Vintage tube amp? Any interest?

[CapoFirstFret]

Re: Vintage tube amp? Any interest?

I wouldn't. I'd put a new speaker in it, and I'd put new tubes in it, and I'd crank the hell out of that thing I tell you what, if you wanted to sell it, let me know..harmonica players go APE **** over amps like that man

 

[ElUnoAstuto]

Re: Vintage tube amp? Any interest?

Will do Capo. So no overdrive huh? Guess that'd kinda' take away from that wonderful tube tone!:smokin: At any rate, would it be possible to turn the chassis into a little 5 watt head? I've heard that you can get quite the studio sound with a good tube amp and a nice 4x12...

 

[CapoFirstFret]

Re: Vintage tube amp? Any interest?

you could. It's highly possible...would have to do a little surgery, but it can be done. Those amps do do amazing things when you push a bigger amp with it. If I were to push another set of speakers with it, I probably wouldn't go with a 4x12 though..maybe a 2x10 or 2x12 cab...something like that

 

[FretFire]

Re: Vintage tube amp? Any interest?

How does the speaker connect to the chassis? If it just plugs in you might be able to just plug it into a bigger cab of the correct impedance.

 

[ElUnoAstuto]

Re: Vintage tube amp? Any interest?

How does the speaker connect to the chassis? It's just got the two wires crimped onto the speaker. So you fella's think a 2x10 combo or 2x12 combo would do this amp justice? Would I just take the leads and crimp 'em on a new speaker? How would I hook up a "speaker out"? Thanks guys! : )

 

[CapoFirstFret]

Re: Vintage tube amp? Any interest?

How does the speaker connect to the chassis? It's just got the two wires crimped onto the speaker. So you fella's think a 2x10 combo or 2x12 combo would do this amp justice? Would I just take the leads and crimp 'em on a new speaker? How would I hook up a "speaker out"? Thanks guys! : )

i would recommend making a speaker out....I definitely think you also ought to find someone near you who knows what they're doing so you don't accidentally blow out a transformer or anything. someone to show you the ropes!

 

[ElUnoAstuto]

Re: Vintage tube amp? Any interest?

I'm very gifted with electronics, and have years of experience working on guitars, I've just never messed with amps before. I'd really like to make a speaker out so I could try this sucker out with various speakers/cabinet combinations. Is this feasible/practical? I really appreciate everybody taking the time to answere my questions, especially CapoFirstFret, I've learned more spending an hour with the SD Forum bros than spending all day on the web looking this stuff up. Thanks!:laugh2:

 

[CapoFirstFret]

Re: Vintage tube amp? Any interest?

I'm very gifted with electronics, and have years of experience working on guitars, I've just never messed with amps before. I'd really like to make a speaker out so I could try this sucker out with various speakers/cabinet combinations. Is this feasible/practical? I really appreciate everybody taking the time to answere my questions, especially CapoFirstFret, I've learned more spending an hour with the SD Forum bros than spending all day on the web looking this stuff up. Thanks!:laugh2:

the only reason I say get someone who's done this sort of thing before is because you have to be sure to match impedence and what not when turning it into a head and hooking it up to a cab or you could blow a transformer. Also you probably need to have the power cord replaced with a three prong grounded plug so you don't get electricuted. That's something that DEFINITELY a pro can handle. Guitars are fine, and it's a good place to get started, but they don't have extremely lethal voltages running through them. amps do, even when unplugged for hours beforehand. I'm not questioning your ability, simply stating a few safety precautions.

Good luck!

 

[Low_fidelity2100]

Re: Vintage tube amp? Any interest?

the only reason I say get someone who's done this sort of thing before is because you have to be sure to match impedence and what not when turning it into a head and hooking it up to a cab or you could blow a transformer. Also you probably need to have the power cord replaced with a three prong grounded plug so you don't get electricuted. That's something that DEFINITELY a pro can handle. Guitars are fine, and it's a good place to get started, but they don't have extremely lethal voltages running through them. amps do, even when unplugged for hours beforehand. I'm not questioning your ability, simply stating a few safety precautions.

Good luck!

+100

working on amps is a totally different animal than working on guitars. Take it to a pro, Just to be safe.

 

[ElUnoAstuto]

Re: Vintage tube amp? Any interest?

Thanks guys, I'm gonna' take it to my guitar tech tomorrow for him to have a look at it. I really only have one last question, for that AC/DC power amp distortion, am I safe just taking this thing and cranking it to 10? Will I blow tubes or the speaker? I've always been paranoid about tube amps for this reason...

Edit: the inside is ridiculously dusty and cobwebby, like it's never been opened. Is it okay to take an air compressor and just hold it a couple feet away from the amp to get most of the dust out?

 

[CapoFirstFret]

Re: Vintage tube amp? Any interest?

probably not a good idea on the air compressor....those electronics may be fragile after all these years....

for AC/DC, yeah you can crank it like that...don't quite expect to get AC/DC sound though. Think more like Zeppelin I or early Eric Clapton tone

 

[stratvox]

Re: Vintage tube amp? Any interest?

DUDE KEEP IT IF YOU Havent already im n ot reading all the posts

 

[ElUnoAstuto]

Re: Vintage tube amp? Any interest?

Alright guys, I'm gonna' hold on to this sucker for the time being, after being bombarded by PM's from guys with tales of how they lost their favorite amp because they needed cash, that and it just sounds plain good! I thank Capo and everyone who answered my noob questions. Time to take this over to the Amp section for a while. : )

 

[gripweed]

Re: Vintage tube amp? Any interest?

Man don't do anything to that amp other than changing tubes, speaker and having a good tech go over it! And save the speaker if you take it out! If you want more gain without color from a pedal, get a clean boost of some kind. I'll have to b***h slap you if you **** with it!

 

[ElUnoAstuto]

Re: Vintage tube amp? Any interest?

Noted!

 

[CurtO]

Re: Vintage tube amp? Any interest?

El, I just bought a Silvertone guitar with a built in amp in the case. The amp says output is 50 watts, however it is common knowledge and even in the old manual that came with it. It states that the output is only 5 watts. It does sound awesome though! If I were you I would not swap out anything that doesn't work. Try to keep it as vintage/original as possible.