Fender Custom Vibrolux Reverb User manual

THE SOUNDTHAT CREATES LEGENDS
P/N 048993
Owner,sManual
“Custom”VibroluxReverb®

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 per-
formance with vintage appeal and bullet-proof construc-
tion. Of course, things like point-to-point wiring do not
come cheap. To better serve those who cannot afford the
100% hand-wired, no compromise custom amps, Fender
has created the “New Vintage” Series, using modern pro-
duction methods to reduce cost while keeping the tone “cus-
tom”.
The first Vibrolux appeared in the mid 1950’s as a medi-
um-sized combo amp. Throughout the years, many new
versions were issued, each with a distinct tone and person-
ality, yet all remaining very “Fender”. Power output of
these early versions ranged from 22 to 40 watts, lending
them to good use as small club or recording amps.
In the spirit of all the great Vibrolux amps of yesterday, we
offer the “Custom” Vibrolux Reverb of today. It is not a
reissue of any of the old units, rather, it is a new amplifier
with much of the sound and “feel” of many great Fender
amps of the past. Like the Fender custom amps, the
“Custom” Vibrolux Reverb is painstakingly built, one at a
time, by a select group of craftsmen at the Fender electron-
ics factory in Lake Oswego, Oregon.
The “Custom” Vibrolux Reverb was created for the player
who requires a medium powered amplifier with very “vin-
tage” tube tones. It is equipped with all-tube generated
reverb and vibrato. Unlike many old amps, the Vibrato
and Tremolo effects work in both channels. The vibrato
effect in the ‘Lux is of the direct-coupled oscillator type not
heard from since the early 60s, giving a much different
effect that the “Blackface” type tremolo, as found in the
Twin Reverb®. The speakers in the “Custom” Vibrolux
Reverb are Eminence replicas of the 50’s Jensen P-10 10”
speakers. 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!
INTRODUCTION

“CUSTOM” VIBROLUX REVERB FRONT PANEL FUNCTIONS
NORMAL CHANNEL INPUTS - Plug-in connection for
instruments. Input 1 provides 6 dB more gain that
input 2.
NORMAL CHANNEL VOLUME CONTROL - Adjusts the
overall loudness of the NORMAL CHANNEL.
TREBLE CONTROL - Adjusts the amount of high fre-
quency boost (accentuation) or cut (attenuation) in the
NORMAL CHANNEL.
BASS CONTROL - Adjusts the amount of low frequen-
cies in the NORMAL CHANNEL.
BRIGHT CHANNEL INPUTS - Plug-in connection for
instruments. The BRIGHT CHANNEL provides extra
treble boost, especially at low volume settings. Input 1
provides 6 dB more gain that input 2.
BRIGHT CHANNEL VOLUME CONTROL - Adjusts the
overall loudness of the BRIGHT CHANNEL.
TREBLE CONTROL - Adjusts the amount of high fre-
quency boost or cut in the BRIGHT CHANNEL.
BASS CONTROL - Adjusts the amount of low frequen-
cies in the BRIGHT CHANNEL.
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. The REVERB
feature affects both the BRIGHT and NORMAL CHANNEL.
VIBRATO SPEED CONTROL - Adjusts the speed of the
VIBRATO feature.
A,B.
C.
D.
E.
F,G.
H.
I.
J.
K.
L.

V
I
B
R
E
V
VIBRATO SWITCH - Push on, push off switch that turns
the VIBRATO feature on and off.
REVERB SWITCH - Push on, push off switch that turns
the REVERB feature on and off.
“CUSTOM” VIBROLUX REVERB FOOTSWITCH FUNCTIONS
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.
PILOT LAMP - When the lamp is illuminated, the CUS-
TOM VIBROLUX REVERB is receiving power. Should
the lamp burn out, turn off the power, unscrew the red
jewel and replace the lamp with a type T47 light bulb.
M.
A.
B.
N.

“CUSTOM” VIBROLUX REVERB REAR PANEL FUNCTIONS
FUSE - The fuse is in the AC supply of the amplifier
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
and OFF. When the switch is OFF, the amplifier is
completely shut down.
STANDBY SWITCH - This switch turns the amplifier on
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.
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
external speaker. This jack is wired in parallel with the
MAIN SPEAKER JACK, and must only be used in con-
junction 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 speakers in the cabinet are
wired for 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.
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: The VIBRATO and REVERB features will oper-
ate without plugging in the footswitch.
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.

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” VIBROLUX REVERB tube complement con-
sists of two Fender Special Design 6L6WGC/5881’s (part
number 039214), five Fender Special Design 12AX7A’s
(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.
TOLEX COVERING CARE
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 liquid come in contact with operating
surfaces. DO NOT have the amplifier plugged into a
power outlet when cleaning.
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?
• Are the speakers properly connected to the amplifier?
• Is the amp on standby?
• Is the amplifier volume control 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.
TROUBLESHOOTER‘S CHECKLIST

A PRODUCT OF:
FENDER MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS CORP.,
CORONA, CA 91720
“CUSTOM” VIBROLUX REVERB SPECIFICATIONS
PART NUMBER: 120V 021-5100-000
100V 021-5170-000
230V 021-5160-000
230V UK 021-5140-000
230V NORDIC 021-5180-000
240V AUSTRALIA 021-5130-000
DIMENSIONS: Height: 19-3/8” (49.2 cm).
Width: 25” (63.5 cm).
Depth: 8-5/8” (21.9 cm).
WEIGHT: 46lbs (21kg).
POWER OUTPUT: 40W R.M.S. minimum into 4Ω.
OUTPUT IMPEDANCE: 4Ω.
INPUT IMPEDANCE: Input 1, both channels: 1 MΩ.
Input 2, both channels: 136 kΩ.
FEATURES: Tube generated power amp, Vibrato in both channels, Reverb in both channels,
tilt-back legs.
POWER REQUIREMENTS: 100VAC - 50/60 Hz, 270W.
120VAC - 60 Hz, 270W.
230VAC - 50 Hz, 270W.
240VAC - 50 Hz, 270W.
SPEAKER COMPLEMENT: (2) 10” Eminence, replica of Jenson P-10.
SOUND: Legendary.
WARNINGS: NO USER SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE. REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED PERSONNEL ONLY.
THIS EQUIPMENT MUST BE EARTH GROUNDED.