Fender 63 Vibroverb User Manual

THE SOUND THAT CREATES LEGENDS

‘63 Vibroverb

Owner,s Manual

P/N 037307

INTRODUCTION

Your “new” ‘63 VIBROVERB amplifier is living proof of the
quality and longevity of Fender amplifier designs.

Fender first introduced the VIBROVERB in the early part of

1963. Unlike many of the other Fender amplifiers that
were produced for years, this version of the VIBROVERB
had a production life of less than 4 months. It is estimated
that fewer than 600 VIBROVERB units were ever produced.
This limited production is one of the reasons this amplifier
has become highly sought after by vintage amp collectors.
The VIBROVERB was the first Fender production model to
have both reverb and vibrato as built-in “effects”.

The original VIBROVERB shows Fender in a transitional
period with amplifiers changing from tweed covering to
brown “Tolex” and eventually to black “Tolex.” In the sum­mer and fall of 1963, Fender changed the speaker configu­ration of the VIBROVERB to a 15 inch speaker and the
brown “Tolex” covering changed to black. The single 15
inch model is also fairly rare, but the 2-10 version is leg­endary.

Fender’s ‘63 VIBROVERB re-issue amplifier is based on the
original cosmetics, sound and circuit. Every effort was
made to be true to the original.

Several changes have been made for safety and reliability
reasons. A printed circuit board is used rather that the
phenolic “parts panel” of the sixties. A 3-prong line cord is
required for safety reasons. Minor modifications to the cir­cuit took place since certain parts are no longer available,
but every effort was made to keep the original circuit values
and sound the same. We resisted the temptation to
“improve” the amp with features found on later models like
master volume, effects loop or channel switching. In order
to improve reliability, a solid state rectifier was used rather
than a 5AR4 tube. Since the ‘63 VIBROVERB uses a solid
state rectifier, there is one less tube and tube socket than an
original VIBROVERB. All internal circuit voltage values
have been precisely matched to the new solid state rectifier
to insure exact sonic reproduction and no alterations to the
“vintage” sound. On the original model, the Reverb /
Vibrato Footswitch connected to the unit via 2 RCA style
jacks; this has been changed to a more reliable 1/4” jack.
The reverb pan cables now connect more securely to the
chassis also.

The VIBROVERB is unique in Fender amplifier history by the
implementation of its tone circuit. The VIBROVERB was the
first and ONLY Fender amplifier to use this type of tone cir­cuit. The treble control is “tapped,” meaning it responds
more like an active tone control allowing boost AND cut of
high frequencies. Conventional Fender tone circuits pro­vide a small amount of tone shaping even in the “0” posi­tion, but if the VIBROVERB Treble Control is set to about
“5”, the response is flat.

The speakers used in the ‘63 VIBROVERB are reproductions
of the original speakers made by the Oxford Speaker
Company. When Fender started work on this project,
Fender contacted Oxford who still had much of the original
tooling and documentation of this 10 inch speaker from the
early sixties.

The power and output transformers used in the ‘63
VIBROVERB are built to the original specifications, which
are still in the R&D engineering files at Fender’s office. The
same “direct-coupled” oscillator circuit is used for generat­ing the vibrato. The reverb sound from the VIBROVERB is
“warmer” than later Fender amps due to the unique reverb
send and recovery circuit.

The cosmetics of the ‘63 VIBROVERB incorporate the brown
“Tolex” and “Ecru” grill cloth used in 1963. We have re­tooled the “flat” Fender logo and have added the original
tilt-back legs found on so many Fender amps through the
sixties and seventies.

It is suggested that you read this manual thoroughly to
understand all the features and functions of your new
amplifier. The purchase of a Fender amplifier will provide
years of musical enjoyment and the ‘63 VIBROVERB helps
keep the Fender legend going strong.

WARNING: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR SHOCK
HAZARD, DO NOT EXPOSE AMPLIFIER TO RAIN OR
MOISTURE!

