Super Nice 70-Year-Old Guitar Amp.....Dissection, Repair, Audio Check
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- Опубліковано 7 жов 2024
- You rarely find 70-year-old amplifiers in near perfect original condition, but this one apparently spent virtually all its life enclosed in its leatherette cover, safe in a closet or dry storage space. We disassemble it and inspect all components, repair the circuit as needed, and demonstrate its volume and tone. In addition, we'll meet a new member of the family and see the Robot Amp's new badge.
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NOTES: 1.) I may call it a "wrinkle" paint job, but it's really a "crackle" paint job. 2.) Besides the essential basic tools I mention, you also MUST have a current limiter (see my video on how to build one). 3.) Fancy tools like oscilloscopes, variacs, $300 DMM's, etc. all have their place, but when starting out, you should focus on gaining knowledge and experience using basic tools. As your skills improve, so will your ability to properly utilize the high-dollar instruments. 4.) The "60/40" solder I recommend is 60% Tin and 40% Lead. It works much, much better than any alternative I have ever tried. 5.) Lee Trevino, whom I mention in the video, was a legendary local golfer who is regarded as one of the greatest players in history: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lee_Trevino
Best advice ive ever read in a comment section
i totally agree with your starter tips. its best to spend a little more on a higher quality multimeter, they tend to last longer and more accurate than those cheap meters.
The safety factor of a multimter should also be taken into account when looking to buy one, higher quality meters will have a better CAT rating and will contain ceramic HRC fuses, not dangerous glass ones.
...also, while I'm not totally sure they even make this anymore, make absolutely sure your solder is NOT Acid-Core...that would be very bad.
@@DeanMk1 ,yes i think they do still make acid core in the larger diameter solder. thats more for sweating copper pipes. most smaller solder is just rosin core, which you do need unless you want to solder things individually. sometimes fluxing i necessary for large pads or heavy wires. Im just glad we can still buy 60/40 leaded solder the unleaded doesnt hold up well over heating and cooling. i hate doing a job twice. lol
amp restoration, kitty restoration, I love this
We try to cover all the bases, Alex :)
Great job, your compassion for the emaciated stray may be your finest quality.
Thanks you, Paul. It's the result of an overwhelming concern I feel for all animals.
Uncle Doug Kudos for your Kindness to Kitties!
Those cats will spread the word also. I knew a Chemist that passed away a couple of years ago that loved cats. Every stray cat that was sick or hurt would go lay on his porch because they knew he would take them to the vet and get them cared for. It's like the cats spread the word, "Hey, if you get sick or hurt, go to his house. He'll take you to the doc and get you fixed up!" lol
Robert Calk Jr., way back during the Great Depression, homeless men ( often referred to as hobos or tramps back then) wandering around looking for work, or a meal, and perhaps a temporary place to stay had a series of symbols they would use to tell each other if they would get chased away by shotgun or receive a warm welcome. If they saw a sort of stick figure cat drawing on the mailbox in shock or cold, made by another wandering soul, it meant that a kind-hearted woman lived there.
Much as I love the tech aspect of your videos, I am also touched by the kindness you show to animals. Good for you Uncle Doug!
Thanks, GS. It's been that way all my life, but has intensified as I grew older. I guess an enhanced respect for life is natural as one's own life is reaching its "golden years" :)
Always watch,rarely comment,but as a guitar tech and vintage amp tech myself I have to tell you uncle Doug,I spend all day with my head in whatever ends up on my bench,I finish up for the day and spend all evening watching you and Brad Linzy work your magic on amps I very rarely get to see.Also as a 56 yr old I have spent around 49 yrs as a cat lover and have always had at least 1 kitty and like you take in any ragged cat shaped animal that needs a home.However,now its just me and my 12 yr old jet black SAM who looks identical to your Jack.He used to hang around the shop where he got the nickname 3phase Sam after his brush with a 660v buss bar.I can feel the love you have for our furry feline friends and for me its one reason I keep coming back.Thank you for sharing your work and your cats Uncle Doug,I always feel like a family member when I watch so,having finally spoken I will now shut up.Best wishes from Scotland. J.
Thanks so much for your very nice comments, John. You are indeed a member of our extended video family and always welcome. It's great to hear from others whose love of animals leads to action on their behalf......adopting and caring for our furry little brothers and sisters. Don't be a stranger.
My favorite vid of yours because of your analogous stories. Long time tech here. Love your passion for stray cats in needs btw. Love your vids. Very therapeutic to watch for these old burnt hands.
Thanks for the very nice comments, Aaron. It's great to hear from you :)
Uncle Doug - looks l like the chassis in an old Regal amp I used to own. Had an 80, 76, 6L6GC, and if I recall a ¿6y8g? It had the exact same Rola speaker. I loved that little amp. One day turned it on and the transformer started to smoke. That was the end of that. Really appreciate your videos and your sense of humor. Very witty and perfectly wry. Don't change anything. You make it all make sense.
