermal noise increases with a larger resistance value, whereas current noise decreases when resistance increases.
😏👍🇬🇧
Thanks for this helpful info, Bruce. The troublesome noise most associated with carbon comp (CC) resistors is the loud popping and rustling sound heard in many vintage circuits. While thermal noise is an inescapable (and generally very minor) issue with audio circuits, CC-induced noise is not, and is easily remedied by replacement.
The new resistor was fine, the second ring is actually green (at 18:00), but is is dark green, Nice vid as always,
Thanks, Gj.
I've never ever noticed any difference in tone using one type of resistor from another, these days I will ONLY use metal film resistors, so much more accurate and longer lasting, people forget that those old resistors aren't brand new, even new old stock, you're still trying to get something that's 70 or 80 years old to work like new, that ain't going to happen 😂
I think also resistors like that might absorb moisture over time and you get like a weathering effect, shrinking and expanding all the time, you're right when you say that thing gets cracks!
Surprised to see a video again from you so soon!
(oh, that solder blob on the outside if the case can't be original, is it? It's hideous!)
I've always found with tubes, I clean them, and the paint just comes right off when it hits the water (maybe we just used crappy paint in the UK!) I have to take pictures now and then write it on after
Thanks for sharing this with us, P.
@@UncleDoug might have gone on a bit too long there 😅
We always enjoy your comments, P.
The Jimi Hendrix of fixing tube amplifiers. 😎
High praise indeed, Tony :) Thanks !!
There is a dark side too You have to consider the converse. But I am no different. @@UncleDoug
The CV4024 is a British, government specified special quality tube, equivalent is the 12AT7 (ECC81), it was designed to withstand greater environmental extremes, you might notice a very heavy getter inside used to clear the vacuum to a greater effect.
Thanks for sharing this info with us, Tom.
HE'S BACK!
Welcome back my friend...
Missed your videos while you were gone.
Thanks for watching, Dennis :)
Again a very good repair job. Thanks for letting us know what you did to fix the amp.
Our pleasure, Manfred.
@18:20 that black band on the resistor is actually a very very dark green. That would make the resistor 150k, and measured at 147.8k
Thanks, MV :)
As allways a nice and clear video. Thank you Doug
Glad you enjoyed it, WW.
Thanks another great video always look forward to them
Glad to hear it, Rob :)
I forced myself to wait until the weekend to enjoy another Uncle Doug video. I knew this was going to be a deep dive into amp repair because of the cat scan. Thank you, again, for producing such great videos.
You're welcome, P20. I hope you enjoyed it :)
Interesting to compare the fantastic condition of this 1967 Fender to the Bassman that Psionic Audio has just posted a video about on his channel. That one allegedly came from a shed in Mississippi, but judging by the rust had actually been in the Mississippi River!
Other viewers have mentioned the amp, Chris. I wonder if river crust is more disgusting than a half-inch of rat feces, urine, and matted fur (see one of my Silvertone videos).
I've enjoyed your electrical work for some time but I have to stay Ollie and hack we're particularly on form for this one, great playing of some of my favourite tunes!
Also, hope we get to see that custom strat at some point!
Thanks so much. Watch our previous video on the Wurlitzer sound system, where the Strat is on display for all to see.
i get so excited to see a new Uncle Doug video!!
We hope you enjoy it :)
Informative, and entertaining videos from Uncle Doug are hard to beat,, super cool stuff here
Glad to hear it, Don :)
What a great day!
I hope you enjoy it, VTA.
Thanks Uncle Doug for reminding me to check the resisters in my hi-fi tube amp. It is a good 10 years now since I built it and the noise floor has been climbing slowly over time. Suspect carbon resistors are a very likely culprit..
I agree, Johann. Carbon comp resistors do not age well ;)
Great video again Uncle Doug. I also found that ceramic caps and cheap mica caps can cause snap crackle pops too, and also can be microphonic.
Thanks, Scott. Indeed :)
Wonderful amp, nice work Uncle Doug. I hope the speakers are up to snuff, and he gets those leads isolated well. Thanks.
