Vibrolux Reverb Blackface Overhaul Kit
WE ARE PROUD TO OFFER PREMIUM OVERHAUL KITS FOR YOUR BLACKFACE FENDER AMPLIFIER!
The goal of the blackface overhaul is to blueprint you blackface Fender, restore reliability, and improve tone, performance and longevity as a result. We include components that typically need replacing when in the shop. Of course there are degrees to consider. How far do you want, or need, to go?
Is this a gigging amp? Recording amp? Museum piece?
Some of these kits are considered standard, basic maintenance, like the Electrolytic Recap Kit, the power tube resistors, and the bias board overhaul. After that, the condition of your particular amp will determine how far you will want (or need) to go. There is a fine line to walk between originality and function/performance/reliability, depending on amp condition and use case requirements.
We include everything needed to make your blackface amp outlive us both at the professional performance/gig/recording level.
This is our famous premium overhaul kit.
PREMIUM BF OVERHAUL KITS INCLUDE PARTS & INSTRUCTIONS FOR:
- Full Electrolytic Recap: (F&T power filters, Nichicon for the preamp & bias supply)
- Noise Fix: plate resistors
- Preamp cathode bypass resistor optimization (preamp tube bias)
- Matched power tube resistors
- Bias Board Restoration (including solid state rectifier where applicable)
- Reverb/Vibrato in both channels (for 2 ch amps w/reverb)
- Instructions for adjusting the bias (n/a for Princetons & Champs)
- Proper ground switch removal and grounded/ 3 prong power cable wiring
- Optional Vibrato 'Shotgun' restoration
- Sexy Vibrato mod (slows vibrato and reduces 'tick')
- Optional ceramic signal cap upgrade (enhances tone and performance)
Optional Upgrades:
The Vibrato Shotgun Fix includes parts to replace the entire vibrato circuit, including the optocoupler (trem roach)! Blackface vibrato can be tired, sluggish, weak and thumpy. This kit brings your vibrato back to life!! Includes the 'Sexy Vibrato' mod which slows the low end of the vibrato speed (very sexy!).
The Ceramic Signal Cap Upgrade includes three rolled mylar capacitors to replace three vital ceramic signal caps in these circuits. This improves tone and performance considerably! One enhances the second channel. One enhances the reverb. And the third, the entire preamp signal passes through this cap on the way to the phase inverter. Upgrading these specific ceramic caps increases clean sustain, harmonic complexity, and overall 'oomph' of the amp, while reducing the 'ice-pick' factor. The reverb also gets more depth and detail. We use some amazing selected NOS caps for the reverb and PI, and a Jupiter for the vibrato channel enhancement.
Premium overhaul kits include high quality F&T filter caps. Preamp tube cathode bypass & bias caps are high quality Nichicon
We use only the highest quality 1/2w carbon resistors for the signal path & circuit board. Key locations in the circuit have measured & MATCHED PAIRS of resistors – vital to optimum performance and minimum phase cancellation. Flameproof metal oxide resistors for the power and bias supply.
Jupiter Condenser signal caps also available to replace and missing blue molded caps!!
ADDITIONAL ITEMS TO NOTE:
- Copies of the original blackface schematic & layout for your amp are included
- Reverb in both channels mod included in kits for amps with reverb!
- Instructions/parts for adjusting the bias included