That's great Doug. We just took in a rescue that looks just like that cat. We have a few already, but can't let them suffer. They give you a lot of joy in return.
Thanks, KG. I agree completely.
You're an amazing and caring man Doug, thanks for taking such great care of the stray kitty.
You're welcome, Dave. It's our pleasure to do so :)
Really old treasures. I am impressed that Devices like this are still in use.
Yes, and over 100K of us are glad they are :)
Hi Doug...glad to see your videos. They are always enlightening and educational...I learn quite a bit every time I see these. Thank you for adopting that kitty cat. Mine showed up one day on the deck while I was doing some lines for my sailboat...she was a little over six (6) months old...later we found out that she was "pregnant" and had a litter soon thereafter. She is still with me and also enjoys your videos and loves Jack !
Thanks, Tom. There is a chance that this kitty is pregnant also. They rarely survive their first heat in the wild without getting fertilized. We'll have to wait and see :) Jack sends all his furry regards to your kitty.
Uncle Doug--that is one old amp! I like your new kitty. Thanks for rescuing her, and I hope to see her as she gets healthy.
Thanks, R. You're welcome. I will give updates on her recovery :)
"stereo death caps"...epic.
Electric shock, in two channels!
What's next, Technicolor filter caps?
That way, no matter which way you plugged it in......you were doomed :)
@@UncleDoug Can you please explain what a death cap is, & what it's supposed to do? I've heard you mention them a few times.
@@acesteele8559 I have made a couple videos that address the issue, Ace. Please watch them.
That is almost unheard of to find one of those amps almost 70 years old and never opened. Those Solar paper capacitors I pulled out of a Jackson Model 541 signal gen from 1949 even though I replaced them they still tested out ok with no leakage and still within tolerance. My Mom used to take in Feral cats so much so that a neighbor who worked for the local vet was able to get them neutered(we rounded them up in cages)) and then we registered the Feral Cat colony in El Cerrito California. And even though my mom passed away 7 yrs ago a neighbor across the street kept taking care of them. Glad to see you are helping that feral cat.
I replaced all the Solars purely out of concern for the future, Larry. I have no doubt the non-polar caps were probably just fine. We're glad to help the little kitty. She was so pitiful, scared, desperate, and hungry that it was truly heart wrenching to witness. She's still with us and seems to be getting better already.
Uncle Doug m
Thank you so much for posting this video. A true knowledgeable craftsman at work. Viewers consider yourself blessed to listen and learn from this smart man that takes his time to teach us these things. I am attempting to restore a vintage 30s Supro amp that I inherited from my Dad. Thank you for posting this video. God Bless you.
You are quite welcome, Emmanuel. Thanks for the very nice comments.
That beautiful skid mark down the side just adds to the character.
That's what my ex told me !
Yes, it does, Chris. I imagine some elderly groupie slung a used Depenz on stage during a Kiss Reunion concert :)
@@UncleDoug there you have it undeniable mojo.
Really am enjoying your videos. Good for you taking care of the cats. I feed the feral cats up here in the rural, high, desert. I made a door for them to come in at night, they won't go near me, and found a raccoon (didn't even know we had them) eating with them in my kitchen. I left him alone and he went out but for all I know he still comes in with the cats.
Wow... I hope I can find a gem like that one day, Uncle Doug! So far I've only had that kind of luck in my dreams.
I fear the day 60/40 solder is made completely unattainable. The desk-thinkers seem to think we eat it or something. Careless big-name manufacturers we are not.
The amp was on Ebay, Jack, and no one seemed very enthusiastic......the fools !!! :) I buy my solder on Ebay. The 60/40 is readily available and reasonably priced. I will probably stock up in case the whining do-gooders decide that I can't be trusted with some nasty old lead.
Man that thing sounds pretty darn good. Thanks UD ... never a disappointment.
It surprised me too, Scott. You're welcome :)
You did it again, you silver toothed madman! Just when I thought there were no more vintage amp tales to tell, you come up with one. Education is at the heart of your very informative videos, but what puts them way over the top of others, is your infectious humor and your extreme kindness for less fortunate animals! We have had our share of cats that have found their way to our doorstep and we try to give them love an attention in an effort to make their lives a little better! Vintage tube amps and hot rods, the life blood of old coots like us! Much love Uncle Doug!! Thanxz
You're welcome, ATL. Thanks so much for your very nice comments. You're right, hot rods, tube amps, and feral kitties.......what more does a man need ??
thanks Uncle Doug for the lesson on old pots and bed rule for old resistors . Ollie and Jack are really sounding good too
You're welcome, Cale. Thanks from all of us :)
Man, that has a really sweet mid range grungy tone that is just killer, what a great rock tone.
