Fender Vibro-Champ AA-764 Tube Amplifier (1964)
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Fender Vibro-Champ AA-764 Model Tube Amplifier (1964), made in Fullerton, California, serial # A-01299, black tolex covering finish.
The Fender Vibro-Champ was Fender's first major evolution of its nearly decade-old running predecessor: the 5F1 Champ. Once perfected the circuit on those remained the same from 1955 straight thru into 1964, even retaining the '50s tweed covering well into the 1960s. The new completely redesigned incarnation was revealed along with the dramatic cosmetic changes to the entire Fender line of the mid-1960's, following the 1960-63 "Brown era".
After a run of transitional 5F1 models in the old rear-panel box but covered in black Tolex, the new "black panel" series brought forth a completely revamped Champ and Vibro-Champ, sharing the updated exterior appearance and the bass and treble tone stack of the rest of the line-up. The Vibro-Champ of course also featured vibrato, the first appearance of an onboard effect in Fender's most affordable beginner-level/student amps. Originally listed for $79.50 in the '65 catalog the Vibro-Champ offered excellent value with two instrument inputs, volume, treble and bass controls, and speed and intensity knobs for the tremolo effect. A single 6V6 Class-A power section driving a single 8" Fender-branded Oxford speaker yields around 5-6 watts of power, keeping with Champ tradition.
Height is 14 in. (35.6 cm.), 17 in. (43.2 cm.) width, and 7 in. (17.8 cm.) deep.
This little black-panel beauty is one of the nicest we have seen in a while, original and simply superbly clean. The tube chart is stamped "NK", indicating assembly in November of 1964, just before CBS came calling. The serial number reads A-01299, also dating to that year. According to available records, Fender made approximately 1800 Vibro-Champs that first year!
The black Tolex is nicely intact with little-to-no scuffing or wear. The chassis straps and handle mounts are shiny clean and the faceplate is in equally fantastic shape. All the knobs are original, as is the handle. The grille cloth is taut and free of any tears and the amp even retains the original black Fender-branded slip-cover made by Victoria Luggage Co.. The top of the amp also sports an old metal plaque for the store it was initially sold from, reading Viner Music Co., Bangor - Presque Isle, Maine.
The speaker is the original Oxford 8EV-52 is marked 465-439, dating it to the 39th week of 1964. The speaker has been professionally reconed and sounds fabulous. The power and output transformers are original and bear the codes 606-439 and 606-434, dating them to the 39th and 34th week of 1964, respectively. Visible pot codes all date to 1964. The amp has been professionally serviced, including our standard replacement of all electrolytic capacitors, removal of "death" cap and a three-prong power cord installed, as well as cleaning of all sockets, pots and jacks and power section biased to spec.
Other than this maintenance required to keep it running for the next century the amp remains fully original and a stellar-sounding example of a pre-CBS Vibro-Champ with a strong output and a nice growly sound when cranked! Excellent + Condition.
The Fender Vibro-Champ was Fender's first major evolution of its nearly decade-old running predecessor: the 5F1 Champ. Once perfected the circuit on those remained the same from 1955 straight thru into 1964, even retaining the '50s tweed covering well into the 1960s. The new completely redesigned incarnation was revealed along with the dramatic cosmetic changes to the entire Fender line of the mid-1960's, following the 1960-63 "Brown era".
After a run of transitional 5F1 models in the old rear-panel box but covered in black Tolex, the new "black panel" series brought forth a completely revamped Champ and Vibro-Champ, sharing the updated exterior appearance and the bass and treble tone stack of the rest of the line-up. The Vibro-Champ of course also featured vibrato, the first appearance of an onboard effect in Fender's most affordable beginner-level/student amps. Originally listed for $79.50 in the '65 catalog the Vibro-Champ offered excellent value with two instrument inputs, volume, treble and bass controls, and speed and intensity knobs for the tremolo effect. A single 6V6 Class-A power section driving a single 8" Fender-branded Oxford speaker yields around 5-6 watts of power, keeping with Champ tradition.
Height is 14 in. (35.6 cm.), 17 in. (43.2 cm.) width, and 7 in. (17.8 cm.) deep.
This little black-panel beauty is one of the nicest we have seen in a while, original and simply superbly clean. The tube chart is stamped "NK", indicating assembly in November of 1964, just before CBS came calling. The serial number reads A-01299, also dating to that year. According to available records, Fender made approximately 1800 Vibro-Champs that first year!
The black Tolex is nicely intact with little-to-no scuffing or wear. The chassis straps and handle mounts are shiny clean and the faceplate is in equally fantastic shape. All the knobs are original, as is the handle. The grille cloth is taut and free of any tears and the amp even retains the original black Fender-branded slip-cover made by Victoria Luggage Co.. The top of the amp also sports an old metal plaque for the store it was initially sold from, reading Viner Music Co., Bangor - Presque Isle, Maine.
The speaker is the original Oxford 8EV-52 is marked 465-439, dating it to the 39th week of 1964. The speaker has been professionally reconed and sounds fabulous. The power and output transformers are original and bear the codes 606-439 and 606-434, dating them to the 39th and 34th week of 1964, respectively. Visible pot codes all date to 1964. The amp has been professionally serviced, including our standard replacement of all electrolytic capacitors, removal of "death" cap and a three-prong power cord installed, as well as cleaning of all sockets, pots and jacks and power section biased to spec.
Other than this maintenance required to keep it running for the next century the amp remains fully original and a stellar-sounding example of a pre-CBS Vibro-Champ with a strong output and a nice growly sound when cranked! Excellent + Condition.