70 Vibro Champ Before and After

[lakehaus]

[img:640:480]http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh17 ... G_7468.jpg[/img]

Poor neglected little SF Vibro Champ didn't work when I acquired it a couple months ago.

[img:640:480]http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh17 ... G_0530.jpg[/img]

After some elbow grease and tolex & elex outsourcing, it's like a brand new tone machine! I prefer the blackface look.

all pics here: http://s256.photobucket.com/albums/hh17 ... /?start=40

[Tubetwang]

Good shoe Lake!

[Kregg]

Great job! What'd you do to get it running again?

[lakehaus]

Great job! What'd you do to get it running again?

When I checked it out at the previous owner's home, the power light came on it but was silent - no output. The fuse was blown, but neither of us had a 1amp to replace. That's how I bought it. I did basic check and replaced the 6V6GT and the blown fuse when I got home. It worked, but still made noise - an annoying staticy hiss.

I'm no amp tech, so I sent it to Skip Simmons in CA, who gave it a complete check up, replaced a cap and the switch, repostioned the pots so they wouldn't ground out, did a 3 prong conversion, and repaired the filter can & 6V6 socket.

For tolex, I went to Gregg at Vintage Amps for recover. I did all the stripping and prep. I attempted to retolex it myself, but I don't have the skills, and Gregg did a first class job.

I topped it off with new knobs, handle, chassis straps, Marsh faceplate, vibro foot switch, and a used speaker. I also made a new speaker lead, a fab'd a birch ply baffle, recovered with Fender grill cloth, and refinished the Fender metal logo.

The end product is a sweet living room amp that doesn't look funky, and it acts like the punk-ass little brother of my BFDR. The tone is unbelievable with the Weber Vintage ceramic!

[M Fowler]

Both ways look good to me.

I like the look of a well abuse and used Fender.

Mark

[DonP]

Black looks great to me. I never liked the Silver Face look.

[butwhatif]

Nice job, but is that new grille cloth? A wrong new faceplate and cloth might halve it's value.

[selloutrr]

any before and after gut shots?

[M Fowler]

I don't mind the silver face Fenders because guys tend to not buy them leaving them for me. They make excellant projects for hot rodding. Send all unwanted silver faced Fenders to me. I thank you in advance.

Mark

[lakehaus]

any before and after gut shots?

all pics here
http://s256.photobucket.com/albums/hh17 ... o%20Champ/

Kinda spotted inside, but works perfectly.

[lakehaus]

Nice job, but is that new grille cloth? A wrong new faceplate and cloth might halve it's value.

I hear ya. I still have all of the parts, including the grille cloth and face plate. I also found a used SF plate here, but it's for a later model (doesn't say "amp").

I prefer the BF look, and this is a tool for me, rather than an investment piece. I could put the old grille cloth back on, or buy new replacement... but not now.

Also, the SF plates are hard to find!!! Much greater selection of BF's out there.

[lakehaus]

I don't mind the silver face Fenders because guys tend to not buy them leaving them for me. They make excellant projects for hot rodding. Send all unwanted silver faced Fenders to me. I thank you in advance.

Mark

Yep. Mine's not hot rodded, but restored. Initial cost - $75

I'm looking for one (Champ or VC) for my son and brother-in-law!