Thanks, Jeff. I agree :)
I now want to build my own cab with the “crackle” paint job. Very cool. Thanks for taking in the strays. Very compassionate thing to do. I am sure Jack is delighted to share his treats with his wild brethren.
I don't blame you, Steve. It's a very unique finish. Hopefully, it can be replicated with paint supplies from Hobby Lobby or on Ebay. We keep Jack in the house, separate from the feral kitties to avoid any contagious diseases and possible altercations.
This simple straightforward video is just as great and satisfying as the ones that are more work and complication for you. In fact they are catnip mice to me. You show me something that doesn't work. You show me the obstacle(s)... the desire to solve the problem is managed and directed perfectly, step by step so that it working at the end is perfectly gratifying. This is the heart of my favorite Uncle Doug stories and movies. That and kitties.
Thanks so much, Jensen. Your analysis is right on the money. Each video is a little morality play in which hard work and perseverance triumph over abstract obstacles......or something like that :)
Yes Uncle Doug your right about basic knowledge and a good solder gun and 25 watt solder pencil. You and I think alike.
About a year ago I picked up an old Weller gun that works 100 watt. Probably made in the 1960s. I bought one new back in the 1970s from Lafayette radio. And still works two stage on the trigger 100 and 150 watt. Had to repair it once. I like to fix things. Yes on the solder alloys. 60/40 rosin core or solid with the bees wax flux is the way to go for Electronics. Silver is ok for metal brazing. At 500 degs. I also have a radio shack solder gun as well they all last for decades. Ok later on Danasonic. Dwight.
Thanks for sharing, Dwight.
The love for amps and cats goes well together. Here in France it is the same. Thanks!
Then France must be a very nice place to live, Jelcke. Thanks !!!
That amp has a lot of character in its voice. Between that beautiful Rola and fantastic tube set you get a sound very unique.
It's good to hear you play and the cat updates will be highly welcome!
Thanks, KM. We will definitely keep you updated on her progress.
great work on the amp . and also great to see your another animal (and cat) lover :) bless you sir
Thanks, R&R. Yes, we love and care for all the little helpless creatures who come our way :)
The overdrive at 39:05 is just dreamy, even with the poor mic crying. I'm finding I really like the qualities and character of the older octal preamp tubes. These are new to my ears, but the 6J7, 6SN7, and 6SL7 sound fantastic in the old Stromburg I worked on. The cat-owner heart in me melted when you said you were helping out that friendly kitty. Such a wonderful thing to do
I've run across those Brothel badges at places that cater to the Cowboy Action Shooting crowd. Good fun :)
Thanks, Andy. I agree that octal pre-amp tubes have a very special, warm tone. I will post an update on the little kitty tomorrow morning. She is doing very well.
That small amp sounds really good. Great repair as always. Thanks Uncle Doug.
You're welcome, Gil. Thanks !!
Ha! The Lee Trevino anecdote you shared, 😄. Reminded me of my high school freshman shop class teacher. He would always say "It's a poor worker who blames his tools", Lol! That always stuck with me throughout the decades. 😁. --Jason 🙂✌🏻&❤️
Glad you enjoyed it, Jason :)
I really enjoy your videos. I have now watched so many of them that when I open my '66 Vox AC50 I know what I'm looking at (sort of, mostly). I even found the courage to change the rottening power cord - and it worked! So thank you very much for explaining this stuff in an entertaining way.
My wife also likes you - but mostly because you're kind to animals.
That's great news, Arne. We're glad you're putting the video lessons to good use. Regards from Jack & KC to you and your wife :)
Uncle Doug, great video as usual. I've been soldering since I was 16. Professionally since the late 70's. I'm now 66 and retired. I've always used Weller 40 and 100 watt soldering irons. I upgraded to Weller temperature controlled soldering stations in 1980. I couldn't be happier. I still have a few old irons around including a 1960's 140/100 watt Weller soldering gun that still works fine. My solder of choice is Kester 44 SN63 in .020 , 031, and 062 sizes.. I also have a Hakko desoldering gun. Works amazing. Much better than those mechanical pumps.
1
Thanks for your detailed and informative input, Glenn.
Wow! That thing does have some gain. I wasn't expecting that kind of sound from a 1930s amp.
....and that was at 35% of full volume, Mark. The extra pre-amp tube really makes a difference. I was quite surprised also.
Yes, I noticed when you said you set the volume around 4. It sounds like it's cranked up to 11. :D
Nice job Doug the Amp sounds great and its lovely that you are taking care of the young kitty. I am sure she will come on fine now...............................Berni
Thanks, Berni :)
Sounds like it's closer to 80 years old! What a find, amazing!
Do you mean me.....or the amp, RC? Just kidding......Thanks !!
