[StevieMac]

I call this one the GC VVRI Project Amp because of all the membership hands that were involved. I'll describe the project in a few posts, with a few pics, and then show the finished project (probably not as exciting looking as you may think). I'm just getting the write up started here but am planning to be out on the motorcycle today (18 degrees and full sun in late October? Hells yeah I'm out riding!). I will add to this as I find time.

To kick things off though, the "donor amp" (an early 90's '63 Vibroverb Reissue) first came into my sphere via our own @faracaster . Some of you may recognize it from an earlier time when Pete had it posted here (see below). This was the condition I received it in, with the initial idea that I'd simply replace the grill cloth, original (obviously too long) speaker mount bolts, and call it a day. If "relic" was an actual thing with amps, like it is with guitars, this amp had the mojo in spades...

 

[StevieMac]

So, while I was figuring out how to replace the grill cloth (never done it before), I recalled that I had always been curious about converting a 2x10 VR into a single 12" combo. Though I've owned many VRs, I never did attempt it but realized this was an excellent opportunity to make such a conversion.

While dragging my heels on replacing the grill cloth it occurred to me that I knew somebody who could potentially build a 1x12 baffle and another 2x10 baffle (with proper mount bolt lengths) to simply replace the sketchy original. That person is our own @Lincoln who previously built me a nifty little 6G2 Princeton with two baffles (10" & 12") that sounds absolutely glorious (see below). When I reached out to Lincoln about the baffles, he graciously offered to assist and the new plan for baffle replacement was now underway...

 

[StevieMac]

So, while waiting to get the 1x12 & 2x10 baffles, I came across a 4 ohm Jensen C12K that'd fit the bill perfectly for this amp and grabbed it. Before I knew it, Lincoln had finished the baffles, sent them out, and I had them in hand & ready to mount. That said, I'd since pulled the chassis as there was ALOT of noise & scratchiness when various pots were turned. I hit all of them hard with some Deoxit, worked them good, and the unpleasant noises eventually disappeared. With the chassis out though, I took a good look at the cab (tolex primarily) and it left much to be desired. There were rips here & there, it was strangely faded on the top, and there were some unexplained stains on the side that simply could not be removed or covered up (see pics below). So, for the first time, I considered a complete recover...

 

[Mark Brown]

I am starting to get angry with you, just so you know. You have been stringing me along for almost 12 hours now and so far all is Lincoln is great and the amp is a mess!



Looking forward to more!

 

[StevieMac]

I am starting to get angry with you, just so you know. You have been stringing me along for almost 12 hours now and so far all is Lincoln is great and the amp is a mess!



Looking forward to more!

Fair enough and let's get to the good part. Since the contrast between new baffles/grills and original sketchy tolex was too stark, I committed to retolexing the amp...but how? Well beyond my scope BUT, in a chance conversation with @2manyGuitars during a deal, I Iearn there's another member in Ottawa who re-covers amps - our own @epis - and the wheels are set in motion.

I contact that member who agrees to re-tolex the amp and within a week the work is done. Unfortunately it takes several more weeks before I can pick it up but I finally grabbed it this week. Just so @Mark Brown wouldn't lose his sh*t, I hastily reassembled the amp and here it is...

 

[Mark Brown]

Fair enough and let's get to the good part. Since the contrast between new baffles/grills and original sketchy tolex was too stark, I committed to retolexing the amp...but how? Well beyond my scope BUT, in a chance conversation with @2manyGuitars during a deal, I Iearn there's another member in Ottawa who re-covers amps - our own @epis - and the wheels are set in motion...

.....wait a second. YOU DID IT AGAIN lol.

 

[BlueRocker]

Thanks for posting, I enjoy reading this kind of stuff.

 

[StevieMac]

.....wait a second. YOU DID IT AGAIN lol.

Initially, yes, but I decided to redeem myself by finishing the story...primarily because, frankly, you scare me. All's well that ends well and a BIG thanks to all the members that played a hand in the resurrection of this classic.

 

[Mark Brown]

LoL
I'm just gassing with ya buddy. Looks stellar.
I have been into this since it first showed up this morning and I would be lying if I didn't say I was getting edgy waiting, but I'm sorry I'm scary.

You take all the time you need with that beauty

 

[Always12AM]

Now it’s time to handwire it. 😈.

Looks outstanding BTW.

 

[StevieMac]

Ooops! Forgot to mention 1 other GC member who played a role in the amp's final restoration. @RBlakeney generously agreed to sell back to me a pair of THD Vintage 10s, which now populate the other (2x10) replacement baffle. Thanks Ryan!

 

[Budda]

Nice!

 

[Chito]

Excellent job and turned out great!!

 

[RBlakeney]

Ooops! Forgot to mention 1 other GC member who played a role in the amp's final restoration. @RBlakeney generously agreed to sell back to me a pair of THD Vintage 10s, which now populate the other (2x10) replacement baffle. Thanks Ryan!
View attachment 444546

Luckily I stopped hobby building amps for a while otherwise these would have been long gone! 😆

 

[2N1305]

Very, very nice work. It looks much better now. There's just something about a Vibroverb that demands it be in good condition. especially the brownface versions. I suppose the amplifier now sounds a little bit more bassy with the 12 inch?

 

[StevieMac]

Very, very nice work. It looks much better now. There's just something about a Vibroverb that demands it be in good condition. especially the brownface versions. I suppose the amplifier now sounds a little bit more bassy with the 12 inch?

Thanks and, yes, there is no shortage of bass response from the amp with the larger 12" speaker in there now. I think it's a better sounding (and looking) package now.

 

[Axeman9216]

Looks great. Love the idea of using a single 12