Thanks, SC :)
Hey Doug two videos in quick succession... Treats for us all..! Great video, and lots of tips etc..After all these videos I've been watching, I'm beginning to second guess the problems, not bad for an old guy..Thanks for sharing once again, your expertise..Ed..uk..😀
Greetings, Ed. You guys will become diagnosticians by osmosis :)
Wow
I think the tubes not so balanced
made a difference. The tones a 5 o'clock
Volume consistent, the amp sounds
Fantastic. What a sweet old sound with
or without reverb and tremolo.
Maybe a couple of tremolo examples
matching tempos to tunes
a little more, and even dead slow
would show off the THROB factor
A little more. But I get the feeling that
amp is a one of kind sixties beauty.
Well done. Uncle Doug.
Thanks for sharing your insights, Lorenzo :)
Doug… You are my favorite inspiration and cannot thank you enough for sharing your wisdom. Years of learning. (Disclaimer: For my own amplifiers as a hobby). So much knowledge… I can’t thank you enough.
We appreciate your kind words, Nick.
Hi Uncle Doug! Thanks for another great video. l always learn something !
That's good to hear, Chris :)
Hey Big D, wasss up. Ok I have a screenshot of your face in the reflection off of the getter flash, I have sent it to NSA for I.D. purposes. I liked the Wurlitzer Vid, something really different. You talked about being a guy taking two weeks to figure out what is wrong with an amp, I feel your feeling 😂😂, even retired, I'm the guy who everybody brings their car to, after 5 other guys messed it up by trying to fix it, yeah two weeks is about right 🤣🤣🤣🤣. Also, if you want to annoy your gen x,y,z,etc neighbors, crank the amp up, push 15Khz through it, you and I can't hear it but they can, Oh yeah it stops barking dogs also. Well the AMP sounds great, not as good as a Leslie of course, but great non the less, also again, your playing has really gotten good, congrats.
Don Leslie Rules
Blue Mule
Thanks for the helpful tip, Mula Azul. I could probably lower the frequency to 5Khz and still not hear it ;)
Gotta love all the different packing configurations! (perhaps kitty treats? we'll see) Old Fenders are really tough but good packing is important. In a moment of what not to do, I remember "fixing" my old pro reverb by flipping it over in a 360 degree frustration maneuver. Evidently this fixed the solder joint on the rectifier tube for a spell and allowed me to continue much to my amazement! But this temporary bodge proved wanting and a professional like Uncle Doug was eventually employed to set things right. 'Ol Bessie still functions correctly some 28 years later but could use a tune up. Wanna 73' on your bench?
Thanks for sharing, Sly. Message me on FB: Uncle Doug's Vintage Amps to discuss repairs.
As allways a great show with my favorite amp thank you for ways to find out about hum. All have to do is get of my backside and test have a great week.
Glad you enjoyed it, Lane :)
Talking about the difference in tubes. I took the 12ax7 and replaced with an at7. This was done in an old Drake t4 transmitter. It smoothed the audio out so much every ham with this transmitter wanted to overhaul theirs like I did my buddy's radio. I had a lot of fun with this but did tell the truth about what I did. I love being a pain in the butt.
Thanks for sharing, Monty :)
I once wondered about lower-than-expected preamp voltage in my modded "Knutsen amp" from 1963. After all, the preamp and PI had been redesigned with all-new components. Checked the still-original dropping resistors. The preamp dropper had drifted from 47k up to 70k. Voltages got better after replacing that one.
By the way, nice to see Mitzy helping you out. How is KC, Jack and Ollie doing? Hoping to see all the kitties in a future video.
Resistor drift is a common cause of amp ills, Asle. The kitties are better than ever and ready for their next video scenes :)
Hi Uncle Doug! I miss the days when you used to use a tripod. Just weighing in my $0.02. I get excited to see a new vid from you, but then I can't watch it due to motion sickness. No offense. Just honest feedback. Peace.
Sorry to hear it, SB. We'll try to do better in the future.
Wow enjoyed this immensely.
I happen to have the same amp.
Very interesting.
Great job again.👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
Thanks, J. Glad you enjoyed it :)
That reverb is beautiful, sounds like a really big garage.
Your cats can get a nice desert-tone too.
Thanks twice, PJ :)
What a beautiful amp! I'm surprised the previous tech didn't replace the screen grid and grid stopper resisters, as that seems to be a pretty standard thing to do when servicing an amp. Good info on why carbon comp resistors crackle and pop when they start to drift.
Thanks, Mike. Glad you enjoyed it.
