1967 Vibrolux Reverb Repair | The Electric Lady

[@UncleDoug]

A star is born :) Excellent repair video......accurate, thorough, and to the point. This is exactly what the amp tech biz needs, a fresh new voice to carry on the tradition.

[@FazioElectric]

Thank you for the kind words Uncle Doug!! Your support means so much to me :)

[@louiscapuano5138]

@@FazioElectricNice catch on the reversed polarity of the Filter Capacitors in the doghouse! I have witnessed Uncle Doug go to great lengths to preserve the originality of vintage amplification equipment by reusing the old capacitor cardboard tubes. I shudder to think that he has gone completely mad and now uses this technique to sabotage amp repairs by future technicians.

[@scottdunn2178]

Colleen is indeed a unicorn. What fascinates me is where did she learn all this stuff? Schools haven't taught tube technology since the 70's, and you're only going to learn so much studying old tube manuals, you know? At any rate, it's great to see someone like Colleen doing this anymore... especially since unfortunately, tube amps seem to slowly be going the way of the dinosaur. 👍

[@madDadMusic]

Don't worry Uncle Doug, I'll still watch your videos ;)

[@stevenhowes530]

@@scottdunn2178 She has a video explaining it all. just look through her other videos. She's had great mentors by the sounds of it.

[@tomterrif8503]

No long intros or annoying music, just straight talk...love it!

[@marcianocosmico8424]

Qué talento! Sigue así! Respetemos los viejos amplificadores. Las bandas más grandes, tocaron con ellos.

[@alfaman4113]

That’s why I am always collecting and repairing old amps. The engineering in the old amps is pure workmanship. You can’t work on these new amps

[@Curtislow2]

Wow, a nod from Uncle Doug. You are on the right path to YT STARDOM for sure ..

[@jamesmalamute7874]

God, I can listen to Colleens voice all day. So Dreamy.

[@sramz100]

25 years ago when I was a bench tech at a TV shop I restored an old Crosley TV. It was VHF only, had a 12 inch round CRT and every part and patent was made in the USA! It made a great picture and worked flawlessly. I hooked it to a VCR and watched "The Day the Earth Stood Still" with some co-workers. I am very happy to see there are still people out there keeping the old tech alive. It is in danger of becoming a lost art. Best wishes from Ohio and keep up the good work!

[@that_thing_I_do]

It's all re and re today isn't it? Then they send the failed boards back to the head office.

[@sramz100]

@@that_thing_I_do Yep, that is if the board doesn't cost more than half of a new TV. Glad I got out when I did!

[@that_thing_I_do]

And one more thing...."The Day the Earth Stood Still " with Michael Rennie and Gort is the smartest allegorical science fiction movie ever filmed.

[@sramz100]

@@that_thing_I_do Great minds think alike! lol

[@RideAcrossTheRiver]

@@that_thing_I_do Head office? Today, it's 'amp emulators'. Even Knopfler ditched his vintage stuff.

[@luiselguera7056]

I love when suddenly you appear playing on the amp you serviced. Is like magic

[@eguitarplayer6689]

I've had good luck with sovtek tubes. I owned a sovtek amplifier for awhile. The sound was heavy (with bass) but loud.🔈🎸

[@scottvalk]

I have a '79 SF Deluxe Reverb (pull boost vibrato channel) with a similar tremolo issue, ordered replacement caps and LDR "roach". Had this amp for about 9 months and I'm fairly new at amp repair/maintenance but familar enough with a solder iron and tinkering w/ pedal mods/building for awhile now. I've already done alot of other minor things w/ this amp (near full re-tube, retightened the tube socket pins, cleaned the pots, decided to change the awful pull boost to a pull bright like on super reverbs), got the amp with an already fairly significant re-cap job so its good there and sounds great The trem is the last thing to address, it's there...but has weak output. Great job and great channel, as many of us know and say over and over... amp repair techs (and "boutique builders") are getting harder to find and good ones to boot.

[@presmasterflash7555]

You have the best tube amp repair videos. I have a blackface fender super reverb I stopped my uncle from throwing in a dumpster. He has since passed and I really want to rebuild it. It was his high school band amp that blew up on stage he replaced it with a silver face and ended up swapping parts from the blackface to get he’s original sound back. Something along those lines was the story. His some now has the silver face with the drivers and tubes/parts from the one I now have. It’s just a chassis with most components. Needs a major overhaul but I plan on doing it soon. As Hunter Menning would say “eliminate the fear, open up the gear”

[@JC-11111]

Lol! Coming from the automotive industry, that is the commonly accepted way to clean sockets. 😆👍 You'd be surprised how many automotive manufacturers tell you to do just that to clean the connection: plug and unplug the connector 10x to clean the connections inside. The first time I ever saw it, I thought they must be kidding but sure enough, that fixed the issue with the customers car 🤷🤣

[@TKDunn-qq7kd]

I'm a little late to the party on this vid, but that doesn't make it any less awesome - that was killer!

