1969 Fender Vibro Champ~Amp Drip Edge Black Line

Fender's Vibro Champ~Amp guitar amplifier debuted in 1964 as an update to its student level Champ amplifier in production since 1948. The added tremolo effect, which Fender called Vibrato, offered a little extra motion to an otherwise simple amplifier. Guitarists embraced the model for its great electric guitar tone, gain per level of volume, portability, and its affordable price point. The "drip edge black line" time period from 1968 to early 1969 refers to the aluminum trim around the grill cloth and the three vertical black lines on the faceplate. The aluminum trim lasted until 1970 but the vertical black lines are mostly gone by mid 1969. 

Make and Model: Fender Vibro Champ~Amp

Year: 1969. Handwritten chassis assembly date "969" (September 1969), Output transformer code "-606-8-26" (Schumacher, 1968, 26th week)

Specifications: Single ended class A, one 12ax7 preamp tube and one 12ax7 tremolo driver tube, 6v6 power tube, 8" Oxford speaker, finger jointed solid Pine cabinet.

Originality: All parts original!

Condition: Very good. The exterior metal parts show some typical corrosion, the faceplate has typical scratching, and the grill cloth shows fading and light discoloration.

Playability: Excellent! This is the strongest tremolo I've heard in a vintage Vibro Champ. The speaker and voice coil are in excellent condition. 

Cleaning Process: I disassembled the entire amplifier and vacuumed all parts thoroughly. I cleaned and tensioned the tube sockets, cleaned and tensioned the input jacks, cleaned the contacts in the potentiometers, and cleaned and tensioned the output jack. 

Notes: The Vibro Champ model offers a ton of vintage amp value in an affordable package and apartment friendly volume at an attractive gain level. This one has survived in really great shape! The tremolo effect can often be a bit vague on these but this one has all the depth you could ever want. I'm confident you'll love this clean 1969 Fender Vibro Champ amplifier!