‘63 VIBROVERB FRONT PANEL FUNCTIONS

A,B.

NORMAL CHANNEL INPUTS - Plug-in connection for

instruments. Input 1 provides 6 dB more gain that
input 2. The NORMAL CHANNEL is affected by the
VIBRATO feature only. The REVERB feature does not
affect the NORMAL CHANNEL.

C.

NORMAL CHANNEL VOLUME CONTROL - Adjusts the

overall loudness of the NORMAL CHANNEL.

D.

TREBLE CONTROL - Adjusts the amount of high fre-

quency boost (accentuation) or cut (attenuation) in the
NORMAL CHANNEL.

E.

BASS CONTROL - Adjusts the amount of low frequency

boost or cut in the NORMAL CHANNEL.

F,G.

BRIGHT CHANNEL INPUTS - Plug-in connection for

instruments. The BRIGHT CHANNEL provides extra
treble boost, especially at low volume settings. Input 1
provides 6 dB more gain that input 2. The BRIGHT

H.

BRIGHT CHANNEL VOLUME CONTROL - Adjusts the

overall loudness of the BRIGHT CHANNEL.

I.

TREBLE CONTROL - Adjusts the amount of high fre-

quency boost or cut in the BRIGHT CHANNEL.

J.

BASS CONTROL - Adjusts the amount of low frequency

boost or cut in the BRIGHT CHANNEL.

K.

REVERB CONTROL - Adjusts the amount of reverberat-

ed signal that is mixed in with the original, dry signal.
Turning the control full counter-clockwise turns the
REVERB feature off. The REVERB feature can also be
turned on and off using the footswitch. Note that the
REVERB feature does not affect the NORMAL CHAN­NEL.

L.

VIBRATO SPEED CONTROL - Adjusts the speed of the

VIBRATO feature.

CHANNEL is affected by both the REVERB and
VIBRATO features.

M.

VIBRATO INTENSITY CONTROL - Adjusts the intensity

N.

PILOT LAMP - When the lamp is illuminated, the ‘63

of the VIBRATO feature. Turning the control full
counter-clockwise turns the VIBRATO feature off. The
VIBRATO feature can also be turned on and off using
the footswitch.

‘63 VIBROVERB FOOTSWITCH FUNCTIONS

A.

VIBRATO SWITCH - Push on, push off switch that turns

the VIBRATO feature on and off.

B.

REVERB SWITCH - Push on, push off switch that turns

the REVERB feature on and off.

VIBROVERB is receiving power. Should the lamp burn
out, turn off the power, unscrew the red jewel and
replace the lamp with a type T47 light bulb.

V

R

I

E

B

V

270W

‘63 VIBROVERB REAR PANEL FUNCTIONS

A.

FUSE - The fuse is in the AC supply of the amplifier

and will help to protect the amplifier and operator in
the event of an electrical fault. If a fuse blows, it
should only be replaced with a fuse in accordance
with the listing at the fuse holder. If the amplifier
repeatedly blows fuses, it should be checked out by a
qualified technician. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES
should a fuse of a different type, higher current rating,
or a fuse bypass be used, as this could damage the
equipment and present a serious safety hazard.

B.

GROUND SWITCH - The GROUND SWITCH is not

functional, and is there to preserve the original
appearance of the amplifier. The switch is not present
in 100V, 230V, and 240V units.

C.

POWER SWITCH - This switch turns the AC power ON

and OFF. When the switch is OFF, the amplifier is
completely shut down.

E.

MAIN SPEAKER JACK - Plug-in connection for speak-

ers. This jack must always be used as the primary
connection to speakers.

F.