[@richardmerriam7044]

The Vibrolux is by far the best combo amp ever made. 35 watts and 2-10" Jensens make for a great club amp! A friend of mine played it on '10', running it from his guitar. The sag made for the best Stones sound imaginable.

[@robertcope2465]

You and Uncle Doug are my favorite KZbinrs! Love the show:)

[@buffplums]

So great to see people from a younger generation sharing their skills … it’s sad that so many so called younger engineers don’t have this sort of knowledge and experience. Yes they build stuff with arduinos etc. but so many lack the real underpinning knowledge of electronics that the commercial world seem to write off. Great stuff lady x

[@barriem5318]

Recently sold my 1966 Vibrolux Reverb after 28 yrs. What a wonderful amp that was. Your videos are fantastic. Keep up the great work!

[@kellykane312]

I like how you fast forward the time consuming stuff and don't spend time running your mouth like some of the other techs do, you are a very good technician and I really like your videos

[@GotYourWallet]

Man, these through hole components looks so nice to work with. It looks way less fiddly then modern gear.

[@stratocaster1greg]

I like the silicone trick. I have a blackface Vibroluxe I drug all over Okla. My tech put ceramic output tube sockets in it years ago. I like your videos. Thanks Greg. I gave 300 bucks for it.

[@duanepetersonakaroadkill7161]

Can't turn away when I start watching her fix old amps. Very fun to watch her work.

[@robbycumby8019]

Also as an electrical designer i like that use safety and caution with the chop stick to show exactly what you are talking about.

[@Finom1]

Amazing educational video. Uncle Doug said A Star Is Born:) The force is strong on this channel.

[@cflowers69]

Best sleep-aid voice ever. So relaxing.

[@lostmypuzzlepiece]

Your channel is gonna do really well. Wish I had a channel like this when I started amp building and repair. You’re proficient and to the point. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@bobbarcus8310]

Most amp techs are too ruff then they service vintage amps You have a softer touch I hate my amps being manhandled Good job

[@LFOVCF]

Polite correction.. Tremolo (not vibrato) Tremolo = amplitude modulation. Vibrato = pitch modulation. You are a real role model! Your videos should be shown in schools. Such an inspiration to girls who are tech heads at heart.

[@vibrolax]

You do nice work. 20 years ago, a co-worker (who nearly instantly morphed into a lifetime friend) gifted me an rough 67 BFVR just like that one. Cap job, output transformer, vibrato caps, and speakers. It was my first real repair/restore experience, and it came out so well and sounded so good I was hooked for life.

[@johnduffy8532]

Have always wanted one of these particular models. So sparkly and full sounding. Nice job. That tremolo sounds like pure butter!!!

[@davidsigglekow1349]

Beautiful work Electric lady!

[@SFolkes97]

Thanks for showing close-ups of the products used - it's very helpful, especially over time when you run into something are trying to think of where you saw what used where. I just bookmark it in an amp file with a title like "Fazio (or Uncle Doug etc) Vibrolux Caps Silicone."

[@toneroamer3033]

It was interesting to see the client had the Divine Noise speaker cable fitted. I too have had the speaker cable upgraded in my combo using a product from the UK called Turbo>Tone from The Den, Keighley. It has, as above, worked to great effect.

[@bobbyohanesian4228]

Coleen, these are fantastic videos, thanks so much!

[@donnaillingworth2311]

Hey Faz that’s an awesome sounding amp. Playing is good to. My fiancé is really into building pedals and amps. She wants to find a spot to learn as much as possible. She’s gonna love your channel.

[@midi1529]

Btw you have chops to. No one ever showed me the basics, I have a mechanical engineer in the family, never said a word about, deoxiT, discharging capaciters, cleaning sockets, soldering techniques, or how to read basic wireing schematics. I liked the video.

[@davekimball3610]

Just found your channel and subbed immediately. Always good to see anyone keeping tubes glowing!

[@that_thing_I_do]

Me too...refreshing.

[@williamking7420]

Beautiful lady doing excellent amp repairs. What's not to like!!!

[@roverer109]

High praise from Uncle Doug the master....

[@DaveSteele07]

Smooth Jazz and amp repair... So chill but informative!!

