Fender Vibrosonic, Vibrasonic Operation Manual

THE SOUND THAT CREATES LEGENDS

“Custom” VIBRASONIC

Owner,s Manual

P/N 049515

TM

INTRODUCTION

The Fender Amp Custom Shop is dedicated to creating high
quality amplification to serve top artists and discriminating
players. These amps offer no-compromise sound and per­formance with vintage appeal and bullet-proof construc­tion. Of course, things like point-to-point wiring do not
come cheap. To better serve those who cannot afford the
100% hand-wired custom amps, Fender has created the
New Vintage Series, using modern production methods to
reduce cost while keeping the tone “custom”.

The first Vibrasonic appeared in 1959 as a 40 watt combo
amp with 2 channels, tremolo and a 15” speaker. It
became the choice of steel guitarists of the era. Later years
saw the Vibrasonic evolve, gaining reverb and growing
from 40 watts to over 100 watts.

In the spirit of all the great Vibrasonics of yesterday, we
offer the “Custom” Vibrasonic of today. It is not a reissue
of any of the old units, rather, it is a new amplifier
designed for the multi-instrumentalist who requires versatili­ty and clean power along with the classic Fender tube tone.
It has 100 watts of tube power and 2 independent chan­nels. And just like the Fender custom amps, the “Custom”
Vibrasonic is painstakingly built, one at a time, by a select
group of craftsmen at the Fender electronics factory in Lake
Oswego, Oregon.

The two channels are voiced independently, one for steel
guitar (although it sounds great with many electric guitars
as well), and one for 6 string electric guitar. The STEEL
channel has a “SWEET” switch to boost the upper harmon­ics of the steel guitar. The GUITAR channel has a “FAT”
switch to boost the gain, especially at low frequencies. It is
equipped with all-tube generated reverb and vibrato
which, unlike many old amps, works in both channels. The
speaker in the “Custom” Vibrasonic is an Eminence ultra­high power driver with exceptional sound and fidelity for
electric or pedal steel guitar. The 2 button footswitch (pro­vided) will switch both the Vibrato and the Reverb on or off.

It is suggested that you read this manual thoroughly to
understand all the features and functions of your new
amplifier.

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

A

“CUSTOM” VIBRASONIC REAR PANEL FUNCTIONS

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

A.

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.

POWER SWITCH - This switch turns the AC power ON

B.

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

STANDBY SWITCH - This switch turns the amplifier on

C.

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.

D.

MAIN SPEAKER JACK - Plug-in connection for speak-

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

EXTERNAL SPEAKER JACK - Plug-in connection for an

E.

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 15” speaker in the cabinet
is 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.

F.

FOOTSWITCH JACK - Plug-in connection for the

footswitch. The footswitch allows you to turn the
VIBRATO and REVERB features on and off without
having to operate the controls on the front panel.
Note that only the REVERB feature will operate without
plugging in the footswitch.

“CUSTOM” VIBRASONIC FRONT PANEL FUNCTIONS

STEEL CHANNEL INPUTS - Plug-in connection for

A,B.

instruments. Input 1 provides 6 dB more gain than
input 2. The STEEL channel is affected by both the
REVERB and VIBRATO features.

SWEET SWITCH - This switch provides an extra boost

C.

to the high frequency response of the STEEL channel.
The effect is especially noticeable at lower volume set­tings.

STEEL CHANNEL VOLUME CONTROL - Adjusts the

D.

overall loudness of the STEEL channel.

TREBLE CONTROL - Adjusts the amount of high fre-

E.

quency boost (accentuation) or cut (attenuation) in the
STEEL channel.

MIDDLE CONTROL - Adjusts the amount of mid-range

F.

frequency boost or cut in the STEEL channel.

BASS CONTROL - Adjusts the amount of low frequency

G.

boost or cut in the STEEL channel.

Note: If all tone controls are full counter-clockwise,
there will be no sound.

