Fender 1968 Vibro Champ Drip Edge Silverface Serviced Good

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Here we have a late 60s Vibro Champ that has seen some use and some work, but remains a solid amp.  Beneficial updates, original transformers and speaker, and a couple solid vintage tubes make this a true bargain.

The Fender Vibro Champ is the smallest amplifier in the blackface and silverface Fender lineup that includes onboard vibrato.  The classic tone is delivered via a single 6V6 power tube, a 5Y3 tube rectifier, two 12AX7 preamp tubes, and an 8" speaker producing approximately 6 watts of Class A single-ended output. The circuit is closely related to the 5F1 tweed Champ but adds the vibrato circuit that gives this model its name and its distinct character over the plain Champ. Six watts from a single-ended Class A circuit with tube rectifier sag sounds and responds nothing like six watts from a push-pull or solid-state design — the dynamic compression, harmonic complexity, and touch sensitivity of this topology have made small single-ended Fender amps among the most recorded amplifiers in history precisely because that character is irreproducible by other means.

The 1968 Vibro Champ carries the drip edge cosmetic — the silver trim ring surrounding the silver sparkle grille cloth that appeared as Fender transitioned from the blackface to the silverface era under CBS ownership. The drip edge is a short-lived and transitional detail that appeared in late 1967 and was gone by 1969, making it one of the visual identifiers of this specific production window. The chassis runs the correct tube complement throughout: Fender-branded 6V6 power tube, GE 5Y3 rectifier, two Ruby 12AX7 preamp tubes.

The original Oxford 8" speaker is intact with original cone, manufacturer code confirming Oxford production from week 14 of 1968 — correct and contemporary with this amp's assembly. Original Schumacher power transformer dated week 40 of 1967. Original Better Coil and Transformer Company output transformer dated week 7 of 1968. Original filter caps — genuinely notable on a nearly 60-year-old amplifier. The amp has been serviced: numerous coupling caps and resistors updated, power cord upgraded to grounded three-prong. Original pots.  The tubes were all tested here in the shop, and we always clean pots, jacks, and tube sockets.

Honest condition notes: the upper back panel is missing. The pine baffle has a hole drilled in it with a structural block glued to the back — both visible in the photos. The silver sparkle grille cloth is original and in fair condition. The cabinet, tolex, handle, and chassis are all good to excellent. None of these issues affect the electrical or tonal performance of the amplifier — they are cosmetic and structural details that are priced into this instrument accordingly. 

SPECIFICATIONS:

• Date: 1968
• Where Is Date Noted?: Serial#, Codes
• Weight: 17lbs 6oz
• Dimensions: w 17" x h 14" x 7-1/2"
• Watts: 6 watts
• Case/Cover?: none
• Case/Cover Brand: n/a
• Case/Cover Condition: n/a
  
• Covering Material: tolex
• Covering Color: black
• Covering Original?: yes
• Cabinet Material: pine
• Cabinet Condition: good
• Cabinet Repairs/Changes: Missing upper back panel
• Cabinet Original?: yes
• Grille Style: silver sparkle
• Grille Condition: fair
• Grille Original?: yes
• Baffle Material: pine
• Baffle Condition: Good
• Baffle Original?: yes
  
• Baffle Repairs/Changes: yes, hole drilled in it and a structural block glued to it
• Chassis Material: sheet metal
• Chassis Condition: excellent
• Chassis Original?: yes
• Chassis Repairs/Changes: none
• Knobs Original?: yes
• Handle Material: rubber
• Handle Original?: yes
• Speaker 1 Brand: Oxford
• Speaker 1 Size: 8"
• Speaker 1 Manufacturer Code: A
• Speaker 1 Date Code: 814
• Speaker 1 Cone Code: n/a
• Speaker 1 Cone Original?: yes
• Speaker 1 Condition: excellent
• Speaker Original?: yes
• Power Transformer Manufacturer: Shumacher
• Power Transformer Manufacturer Code: 606
• Power Transformer Date Code: 7-40
• Power Transformer Original?: yes
• Output Transformer Manufacturer: Better Coil and Transformer Company
• Output Transformer Manufacturer Code: 831
• Output Transformer Date Code: 6807
• Output Transformer Original?: yes
• Choke Transformer Manufacturer: n/a
• Choke Transformer Manufacturer Code: n/a
• Choke Transformer Date Code: n/a
• Choke Transformer Original?: n/a
• Reverb Transformer Manufacturer: n/a
• Reverb Transformer Manufacturer Code: n/a
• Reverb Transformer Date Code: n/a
• Reverb Transformer Original?: n/a
• Reverb Onboard: no
• Reverb Tank Original?: n/a
• Tremolo Or Vibrato Onboard: Vibrato
• Pedal Included?: no
• Pedal Condition: n/a
• Pedal Original?: n/a
• Rectifier Tube: 5Y3
• Rectifier Tube Brand: GE
• Power Tubes: 6V6
• Power Tube Brand: Fender
• Preamp Tubes: 2 x 12AX7
• Preamp Tube Brand: Ruby
• Potentiometers Original?: yes
• Filter Caps: Original
• Internal Repairs: Numerous caps and resistors updated.  
• Power Cable: Replaced with a grounded cable
• Accessories Included: none
• Documentation: none
• Smells?: none
  
  

Shipping Policy
By completing your purchase you are agreeing to this shipping policy. Shipments require signature on delivery, no exceptions. Less than 1% of our shipments are damaged in transit, and we are committed to making sure your item arrives safely. If there is damage, retain all packing materials intact, photograph them immediately, and send the photos to sales@maharsvintageguitars.com.

Amplifiers: We take additional precautions to prevent common shipping damage. Depending on the amp, this may include removing tubes, pulling the chassis from the cabinet if heavy transformers present a drop risk, or removing heavy speakers that could crack baffles in transit. Reassembly is required on delivery — we label everything clearly. These measures add to shipping costs but reflect hard-won experience. All amps are tested in our shop upon intake and again before shipping. We cover shipping damage but cannot be responsible for the failure of vintage components in instruments that are 20 to 50-plus years old.