[@RideAcrossTheRiver]

Sounds like if the Doors were doing stuff in the 1990s! Almost heard Jim's voice there

[@lucioruffo9470]

u r not only an excellent electric doctor but also a super guitar player!!

[@MatthewScottmusic]

Great video.. keep at it..

[@leemurray4158]

Heck yes Matthew Scott

[@tymeryder7264]

Love your no nonsense approach to videos. Solid explanations with clear footage of the repairs. Glad I stumbled on to your channel. Looking forward to future episodes.

[@Soundfactory24]

You have chosen very beautiful passions that go well with each other: music and electronics you can touch and feel ! best regards from Germany

[@stingray4780]

Great job with the amp Colleen! Always learn so much from your channel! Its helping me take on small tasks with my own Fender Pro reverb-78 and very recently I am cleaning all of the Tube sockets and pots on my Marshall JCM800 50 Watt Combo X 1-12" speaker. I recently installed a new Eminence Red Coat Tonker in it along with replacing the Speaker cable/wiring and jack. The Amp has really brightened up which I am happy about! Love the blues you are laying down at the end! I'm hearing some Rory G influences! Thanks again, Bob

[@danielsauriol]

5:34 very nice strat. love the color...............

[@JasonHobbsGuitarist]

Absolutely love this channel! So glad I found it. Please keep the videos coming. 👌 Great info, I’m learning lots.

[@Earlvis]

Customer must be elated with the end result! No question that you are a professional.

[@janinapalmer8368]

I really appreciate how you work ... highly skilled and very observant.. and you sure know your stuff ... good onya girl !! Us girls are not just pretty faces are we 😂😂... I too are a girl who has an electronic background... I'm an electronic engineering graduate and audio engineer as well ..... so it's with great ease and understanding watching you breathe new life into these old " souls" of yesteryear.... well done ... I think your terrific 😍..!

[@gerardcousineau3478]

Nice amp. Beautiful work. Done with care. It's also an excellent tutorial. Thank you Electric Lady.

[@DaveyGage]

So cool to see such a beautiful amp come back to life like that! (also loving the montage grooves)

[@fostexfan160]

Another great video! Hope you get a Pro Reverb in soon for a full documented overhaul. Great stuff Electric Lady!! Respect from U.K

[@brucefulper2433]

Glad you don't mind turning them up. Most repair people are too chicken. Many of us want to hear them wide open or damn near. Although you didn't crank this one I've noticed most other repairs you have. Thanks.

[@dennisflock3958]

Love those Fenders. I've got a 68 Silverface Champ with the blackface circuit and the blackline faceplate.

[@mcimpoeru]

Fulminant growth in subs just over the weekend. Congratulations, Colleen! Uncle Doug is going to be jealous 😎

[@brucefulper2433]

Sounds marvelous!

[@claudecat]

Oh man... this is such a cool amp. I'm a blues guy I guess, but not the SRV late era kinda stuff. For me, the perfect tone is what I call the Pops Staples tone, which is exactly what this amp gives you: fantastic sounding tremolo and reverb. Honestly, what more do you need? I'm glad you're out there keeping these little treasures alive! I only wish I could afford one anymore. As an aside, I really really love my little 5 watt Chinese made tube amp. One volume, one tone, sounds great, even without the reverb and tremolo pedals. Probably constructed poorly, but for just over a hundred bucks...

[@иванепифан-к8ж]

Yes ...

[@ylelevier]

Nicely done! I know I’m just listening through a phone but goddamn those Alessandro speakers sound amazing!

[@russellesimonetta3835]

Hey colleen there are tons of us guys that love amp build vids and repair. Keep em coming.

[@mikefromusa6902]

Really nice work. I have one of those G10s in a 5f11 I put together. I think I’ll put it in a future Princeton Reverb build. You make great videos.

[@Tonetwisters]

IIRC, a .22 caliber gun cleaning brush works well for clearing oxidation from those internal jack connections. From what I understand, a bit of DeOxit afterward helps keep them clear for a while. But I'm just a guitar player, so what do I know? And it is amazing what gunk in those pots will do to attenuate the proper frequencies in a guitar amp, especially the treble pot. It can be like taking a blanket off a speaker cabinet ... And this amp sounds fabulous; perhaps that cabinet is helping out that bottom end! Trem is really strong. Would love to own one of these but I don't need that kind of power anymore. Great job on this amp upgrade!

[@russellkane9439]

You are simply great

[@robertrosendale5519]

Great work, thanks for the outstanding video. Keep the faith!

