Hello everyone
I have been thinking about working on an amp I have for some time. I took it to two NYC amp techs and both gave me pretty much the same estimation of what is wrong with the amp (albeit with a HUGH different between the costs for the repairs). Anyway, i'm pretty handy with a soldering iron. I've done some amp repair work at the studio I work at and can trouble shoot, but i'm just worried about getting in over my head with this amp.
So, the amp is a 1963 Ampeg Super Echo Twin (ET2B model). I have a schematic for it and I do know that it needs to be recapped, has a couple of bad tubes (not super sure which ones, but definitley a couple of power tubes) and the reverb tank is shot. The amp works right now it's just very overdrivien at low volumes.
I dunno, maybe the recapping is OK to do and the reverb tank, but should I leave the tube issues to a real professional? Maybe I could buy the tubes and bring them to the tech (I know they charge more to make some money on them).
Sorry for the long post, I just wanted to see if anyone else has done something like this before. Maybe there's good book out there with tips....
Thanks!
Patrick
DIY vintage amp rebuild/maintenance
DIY vintage amp rebuild/maintenance
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http://www.myspace.com/kaosspadrecordingservices
- mixedupsteve
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yeah, I'm not scared of actually taking out and putting in tubes. It's the biasing of the amp after replacing the tubes. Also, I don't have a tube tester so i'm not sure which ones exactly are bad. This amp has two pre-amp tubes (6SL7) and two power amp tubes (7591), all of which are pricey so i don't wanna buy all four just to test it out.
any thoughts?
any thoughts?
Seaside Lounge Recording Studios
http://www.seasidelounge.com/
Kaoss Pad Recording Services
http://www.myspace.com/kaosspadrecordingservices
http://www.seasidelounge.com/
Kaoss Pad Recording Services
http://www.myspace.com/kaosspadrecordingservices
Patrick, there really isn't any bias adjustment for that amp, and it shouldn't need it if you use a couple of matched 7591 output tubes. If you use non-OEM types other than the 7591, rebias may be necessary, but is not advised for DIY. With these old amps, the best starting point is a cap replacement at the power supply. They're the real culprits in most cases.
If you need some serious Ampeg help, go here http://ampegv4.com/index.php , grab a name and password, and repost in the Forum. All Ampeg all the time, and knowledgeable folks. It's more than just V4s.
Stay away from this site http://usedampegs.proboards.com/index.cgi . Infested with spam, and the moderator(if there still is one) doesn't seem to care.
Best, Paul
If you need some serious Ampeg help, go here http://ampegv4.com/index.php , grab a name and password, and repost in the Forum. All Ampeg all the time, and knowledgeable folks. It's more than just V4s.
Stay away from this site http://usedampegs.proboards.com/index.cgi . Infested with spam, and the moderator(if there still is one) doesn't seem to care.
Best, Paul
WADAYAKNOW.. For the first time in my life, I'm wrong again!
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- pluggin' in mics
- Posts: 39
- Joined: Fri Apr 10, 2009 5:07 am
- Location: Syracuse, New York
Re: DIY vintage amp rebuild/maintenance
Take it to Dennis Kager at central jersey music. Those amps are getting rarer by the decade!ENOCHKANE wrote:Hello everyone
I have been thinking about working on an amp I have for some time. I took it to two NYC amp techs and both gave me pretty much the same estimation of what is wrong with the amp (albeit with a HUGH different between the costs for the repairs). Anyway, i'm pretty handy with a soldering iron. I've done some amp repair work at the studio I work at and can trouble shoot, but i'm just worried about getting in over my head with this amp.
So, the amp is a 1963 Ampeg Super Echo Twin (ET2B model). I have a schematic for it and I do know that it needs to be recapped, has a couple of bad tubes (not super sure which ones, but definitley a couple of power tubes) and the reverb tank is shot. The amp works right now it's just very overdrivien at low volumes.
I dunno, maybe the recapping is OK to do and the reverb tank, but should I leave the tube issues to a real professional? Maybe I could buy the tubes and bring them to the tech (I know they charge more to make some money on them).
Sorry for the long post, I just wanted to see if anyone else has done something like this before. Maybe there's good book out there with tips....
Thanks!
Patrick
If it's too loud,...go away.
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