Haha! I did not expect a reply! Well, it's tough to tell with so much water under the bridge. But at least you pinpointed the venue where it occurred.Thanks again, I have three successful vintage audio repairs to date. A few failures too, but I can blame anyone for that.
Carve three notches in your soldering gun, Steven. After a couple hundred successful repairs, you'll be holding a bare (and very hot) transformer.....but that's the price of success :)
that's great Uncle Doug. about the cat I mean. we hear at my home have strays (cats) as well and take care of them . I have named 2 of the 3. we had 4 buy he decided to move to a different neighbor Hood. we aren't sure y he did that but we try to check on him every so often to make sure he is ok.
Good work, Marcus. All God's creatures can use some help once in a while :)
Uncle Doug, which includes our fellow man as well.
Yep :)
That is a neat little amp, so crisp and clean, finding something like that, that is basically unmolested is very rare with something of that age.
As for the tools, I agree with you, for years I used the Radio Shack $6 special soldering irons and a Mincronta DMM I got for Christmas when I was 13. I still have an old 150/300W Weller gun from the 60's for point to point work.
I have 2 workshops and am currently working on a big project at the second one, there I use a Weller 25W iron I got at a hardware store when I was a kid, someone went ballistic on one of my videos saying I would destroy the board with a non temp controlled iron, when this one gets just hot enough to melt the solder and nothing more...
Thanks, M79. Yes, indeed, some tools just seem to work better than others, regardless of price.
@@UncleDoug I was an electronic/electrical tech for 30 years, never owned a "soldering station". Pencil type irons and a good fluke meter got me through just fine.
I agree, Jim :)
What a jewel! Love that little bit of crunch behind that brick wall of amazing tone...
Thanks, Cameron. What a great way to describe it :)
Thanks for BED, didn't know this one. I too have an oldie but goodie Weller Solder Gun from my Grandfather's garage in the 80s, it was 20+ years old at the time. I fire it up for the really big joints. Please take a break for a while, it's well deserved. You've been cranking out gem after gem for months now. Thanks Doug.
You're welcome, Craig. I intend to keep posting videos, but they will be the good old-fashioned basic ones for a while.
12;40 Ohh that new-fangled 6J5 , lol
Love watching to lil assistants do THEIR thing too :)
Thanks, Roger :)
Absolutely fascinating.
This rates as one of my favorite video's of yours thus far and the stock tone of the amplifier is very unique. Great content all the way around. Thank you.
: ))
Thanks so much, Amo. Glad you enjoyed it :)
Really nice vintage amp that sounds as good as it looks, nice job.
Glad you like it, Blair :)
I learn something every time I watch you... thanks man
You're welcome, Billy :)
Once again, you hit home run Uncle Doug!
Thanks so much, LA. I've been enjoying your CD's :)
I love the absolute gem ancient amps you've posted ! This one is awesome! And the dialog you add is precious! *bonus laughs for the paint finish comment about the groupie's undies... LOL . I proudly own that same Radio Shack / Archer 1960's soldering pistol! It was my late father's & is therefore priceless to me... My multimeter was $11 on Amazon.com about 3 months ago, So I'm still learning... And yes, I do wish I had paid more attention when I was an early teen, & my father, the master electrician tried to teach me & my short attention span how to use these things... At least I learned to solder, weld with an acetelyne torch, and use a grinder & buffing wheel... SO much more I should have absorbed... Thank you for your videos, as they are serving as my refresher course in electronics!
You're quite welcome, Ace. I think we all missed out on all sorts of educational opportunities during our callow youth.....but, let's face it, that's what youth is for :) Now that we're older and hopefully wiser, we can focus on "grown up" things :) Thanks for your great comments.
Dog, thanks for taking a moment to share about the cat. I'm up in Canada, and in the winter of 2008 a stray cat looking similar to the one you've shown with similar weight and size, showed up around my place in January. I put out food to help. In late February we had a warmish day 0c/32f and the cat visited me while I was clearing ice on my driveway.
3 days later at 6am on my way out to work he appeared near my car, hurt on left front leg. I took him in the house and segregated him from my other 2 cats with food water and a litter box while I went to work. I got a vet appointment for that evening and it turned out he had been bitten by something on his leg. After $720 in vet bills to get him fixed up and dewormed and de-earmited I decided I would keep him. There was a first generation chip in his neck that did not provide any information other than a file number which led to a phone number that was disconnected, which led to another phone number that was disconnected on exchanges that were 40 miles from where I live. So in my assessment the original owners somehow abandon him and I decided to give him a home with my two other boys. from the original 9 pounds body weight he was when I found him he increased to 18 lb within one year. From then on he always seem to be fairly healthy. But last week I lost him due to stage 4 kidney disease which came on very quickly over 2 months since his last check up. At least he got a good home with love for the last 10 years of his life. Good luck with that one you have.