[@petedazer3381]

Wow, all I get in are hot Rod deville and deluxe! You get the cool stuff

[@RideAcrossTheRiver]

I could bring you two 1969-69 Kustom combos that need mods and fixes!

[@Jordannofun]

These videos are so therapeutic

[@gavinpearcey]

Clean work. Clear explanations and camera work. Looking forward to watching your channel.

[@adamjonassen5732]

Hi there, i have started using a bamboo skewer or a round wooden tooth pick to clean tube sockets . you might just be surprised how much black comes off . and the gradual point doesn't open the socket. love the videos keep it up .

[@jessepebler9291]

Super stoked to see another video! I saw this pop up on my home page but it's been a while. Quality stuff! very helpful and informative once again. Very good pace when explaining each step, easy to understand. I'm still looking to work on mine in the future and having a solid source for doing so is great. Hope to see more in the future 🤘

[@jamesflinn8630]

Awesome job on the Amp repair. Really enjoy the videos!

[@bkbinj6320]

Well shot and edited. Thanks for the video.

[@SeanKerns]

Very nice. Very watchable, easy to follow what you're doing.

[@jerrystephenson1172]

U.D. seal of approval, good enough for me.

[@podboris16]

great!! wow ! just love it! keep going colleague!!

[@predalien2384]

krásná práce

[@davidseal6863]

Nice chops

[@ericwinter8981]

Nice! Your videos are works of art!

[@billmiller7138]

Nice work and a great sounding finish!

[@Hearthman1159]

FYI, your Strat looks is a similar color to one owned by Rebecca Lovell of Larkin Poe. She has the similar pick guard and calls her Strat "Buttermilk". Hers has a humbucker at the bridge. Please include more playing in your vids. It's nice to hear plus we get to hear some of the effects through these amps.

[@jasonc2376]

I Don’t know what you’re doing, but I like watching it!

[@stevenhowes530]

Same here, though I've watched enough now that I understand most of it. I am amazed when I see these amps open just how few components there are in an amp like this.

[@stefanodecandia2351]

What a nice job! Fantastic! Ciao!

[@ampoll88]

Sounds great!! Awesome job!

[@nickvictor7398]

Excellent work on your part however I would have Recon the original speakers but I guess you got to do what the customer wants

[@justinw6670]

Vibrato sounds great,will get the job done on my 74 Pro Reverb as it also sounds weak 👍

[@michaelmoore7975]

Diggin' the camera angles, too.

[@pwman]

Great work and great video! Keep em coming!!

[@BadChizzle]

Thanks for the video, was fun to watch.

[@shundhem_electrick]

Thanks 😊😇

[@victorb656]

Glorious. Love your delivery. Keep it up!

[@Strumbum01]

You’re awesome! Thanks!

[@LukeBass1000]

When the background music came on I thought I was watching a Kush After Hours video 😹

[@tonecolours]

Nice work! Would love to see more videos!

[@johnward3874]

Pleased to meet you! Love the vids.

[@MrBritrider]

Just started watching your channel. I love the way that you explain what you’re doing. Two questions that I have for you is when you were testing your work on the vibrato you said that it was normal to hear the oscillation coming through before you strummed the guitar. Glad to know this as this goes on with my fairly new Fender 68 Custom Reverb. What are you actually doing when we see you inserting a small tool into the tube sockets after you have cleaned the sockets? Please keep your videos coming. They are fascinating!

[@Internutt2023]

The larger tube pin contacts are small metal tabs that can be tightened/retensioned by carefully prying them towards the center with a small tool. If the socket is faulty and the contacts are damaged or can't be readjusted, a new socket will need to be installed.

[@Eternitynoteskevinwwalton]

Great tech & total babe

[@klepetar]

we know you're slow posting videos.. we don't care.. we like it when you post one and we understand you have lots to fix.. :)

[@brownmonkeybananayellow]

haha love the video edits in your posts. The music on this one cracked me up!

[@galactictravels224]

Awesome video !

[@chrisfrench970]

May be a lame question... What is your go to cleaner for pots and jacks? I've learned so much from you videos it's crazy. Keep going young lady 🔥

[@josiahblanton8291]

Always wanted to sit at someone’s workbench and watch the process when they’re replacing and restoring vintage amps! Love the channel! Any amps that have just been impossible to get going again?

[@semiografo]

Some people talk about adjusting bias "by ear". It would be nice if you could discuss this topic, i.e., if and when it's possible, and how to know if the bias is too hot or too cold simply by hearing the amp (and perhaps seeing the tubes).

[@fernandobarbi4298]

I think I´m getting in love with you everytime you talk and make some repair! Good work, and cheers from Argentina!