How wonderful to see yet another video from you! ...did I hear a bit of Kurt Vile on the final audio check?
Glad you enjoyed it, MP. We are flattered by the comparison. Ollie & Jack really like his tunes.
Nice licks, Doug!!
The cats thank you, GL :)
Unsurprising to me, I always learn something from these adventures. This one has me eyeballing a Vibrolux of my own, soon. Glad you're in good health, UD, and you and your furry friends keep rockin'. We will all be here to join in the fun. Kudos!
Thanks, Jay :)
Another Bourbon worthy repair ... Good job as usual U D ... Thx
Thanks, Ed. Time for some Pappy Van Winkle and a back rub from Kim Dickens ;)
As always, thank you Uncle Doug! Always a bonus when I find that you have posted a new video.
Personal note, the arthritis in my hands has gotten a bit better, and I find I can play guitar again. Alas, no better than I ever could, but it is good to be getting calluses on my fingers again.
Thanks, Ken. Good news......I wish I could say the same about my own hands.
@@UncleDoug It's a good thing you have those cats in the back line! 🙂
Yes, indeed. They have been my salvation :)
I have been viewing your videos for many years and wanted to say that your guitar playing has improved so very much. I'm 68 yo and your playing and improvement gives me hope that I might, with no experience playing an instrument, be able to learn to play a 3 string guitar. May God continue to bless you Uncle Doug.
Thanks so much, User. All credit goes to Ollie & Jack :)
Terrific as always. Cool amp!
Thanks, GL.
Mario the rescue cat sounds a lot like the rescue cat we had named Elvis. Elvis started out as 13 pounds of muscle, a cruisin', bruisin', lean mean rock and roll machine who used to stay outside much of the time getting into fights and trouble, and fathering litters, and then coming home battered and bruised so we could patch him up. By middle age he was missing a few teeth, had a couple notches of flesh missing from his ears, and yes he drooled. He used to climb up on my chest when I was reclined in the lazy boy chair watching TV and he would purr ---- more of a Harley rumble really ----- while he pawed at me and drooled on my shirt. In his later years he became the Las Vegas version of Elvis and ballooned up to 18 pounds.
Thanks for sharing, GU :)
Uncle Doug videos always make my day better. Thanks, Uncle Doug! Ye Olde Vibrolux Reverb now sounds plenty fine to me!
Good news for me and the kitties, Mike. Thanks !!
If you have tremolo won’t start occasionally, try replacing the bypass cap on pin 3 with a 250uf cap. This will increase the gain of the oscillator stage at low frequencies of 3-10 hz.
The ticking is from the neon bulb firing.
Replace the neon bulb with a clear white LED.
Tick gone.
Thanks for the helpful tips, ED1 :)
Two videos in as many weeks, we're being spoiled!
.....and another one on the way !!!
Excellent choice of tunes for the Sonic Escapades!!
Glad you enjoyed them, Tater :)
Hi Uncle, I really enjoyed that lil' troubleshootah video there. By the Holy One you deffo know what you're doin'!
I know that you always like to demo the amps under their own steam without accoutrements, but there are a lot of dudes out there (me included) who would like the sound demos to include an effect pedal or two in front of the amps. For example, maybe a Boss Blues Driver or a Nobels Overdrive or even a Tech 21 Sansamp possibly, just to see how those lovely valve thingies play ball with them or not.
I'm not criticizing you in any way here at all, your work is beyond excellent, it's just that I think that more guitar cat's out there would follow you if you widened the parameters a bit. It certainly might make them think, that older is better!
Let me know what you think my Dear Fellow Muso.
Maximum Respect
Alex the K
Greetings, Alex, and thanks for your input. Our policy, as you have noted, is to demo the amps themselves, without tone modification (TM). My experience is that any amp that sounds great without TM almost always sound great with it. Also, whatever pedals we chose would probably not suit all viewers......so why even open that can o' worms ??
Fair enough Uncle, I see your point there. I just thought I'd bring it up out of interest. Keep the valve flag flyin' high and I await the next one with baited breath.
Cheers
Alex
Thanks, Alex. Will do :)
I'm so tempted to hop in and probably electrocute myself with amps just from watching these videos.
If you do give it a try, learn all the safety rules and keep one hand in your pocket.