EXTERNAL SPEAKER JACK - Plug-in connection for an

external speaker. This jack is wired in parallel with the
MAIN SPEAKER JACK, and must only be used in con­junction with the MAIN SPEAKER JACK. Should the
EXTERNAL SPEAKER JACK be used without also using
the MAIN SPEAKER JACK, there will be no sound.
Note that the amplifier is optimized for a 4 ohm
speaker load, and that the speakers in the cabinet are
wired for 4 ohms. Should a total load of more or less
than 4 ohms be used, the amplifier will not put out its
maximum power output before distortion occurs.

G.

FOOTSWITCH JACK - Plug-in connection for the

footswitch. The footswitch allows you to turn the
VIBRATO and REVERB features on and off without

D.

STANDBY SWITCH - This switch turns the amplifier on

and off. In the STANDBY position, the amplifier is off;
however, power is applied to the tube filaments so as
to eliminate warm-up time. Use of this feature during
short breaks versus using the POWER SWITCH will
increase tube life.

having to operate the controls on the front panel.
NOTE: The VIBRATO and REVERB features will oper­ate without plugging in the footswitch.

LINE CORD

Your amplifier is equipped with a grounding type supply
cord to reduce the possibility of shock due to electrical fault.
Be sure to connect it to a grounded receptacle. DO NOT
ALTER THE AC PLUG.

TUBES

The ‘63 VIBROVERB tube complement consists of two
Fender Special Design 6L6WGC/5881’s (part number

039214), five Fender Special Design 12AX7A’s (part num­ber 013341), and one Fender Special Design 12AT7 (part
number 023531). Fender’s Special Design Tubes provide
optimum performance in this amplifier. For best results,
replace with Fender original equipment tubes only. Tube
location is printed on the tube label, inside the cabinet.

TOLEX COVERING CARE

The exclusive Fender Tolex covering on your cabinet is of
the same material that was used on the original
VIBROVERB. A very light soapy solution on a sponge may
be used to remove dirt and residue that may accumulate in
the grain. Be careful not to let liquid come in contact with
operating surfaces. DO NOT have the amplifier plugged
into a power outlet when cleaning.

TROUBLESHOOTER‘S CHECKLIST

If the amp is set up but does not function, check the following items:

• Is the amp power cord properly plugged into an electrical outlet?

• Is there power at the outlet?

• Is the fuse blown?

• Are the speakers properly connected to the amplifier?

• Is the amp on standby?

• Is the amplifier volume control turned up above “three”?

• Is the volume control on the instrument turned up?

• Is your instrument properly plugged into the amplifier?
(Eliminate any effects pedals and try another guitar cord.)

If, after checking all of the above, the system is not performing

correctly, consult your Fender Service Center.

‘63 VIBROVERB SPECIFICATIONS

PART NUMBER: 120V 21-7200

100V 21-7270
230V 21-7260
230V UK 21-7240
230V NORDIC 21-7280
240V AUSTRALIA 21-7230

DIMENSIONS: Height:19-3/8” (49.2 cm).

Width:25” (63.5 cm).
Depth:8-5/8” (21.9 cm).

WEIGHT: 46lbs (21kg).

POWER OUTPUT: 40 watts R.M.S. minimum into 4 ohms.

OUTPUT IMPEDANCE: 4 ohms.

INPUT IMPEDANCE: Input 1, both channels: 1M ohms.

Input 2, both channels: 136k ohms.

FEATURES: Tube generated power amp Vibrato in both channels, Reverb in the Bright Channel.

Tilt-back legs.

POWER REQUIREMENTS: 100VAC - 50/60 Hz, 270 watts.

120VAC - 60 Hz, 270 watts.
230VAC - 50 Hz, 270 watts.
240VAC - 50 Hz, 270 watts.

SPEAKER COMPLEMENT: (2) 10” Oxford Speaker Company speakers with 7DF paper cones

and surrounds, 1-1/4” voice coils, and kraft paper coil formers like
the original Vibroverb speakers (part number 037076).

SOUND: Legendary.

WARNING: NO USER SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE. REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED PERSONNEL ONLY.

A PRODUCT OF:

FENDER MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS CORP.,

CORONA, CA 91720