The following pictures are from Ebay and not mine. These will be taken off this blog if advised by the Owner of the pics:
The following are some pictures of my Jester Oahu JU-28:
Saturday, January 31, 2009
The Jester Oahu JU-28 Amp Inspiration: 50's Valco Oahu Amp
I came across a 50's Valco Oahu Amp ad in Ebay. This 50's amp is obviously the model that Jester Enterprises used as basis for the Jester Oahu JU-28 Amp.
The following pictures are from Ebay and not mine. These will be taken off this blog if advised by the Owner of the pics:
The following pictures are from Ebay and not mine. These will be taken off this blog if advised by the Owner of the pics:
Fender Showman 1966
Fender Blackface Showman 1966
Serial No. A 07348
This is one of two 1966 Fender Showman amps I have. This is the first one of the two that I restored.
It still has all original transformers. The power transformer is multi-voltage which is always a plus factor in these amps.
I used Sprague Atoms for the big Filter caps in the doghouse and for the Bias power supply to ensure safe operation of the amp and to protect the transformers and tubes.
I intentionally kept the original electrolytic cathode bypass caps in the board. I wanted this amp to retain its originality as much as practicable and as safety allows. The only part in the board that was replaced was the Light Dependent Resistor (LDA). This is required for the tremolo to work.
Serial No. A 07348
This is one of two 1966 Fender Showman amps I have. This is the first one of the two that I restored.
It still has all original transformers. The power transformer is multi-voltage which is always a plus factor in these amps.
I used Sprague Atoms for the big Filter caps in the doghouse and for the Bias power supply to ensure safe operation of the amp and to protect the transformers and tubes.
I intentionally kept the original electrolytic cathode bypass caps in the board. I wanted this amp to retain its originality as much as practicable and as safety allows. The only part in the board that was replaced was the Light Dependent Resistor (LDA). This is required for the tremolo to work.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Fender Silverface Dual Showman Reverb 1968
Fender Silverface Dual Showman Reverb 1968
Serial No. A12705
The Dual Showman Reverb Amp is the "head amp" version of the Fender Twin Reverb. It has exactly the same chassis, circuitry and parts (for contemporary models of these 2 amp) but in a more manageable size and weight package (head amp cabinet). That said, the heft of the head unit is still quite substantial, obviously due to the substantially oversized power and output transformers.
IMO, the relatively big and heavy power and output transformers together with the solid state rectifier in these amps are the main factors that contribute to the well-known fender clean tone. The power supply can take large transient/spike load hit (power chording) without or with very little sag. The big iron core in the output transformer just couldn't get saturated that easily either. Result? Fender clean tone for days!
My particular amp says "Showman Reverb Amp TFL5000D" in the faceplate instead of "Dual Showman Reverb TFL5000D". It has the transition "cloth wire" and not the irradiated Teflon "thin wires" widely used in 1968 and 1969 model Fender amps. The D in TFL5000D, means that this amp is a US Domestic model and therefore has a 110V power transformer.
It still has all its original transformers and all original capacitors. The big power filter capactors for sure will need to be replaced for safety reasons.
A Hammond choke was used to replaced the original choke which I found to be open.
The cathode bypass electrolytics were replaced with sprague atoms.
The bias supply cap was also replaced with a sprague atom.
Serial No. A12705
The Dual Showman Reverb Amp is the "head amp" version of the Fender Twin Reverb. It has exactly the same chassis, circuitry and parts (for contemporary models of these 2 amp) but in a more manageable size and weight package (head amp cabinet). That said, the heft of the head unit is still quite substantial, obviously due to the substantially oversized power and output transformers.
IMO, the relatively big and heavy power and output transformers together with the solid state rectifier in these amps are the main factors that contribute to the well-known fender clean tone. The power supply can take large transient/spike load hit (power chording) without or with very little sag. The big iron core in the output transformer just couldn't get saturated that easily either. Result? Fender clean tone for days!
My particular amp says "Showman Reverb Amp TFL5000D" in the faceplate instead of "Dual Showman Reverb TFL5000D". It has the transition "cloth wire" and not the irradiated Teflon "thin wires" widely used in 1968 and 1969 model Fender amps. The D in TFL5000D, means that this amp is a US Domestic model and therefore has a 110V power transformer.
It still has all its original transformers and all original capacitors. The big power filter capactors for sure will need to be replaced for safety reasons.
A Hammond choke was used to replaced the original choke which I found to be open.
The cathode bypass electrolytics were replaced with sprague atoms.
The bias supply cap was also replaced with a sprague atom.
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Fender Twin Reverb Silverface 1969
Fender Silverface Twin Reverb
1969
Serial No. A20769
The Fender Twin Reverb is one of the most popular and desirable amp in the Fender tube amp line. It is re-issued by Fender and remains a current product in the Fender amp product line-up, attesting to its popularity. It has an awesome clean sound that is well-complimented by its built-in reverb and tremolo effects. It is pedal friendly and it is easy to get desired sounds using outboard effects.