Great video, as always. Thanks!!
You're welcome, Pieter.
Sounds great, I think the owner will be very happy with the job! (as per usual!) Thank you so very much for sharing this with us.
Thanks, MM. His comment is above. He seems quite pleased.
@@UncleDoug 👍
In regards to the carbon comp vs. metal film argument......... I ALWAYS just use metal films in clone amps that I build. I really don't have anyone complaining about tone.... and I've had numerous owners proclaim that my clone amps sound BETTER than the vintage (70's) amps they were using. I REALLY wish musicians could audition amps "blind"... where all you know is how it sounds. We get hung up on brands, and "magic parts".... when there's no magic. You know that as well as I do. Parts are either suitable for purpose, or not. Speakers either give a great sound, or a not-so great sound.... I have my opinions on what works well, and what doesn't.... but I NEVER proclaim any parts as "the secret"... Secrets are for scammers.
I wholeheartedly agree, and I'm sure UD would too. He's said as much before. Right on
You're preaching to the choir, DK. Until someone posts a properly-designed double-blind experiment in which various individuals......or even test equipment......can detect a legitimate difference in tone associated with different brands of component, I shall remain a skeptic.
@@UncleDoug Indeed. In many respects we've got better parts now than existed in the 50s-70s... yet present day Fender doesn't use them.... they pick the cheapest stuff instead. At the same time, I don't believe in the extra pricey "vintage" style parts either. I buy on reliability and value.
Agreed, DK. Well said.
Great amps, great work.
Thanks twice, EW :)
what a great job you did
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
thanks
Thanks, Mario :)
I look forward to Uncle Doug Videos!
Best Entertaining, amp technical on RUclips
Thanks so much, Steve.
love your show I wish I could take a pill with your knowledge and become a true genious like yourself Uncle Doug you rock!!! Thanks for your show
That's great to hear, 20x20. Thanks :)
Fantastic amps! Hope you and the kitties are doing well.
Thanks, Matt :) Never better :)
A informative history on the intricacies of the famed Vibrolux. When combined with the troubleshooting, and corrective action(s), this episode was incredible. Well done as always, dear Uncle. I look forward to this departure from the norm of your channel. Until then, stay safe and in abundant health.
Thanks so much, Alex. We're working on some "fresh material" :)
Interesting day in the Fender amp repair mines. Psionic had a 67 Bassman that looked like it was stored in a swamp. Uncle Doug, on the other hand, has what looks like a well taken care of time machine show up.
My heroic rescue of amps from the swamp......or rat's nest.....are hopefully in the past, Strat.
Great video
I noticed that you immediately saw that the last knob on the right was not original because the screw was on 1 instead of 10 and the font was a little different. Do you know where I find knobs that fully respect the original specifications? Because those sold by Fender on their website have the screw on 1 too…!
Thanks for your outstanding work
Thanks, M. Perhaps on Ebay or Reverb, where someone is selling original, vintage knobs.
I wonder uncle Doug. Did you play guitar in a rock band back in your yonger days. After all your pretty smooth and have some nice guitars.
Thanks, Dwight. I played some acoustic in college, but never in a performing band.
Thank you again for all the knowledge, humor and love for nature and critters! Several years back one of my favorite music stores and instrument repair shops went out of business due to re-routing of massive transit construction .... , and I did pick up a copy of "The Tube Amp Book (Aspen Pittman) for a few bucks. Not only does this book contains an in-depth history of tube amps, but also has many schematics of vintage tube amps. Out of curiosity I looked up the AA864 schematic and found it! It was actually one of the Fender Bassman circuits.
You're welcome, RR. The AP book is legendary :)
When it comes to Vibroluxes, excessive noise is a relative term…
Thanks for sharing, Kendall.
Hi Uncle Doug, It's been too long since I've watched one of your videos. I've been so busy with house, yard, guitar and vehicle repairs I haven't worked on an amp a year or so. This one caught my eye as I own a '66 V.R. that you helped me diagnose and work on in previous vids. This is a great one as well. I'm so glad I watched, it was comforting to hear your voice again and now I think it's time to get back to my amps. Thanks so much for sharing your knowledge in such an unselfish manor.👍
You're quite welcome, Tim. We missed you :)
Now, *that's* the proper way to pack something for shipping!
