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Vibroplex colored model 

Vibroplex produced the first bugs with Japaned black finish.

If we exclude nickel and chromed plates bases, with the introduction of new Blu-racer model, year 1914, Vibroplex launched its first colored base Bug.

The first blue-racers had the base in cobalt blue color, replaced after 5 years with the classic black standard Japaned finish.

In 1920, Vibroplex performed an exclusive Original bug for the Western Union with dark brown base and write W.U.T.CO on the Wedge Plug.

Apart these exceptions during a period comprese between 1929 to 1936, Vibroplex introduced into its brochures the possibility of ordering some of their bugs with colored bases

The serial numbers range is comprese to S/N 105.xxx to S/N 106.xxx.

The colors used were red, green and blue, most of them were recolored with previously colored black bases. In fact, the bottom of the base is predominantly black.

There are also exceptions to multilayer bases, or colored bushes again covered in black, click here to watch a Martin junior with multiple paint hands (black japaned over green).

Before this period, they were produced in very few specimens of colored bugs, but only after specific order of the buyer, were the so-called "special orders".

As far as we know, the models inorder of popularity were the original, the lightning, the blue-racer and the Model-X.

They are occasionally found on Ebay, colored bugs with embossed paint

About this production there is some conflicting information about the real color of this kind of paint, which is very difficult to understand from the photos, if may be "aftermarket" changes, or real.

So the advice is to be very carefully in their purchase.

Noteworthy is the Navy Gray color used during World War II, a color that replaced Nickel plate for the "restriction" of period due to the war.

The other colors recently used by Vibroplex are beige and Siena brown, introduced in little period after the Vibroplex move from New York to Maine, year 1979.

October 13, 2017

Vibroplex red Lightning model.

Vibroplex blu Lightning model. 

Vibroplex Martin Junior model, black on green.

Si tratta di un Martin Junior speciale che ha avuto una storia inversa dai bug colorati qui esposti.

Se notate la prima foto, penserete subito che si tratta di un comune Martin Junior con finitura black Japaned.

Il tasto è completo della zeppa (wedge) di collegamento e il disegno japaned è abbastanza conservato, fin qui nulla di particolare.

Ma osservando bene il lato destro, sotto la vernice nera che è saltata via, si vede un bel colore verde, per l'epoca era una tasto denominato "special order". 

Il tasto era in origine verniciato di colore, successivamente  e stato data una nuova mano di colore verde.

Per un motivo che non conosceremo mai, al tasto è stato ridato nuovamente del colore nero sul verde precedente per renderlo di nuovo una comune chiave black Japaned, come una sorta di processo di colorazione al contrario.

Ho riportato questa eccezione non solo come una rara curiosità, ma per dimostrare che nelle officine Vibroplex c'erano molte eccezioni alla produzione standard.

This is a special Martin Junior who has had an inverse story from the bugs exposed here.

By the first picture, you will immediately think that it is a common Martin Junior with Japaned black finish.

The key is complete with the connecting wedge and the drawing is quite conserved, so far nothing particular.

But looking closely at the right side, under the black paint that has blown away, you see a beautiful green color, for the era "special order".

It was therefore painted black in origin and then above the green.

For a reason that we will never know, a new black coat has been give again to the green color to return back like a common Japaned black bug.

A process of color in reverse.

I reported this exception not only for curiosity,but to highlight that in the Vibroplex workshops there were "many exceptions to the rule".

02 Aprile 2018.