[MS41R8]

I happened across this nice little amp by pure coincidence and am very grateful for it.

The tremolo is just out of this world.

It's a 1963 Fender Deluxe with a factory upgrade JBL , (Oxford was stock??)

Only things not original are tubes and the tilt back legs. We are not sure on the tilt legs as I can't find much if they were ever offered as an option or if maybe this was some prototype as Fender did shortly go to Blackface amps in mid 1963 and I believe the Vibrolux did possibly come with them but I could be wrong ??? The gentleman who owned this had it for many many years and he said he got it like this .

It also has the very very rare dark brown rubber handle . They were originally leather but Fender used a brown rubber for a very short time . This rubber was very brittle and most broke shortly after purchase. Fenders answer to this was to go to the more hefty black rubber ones we know today. Most of the brown ones don't exist today .

Here are some shots of it :

 

[Ti-Ron]

Woah! Nice find!
I'm pretty sure @StevieMac can give you some valuable infos about those, he's a brownface lover!

 

[keto]

Whoa that is a Cadillac amp of its era. Have you had the chassis out? As to the tilt backs, how clean is the work on the inside of the cab?

 

[sambonee]

What a find. Was it a deal or a long search. ??

 

[JethroTech]

You need to give me that amp!!! Holy crap. Nice score.

 

[MS41R8]

Whoa that is a Cadillac amp of its era. Have you had the chassis out? As to the tilt backs, how clean is the work on the inside of the cab?

I have seen inside the chassis, it's all untouched and very neat. Clean as well as the amp was always covered it's whole life .
The work on the inside of the cab is very clean. No sloppy drilling or uneven holes. They are very sturdy as well.

 

[MS41R8]

What a find. Was it a deal or a long search. ??

It was a walk in the door deal. I met the guy randomly at a shop I hang out at (Gilmore Guitars in Red Deer). He was there trying out a custom guitar and we talked and both realized we love and collect old Fenders. He said he has a few amps he may consider moving as he has owned many of them since the 60's and doesent play much anymore. The price was very right and an hour later I was taking it home .

 

[fretzel]

Beautiful. And now I know what JBL stands for.

 

[metallica86]

wow so clean looking amp !!

 

[StevieMac]

That is one sweet looking Brownie. Nice score.

Couple of things to point out: 1) I'm not aware of ANY non-piggyback amps from the brown/blonde period that Fender supplied with tilt-back legs from the factory (with the possible exception of the blonde Twin Amp, can't quite recall); 2) I'm not aware of Fender supplying JBLs either as OE or as a factory replacement in ANY 6G3 Deluxe.

With that said, there are (by far) more documented singular examples and out-of--spec amps from Fender during the brown period than from ANY other time in Fender's history. My best guess would be that the JBL and tilt-backs were not original to that amp however and were added at a later date. I'm not sure Fender even made legs that size at that time actually.

Bottom line, NONE of that detracts from how utterly cool that Deluxe is. I will admit, I'm envious ;^ )

Steve

 

[MS41R8]

Thanks for the info !!! Greatly appreciated .

I was reading on another forum about the JBL speakers thing and there seemed to be a few different answers going around, But your probably right especially on the tilt back legs. They are a great little addition though and I think will come in handy .

jbl speakers in brownface amps

 

[keithb7]

That is a very nice amp. I bet it sounds amazing.

I believe it was 1960 or 61 that chrome legs were first introduced. I would have thought they were only utilized on the Professional Series amps at that time.
Not smaller practice amps such as the Deluxe, Vibrolux, etc.

For comparison here is my slightly larger 1962 6G11 Vibrolux, chassis SN 01983. Simply outstanding tone. I included a shot of my stock guts for reference. Not the exact same
as your 6G3 Deluxe, but very close siblings for sure. The Vibrolux is dual 6L6 powered. Same bias wiggle vibrato. I need to go play it right now.

Stock guts here:

 

[MS41R8]

I really really like that vibrolux ! Wow.

I have a 1961 brown Super Amp ....kind of similar in that regard. After playing the super and now the Deluxe I am finding that I really love the Brownface era of Fender best of all .

 

[keithb7]

I have managed to scrape together Tweed, Brown, Blonde, Blackface and Silverface specimens for my collection. You are right, there is something very special about the brown era amps. Very special indeed. Each of the series is unique in their own ways. There are so many great Fender amps, too few dollars, and way too few years to try and acquire them all.

 

[weaksauce]

Wow and congrats! Gilmore guitars is great...he's worked on my Tele a few times and I've tried his acoustics everytime I've dropped by.

 

[MS41R8]

Double post

 

[MS41R8]

Wow and congrats! Gilmore guitars is great...he's worked on my Tele a few times and I've tried his acoustics everytime I've dropped by.

Yeah, he is great ! Not only an amazing Luthier ( I have two of his beautiful acoustics) but his customer service and the community he has built around his shop is second to none !

 

[gtone]

Great amp - Billy Gibbons would approve!

 

[sambonee]

One that I've always wanted. Good stuff.