Agreed, Lonnie :)
I really appreciate the electronics knowledge you share during your videos Uncle. They are both practical and realistic
things that can break a restoration of something very valuable if not done right.
Glad you enjoyed it, HM :)
Lagging initial startup problems? Might be too much Meowijuanas! 😹
My diagnosis exactly ;)
Nice work Doug. I did notice that the ground connections from the transformer are connected to the transformer bolts. I've seen this as a common problem with less than optimum contact. Looks like this one is ok, but pointing it out.
Thanks, RC. With a proper lock washer, I foresee no problems.
Nice work - Great presentation!
Thanks, Bernhard.
My oldest cat had a tail injury and is missing teeth due to a head injury. He can't raise his tail up all the way because of the tail injury.
I'm sorry to hear that, D. Jack and the gang wish him well :)
I love the Vibrolux and I love your videos. Stay safe and healthy!
Thanks twice, SG. Will do :)
Thanks For Sharing ...
Thanks for watching, Martin :)
Your videos are always the most interesting and never fail to entertain and inform. I know I will never be doing amp overhauls in my remaining lifetime but I never fail to learn something from you with each presentation. Thank you. My 66 Super Reverb that you repaired for me is still sounding fantastic, Thanks again.
That's great news, Michael. Thanks so much :)
18'33. You did't measured two identical 100k. One is brown/black/yel the other one brown/green/yel, 150k meant , so you measured two different values and pretend to be the same. It can be clearly see in the vid there are different colored. 147.8k is within 5% tolerance of you 150k carbon comp so you have a very good resistor ...but sorted wrong.
This has already been discussed, but thanks for your input.
I just had my ‘67 Vibrolux worked on. It was still all original with death cap and everything. Wasn’t cheap but hopefully it’ll last another 56 years.
We join you in that hope, TC.
Uncle Doug 2024!❤️👍
Appearing nightly at a gin joint near you :)
That Marvel PT is one of the ones sold by CE Dist (Antique Electronic Supply) as their "house brand" Fender replacement transformers --- I've used many, many of them and I still have a few BF Vibrolux/Tremolux ones (125P26A replacement) on the shelf ---- They were great value for the money and I've never had one fail ---- My #2 1965 BF Bandmaster (sitting behind me) has a Marvel (from CE Dist) PT, a slightly larger model (125P7D replacement) ----- I bought this amp to fix/sell but when I tried it out it sounded almost as good as my #1 1965 BF Bandmaster that is exceptionally good sounding --- I ended up keeping both 1965 Bandmasters ---- Great work on the BF Vibrolux Reverb, btw
Thanks, Mark.
What do you think about the black panel pro reverb amps? I just picked one up from family, it’s a 65 and it’s such an amazing amp. It has an original cover that isn’t in the best shape but for the age the amp is in decent shape. Has a few dings and bumps but otherwise is in great shape. It has a pair of RCA black plate 6L6GC’s and an RCA GZ34 rectifier tube. The speakers aren’t original though they are Italian Jensen C12N’s. I used to only dream of owning vintage fender gear, now I have a 63 6G6-B Bassman, a 61 brown reverb unit 6G15, a 65 Pro Reverb Amp and I’m getting a 65 Fender Jaguar in mint shape.
I love PR's, Nikki. One of my all time favorite large amps. Wow, you are gathering quite a nice collection of vintage gear.
Thank you Sir for the great BFVR video! I have a 1965 Fender BFVR that I love. However, there is a pesky ticking noise in the tremolo(vibe) circuit. Also, my tremolo/vibrato speed doesn't go passed 7 on the knob. The oscillation just stops at that point from 7 to 10. This video has really given me some things to chase down some fixes.
We're glad the video was helpful, Lou. Good luck with your projects.
Darn youtube has failed to keep your videos in my feed... I finally manually go to your channel and find a wonderful batch of new vids to watch. This one hits home for me, as this IS the model of amp I have lived with since late autumn of 1968. You may recall my mentioning mine in other comments.. It has one Oxford and one Jensen, mixed up at the dealer, Beaverton Music, at the request of the first buyer. Mine is still all original mint condition, dead stock except for upgrading the wire and RCA plugs on the footswitch. Like this one, it is CBS labeled on the rear, but still a blackface, so made in that time period after Leo sold in 1966, and the amps were changed in late 67 or early 68. I have been collecting parts to do a full service on it, so it will be ready to serve my son for another half century after I pass from this world. It will receive also a grounded power cord, and the switched NFB modification. Lovely to see this Vibrolux.. It is a wonderful device, ... in my humble opinion, the peak of Fender amps for all time.
