Vox Beatle

JPete
JPete Posts: 295
in The Clubhouse
I have a 1967 Vox Beatle 1143 guitar amp that's been sitting in storage for about 10 years. Pulled it out last night and powered up just fine, but definitely has some issues. Going to start out cleaning all of the pots because they obviously need it.

One problem I'm not sure of though... This amp has a switchable reverb function. You can turn it off or have it on either Channel 1 or Channel 2(brilliant or normal). If I turn the reverb on for either channel it just puts out pure static.

Anyone have experience with these old Vox amps? Any ideas on what to address besides a good deoxit and cleaning?
Lexicon RT-10, Parasound P5, McCormack DNA 0.5, Polk SDA CRS+, SVS Sub
Schiit Modi, Luminous Audio Axiom II, McCormack DNA-1, Digital Phase AP 2
Marantz AV7701, Emotiva XPA-5, Paradigm 11se Mkii, DCM Time Windows, NHT 2C, SVS Sub

Spares - Kenwood C1 Pre, NAD 2200PE, Polk Monitor 10B, Polk Model 11, other odds and ends
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  • JPete
    JPete Posts: 295
    Guess no one is into these old clunkers. Got it cleaned up and did a little soldering on the reverb plate wires. Sounds better than I ever remember. No way I'm attempting a recap on this thing yet... What a mess of crap in there.
    Lexicon RT-10, Parasound P5, McCormack DNA 0.5, Polk SDA CRS+, SVS Sub
    Schiit Modi, Luminous Audio Axiom II, McCormack DNA-1, Digital Phase AP 2
    Marantz AV7701, Emotiva XPA-5, Paradigm 11se Mkii, DCM Time Windows, NHT 2C, SVS Sub

    Spares - Kenwood C1 Pre, NAD 2200PE, Polk Monitor 10B, Polk Model 11, other odds and ends
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  • txcoastal1
    txcoastal1 Posts: 13,320
    JPete wrote: »
    Guess no one is into these old clunkers. Got it cleaned up and did a little soldering on the reverb plate wires. Sounds better than I ever remember. No way I'm attempting a recap on this thing yet... What a mess of crap in there.

    Some times us kids like pictures ;)
    2-channel: Modwright KWI-200 Integrated, Dynaudio C1-II Signatures
    Desktop rig: LSi7, Polk 110sub, Dayens Ampino amp, W4S DAC/pre, Sonos, JRiver
    Gear on standby: Melody 101 tube pre, Unison Research Simply Italy Integrated
    Gone to new homes: (Matt Polk's)Threshold Stasis SA12e monoblocks, Pass XA30.5 amp, Usher MD2 speakers, Dynaudio C4 platinum speakers, Modwright LS100 (voltz), Simaudio 780D DAC

    erat interfectorem cesar et **** dictatorem dicere a
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  • JPete
    JPete Posts: 295
    I hear ya. Well, I'm not pulling it back apart for any inside shots. 2, pain in the ****, hard to reach with any combo of extensions, nuts holding the preamp section to the cabinet.

    I will snap some shots of it tonight, in all of it's 49 year old glory, if anyone is interested.. Pretty cool piece that I had almost written off until I started reading about it the other day.

    Check out this webpage if you're into this kinda stuff. http://www.voxshowroom.com/us/amp/v1143.html

    Now I'm going to have to buy some stuff to get her all cleaned up on the outside. damnit.
    Lexicon RT-10, Parasound P5, McCormack DNA 0.5, Polk SDA CRS+, SVS Sub
    Schiit Modi, Luminous Audio Axiom II, McCormack DNA-1, Digital Phase AP 2
    Marantz AV7701, Emotiva XPA-5, Paradigm 11se Mkii, DCM Time Windows, NHT 2C, SVS Sub

    Spares - Kenwood C1 Pre, NAD 2200PE, Polk Monitor 10B, Polk Model 11, other odds and ends
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,970
    zero experience with this particular amplifier (which sounds like it's wicked cool!)... but a little experience with spring reverbs. In my (limited!) experience, the reverb 'tanks' are usually Hammond boxes that are "dropped into" the amplifier and connected with a couple of (RCA) plugs. May well be worth checking the "in" and "out" connections on the reverb unit itself.

    No warranty experess or implied; just a SWAG! :- )
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  • JPete
    JPete Posts: 295
    @mhardy6647 You're instinct on the connections inside the reverb plate box is a good one. I discovered the hot wire, which should be soldered to a plate that contacts the RCA tip was not connected at all. Actually the inside of that particular connection was completely broken off, and nowhere to be found in the unit.

