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Topic: 1966 Deluxe Reverb |
Dave Zirbel
From:
Sebastopol, CA USA
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Posted 15 Apr 2009 7:26 am |
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I ended up aquiring this amp by accident  and love it! I opened her up and to my untrained eyes it seems to be original and untampered with. 42 years old! should I get the caps replaced? It has Groove tubes which I'm not crazy about so those will be be replaced too.
I'll post pics later.
DZ
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Dave Zirbel-
Sierra S-10 (Built by Ross Shafer),ZB, Fender 400 guitars, various tube and SS amps |
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Bob Hamilton
From:
California Central Coast
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Posted 15 Apr 2009 8:17 am Dr
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Dave, drop it by the house next time you're in the area and I'll give it a tune up. It will at least need filter caps, and we can put some JJs in there too. I've been using a '64 DR for steel and Tele for years and I can't find a better tone for the smaller gigs. BH BTW, the ZB uni is alive and well.
Last edited by Bob Hamilton on 15 Apr 2009 9:59 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Ben Jones
From:
Seattle, Washington, USA
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Posted 15 Apr 2009 9:09 am
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| thats the kind of "accident" I wish would happen to me. |
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Dave Mudgett
From:
Central Pennsylvania and Gallatin, Tennessee
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Posted 15 Apr 2009 10:29 am
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If the power filter caps are original, definitely get them replaced. Definitely - a tune-up is in order.
That's definitely the kind of "accident" I wish would happen to me more often.  |
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Jon Light
From:
Saugerties, NY
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Posted 15 Apr 2009 11:20 am
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If you get the work done by Bob, no problem but if you were to take it to a shop be very alert. The "tone" caps are unlikely to need changing but I've read of instances where they were changed in order to 'harvest' these very desirable old caps--
it's the blue molded caps in the photo:
They would be replaced by new, less desirable caps (perfectly decent caps) and justified as 'you said you wanted new caps'. Although I am skeptical about just valuable these blue caps deserve to be, I've read these stories more than once. Could be urban legend but whatever-----if you were to take the amp to a shop, specifically tell the guy that you want to keep the tone caps--leave them alone. He will assume that you know something and will not take advantage.
Hey--cool score Dave! |
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Dave Mudgett
From:
Central Pennsylvania and Gallatin, Tennessee
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Posted 15 Apr 2009 12:01 pm
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Yup - good point, Jon. I would not change any of the blue molded caps unless there is something wrong with them, and if there is, I'd want them replaced with a working version of the same thing.
I also prefer the old carbon-comp resistors. Sometimes I find one or more need to be replaced, but in that case, I would go for exact replacements.
Not everybody feels this way - many good techs prefer other styles of caps and resistors. Myself, I like old Fender amps to sound as they did back then - this is another matter of personal preference. But it is important to let any tech know exactly what you want. |
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Dave Zirbel
From:
Sebastopol, CA USA
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Posted 15 Apr 2009 6:45 pm
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Thanks for the heads up. I actually have a good relationship with my amp guy and he's hipped me about the blue ones. He doesn't like to change anything that doesn't need changing. Here's some pics:
Tranny codes are:
Big black one: 025130-606-6-07
big silver one: 022640-606-6-18
small ones:022921--606612 and 022707--606614
Pardon my lack of proper terminology!
Thanks
Dave[/url]
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Dave Zirbel-
Sierra S-10 (Built by Ross Shafer),ZB, Fender 400 guitars, various tube and SS amps |
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Steve Hamill
From:
California, USA
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Posted 15 Apr 2009 7:04 pm Nice Score!
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Well done Dave! Like to hear a little of that one when it's all tuned-up. How was the speaker?
Bob, It's great to hear the Uni is getting all the love, care , and hopefully playing it deserves. |
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Brint Hannay
From:
Maryland, USA
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Posted 15 Apr 2009 7:39 pm
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Unless I'm greatly mistaken, those preamp plate resistors (the ones in inverted V-shape configuration in your second photo) are non-original. (I have a '66 Deluxe Reverb that I bought new in '66, and it has carbon comp resistors in those locations, as in Jon's photo.)
Your amp tech has probably already told you all those brown cardboard-covered caps will need replacement, especially the five big (power filter) ones. Unfortunately the smaller ones on the preamp circuit board can't be replaced with a single unit; they're two caps in one can, not made any more. Nowadays you need two individual caps side by side. |
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Dave Zirbel
From:
Sebastopol, CA USA
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Posted 15 Apr 2009 7:44 pm
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Yes, I noticed that from the pic Jon posted. I also see some other differences. My tech hasn't seen it yet. I drop it off Saturday.
Dave
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Dave Zirbel-
Sierra S-10 (Built by Ross Shafer),ZB, Fender 400 guitars, various tube and SS amps |
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Chris Bauer
From:
Nashville, TN USA
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Posted 15 Apr 2009 7:54 pm
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| So Dave, er, exactly how does one acquire an amp "by accident"??? |
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Olli Haavisto
From:
Jarvenpaa,Finland
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Posted 16 Apr 2009 12:00 am
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That happens all the time, you go out for groceries and come home with a blackface amp.
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Olli Haavisto
Finland |
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Dave Zirbel
From:
Sebastopol, CA USA
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Posted 16 Apr 2009 4:26 am
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Let's just say the amp found me. I wasn't really looking for one because I know what they sell for. I got a very good deal! I did not get it for free though. But for no effort and not too much money I have the Holy Grail of guitar amps! I will be putting a little more money into it.
I guess it wasn't an accident. I think it was meant to be. Everyone needs to have at least one "killer score" in their lifetime. I've given enough great gear away for almost nothing in my lifetime...
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Dave Zirbel-
Sierra S-10 (Built by Ross Shafer),ZB, Fender 400 guitars, various tube and SS amps |
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Ben Jones
From:
Seattle, Washington, USA
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Posted 16 Apr 2009 5:40 am
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Those are the best scores. The ones that just kind of fall into your lap seemingly out of nowhere.
and it just makes sweet gear that much more sweeter.
enjoy your new amp Dave! |
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John McConnell
From:
Yuba City, CA, USA (deceased)
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Posted 16 Apr 2009 5:45 am
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Hey Dave,
The guy I have used for my old Twin is Skip Simpson. He lives right off of US80 right by UC Davis. He does wonders with old tube amps. Check him out at:
http://skipsimmonsamps.com
Take care,
John McConnell
Yuba City, CA |
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Dave Zirbel
From:
Sebastopol, CA USA
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Posted 16 Apr 2009 6:34 am
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Skip's been my amp guy for the last few years John. He's very enthusiastic and passionate about old tube stuff. He treats me well! Some of the local guys that I've used in the past are cranky and overpriced so it's worth the 1 and 1/2 hour drive!
Dave
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Dave Zirbel-
Sierra S-10 (Built by Ross Shafer),ZB, Fender 400 guitars, various tube and SS amps |
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Joe A. Camacho
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Posted 16 Apr 2009 9:30 am
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| Dave, you're gonna love the way your ZB sounds through that amp! |
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Chris Bauer
From:
Nashville, TN USA
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Posted 16 Apr 2009 10:05 am
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| Please say HI to Skip for me from from a long-time former Davisite! (Gotta be the same Skip I used to know, I assume...) |
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