Thanks so much for sharing your valuable knowledge and insight with us, Jennifer. I'm sorry about the RUclips snafu......hopefully, the situation will improve.
Olli and Jack sound like they have been practicing and that reverb and tremolo sound awesome. I was given a Goldentone 1755 (Rose Morris, Melbourne Australia 1964) and have nearly finished the restoration. All of the problems you faced were present in my amp but now thanks to the magic of television it's all working great unlike me who was built in 1964 also. Thanks Doug.
Thanks for your input, Antony.
Always good to see a new Uncle Doug vid. I’m about to repair a ‘67 bandmaster. The owner purchased it new and it’s never been serviced except to have it’s bias adjusted. Anyway, a story about resistor drift. I once put in a 100 ohm B+ dropping resistor right after a solid state rectifier. My idea was to mimic a tube rectifier. Well I install it and the amp acts funny. I get only a few volts on the plate of the first preamp tube. I measure that 100 ohm resistor and it had drifted up to around 5 megaohms. 😂 Basically, I failed to calculate the current and put in a resistor who’s wattage was severely under valued. And this despite that it was a metal oxide resistor.
I think that resistors generally tend to increase in resistance as they fail. Carbon comps may heat up and crack, but I think film and oxide resistors probably begin to fuse, or internally melt, and the resistance goes up.
I had a similar experience with a ‘66 Schumacher output transformer. It failed and the CT to one of the primary wires to the plate read 6,000 ohms while the other side read 78 ohms. My guess is that the coil began to melt, fusing together and the resistance increased.
Thanks for your helpful input, Alva.
Vibrolux! One of my personal faves 👍 One minor question. When you said at 14:03 "imagine if you will" was this a subtle reference to The Twilight Zone? Just curious. Thanks for another excellent video Uncle Doug!
Glad to hear it, BF. Having lived so long, it's natural to pick up familiar phrases.....like moss on a stone.
Another Great Job
Thanks, J :)
You know I love your work Uncle Doug. But... You knew that a but was coming right?
I would really like in this instance to hear a comparison. I know you've done it in the past but I suggest a very brief demo of the problem and then perhaps a very brief before and after.
My only hesitation in doing before and after demos is that if a serious problem exists in the circuit and I proceed to operate the amp, damage could occur to components like either of the two transformers. Thus, I prefer to simply eliminate all issues before demonstrating the final tone. I do get your point, however, and will keep it in mind for the future.
Sometimes the LDR is the issue, I had the same issue with tremolo on my BF VR and it would be slow to start the first time you used it that day, after it started, it would sound nice and strong, and it would fire up right away for the rest of that day. Next day same thing, slow tremolo startup. I tested EVERY part except the LDR because when it worked it worked really well. I finally had enough and replaced the LDR and never had the issue happen again. Anyhow, very good video! Thanks
I agree, James, and have offered the same advice to several viewers who sought help with this problem.
HEY! That screen resistor is still good! Some Crazy Glue...good as new!
I already sold it on Ebay.....at double the price of a single resistor.
I believe the "1340" on the transformer is the date code rather than model number. 40th week of 2013. Model number is above that.
You could well be correct, SR.
Personally I would have the volume knob pegged. I adjust my volume by the volume knob on the guitar.
Thanks for sharing, FA.
i have an old jazz cord book that was published before hendrix was born.
and jazz came from classical....the jazz chords are just chords with scale tones added.
( which happens in classical guitar, as melodies are played at the same time with melodic accompaniment )...and the petatonic scale is just all the basic chord tones in a key.
the classical guitar evolved from the lute, the steel string guitar evolved from the classical, and Lester Paul made the first solid body electric for his new magnetic pick up.. the tri-tone was documented as the most horrifically dissonant note in any equal tempered key hundreds of years before the blues .... the tri-tone being the fabled "blue note" that popularized shaking up the harmoniousness, where then greased hair, and bobbie socks, rock-n-roll said right back at yah.
Thanks for sharing this with us, Rulgert :)