Fender Vibrolux Reverb Issue

Lucamo · Post by **Lucamo** » Sat Jan 19, 2013 6:48 pm

So I got a used Vibrolux Reverb for 700 Canadian and it is awesome.

On my 4th day of having it, I am demonstrating it to my father, and he picks it up and puts it down violently with the Reverb fully cranked. I hear a large KLAAAANG and from then on, even with the reverb set to 10 I only hear it very faintly and with very little decay.

I am scared to open it up, but I am going to today. Does this sound fixable?

Ankhanu · Post by **Ankhanu** » Sat Jan 19, 2013 7:21 pm

Why...

wh...

He did wha...

... eh...

Shiiiiiit.

Sounds fixable, yeah. Could just be a loose connection to/from the reverb tank, or the tube could be loose in the socket (or dead)... could be a solder point in the tank... Fixable.

Lucamo · Post by **Lucamo** » Sat Jan 19, 2013 9:44 pm

Yeah.

Basically the pride of the whole amp is broken. I feel like I am playing a castrated machine.

avj · Post by **avj** » Mon Jan 21, 2013 6:15 pm

At the absolute worst, the tank will need to be replaced; thankfully, they're very cheap. Is this the newer Custom Vibrolux Reverb or a vintage SF/BF model?

Post by **Mike** » Mon Jan 21, 2013 9:15 pm

Did you check all the tubes are still seated nicely? He could have fudged the reverb driver/recovery tube if it has such a thing.

Or just shaken all the m@j@ out

Lucamo · Post by **Lucamo** » Mon Jan 21, 2013 11:24 pm

Mike wrote:Did you check all the tubes are still seated nicely? He could have fudged the reverb driver/recovery tube if it has such a thing.

Or just shaken all the m@j@ out

I will get on that tomorrow. I was literally just poking it today.

And yeah, it is the re-issue.

Lucamo · Post by **Lucamo** » Mon Jan 28, 2013 1:52 am

So I took out the tank, checked all the solder joints, they were nice and tight.
I don't know what to do next.

I can't figure out what tubes are for the reverb, and I also don't know how to mess with tubes... do you tighten them? This is my first tube amp and I feel like I am a helpless 12 year old.

robroe · Post by **robroe** » Mon Jan 28, 2013 2:03 am

FUCK DAD
WHAT THE FUCK

Ankhanu · Post by **Ankhanu** » Mon Jan 28, 2013 5:37 am

Lucamo wrote:So I took out the tank, checked all the solder joints, they were nice and tight.
I don't know what to do next.

I can't figure out what tubes are for the reverb, and I also don't know how to mess with tubes... do you tighten them? This is my first tube amp and I feel like I am a helpless 12 year old.

Unplug the reverb send and return, and plug them firmly back in...
Take the covers off the tubes (I assume they have covers, an aluminum sheath over the tube?) and firmly push them into place. I believe the tube you're after is the 12AT7 that is the fourth from the right (next to the transformer), but it won't hurt to make sure they're all seated properly.

After you do that, leave the covers off, plug in and turn on the amp. The tubes should glow after a moment if they're healthy. Make sure they're all glowing... if some aren't, they need replacing, most likely.

Actually, with my Twin Reverb, I've had some issues where having the footswitch plugged in has screwed up the operation of the reverb. Try unplugging it (if you have one plugged in) and seeing if the reverb works with only pot-control.