Fender Vibrolux 6G11A Tube Amplifier (1961)
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Fender Vibrolux 6G11A Model Tube Amplifier (1961), made in Fullerton, California, serial # 00624, brown tolex covering finish.
This fairly rare Vibrolux Model 6G11A is a well-worn "Ragged but Right" example of one of the true gems from Fender's often under-appreciated early 1960s "Brown" period. Although there are always transitional amps from any era, more changes to Fender's line occurred in 1960 than any other year.
The Vibrolux was at that point the more powerful sibling of the 15-20 watt Deluxe and Tremolux, sitting between these and the bigger 2x10" Super. Covered in the tan/brown Tolex just coming into use as the '60s dawned, the front-mounted control panel and all-new layout were just some of the long lasting innovations ushered in around this time. The dual 6L6 power section yields around 30 watts of "clean and distortionless power", claimed Fender in their 1960 catalog, filled with iconic amps that would soon change the course of guitar history with their powerful overdriven tones!
The 6G11A's control layout is identical to the Tremolux, featuring two independent channels, one labeled normal and one bright. Each channel has two inputs and controls for volume, treble and bass, in addition to depth and intensity controls for the onboard bias-vary tremolo. Like its lower-powered sibling, the Deluxe, this model also sports a single 12-inch speaker.
Height is 18 1/2 in. (47 cm.), 23 in. (58.4 cm.) width, and 9 1/2 in. (24.1 cm.) in depth at deepest point.
This amp's tube chart has sadly gone missing, but the early serial number 00624 dates the chassis to 1961. According to available records, Fender only made approx. 700 Vibroluxes that year. Cosmetically, this is a well-worn example; there is likely some history to this amp! The cabinet is overall in decent shape for its age, showing a fair bit of scuffs and dings to the brown Tolex covering, including a few corners with missing bits of Tolex. The grille cloth shows a fair bit of staining and discoloration but is overall taught and intact with only light fraying overall and a couple of very small punctures.
The front panel is in good shape overall with a moderate amount of dings and a couple of dents along the lower lip. It still retains six of the original knobs, with the tremolo speed and intensity controls replaced. The chassis straps show a fair bit over corrosive staining and the handle is a new replacement, alongside its hardware. There was another, differently sized handle installed at one point, leaving offset holes and markings. Additionally, there are four small nails just behind the handle, likely once securing a plaque indicating the amp to be the property of a studio or player it once belonged to!
Electrically, the Vibrolux remains mostly original. The speaker appears to be a period 12" ceramic CTS, with no legible markings save for a old repair label from the 'Chopin Music Store' in Trenton, NJ! The power transformer and choke are both original to the amp, marked 606-126 and 606-120, dating them to the 26th and 20th weeks of 1961. The output transformer is a later Fender/CBS part, dating to the 7th week of 1966 and was likely a Fender dealer replacement. Visible pot codes all date to '61 and all appear original. The power switch has been replaced. Otherwise, the amp has received our typical routine maintenance, including the replacement of all electrolytic caps, a three-prong power cord, all sockets, pots and jacks cleaned and power tubes biased to spec.
This is a player-grade but excellent sounding example of a very rare and wonderful amp from this short-lived era in Fender's history, offering a great-sounding tremolo and a punchy breakup at higher settings. With somewhat more headroom and clarity than the brown Deluxe and Tremolux, this Vibrolux is a very versatile gigging or recording amp that can keep up with a louder playing situation with pristine cleans as well as the classic cracking overdrive of the brown-era Fenders. Overall Good Condition.
This fairly rare Vibrolux Model 6G11A is a well-worn "Ragged but Right" example of one of the true gems from Fender's often under-appreciated early 1960s "Brown" period. Although there are always transitional amps from any era, more changes to Fender's line occurred in 1960 than any other year.
The Vibrolux was at that point the more powerful sibling of the 15-20 watt Deluxe and Tremolux, sitting between these and the bigger 2x10" Super. Covered in the tan/brown Tolex just coming into use as the '60s dawned, the front-mounted control panel and all-new layout were just some of the long lasting innovations ushered in around this time. The dual 6L6 power section yields around 30 watts of "clean and distortionless power", claimed Fender in their 1960 catalog, filled with iconic amps that would soon change the course of guitar history with their powerful overdriven tones!
The 6G11A's control layout is identical to the Tremolux, featuring two independent channels, one labeled normal and one bright. Each channel has two inputs and controls for volume, treble and bass, in addition to depth and intensity controls for the onboard bias-vary tremolo. Like its lower-powered sibling, the Deluxe, this model also sports a single 12-inch speaker.
Height is 18 1/2 in. (47 cm.), 23 in. (58.4 cm.) width, and 9 1/2 in. (24.1 cm.) in depth at deepest point.
This amp's tube chart has sadly gone missing, but the early serial number 00624 dates the chassis to 1961. According to available records, Fender only made approx. 700 Vibroluxes that year. Cosmetically, this is a well-worn example; there is likely some history to this amp! The cabinet is overall in decent shape for its age, showing a fair bit of scuffs and dings to the brown Tolex covering, including a few corners with missing bits of Tolex. The grille cloth shows a fair bit of staining and discoloration but is overall taught and intact with only light fraying overall and a couple of very small punctures.
The front panel is in good shape overall with a moderate amount of dings and a couple of dents along the lower lip. It still retains six of the original knobs, with the tremolo speed and intensity controls replaced. The chassis straps show a fair bit over corrosive staining and the handle is a new replacement, alongside its hardware. There was another, differently sized handle installed at one point, leaving offset holes and markings. Additionally, there are four small nails just behind the handle, likely once securing a plaque indicating the amp to be the property of a studio or player it once belonged to!
Electrically, the Vibrolux remains mostly original. The speaker appears to be a period 12" ceramic CTS, with no legible markings save for a old repair label from the 'Chopin Music Store' in Trenton, NJ! The power transformer and choke are both original to the amp, marked 606-126 and 606-120, dating them to the 26th and 20th weeks of 1961. The output transformer is a later Fender/CBS part, dating to the 7th week of 1966 and was likely a Fender dealer replacement. Visible pot codes all date to '61 and all appear original. The power switch has been replaced. Otherwise, the amp has received our typical routine maintenance, including the replacement of all electrolytic caps, a three-prong power cord, all sockets, pots and jacks cleaned and power tubes biased to spec.
This is a player-grade but excellent sounding example of a very rare and wonderful amp from this short-lived era in Fender's history, offering a great-sounding tremolo and a punchy breakup at higher settings. With somewhat more headroom and clarity than the brown Deluxe and Tremolux, this Vibrolux is a very versatile gigging or recording amp that can keep up with a louder playing situation with pristine cleans as well as the classic cracking overdrive of the brown-era Fenders. Overall Good Condition.