Fender Vibrolux AA763 Tube Amplifier (1964)
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Fender Vibrolux AA763 Model Tube Amplifier (1964), made in Fullerton, California, serial # A-01140, black tolex covering finish.
A very first for our showroom, this rare non-reverb Vibrolux is a very fine example of one Fender's short-lived gem from the very beginning of the newly revamped 'black-panel' lineup that would grace the remainder of the decade. The early 60s bore some of the most dramatic changes to the company's amplifier line; many of the models were souped up into the new 'piggy-back' format, including the Tremolux, previously a 1x12" combo. The Vibrolux, initially a smaller 1x10" amp alongside the Harvard, was aimed at offering the new tremolo effect to students and serious amateurs. The model was positioned just above the Deluxe, in a taller 1x12 cabinet and a dual 6L6 power section, yielding approx 30 watts of "clean and distortionless power", claimed Fender in their early 60s catalogs, filled with iconic amps that would soon change the course of guitar history with both their clean and powerful overdriven tones!
Unlike many of the other models, the non-reverb black-panel Vibrolux was in production for less than a year and only around 1200 units were made. The serial number A-01140 indicates this is one of the last ever produced! The tube chart bears the stamp NC, dating the amp to March of 1964. The control layout is similar to the preceding 6G11 brown Vibrolux, but instead of a 'normal' and 'bright' channel, this version has 'normal' and 'vibrato' channels, each channel now having a dedicated bright switch as well as allocating the tremolo effect to the second channel only. Each channel has volume, treble and bass controls, with tremolo speed and intensity for the second channel.
Like the other non-reverb/reverb variations in the lineup, the non-reverb Vibrolux sports a somewhat cleaner gain architecture than its reverb-equipped sibling due to the lack of the reverb circuit. This rare amp features a great surf-to-crunch sound palette and with its higher headroom would serve as a great pedal platform.
Height is 19 in. (48.3 cm.), 23 in. (58.4 cm.) width, and 9 1/2 in. (24.1 cm.) in depth at deepest point.
This Vibrolux is a truly stellar example. The cabinet is overall in very good shape for its age, save for just a few minor blemishes primarily along the edges and corners. The black Tolex covering is otherwise very clean and the front panel is shiny and mostly free of any notable wear. The front grille cloth covering is clean, taught and free of any tears or signs of fraying.
Electrically, the Vibrolux is nicely original. The original Oxford 12L6N bears the code 465-350, dating it to the 50th week of 1963. The power, choke and output transformers are all original, coded 606-314, 606-340 and 606-402, dating them to the 14th and 40th week of 1963 and the 2nd week of 1964, respectively. Visible pot codes all date to late '63 and early '64 as well. 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 truly excellent example of a very rare and great-sounding amp from this short-lived era in Fender's history, offering a great-sounding tremolo and a great punchy breakup at higher settings. With somewhat more headroom and clarity than the Deluxe, 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 some classic mid-60s Fender-era overdrive. This combo is something of a hidden gem of the 1960s Fender line, a superb amp for any player not tethered to on-board reverb. Overall Excellent - Condition.
A very first for our showroom, this rare non-reverb Vibrolux is a very fine example of one Fender's short-lived gem from the very beginning of the newly revamped 'black-panel' lineup that would grace the remainder of the decade. The early 60s bore some of the most dramatic changes to the company's amplifier line; many of the models were souped up into the new 'piggy-back' format, including the Tremolux, previously a 1x12" combo. The Vibrolux, initially a smaller 1x10" amp alongside the Harvard, was aimed at offering the new tremolo effect to students and serious amateurs. The model was positioned just above the Deluxe, in a taller 1x12 cabinet and a dual 6L6 power section, yielding approx 30 watts of "clean and distortionless power", claimed Fender in their early 60s catalogs, filled with iconic amps that would soon change the course of guitar history with both their clean and powerful overdriven tones!
Unlike many of the other models, the non-reverb black-panel Vibrolux was in production for less than a year and only around 1200 units were made. The serial number A-01140 indicates this is one of the last ever produced! The tube chart bears the stamp NC, dating the amp to March of 1964. The control layout is similar to the preceding 6G11 brown Vibrolux, but instead of a 'normal' and 'bright' channel, this version has 'normal' and 'vibrato' channels, each channel now having a dedicated bright switch as well as allocating the tremolo effect to the second channel only. Each channel has volume, treble and bass controls, with tremolo speed and intensity for the second channel.
Like the other non-reverb/reverb variations in the lineup, the non-reverb Vibrolux sports a somewhat cleaner gain architecture than its reverb-equipped sibling due to the lack of the reverb circuit. This rare amp features a great surf-to-crunch sound palette and with its higher headroom would serve as a great pedal platform.
Height is 19 in. (48.3 cm.), 23 in. (58.4 cm.) width, and 9 1/2 in. (24.1 cm.) in depth at deepest point.
This Vibrolux is a truly stellar example. The cabinet is overall in very good shape for its age, save for just a few minor blemishes primarily along the edges and corners. The black Tolex covering is otherwise very clean and the front panel is shiny and mostly free of any notable wear. The front grille cloth covering is clean, taught and free of any tears or signs of fraying.
Electrically, the Vibrolux is nicely original. The original Oxford 12L6N bears the code 465-350, dating it to the 50th week of 1963. The power, choke and output transformers are all original, coded 606-314, 606-340 and 606-402, dating them to the 14th and 40th week of 1963 and the 2nd week of 1964, respectively. Visible pot codes all date to late '63 and early '64 as well. 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 truly excellent example of a very rare and great-sounding amp from this short-lived era in Fender's history, offering a great-sounding tremolo and a great punchy breakup at higher settings. With somewhat more headroom and clarity than the Deluxe, 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 some classic mid-60s Fender-era overdrive. This combo is something of a hidden gem of the 1960s Fender line, a superb amp for any player not tethered to on-board reverb. Overall Excellent - Condition.