The 6G16 Vibroclone Amp
Having built a number of AB763-based Vibroclones I became interested in
trying out the brownface version (6G16) which is
a little different creature. Most notably, the 6G16 uses a bias modulating
tremolo and a tapped treble potentiometer which gives
the amp a very special sound. The new clone has been built from scratch using a
Weber VST 6Ax chassis. The power transformer
is a Pro/Super Reverb replacement from Tube Amp Doctor and the output
transformer is an 125A6A from a '69 Bandmaster Reverb.
Tubes are Philips 6L6WGB and GE/Philips 12AX7WAs. B+ voltage is 440 V and output
tube plate current is 36 mA.
Thanks to Tom Pierce for helping me out with the reissue tapped treble pots.
They sure are hard to find.
Below are some pictures from the creation of my brownface Vibroclone. Enjoy!
Currently the chassis resides in a Rodgers BF Vibroverb cabinet with a 1x15"
Weber California speaker, but the
future plans include
building a correct 2x10" cabinet with brown tolex.
Here are some pictures of the Vibroclone (with brown knobs) together with my '52 reissue Telecaster:
And here is the Vibroclone (now with white knobs) together with my CS relic Nocaster and '52 reissue Telecaster:
Finally: three generations of 6G16 Vibroverbs: to the left an original
Vibroverb from 1963, in the middle my Vibroclone, and
to the right a 1995 Vibroverb reissue. Gosh, what a Vibroverb heaven!
