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previous: scott is it possible to have the caps and... -- 9/16/2000 4:05 AM

Re: fender amp repair question

9/16/2000 6:36 AM
Reverb	Re: fender amp repair question Scott, As Bruce implies, the "original" tone is subjective, unless you are the original owner of this amp and know what it sounded like when new. The values of suitable replacement resistors/caps are so close to the "original" values, that I doubt anyone could hear the difference. Well, I should say almost anyone. Some say metal film resistors are quieter than stock (I agree here), and some say carbon composition resistors are the only way to go (some say more noise but better tone). Many compromise by using carbon film resistors, which I have found is also a good choice. Old electrolytic caps are time bombs waiting to go off, so replacing them is justifiable preventive maintenance IMHO. The tone should not suffer due to this. This goes for the filter caps (100uF/350V and 20uF/500V, and all cathode bypass caps typically 25uF/25V). In fact, replacing them will actually make the amp sound more like it did when originally sold in addition to increasing its lifespan. If you want to gig with an amp, then by all means do what you can to make sure that it is up to snuff beforehand. Speaking from experience, there are few things worse than having an amp go out on you just before a gig or during a show. Fortunately for me, I hvae studied tube amps and this has never happened to me after my first embarrassing experience many years ago. My best advice - ask for more advice from this board other than mine. Best of luck and please post more questions if you have them (lots of opinions here), Reverb

9/16/2000 6:36 AM

Reverb

Re: fender amp repair question

Scott,

As Bruce implies, the "original" tone is subjective, unless you are the original owner of this amp and know what it sounded like when new.

The values of suitable replacement resistors/caps are so close to the "original" values, that I doubt anyone could hear the difference. Well, I should say almost anyone.

Some say metal film resistors are quieter than stock (I agree here), and some say carbon composition resistors are the only way to go (some say more noise but better tone). Many compromise by using carbon film resistors, which I have found is also a good choice.

Old electrolytic caps are time bombs waiting to go off, so replacing them is justifiable preventive maintenance IMHO. The tone should not suffer due to this. This goes for the filter caps (100uF/350V and 20uF/500V, and all cathode bypass caps typically 25uF/25V). In fact, replacing them will actually make the amp sound more like it did when originally sold in addition to increasing its lifespan.

If you want to gig with an amp, then by all means do what you can to make sure that it is up to snuff beforehand. Speaking from experience, there are few things worse than having an amp go out on you just before a gig or during a show. Fortunately for me, I hvae studied tube amps and this has never happened to me after my first embarrassing experience many years ago.

My best advice - ask for more advice from this board other than mine.

Best of luck and please post more questions if you have them (lots of opinions here),

Reverb

Replies:

Marc I'll second that -- 9/18/2000 3:38 AM