Very informative! and perfect timing. Just purchased a 2010 which sounds great but I thought I would give it a thorough check. Looking forward to seeing the next video. I’ve been working on amps for many years so tell Harley not to worry about my safety. ⚡️⚡️⚡️
@@theguitaramptech when you do part 2, explain a little more about the tone control. I was hesitant about getting the VK just because I might have to use a attenuator but the previous owner said you can use the tone control as a master control??? Again looking forward to part 2.
You are so right, BK. I noticed that omission after the edit. I should have said that the Reverb Tone ONLY affects the tone of the reverberation echoes and NOT the dry signal. What can I say? I can make excuses or simply confess the truth ... I'm an idiot. Part Two is recorded but not yet edited. If I forget to overlay a comment about the TONE, then you will know that Dimentia is settling in!!
Your German Shepherd costume is pretty convincing. I am a fan of everything Zinky did at Fender in the 90s...Pro Sonic, Vibro King, Tone Master,,,,esp the tone master. I may be mistaken but I also believe he a partial hand in the Fender Sunn reissue in the 90s, which sound awesome, as well as the pro concert reverb and pro reverb of that same early mid-90s time. Very interesting to see you go through one, don't know if I have ever seen one gone thru. 👍
Hahaha! Yes, its hard to find a minute when Harley is not sitting dangerously close to the wheels of my chair, so it only seems right to let him "speak". I didn't know that Bruce was involved in so many amps. Thank you.
Harley definitely got the drop on Mr..Smart Ass..! Great video, so much more learned..Top information from a special top tech...Always a treat when I get a new notfication from you..Ed..UK..😀
I don't want to give Harley a big head (his mouth is big enough already) but I enjoy his little cameos. Thank you for this VibroKing video. I never realized it was so different from most other Fender amps. I'm looking forward to Part Two.
The shielding metal loop cages around the output jack sockets look like one may be crushed against the sockets. I'm sure you've checked them out, also the wires passing under the shield loops look quite tightly pinned twixt loop and chassis? 👍
Hi Rico, you are exactly right. As far as I know, Zinky never used a 6K6 in the VibroKing. It's very similar to a 6V6 but with lower plate voltage and dissipation.
@@theguitaramptech Just in case I got a bit lost in translation there, by "steal the show" I didn't mean to say it's not a pleasure to see you at work, quite the opposite!
I noticed on the schematic (and in the amp) the output valves are 6L6s but the amp tube chart shows 5881s - I believe they are similar but not the same, does that matter in this case?
Great question SJ. In todays world it would be safe to interchange them, but in the glory days of tubes there was a difference, The 5881 was 23w compared to the 6L6GCs 30w. The 5881 was "ruggedized" for use in military applications. I doubt you'd find a 5881 in any fighter plane today.
Hi Paul. I find that most Techs don't understand ESR or how to measure it. You need to measure it at its operating frequency...not 100KHz. I use one by East Tester. It's made in China, like everything else, but I have been very I'm pressed with its performance. I feel another low-ranking video idea coming on. The audience will be you, me and Harley! Hahahaha!
I’m all in for that one Chris as I’m sure Harley also is. If you are looking for any other suggestions, I think we would both also love some tips on using an oscilloscope for diagnosing and checking 😉👍🐕
@@paulp2033 You got it Paul. I have wanted to do a series on using Test Equipment, but thought it may be too dry for most viewers. Hooray for us nerds, Paul.
Any tech worth his salt will shotgun any Illinois capacitor that he finds in any amplifier that's worth anything. You're bias capacitor for the river tank and your bias. Capacitor for the output tubes are both illinois capacitors. Those should never be left in there. They are known components that frequently go bad.
Thank you, Thomas. I believe I am worth my salt, and I can only assume that you haven't seen IC caps going for 10-20 years as I have. Maybe you don't have the test equipment or the know-how to use it properly. Either way, I know what I am doing and I do not shotgun anything. You are welcome to comment, but be polite and please don't use the hard work I put into my videos as an opportunity to grandstand.
I hear you Oscar, ICs are not my favourite brand either, but they don't all instantly fail. Its more their inconsistency on reliability. I've replaced them as young as 4 years old while others have been fine after 15 years. The VibroKing is handwired and quite unique in its design...and its soun ds fantastic.
Sometime around 2012? ish Fender had a recall of all the IC filter caps. At that time, I was contacted by an amp tech doing contract repair work for Fender to bring in my Super Sonic Twin 100 for caps swap. Still have it with no issues (knock wood) I think that's when all the Fender bad press started. @@theguitaramptech Same thing cost Dell Computer millions.
I know everybody on RU-vid hates IC caps, but can't you just change them if it's all that turns you off the Vibroking? The IC caps in my HotRod Deluxe still seem to be OK. I don't have an ESR meter but they are still quiet and not leaking after 12 years.