    I trimmed a barrel off an old electrical connector I had, epoxied it to the plastic plate so it would contact the RCA, and then soldered the wire back in place. Worked like a charm, and no one will be able to see the botch job..

    I will say that the reverb on this amp doesn't sound all that great compared to my other amps. Kind of thins everything out when it's engaged. It is a cool sounding amp all in all though. Think I'll be using it more often now that she's purring again.
    Lexicon RT-10, Parasound P5, McCormack DNA 0.5, Polk SDA CRS+, SVS Sub
    Schiit Modi, Luminous Audio Axiom II, McCormack DNA-1, Digital Phase AP 2
    Marantz AV7701, Emotiva XPA-5, Paradigm 11se Mkii, DCM Time Windows, NHT 2C, SVS Sub

    Spares - Kenwood C1 Pre, NAD 2200PE, Polk Monitor 10B, Polk Model 11, other odds and ends
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,970
    soiled state -- that's the problem with it ;-)
    You need some vacuum tubes, son...


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  • JPete
    JPete Posts: 295
    I've got a few of those... JCM900 4100 is the current rotation. I also have an older Marshall Valvestate, circa '93 maybe? Valve/solid state combo I guess. The distortion channel sounds awesome on that thing. Doesn't compare to the JCM running wide open though.
    Lexicon RT-10, Parasound P5, McCormack DNA 0.5, Polk SDA CRS+, SVS Sub
    Schiit Modi, Luminous Audio Axiom II, McCormack DNA-1, Digital Phase AP 2
    Marantz AV7701, Emotiva XPA-5, Paradigm 11se Mkii, DCM Time Windows, NHT 2C, SVS Sub

    Spares - Kenwood C1 Pre, NAD 2200PE, Polk Monitor 10B, Polk Model 11, other odds and ends
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  • Msabot1
    Msabot1 Posts: 2,098
    That was the last model of the Super Beatle line...originally designed for the Beatles for their live performances because their first stage amps were not loud enough to get over the crowd noise..this model pushed 120W I believe....Solid state,not tube..Dropped the 'Super' from the name..why,I don't know...still something nice to have,should have it worked over...do you have the speaker cabinet or just the head?
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,970
    edited May 2016
    They probably got flak from Volkswagen ;-)

    1973-1974_Volkswagen_%221303_Big%22,_Istanbul.jpg

    kidding, of course -- the "Super Beetle" didn't come along until something like 1973...


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  • JPete
    JPete Posts: 295
    Msabot1 wrote: »
    That was the last model of the Super Beatle line...originally designed for the Beatles for their live performances because their first stage amps were not loud enough to get over the crowd noise..this model pushed 120W I believe....Solid state,not tube..Dropped the 'Super' from the name..why,I don't know...still something nice to have,should have it worked over...do you have the speaker cabinet or just the head?

    Just the head. I run it through an 8ohm Park cabinet with 4x12" Celestion 35s. I think this thing only puts out around 30 - 35 watts at 8ohms, but man it get's loud. Louder than the Marshall for sure, but doesn't sound as sweet on the top end.
    Lexicon RT-10, Parasound P5, McCormack DNA 0.5, Polk SDA CRS+, SVS Sub
    Schiit Modi, Luminous Audio Axiom II, McCormack DNA-1, Digital Phase AP 2
    Marantz AV7701, Emotiva XPA-5, Paradigm 11se Mkii, DCM Time Windows, NHT 2C, SVS Sub

    Spares - Kenwood C1 Pre, NAD 2200PE, Polk Monitor 10B, Polk Model 11, other odds and ends
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  • Msabot1
    Msabot1 Posts: 2,098
    Could have swore it was a 120 watt head...still nice..have it worked over!..I have a 70 DR103 that is killer on those crunch chords..Has those Celestion speakers too..
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  • JPete
    JPete Posts: 295
    @Msabot1. It is definitely a 120w amp. At 2ohms, which is what the original cabs were designed for I believe.

    DR103 looks badass.
    Lexicon RT-10, Parasound P5, McCormack DNA 0.5, Polk SDA CRS+, SVS Sub
    Schiit Modi, Luminous Audio Axiom II, McCormack DNA-1, Digital Phase AP 2
    Marantz AV7701, Emotiva XPA-5, Paradigm 11se Mkii, DCM Time Windows, NHT 2C, SVS Sub

    Spares - Kenwood C1 Pre, NAD 2200PE, Polk Monitor 10B, Polk Model 11, other odds and ends
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  • Msabot1
    Msabot1 Posts: 2,098
    My pride and joy!...Also has The Who marked on the head...Maybe because the Who used that model amp?...anyway,I know you don't need any device for getting good sustain..does quite nicely on its own
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