FAT SWITCH - This switch provides an extra boost to

J.

the low frequency response of the GUITAR channel.

GUITAR CHANNEL VOLUME CONTROL - Adjusts the

K.

overall loudness of GUITAR channel.

L.

TREBLE CONTROL - Adjusts the amount of high fre-

quency boost or cut in the GUITAR channel.

M.

MIDDLE CONTROL - Adjusts the amount of mid-range

frequency boost or cut in the GUITAR channel.

N.

BASS CONTROL - Adjusts the amount of low frequen-

cy boost or cut in the GUITAR channel.

Note: If all tone controls are full counter-clockwise,
there will be no sound.

O.

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.

GUITAR CHANNEL INPUTS - Plug-in connection for

H,I.

instruments. Input 1 provides 6 dB more gain than
input 2. The GUITAR channel is affected by both the
REVERB and VIBRATO features.

VIBRATO SPEED CONTROL - Adjusts the speed of the

P.

VIBRATO feature.

Q.

VIBRATO INTENSITY CONTROL - Adjusts the intensity

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.

"CUSTOM"

R.

PILOT LAMP - When the lamp is illuminated, the

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

“CUSTOM” VIBRASONIC 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.

V

R

I

E

B

V

ADJUSTMENTS

HUM BALANCE ADJUSTMENT - This adjustment minimizes

hum heard at the speakers. It is set at the factory, and
needs to be adjusted only if any of the smaller tubes, espe­cially one of the 12AX7As, are replaced.

To make hum adjustment: with nothing plugged into the
amplifier, rotate the STEEL channel volume, middle, and
bass controls full clockwise. Rotate the GUITAR channel
treble control, and all the STEEL channel controls full
counter-clockwise. Turn REVERB and VIBRATO features off.

Insert a slotted screwdriver into the HUM BALANCE CON­TROL (located on the bottom of the chassis) and rotate it
back and forth until you find the null (setting of minimum
hum). If you have any questions, consult your authorized
Fender Service Center.

BIAS ADJUSTMENT - This is a factory adjustment only.
Should the bias need adjusting, it should be performed by
your authorized Fender Service Center.

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 “CUSTOM” VIBRASONIC tube complement consists of
four Fender Special Design 6L6GCs (part number

023556), five Fender Special Design 12AX7As (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.

BLACK TOLEX COVERING CARE

The exclusive Fender Tolex covering on your cabinet is
especially designed to provide years of lasting beauty. 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 any 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?

• Is the speaker properly connected to the amplifier?

• Is the amp on standby?

• Are the amplifier volume and tone controls 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.

“CUSTOM” VIBRASONIC SPECIFICATIONS

PART NUMBER: 100V 021-5270-000

120V 021-5200-000
230V 021-5260-000
230V UK 021-5240-000
230V NORDIC 021-5280-000
240V AUSTRALIA 021-5230-000

DIMENSIONS: HEIGHT: 22” (55.9 cm).

WIDTH: 26-5/32” (63.5 cm).
DEPTH: 10-3/8” (21.9 cm).
WEIGHT: 71 lb (32.3 kg).

POWER OUTPUT: 100W R.M.S. minimum into 4Ω.

OUTPUT IMPEDANCE: 4Ω.

INPUT IMPEDANCE: Input 1, both channels: 1MΩ.

Input 2, both channels: 132kΩ.

FEATURES: Vibrato, Reverb, Tilt-back legs, Casters.

POWER REQUIREMENTS: 100V AC 50/60Hz 360W.

120V AC 50Hz 360W.
230V AC 50Hz 360W.
240V AC 50Hz 360W.

SPEAKER COMPLIMENT: (1) P/N 049135 15” “Special Design”.

SOUND: Legendary, and loud!

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

WARNING: THIS EQUIPMENT MUST BE EARTH GROUNDED.

A PRODUCT OF:

FENDER MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS CORP.,

CORONA, CA 91720