I love watching all the tube stuff you do. I started college in 1968 and tubes are what I started learning electronics on. There was still so much tube tech the as transistors were just penetrating the market. I had a wealth of books collected from back then till 1990. Literally boxes of collectable items. They had been boxed up from 90 to 2006 never used since everything I was involved with was solid state over all those years. Foolishly when I moved in 2006 to my last job pre retirement I threw out all those books. I regret now, that I have time to find hobbies. I got rid of my scope also since I hadn't used it for so long. So, I live vicariously through your adventures.
We sound like kindred spirits, Mike. I can't resist adopting lost kitties and pups, and have spent quite a few, expensive nights in the pet emergency room seeking treatment for those who are sick or injured. I'm sorry you threw away your library, but am pleased that you enjoy our videos. Thanks for watching and commenting :)
Uncle Doug you are amazing! Thank you for you time! Love that amp!
Thanks so much, AJ :)
Lee came in to the gas station I was the night manager when I was in high school in Irving TX. At the time he lived in a small town about 10 miles north. He sat and visited for about an hour. Very interesting man.
Was that Robert E. Lee, Monty ??? ;) ;)
now we know how the paint got crackled...it is loud! and the brothel inspector, with those bubbling eyes...he was born for the job LOL...great job Doug.
Thanks, Marcelo :)
love your sense of humor and everything else as well ....
Thanks, Craig :)
I have a 5lb spool of Kester solder that is 40+ years old and super thin. I love it
.....and you can build up your arm strength by holding the spool while soldering for hours.
Wow, it sounds pretty darn good. Great job.
Thanks, 49. Glad you liked it :)
Very nice antique restore there, Doug. Always enjoy your videos.
Thanks, GM :)
Another lovely restoration! Thanks
You're welcome, Charles :)
Absolutely killer amp restoration, I need to know more about the robot amp. I hope to run across that story as I study all of your work.
Jules
Check my video list. Its construction was documented in a video series.
Wow, Uncle Doug, this is the best playing I've every heard you do! Your hands are doing quite well. Oh, and what a nice amp. I'll bet it would make a great harmonica amp.
Thanks so much, MB. Actually, Jack and Ollie deserve all the credit for the audio demos :)
Best wishes and speedy recovery for the stray kitty from me, my GF and the neighbor's Norwegian forest cat that visits us now and then :-)
I'll tell her that she has a bunch of nice people.......and a Norwegian Forest Cat.......rooting for her, Asle. I know she'll be appreciative. Thanks !!!
I purchased Weller soldering irons (3) and I can say they are just not working well for me. I then purchased a harbor freight soldering iron and sure as the night will set it worked terrific and has been my go to iron ever since. thanks for all the great instructional videos!
You're welcome, Marcus. I definitely agree that sometimes bargain tools work better than fancy ones.....and I am a fan of Harbor Freight. Once the tariffs kick in on Chinese goods, the prices may go up, but for now......HF is the place to go.
I think the general consensus on the Weller guns is that the vintage USA-made ones are great (I have one, and it is) but the stuff imported these days is limited-lifetime junk.
I bought a Weller "analog" dial soldering station and it has worked for me. I also got a Hakko 633 de-soldering station for wok on PC boards, that in itself is "priceless"...other than that, I'm like Uncle Doug with the "archaic" tools especially the expensive electrolytic capacitor remover...I have several of those ;-))
I bought a harbor freight soldering gun too
Marcus P. Carrozza
The irony is...If your soldering iron stops working, you have to buy another iron in order to repair it!.....So always keep a spare.
Hi Uncle Doug. Thanks again for sharing this amplifier with us here in UA-cam land! The early Coke-bottle-shaped tubes are really a work of art. It's so neat seeing these amps you get which are unbastardized after 60 years or more.
It's also interesting hearing you talk about the solder. I completely trust your advice on using the 60/40 solder on the vintage electronics. I do, however, find it odd that silver alloys have caused problems. My favorite alloy is a 2% silver solder (can't remember the other percentages of lead and tin). It does require a higher temperature, but it will bond to metals which don't seem to take to the regular 60/40.
One of my hobbies is repairing antique refrigerators from the 20's and 30's. The first one I fixed was an old GE Monitor Top from 1935. A friend bought it and promptly allowed the compressor to fall off (!) and broke a line. This was a copper tube connected to the stainless-steel cooling coil in the refrigerator cabinet.
I was able to research and find that the correct solder was a 6% silver alloy; and (more importantly) a certain type of liquid flux was required. There were many nay-sayers that this could not be fixed and that it would never work again. But, I got the materials recommended by the old time guys who have done it before.... and the repair was not only successful - it was actually easy. The mighty General Electric scotch-yoke Monitor Top compressor roared to life like nothing had happened after the repair and has been providing my friend with ice cold adult beverages ever since!