I did a very rough comparison noodling through my '69 Twin Reverb and my '73 Fender Vibrolux Reverb (rated at 40 watts) using the same set of speakers. They both sound sweet and inspiring. I'd give that round to the Fender Twin though I think it is mostly because I liked the quality of the reverb of this particular Fender Twin better than the Vibrolux's. It maybe just a quirk in my particular amps and/or the "reverb tanks" used and may not hold true for other examples of these amps.
My '69 Twin Reverb has all original transformers. It has an original multi-voltage power transformer (selectable power voltage). I got this amp in a home-made head cabinet. I imagine that it would be cool to have a custom pine combo cab made for this amp. Hmmm...
1969
Serial No. A20769
The Fender Twin Reverb is one of the most popular and desirable amp in the Fender tube amp line. It is re-issued by Fender and remains a current product in the Fender amp product line-up, attesting to its popularity. It has an awesome clean sound that is well-complimented by its built-in reverb and tremolo effects. It is pedal friendly and it is easy to get desired sounds using outboard effects.
I did a very rough comparison noodling through my '69 Twin Reverb and my '73 Fender Vibrolux Reverb (rated at 40 watts) using the same set of speakers. They both sound sweet and inspiring. I'd give that round to the Fender Twin though I think it is mostly because I liked the quality of the reverb of this particular Fender Twin better than the Vibrolux's. It maybe just a quirk in my particular amps and/or the "reverb tanks" used and may not hold true for other examples of these amps.
My '69 Twin Reverb has all original transformers. It has an original multi-voltage power transformer (selectable power voltage). I got this amp in a home-made head cabinet. I imagine that it would be cool to have a custom pine combo cab made for this amp. Hmmm...
According to the Fender code system, this amp was manufactured on the 25th week of 1969 (or June 1969). Just a month or two ahead of Woodstock that was held in mid-August 1969.
Teisco Model #62 Tube Amp
Teisco Model No. 62 Tube Amp
Made in Japan
Year circa '60s(?)
This is a one channel, Class-A (Single-Ended) all-tube guitar amp that puts out about 4W of power to one 6" speaker. There are four (7-pin) vacuum tubes specifically 2 x 6AV6 as preamp tubes, one 6AR5 power tube and one 6X4 rectifier tube.
This amp was marketed internationally under Teisco, Beltone, Northland, Takt and other brand names. There is a similar model with an additional 6AV6 tube and corresponding circuitry and controls for 'tremolo' effect. These 'tremolo' equipped models usually has 2 speakers.
It has 2 inputs, one volume and one tone control knobs, on-off switch and pilot lamp. I like the quality look and feel of the panel and its components.
The power transformer has a 110 and 220 Volt tap and a vintage knife-type SPST voltage selector switch.
There is very little information about teisco amps on the internet, I have not found any schematic so far.
I expect that the circuit would be very similar to vintage Gibson Kalamazoo Model One and Fender Champ 600 amps. The two 6AV6 preamp tubes in the Teisco would be equivalent to the two triodes (V1a and V1b) of the 12AX7 in the Kalamazoo Model One, shown below.
Schematic author is Miles O'neal of Austin, Texas and is originally from http://www.rru.com/~meo/Guitar/Amps/Kalamazoo/M1/schem.html
I added a phono plug and jack so that an external speaker can be conveniently plugged-in instead of the internal 6" speaker. I will fix the jack in a bracket to make it more secure and elegant looking.
Made in Japan
Year circa '60s(?)
This is a one channel, Class-A (Single-Ended) all-tube guitar amp that puts out about 4W of power to one 6" speaker. There are four (7-pin) vacuum tubes specifically 2 x 6AV6 as preamp tubes, one 6AR5 power tube and one 6X4 rectifier tube.
This amp was marketed internationally under Teisco, Beltone, Northland, Takt and other brand names. There is a similar model with an additional 6AV6 tube and corresponding circuitry and controls for 'tremolo' effect. These 'tremolo' equipped models usually has 2 speakers.
It has 2 inputs, one volume and one tone control knobs, on-off switch and pilot lamp. I like the quality look and feel of the panel and its components.
The power transformer has a 110 and 220 Volt tap and a vintage knife-type SPST voltage selector switch.
There is very little information about teisco amps on the internet, I have not found any schematic so far.
I expect that the circuit would be very similar to vintage Gibson Kalamazoo Model One and Fender Champ 600 amps. The two 6AV6 preamp tubes in the Teisco would be equivalent to the two triodes (V1a and V1b) of the 12AX7 in the Kalamazoo Model One, shown below.
