'63 Vibroverb Owner's Manual

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 sum-
mer and fall of 1963, Fender changed the speaker configu-
ration 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 leg-
endary.
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 cir-
cuit 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 cir-
cuit. 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 pro-
vide a small amount of tone shaping even in the “0” posi-
tion, 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 generat-
ing 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 re-
tooled 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!
INTRODUCTION