Back in the day, one of the workers building that amplifier brand new, could have come home from work and taken his after work drink from a brand-new GE Monitor Top fridge, which is still running 80 years later, as is his amplifier!
Your repair with the new capacitors sounds great. Thanks again for sharing it!
You're welcome, David. The silver-containing solder I loathe is the lead-free, eco-friendly one. The 2% silver you mentioned is a form of eutectic solder and contains both lead and tin. I am currently using a 63/37 eutectic solder recommended by viewers and really liking it. Thanks for all your comments and input.
@@UncleDoug Oh yeah! That lead-free solder is far "worse than worthless" since it not only fails to provide a soldered connection; but also causes you to spoil your work! I have been on the job before and had to unexpectedly and urgently buy a soldering iron. It came with some of that solder; which I promptly discarded. Thankfully I caught it before making a mess out of a work project with it!
I ended up using the lead-free (silver) solder with a torch and flux to do some structural soldering, David. It works better with a torch than an iron, and makes a real strong joint. For electronic work, however, it's junk.
It seems to be best for things like tubing and plumbing repairs, where you don't want lead in the water. And it' quite hard as you noted, once bonded. The solder I discarded was lead-free but also had a flux core (of dubious quality) which I was not confident about using for anything structural.
I tend to dislike things with unknown properties, such as solder with no alloy listed and only "flux core lead-free electrical solder" as its most detailed description. I just couldn't get good feelings about it.
Smashing vid as usual, very interesting subject. I don't recall seeing that type of resistor before, good solid stuff I'll wager !! Nice to see something that was well cared for.
Thanks, Mr. CC. As resistors go, the old tubular ones were pretty stout.
This had to be a gift that was only taken out as a conversation piece.
It must have spent a lot of time in the closet, Mr. B :)
Wow, what an original beauty!!
Why thank you, Robert........Oh, I guess you mean the amp ;)
@@UncleDoug :-)
Cool little amp. I bet it was nothing compared with your genious previous project. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks, Daniel. It is a lot easier to deal with amps that are already built :)
Love your sarcasm for slopy workmanship. I worked as a service tech at a chevy dealer for 13 yrs. Seen alot of
Slopy work and had to go behind them because they knew I would do a better job
I know the feeling. Fuck funny thing they always payed them more than me so I retired early. Iv seen good cars turned into junck over slopy workmanship. Love your attitude
Dwight
Thanks, Dwight. It's good to hear from a kindred spirit :)
UD another phenomenal video! Thank you Sir!
You're welcome, James :)
So true, so true, so true. Excellent video
Thanks, RC :)
Nice repair - and, as usual, an entertaining explanation of the process. Most strikingly, though, that thing sounds great!
Thanks, TP. I was pleasantly surprised by the outcome :)
One thing that a lot don't talk about is the predecessor of the 5Y3, the type 80, which is electrically identical but with a different socket. The 80 rectifier was so ubiquitous that when the 5Y3 was introduced it was common even into the 60s to use adapters for type 80 tubes in equipment using 5Y3 tubes. There were even tubular 80 tubes which were produced in the '70s-'80s as military spares.
And let's not forget the trusty 5Z3, that filled the void between the 80 and the 5U4, D20. Most pre-war Wurlitzer jukeboxes used them.
Nice! What a great find. Thanks again!
You're welcome, Mark :)
BROTHEL INSPECTOR!
New keyboard, over here.
I should know better by now - lulled into a false sense of security by the laconic tones of Uncle Doug...before landing the sucker punch.
How does Uncle Doug always know when I'm sipping my tea?
Dastardly, that's what it is.
A thorough sinus cleansing is good for the soul, PD :)
Thank you, Uncle Doug! We love that you decided to rescue this poor kitty.
Thanks, Chris. She's really doing well.
That little thing breaks up nicely!
It does......and in a good way, very controllable and gradual.
Great video as always Uncle Doug, this amp has a cool sound. Always a pleasure to hear the demos of the amp at the end of the videos 🎶🎸🎶
Thanks, PC.....glad you enjoyed it :)
Brilliant video. Such a lovely person
Thanks, Andrew :)
Doug - WOW ! what a find. Amazing to be in that condition. Too bad it couldn't talk to tell you it's history. Wonder job recapping and making electrically safe. Really fun to watch. Something I will likely never see in person.
Thanks BTW for caring for the kitty. We foster for the SPCA. Mostly cats, but occasionally a dog here and there.
You're welcome, Paul. Best of luck with your fostering.
Thank you for your time and effort for another highly informative video. I note the use of the ESR meter. I always tend to disconnect one leg of each capacitor before i measure ESR. Very very good ! Thank you again. ( PS well done adopting the stray cat !)
