Brownface Vibroverb® Style Guitar Tube Amp Kit
Amp Kit Difficulty Level
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Please read our article 'Mojotone Amp Kit Building Primer' along with our amp kit disclaimer located in the Specs tab before buying this kit.
Mojotone is excited to introduce a new kit to our brownface lineup - the 6G16 Vibroverb. We're offering everything needed to build an accurate replica from the finger-joint constructed pine cabinet to the tapped 350k treble potentiometers. You'll be pleased to have such a rare bird in your collection. As with any of our kits, you get the finest components available.
The original (6G16 circuit) Vibroverb was introduced in February 1963. The speaker lineup and the output transformer were based on the Super amp of the time and the circuit based on the Vibrolux of the time, with no presence control and only one 12AX7 tube for the tremolo effect. It sported typical "brownface" cosmetics, with brown "Tolex" covering (introduced in 1959), and wheat-colored speaker cloth.
The 40 Watt amplifier boasted two channels (NORMAL and BRIGHT). Both channels had VOLUME, TREBLE and BASS controls; the single-control REVERB affected only the BRIGHT channel.
The tremolo effect (labeled Vibrato) had two controls, SPEED and also INTENSITY, which affected the bias of the output tubes and therefore both channels. To make room for the reverb circuitry (not found on the Super amp) a direct-coupled oscillator vibrato circuit was used which was found on the previous generation tweed amplifiers (which used two tubes fewer than the Super’s brownface vibrato circuit).
The TREBLE control was the same as found in many Fender amplifiers of the time (i.e., Pro Amp -6G5A-, the Super -6G4A-, the Showman -6G14-, the Vibrolux -6G11-). It was fitted with a "tapped" treble circuit, meaning that the treble control is "flat" at setting "5"; cutting or boosting the treble was possible by turning the knob down (below "5") or up (above "5"), respectively.
This incarnation of the Vibroverb was made for only a few months, and it is thought that fewer than 600 of these units were made.
- Class Type:AB All Tube Amplifier
- Output:~40 Watts
- Circuit:6G16
- Bias Type:Fixed with an adjustable potentiometer
- Build Time:~7 hours
- Preamp Tubes: ECC83/12AX7 (6)
- Output Tube(s): 6L6GC (2)
- Rectifier Tube: 5AR4 / GZ34
- Transformers:Power - BF Vibrolux / Tremoloux (MOJO758EX), Output - BF Vibrolux / Tremolux (MOJO770), Choke - for 6L6 Amps (MOJO777), Reverb Driver - (MOJO776)
- Hardware:Vibroverb Small Parts Kit, Vibroverb Chassis, Small Cap Pan, Front & Rear Faceplates, Fender style 2-button Footswitch, 4AB3C1B Reverb Tank, Black Tolex Reverb Bag, Vintage Reverb Wire Kit, 10' Install Power Cord
Disclaimer: Some of the parts contained in this kit are subject to availability.
Mojotone reserves the right to change or substitute any and all of the parts contained in this amplifier kit without advertisement or notification to the buyer. Part substitutions made by Mojotone are guaranteed not to affect the integrity or operation of your amplifier kit. Time estimates listed are from start to finish. If you are new to tube amplifiers, additional time may need to be factored.
When purchasing a kit from Mojotone, you will receive the following documentation.
1. Schematic
2. Wiring Diagram / Layout
Our beginner level kits such as the tweed champ and tweed deluxe include a manual. If you purchase a kit from Mojotone and do not receive these documents, you can obtain copies by emailing tech@mojotone.com or calling 800-927-6656. The Mojotone staff is available Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. EST unless otherwise closed.
Mojotone kits include the best quality parts that are available at the time of purchase. If a substitution is required, our team will use parts that are of equal quality to ensure the integrity of the kit build remains the same.
Building a fully functional amplifier kit is not an easy task. Before building a kit, one should have the ability to properly solder as well as read and understand a schematic and wiring diagram. While we do our very best to ensure all documentation is current, the included documentation is meant to serve as an overall guide to building the amplifier. Simply following the schematic and wiring diagram does not guarantee you will have a fully functional amplifier. In fact, post build troubleshooting is a common issue across all builds.
Our staff is available to assist with basic troubleshooting needs. There are plenty of online videos available that are helpful with most post build issues. Technical staff is available via email by sending a message to tech@mojotone.com. You may also call our sales team to discuss build problems, dial 800-927-6656 and press 1 for sales.
Building a tube amplifier takes time, dedication, resources and most importantly... Skills! The experience of building an amp can come with some frustration, the reward of completing the build is definitely well worth your time. Please review the wiring diagram, schematic and manual (if applicable) prior to making your purchase. Mojotone will not accept any returns on amplifier kits and/or parts that have been assembled, soldered or modified.
The following documents are included. Please feel free to view and/or download them:
Brownface Vibroverb SchematicBrownface Vibroverb Wiring Diagram
Warehouse Sessions Featuring This Product
Other Videos Featuring This Product
Ratings & Reviews
5 reviews
Fun project, great results
by Michael -
My first build from scratch. I’ve maintained/repaired/modded my tube amps for the last 20 years. This kit wasn’t ‘easy’ and took far longer than a few hours, but everything was there and I had no issues.
The only mod was the value of the bias resistor (1k in the kit) so power tubes could be brought up to 65-70% dissipation bias range (matched set of RCA Blackplates) & preamp tubes are NOS goodies from stash. Oh, and I ended up replacing faceplate w/a genuine-looking version). Speakers are Weber mixed 10f150/10a125. The 10F & a Copperhead was really good too but not as warm.
How does it sound? Primarily running in the second channel= smooth and clean up to about ‘5’ on the volume. 6.5 volume (treb 6.5 and bass 5.5-6) gets a Strat, Tele, Lester or 335 style to either play nice or growl. An in between sound of Tweed or BF that’s good for blues, blues rock and some modern country.
The cabinet is top quality, I added 16” Fender tilt back legs.
My fave amp ever
by Gator Millhollon -
My favorite amp. I have owned and used many Fender, Peavey, Vox, Marshall, Dr. Z, Bad Cat, Laney, Mesa, and Matchless amps. I still own 6 of those. Wonderful when played clean, excellent when driven and highly responsive. The treble control and your guitar's controls are all you need to get a huge variety of quality tube sounds.
I looked at some of the 63 re-issues, which are around $2000 for a good one. Of course the handful of original 63s go for anywhere from $12-25 grand, which is absurd to pay. After a long visit with my amp tech, I realized that with the kit, the pine cab and his expertise in hand-wiring, I could have a brand new clone, but with better speakers and a few tweaks for around $2500-- about the same price as used re-issue that uses a PCB board. It was a no brainer on the cost side. I also picked my choice of speakers and had him install a neg. feedback cancel switch. Perfect amp.