Schematic author is Miles O'neal of Austin, Texas and is originally from http://www.rru.com/~meo/Guitar/Amps/Kalamazoo/M1/schem.html
I added a phono plug and jack so that an external speaker can be conveniently plugged-in instead of the internal 6" speaker. I will fix the jack in a bracket to make it more secure and elegant looking.
Saturday, November 1, 2008
Fender Reverb Unit (1966)
Fender Reverb Unit
USA
1966
Serial No. R10759
This is the legendary reverb unit from Fender that contains 3 vacuum tubes and 3 transformers. This is a 1966 model based on the serial number stamped on the chassis.
This unit works great and the reverb is the best I have heard so far. The reverb from this unit is even better than the already very nice built-in reverb in the also legendary Fender amps such as the Twin Reverb, Vibrolux Reverb, etc.
The amount and quality of reverb is controllable thru the "Dwell", "Mix" and "Tone" controls.
Tubes installed in this unit are all new: 1 x 12AX7 (JJ/Tesla), 1 x 12AT7 (JJ/Tesla) and 1 x 6K6GT (NOS Tungsol).
The cabinet is structurally sound and the front grill has no tear. The faceplate and the rusted handle shows the age of this unit. The backcover tolex has some tears in some areas.
This unit has been around for 40 years and is now ready to rock for another 40 years.
USA
1966
Serial No. R10759
This is the legendary reverb unit from Fender that contains 3 vacuum tubes and 3 transformers. This is a 1966 model based on the serial number stamped on the chassis.
This unit works great and the reverb is the best I have heard so far. The reverb from this unit is even better than the already very nice built-in reverb in the also legendary Fender amps such as the Twin Reverb, Vibrolux Reverb, etc.
The amount and quality of reverb is controllable thru the "Dwell", "Mix" and "Tone" controls.
Tubes installed in this unit are all new: 1 x 12AX7 (JJ/Tesla), 1 x 12AT7 (JJ/Tesla) and 1 x 6K6GT (NOS Tungsol).
The cabinet is structurally sound and the front grill has no tear. The faceplate and the rusted handle shows the age of this unit. The backcover tolex has some tears in some areas.
This unit has been around for 40 years and is now ready to rock for another 40 years.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Yamaha SC-800
Yamaha SC-800
Serial No. 002139
The Yamaha SC-800 was made by Yamaha Japan from 1977 to 1980. The body is alder, the neck is hard maple and the fretboard is striped ebony.
It has Yamaha-made Single Coil Rail pickups in a standard strat configuration.
The neck pick-up is connected to a DPST toggle switch that can switch this pick-up ON and OFF. The middle and bridge pick-ups are each connected to DPDT switches. This allows the independent switching of the middle and the bridge pick-ups ON-OFF-ON, putting them in and out of phase.
I like the capability to turn off all pick-ups as it enables me to take a short break without needing to turn the amp off. It's like having a guitar cable with a circuit-breaker.
The hardware are all chrome-plated. The bridge is the fixed hardtail type with a tele-like string-thru-the-body arrangement for maximum sustain.
I like the fact that theYamaha SC-800 guitar has characteristics of both the strat and the tele.
The body is strat shaped and the pick-up positions are like those of a strat but the hardtail string-thru is like those of a tele. Having no trem mechanism means it has less cavities in the body than a strat and in this regard is more like a tele.
The flexible switching capabilities enable one to switch the pick-ups to any of the 5 strat positions. The neck and the bridge pick-ups can be switched like in a tele. Out-of-phase pick-up combinations are also possible for even more tonal variety!
Beautiful and possibly rare. They just don't make them like they used to!
Serial No. 002139
The Yamaha SC-800 was made by Yamaha Japan from 1977 to 1980. The body is alder, the neck is hard maple and the fretboard is striped ebony.
It has Yamaha-made Single Coil Rail pickups in a standard strat configuration.
The neck pick-up is connected to a DPST toggle switch that can switch this pick-up ON and OFF. The middle and bridge pick-ups are each connected to DPDT switches. This allows the independent switching of the middle and the bridge pick-ups ON-OFF-ON, putting them in and out of phase.
I like the capability to turn off all pick-ups as it enables me to take a short break without needing to turn the amp off. It's like having a guitar cable with a circuit-breaker.
The hardware are all chrome-plated. The bridge is the fixed hardtail type with a tele-like string-thru-the-body arrangement for maximum sustain.
I like the fact that theYamaha SC-800 guitar has characteristics of both the strat and the tele.
The body is strat shaped and the pick-up positions are like those of a strat but the hardtail string-thru is like those of a tele. Having no trem mechanism means it has less cavities in the body than a strat and in this regard is more like a tele.
The flexible switching capabilities enable one to switch the pick-ups to any of the 5 strat positions. The neck and the bridge pick-ups can be switched like in a tele. Out-of-phase pick-up combinations are also possible for even more tonal variety!
Beautiful and possibly rare. They just don't make them like they used to!
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