You're welcome, Bryan. Unless the caps are in parallel, which is quite rare in amp circuits, you can measure them in circuit with an ESR meter.
Nice on the cats they are good company
Can be very affectionate and loving
I had a cat like
Jack only solid White
Slender like Jack
Was funny and playful
I also had a cat from
When I was 11years old till I was 30
Very long lived for a sealpoint siamese cat
And quick as lightning when catching or stalking little critters.
Love your cats.
Good dogs to
Rest in peace Rusty.
Thanks so much, Dwight :)
Doug, God bless you and Mrs. UD, taking care of those kitty's! The real deal: old amps and cats...
Thanks so much, Joe. :)
Sounds like a clean vinyl record again, excellent work
Thanks, PJ :)
It's interesting to see all original tubes in this amplifier. It's rare to see that many ST-shaped tubes still in good condition.
Thanks, Frank. They really are rather uncommon.
As usual, nice job! Can’t begin to calculate the things I’ve learned from you at this point, Doug. I’ve got a hankering to build a 5e3 Deluxe pretty soon... so that’s gonna be a fun one. Supposed to be the most pleasing sounding amp from back in the day. Guess it’s the one used on Cinnamon Girl. What a great guitar sound that is! I’m looking forward to getting back in to amp building/repair now that I’m retiring. Ok... enough blabbing. Thanks for another fun video.
You're welcome, BC. Best of luck with your 5E3 project :)
About basic tools. I use the same 😁 Only for the soldering iron I've complemented it with a speed regulator from an old vacuum cleaner in order to reduce the temperature of the tip.
That sounds like an interesting modification, Dorel.
Well Done ! UD and the supporting cast have delivered some great content, common sense and world class humor. Nice little amp, I would love to hear it in an uncompressed digital format as even with my set up, I don't feel I got the full value of it's potential. Seems just a bit shouty on the top end, but otherwise very nice !
I have an idea for an informative oscilloscope demo. Everywhere I have lived from apartments to custom built homes and in different cities all seem to have a wide variety of power voltages and levels of we'll call it dirtiness. Maybe as a less complicated video you could give us a look at your power supply and it's unfiltered suitability. I have recently come to experiment with power supply cords and speaker cables and found some un-documentable , but audible gains.
Thanks Doug for your efforts
Robert aka jagjet
Thanks so much , Robert. I will definitely keep your suggestion in mind for future videos.
Classic rebuild,regards from over the pond,Colin.
Thanks, Colin. Likewise from Texas, USA :)
Nice job Doug and some nice playin at the end. Well some different songs anyway.. lol thanks 🙂
Thanks, DT.......I guess :)
These old amps put the sound out front! Love the vids!
Thanks, Laszlo. They do indeed :)
The date code on the 6N7 appears to be 7 over 52. That would make the date of manufacture the fourth quarter of 1947. Love the videos.
Which is probably right in the ballpark for the amp's date of manufacture, Brian. Thanks !!
Uncle Doug sir,
That young cat can't believe it's luck I thought I saw it hiding a smile.
She definitely came to the right place :)
Uncle Doug, a Mona Lisa smile perhaps? You could call her "Mona", which also has a song-subject reference....
Great video. As a cat and dog owner I appreciate the stray cat love. Seeing all your build videos has been inspirational too, I have a 2x6550 amp in progress now. It would already be done but I am waiting on a mouser order for two resistors and three caps that I was missing. I even used a metal brake to make my own chassis! the wiring layout is funky because I'm designing it to be the same shape and size as a vintage Sunn or Acoustic brand solid-state head, but with a bunch of tubes tucked inside.
It's miserable waiting for parts.....I'm in the same boat. No matter how many components I have on hand, I never seem to have the one (or more) I need. Good luck with your project.
Nice video I’m learning amp repair always had a love for electronics keep up the great work
Thanks, Bob. We will :)
Always the best. Thank you for another great video.
You're welcome, Sid :)
The badge is a nice touch.
Thanks, William. It was just stuck on with tape for the video, but will be properly attached for the future.
that's an amazing troubleshooting! So much to learn with you uncle doug! I hope the new feral buddy can happily recover to its new life
Thanks so much, GG. So do I. She's doing well today and hopefully will regain her lost weight and vitality. I suspect that she may be pregnant 8-O
gui guitar , I do hope that Uncle Doug doesn't have any gut strung guitars in his house, or that cat might never learn to trust him.
Doug,
Your new cat is almost certainly a girl. She looks to be Calico in color. That color pattern is sex linked. I thought it was 100% but I have since found out that it is more like 99.8%. There are a few Calico males, but they are about as rare as eyebrows on eggs.
She is lucky that she found your house, and you are a damned fine fellow for taking care of her.
