1960 FENDER VIBROLUX 5Y3GT TWEED

Cosmetic condition: VERY NICE

Upgrades/modifications: repro leather handle, power cord incl. new solid plug, new repro foot-switch.

Description:

Original 1960 Fender Vibrolux tweed tube-amp -Narrow Panel, made in Fullerton, California. The original lacquered tweed is in very great shape with only a few signs of wear, in particolare at the lower angles. Speaker, grille cloth and tolex are all original. This nice amplifier has been well cared inside for over decades and is stocked with the original Jensen speaker P10R, original transformers, original circuit. It has been serviced with some very few new quality filter capacitor and resistors so it can run perfectly. The original leather handle had suffered and got replaced with a new time-period correct repro leather handle and we also added a safe shielded power cord incl. a new solid plug. The original wooden foot-switch is missing, comes with a new repro brown foot-switch which works perfectly. This amp when used solely with a guitar is pure and instantly achieves what is known worldwide as the “Tweed sound.”

History:

The Fender Vibrolux was first introduced by Fender Musical Instruments Corporation in the late 1950s as part of their line of guitar amplifiers. The “Vibrolux” name referred to the built-in vibrato effect, which was a unique feature of this amplifier. The early Vibrolux models were produced with a “Tweed” covering, characterized by its distinctive woven cloth exterior.

The tweed era, which spanned from the 1950s to the early 1960s, is highly regarded among guitarists and collectors for its warm and vintage tone. The 5Y3GT is a rectifier tube used in many tube amplifiers of that era, including Fender amps. The rectifier tube converts AC voltage to DC voltage, providing power to the amplifier’s circuitry.

The 1960s were an important period for Fender and guitar amplification in general. Many renowned musicians, including Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, and Stevie Ray Vaughan, among others, used Fender amplifiers to shape their signature sounds. The Vibrolux, with its compact size and powerful tube-driven tone, became a popular choice for both studio and live performances.

The 5Y3GT tube is a crucial component in the power supply section of the amplifier. It operates as a rectifier, converting the alternating current (AC) from the power source into direct current (DC) for the amplifier’s circuitry. The 5Y3GT tube has a specific electrical characteristic, and its usage in the Vibrolux contributes to the overall tone and performance of the amplifier.

Specifications: