ampage Tube Amps / Music Electronics	For current discussions, please visit Music Electronics Forum.

ampage archive

Vintage threads from the first ten years

Ampeg SB-12 re-cap.. Should I?

3/25/2006 6:47 AM
Jason	Ampeg SB-12 re-cap.. Should I? Hi All! I have a mid 60's Ampeg SB-12, and it sounds OK.. I recently peeked inside of it, because I want to put a 3-prong plug on it, and also to make sure it didn't have a "death cap" in it, in an attempt to make it safer to use. When I looked inside, I noticed a couple of things: 1) It is point-to-point wiring, and it does not look easy to identify the parts in here whatsoever- I am having trouble telling if there is a death cap or not. I guess I need to go over it more closely with a schematic in hand.. 2) All of the big capaciters looked rusty! So, I'm thinking- I can just leave the amp alone as it currently works, or I can fix it up right by re-capping, etc. What do you folks recommend? I've built an amp over at AX84.com, and I feel competent as a parts changer.. But, I look to the experience here to see what you folks would do. Is rust a common site on old amp parts, and not something to be concerned with? Or is this a sign that these old parts are done and need to be changed.. Above all, I like the sound of the amp, so I'm not looking to tweak or anything like that- my ultimate goal is 1)safety, and 2)reliability. So, basically the question is this- should I just leave the amp alone or recap it? Is it safe to play as is without a 3-prong plug? Thanks! Jason

3/25/2006 6:47 AM

Jason

Ampeg SB-12 re-cap.. Should I?

Hi All!

I have a mid 60's Ampeg SB-12, and it sounds OK.. I recently peeked inside of it, because I want to put a 3-prong plug on it, and also to make sure it didn't have a "death cap" in it, in an attempt to make it safer to use.

When I looked inside, I noticed a couple of things:
1) It is point-to-point wiring, and it does not look easy to identify the parts in here whatsoever- I am having trouble telling if there is a death cap or not. I guess I need to go over it more closely with a schematic in hand..
2) All of the big capaciters looked rusty!

So, I'm thinking- I can just leave the amp alone as it currently works, or I can fix it up right by re-capping, etc.

What do you folks recommend? I've built an amp over at AX84.com, and I feel competent as a parts changer.. But, I look to the experience here to see what you folks would do. Is rust a common site on old amp parts, and not something to be concerned with? Or is this a sign that these old parts are done and need to be changed..

Above all, I like the sound of the amp, so I'm not looking to tweak or anything like that- my ultimate goal is 1)safety, and 2)reliability. So, basically the question is this- should I just leave the amp alone or recap it? Is it safe to play as is without a 3-prong plug?

Thanks!
Jason

Replies:

Rob Mercure Hey Jason,Having an... -- 3/25/2006 8:23 AM