Thanks so much, Bruce. I seem to recall hearing about the sex linkage before. I also remember that there is a certain combination of fur and eye color that almost always indicates deafness. We have been feeding her almost continually and got her a new, heated little house to sleep in, which she did all last night. Her intestines are having some trouble resuming their function, but so far, so good. Considering her condition, I doubt that she would have lasted another 2 or 3 days.
That's interesting I had a similar stray that gave birth to a ginger kitten and just abandoned it so today I took it to the vet and they;ll feed and take care of it.Uncle Doug is full of heart.
@@UncleDoug Calicos 99.8% females as Bruce said. Tortoise shell cats are also 99.8% females. In fact any color scheme that has both "red" and "black" (shades thereof - all cat colors are variants of one of those 2 colors) must be female because those 2 colors are carried on the X chromosome, thus XX to have both. Pure white cat (no trace of color on the points) with blue eyes is almost always deaf. Orange tabbies are 95% male - not sure why. I could go on but I'll spare you. Cat genetics are interesting and surprisingly well documented.
Short article on cat color genetics: www.seregiontica.org/Colors/intro.htm
Thanks so much for this very interesting information, Sooti :)
“Look at this nice old amp......lets take it apart”. I couldn’t agree more. The 6V6 is a Beam Tetrode
Amen, Dave......to both comments.
Very nice work as always, Uncle Doug. After work when there just isn't enough energy to work on my own personal projects, I am delighted to find one of your new amp scores and restorations. I've learned quite a bit, and have enjoyed your way of doing things, describing things, and your quips and dry humor.
A few things worth mentioning:
-I have a neigborhood shop cat that comes to visit me at my textile studio next to a metal shop for custom fabrication, old trucks, and old motorcycles. You'd love the stuff he works on. I've come to love cats more with Ella's presence and like the multi-subject inclusions in your videos, and although I miss Rusty, I also dig your compassion for strays, and Jack and Ollie's guitar stylings.
-Yes, I have a textile studio! I make custom bags (and am also developing a new stock bag series), guitar straps, shifter boots for 1st and 2nd generation Toyota trucks and 4runners, and love custom projects. I like how you've covered how to apply Tolex, it's a new realm for me. I do regularly use contact cement, have screenprinting capabilities, and would love to make custom leatherette slipcovers for amps, as long as folks requesting them can measure or send an original. I should probably make one for myself for my Valco/Gretsch 6162. As a donation to your channel, I'd be willing to make a slipcover for one of your amps if you were so inclined. It's not my day job, but I've been plugging away at it for over 10 years.
Thanks for all your very nice comments, Joel. I would love to have one of your custom amp covers. How about one for my National Aztec? The dimensions are: 21" wide, 19" tall, 9 1/2" front-to-back. I don't know if you leave a hole at the top for the handle, but if you do, the handle is 9 1/2" long, 1 1/2" wide, centered left to right, and located 4" from the front of the cabinet.
@@UncleDoug I found the video to see it. What a nice looking amp. I would want to leave a hole at the top for a handle, since the cover helps protect the amp while being carried. I'll take your dimensions as being the exact ones of the outermost edges of the cabinet, and add some room for slipping it on so it's not too tight. As for the handle, I'll take those as being the widest parts of the handle and it's hardware, and finish the edges of the hole to allow the entire handle to be visible from the top and pass through with minimal effort. I'll also include a dust flap inside that can be velcroed open for carry-and-go situations, and also velcro shut for dust protection for long term sotrage, to showcase the options available. Last, I'll make it two-tone in similar colors of covering material to show the character of the amp inside a little, while retaining a little air of mystery. I'm sure the colors won't be exact, but that would take the fun out of it. If there is a way to contact you directly for shipping info, be it through YT message or otherwise, give me a ping there or something. Otherwise I'll comment for other communications.
You can contact me at dldcam@aol.com, Joel. Thanks in advance :)
@@UncleDoug I would like a little more discussion of measurements after seeing what a beautiful cabinet this amp has. Also to arrange shipping, you should reach me at zombieautomaton [at] gmail
Thanks! Uncle Doug for the great video. For one, It shows how a cover really protects the interior of the amp, as well as the exterior--an amazingly well preserved 70 year old amp!
I wanted to point out (if you haven't done so on some previous video), that the "ubiquitous drops of white paint" are actually spider excrement--spiders being ubiquitous, they leave their droppings on whatever is below. Places where things are stored, are usually left undisturbed for long periods, so spiders can set up shop and do what spiders will do. Perhaps, everyone knows this? But I thought I'd point it out, none the less.
You're welcome, Stephen. Other viewers have said the same about spider poop, and I am tending to believe you all. Thanks for the input.
Gosh, ya learn something new every day (!)
Another great video Uncle Doug!
Thanks, Michael :)